Let Her Go (Already Broken Sequel) {J.B.}

chapter fifteen

^Picture of Kayla^

~Kayla's POV~

"Four. That's four."

"Huh?" I pick my head up from the counter and look at Daniel; he's mopping the aisles for probably the seventh time tonight and is staring at my with his please-pay-attention-to-me eyes.

"That was the fourth time," he chuckles, "that-that your head slipped from your palm." He waits a second and since I don't respond, he keeps talking. "You were falling asleep."

I breathe in and plaster a fake smile to my lips. "Yeah, well, I'm tired."

"Long day?"

"Long week," I correct him. He raises his eyebrows for me to continue, but I wave him off. "Just.. lots of schoolwork, you know?"

"Mm," he hums. "I graduated a few years back, so, I don't know," he laughs just slightly.

"Lucky you."

"I could tutor you, you know." I watch him toss the mop between his hands and rearrange the chip aisle. He can't sit still, he's constantly cleaning up or reorganizing. I think I've seen the candy aisle arranged at least eight different ways since I started working here. "If you want, that is."

I lift the corner of my lip and shake my head as a friendly pass, and I think he understands. He seems to, anyway. He goes back to the fourth aisle and mops as far as he can under the shelves without breaking the mop head off of the stick.

My head falls back to my palm and I doze off. I think about the way I must look as I stare into space and why people take it as their chance to start conversation. I wonder if I look approachable when I'm checked out of myself. I wonder if it's better to be approachable and friendly or to be distant and keep to yourself. I think about the dishes I left in the sink this morning and wonder if Ashley's done them or ordered takeout instead. I think about the paper I have due tomorrow that's only half done and how much I'd rather be sleeping than here right now.

My phone buzzes and it's Ashley.

'His flight should have landed an hour ago. He said he'd text me when he landed to come pick him up. It's been AN HOUR. I'm worried for so many different reasons. CALL ME'

I sigh and roll my eyes. David's supposed to be flying out from Oregon tonight so he and Ashley can talk. She's been worried about it all week, and I'm not going to have listened to her and consoled her and eased her just for him to not even show up.

"Daniel, I'm gonna take a call outside, okay? I'll be right back." I say.

"Yep," he nods.

I step outside and it's raining, so I stay close by the wall and under the covering.

"Hey," Ashley answers.

"Hey. What's up? He hasn't called?"

She sighs, "no. And I just checked his itinerary from the email he sent me. His flight was on time. If he boarded the flight..."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"I don't know. I'm constantly worried that somehow he's found out before I get the chance to tell him. You know? Like what if he found out and that's why he's not responding to me?"