Xyla
"Slow night for tips." Missy said playfully bumping my shoulder with hers. I shook my head yes before zipping up the front of my jacket. Tonight had really been one big disappointment. I was low on funds and just barely getting by. By the skin of my teeth to be exact.
Well it is the middle of the week." I bargained. "Damien's usually held a good crowd. Mostly older but consistent. Tonight however it struggled to keep up with the old school concert happening across town. Something I had considered. But hoped wouldn't necessarily be the case.
I folded my apron before stuffing it into my book bag and tossing it over my shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow girl." I said waving goodbye and heading out of the break room. Thankfully I had made just enough in tips to get to work tomorrow. And to grab something to eat tonight for me and Xavier.
"Xyla!" Damien yelled behind me just as I reached the front entrance. I balled my fist at my hip before softly stomping and then turning around to see what he wanted.
"Yes Damien." I forced a smile. My boss was quite the character. He was a cool guy for the most part. Aside from him being married with children and continuously trying to bed me. That part of him was very uncool.
"Headed out?" He quizzed as if it wasn't evident. I nodded my head yes and there was an awkward silence between us. "You know my offer still stands right." I could feel the forced smile fade from my face. Which I quickly replaced with a grin. Also forced.
"And I'm still thinking about it." I lied.
"Fair enough." He said satisfied with the false hope I had allowed to linger. "I really wanna help you Xy. You're a smart beautiful girl. You deserve soo much more." He was right. But that didn't mean the same thing to me as it did to him. To him it meant me allowing him to bang me for money while to me it meant working hard and finishing school so that I could get me and my little brother out of this personal hell we seemed to be occupying. I just had to keep reminding myself that I only had one more year left. One more year Xy.
"I appreciate you Damien. I just need a little more time to think." I said holding my index finger and thumb closely together. Before squinting my eyes.
"Alright kid." He said before winking at me. I smiled and took this opportunity to make my exit. "See you tomorrow!" He yelled behind me just before the door closed.
He was such a creep. But I needed this job.
I pulled my keys from my pocket before wrapping my arms around myself. It was the beginning of spring but it was still very cold.
I smiled to myself before softly knocking on the back window. Xavier turned about in the back seat before opening his eyes and jumping up. "Hey you!" I chimed. I loved my little brother to pieces. He was the light of my life. So young and naive. So pure.
He matched my smile before reaching into the front seat to unlock the door. I entered as he crawled into the passenger side. "Xyla I'm starving." He said causing me to rub my hands across his neat head of curls.
"Let's go get some food." I said placing the key into the ignition and turning the engine over.
"Yes!" He yelled placing his seat belt on.
I pulled off into the nights streets heading in the direction of our current home. It was an extended stay but it was better than sleeping in the car.
Xavier was my little brother who I now had full custody over. Thank god. I had fought soo hard for him.
Our parents had been killed in a freak accident just before my 18th birthday. So naturally Xavier was placed into foster care. And I did whatever I had to do to make ends meet.
I entered college not too long after and quickly found a job. Saved up enough money to show the court that I was responsible enough to care for him. And had been struggling to do so ever since. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. He was all I had and vice versa.
Between caring for Xavier, school and two jobs I had struggled to maintain my sanity. But it wasn't just about me. It was about making sure Xavier had what he needed. That was all I seemed to care about these days.
I was now in my fourth year of college and Xavier was in the 7th grade. He was still young so I didn't feel comfortable leaving him at the motel alone. So on nights I had to work I'd leave him in the car. I'd check on him every chance I got and when my boss wasn't around sneak him food. But tonight my boss was there the entire shift.
"Xyla!" He whined as I pulled into the gas station just down the street from our motel.
"I know. I know." I bargained. To be so young the kid had expensive taste. I knew he wanted something more than gas station food but it was all I could afford right now. "Friday I'll buy you whatever you want. Okay." He was disappointed but ultimately understood.
"Okay." He said opening the door and running towards the front door of the gas station.
I opened the driver side door and stood to my feet. Taking the time to take note of the pump number just as another vehicle pulled up behind me.
The sound of the door opening and closing as I made my way around my car caught my attention. It was very late and normally pretty scarce around here at this time.
A tall fair skinned man stood idly by. I took note of his parted hair and oversized clothes before politely smiling. He kindly returned the gesture before I turned back around. 'Kinda cute.' I thought to myself .
"Let me!" He semi yelled way closer to me than he should have been given the previous distance between us.
I jumped just as he made his way around me to open the door. I smiled politely. "Thank you." I whispered still a bit confused by how he had gotten over to me so fast. He tilted his head toward me before placing his arm across his stomach. What a gentleman.
I stepped in to find Xavier making nachos. The one item he didn't mind getting from the gas station. "Hey Xy!" Julie chimed waving at me.
"Hey Ju!" I yelled back heading towards the back in search of pizza rolls. My guilty pleasure.
I quickly retrieved them and began to search the isles for other affordable snacks. But in the midst of it I couldn't help but to feel as though I was being watched.
I scanned my surroundings and to my surprise the tall fair skinned man seemed to be scavenging snacks of his own. He wasn't staring at me as I suspected but for some reason or another I felt as though he was lingering.
I grabbed some chips and a soda before meeting Xavier at the counter where he was knee deep into conversation with Julie. I think he has a crush. Which was cute but scary at the same time. They grow up so fast.
"Is that it?" Julie asked ringing up our items. The fair skinned man softly stepping up behind us.
I took the time to see what our total was before calculating how much was left over for gas. "Yeah. And let me get 7 dollars on pump 5." I said taking a second glance outside just to be sure.
"Fill up her tank." The fair skinned man said sliding his credit card onto the counter.
I instantly caught an attitude but was humbled as soon as I turned around to face him. I hadn't expected his smile to be so enchanting.
