When Two Paths Meet

Chapter 4: High School Years

During those three years of working and going to school I also developed a habit. Which I believe started right after the incident with my sister. When ever I saw bullying or any kind of unjust fighting i'd intervene. I will say that half the time I got my ass beat, but... I didn't care. It always worried the librarian though, when she saw me all bruised up. She would take care of my wounds after making a fuss about staying out of trouble. I would then tell her the story of the fight and make it dramatic which always made her laugh.

My foster parents knew nothing about the fights. I didn't feel like sharing and they didn't ask. From the beginning they knew to keep their distance cause I wasn't going to tell them shit about me nor would I join into the family. For me, they were a stepping stone through high school. I'd pay them back for food and shelter so I wouldn't feel guilty and that would be that.

After a year of living with them, they finally stopped making me join dinner time, partly because I started working and also cause it was torture for both parties. So, in the morning I would pack my lunch and dinner so that after school I could head straight to work. I honestly loved it there. It felt like a home away from home. For the most part Ellen would have me stock books or set up displays but once I reached my junior year I was allowed to use the cash register. It was an honor that she trusted me with it especially at my age. Even better though, once I hit my senior year I was allowed to close the store all by myself, which included a slight pay raise.

She started letting me close because she was getting old and it was hard for her to stay up till ten to eleven pm where for me I was a night owl and loved staying up late. And she paid me more because A: she knew I needed it and B: I worked my ass off and worked hard for her. I was also like a grandson to her so she took a liking to me.

Summers were the best. I got to work full time and she had amazing ac where everywhere else did not. She says it helps preserve the books as well as the old folks. That time of the year was also where we held a lot of events for the books. Sometimes we had authors come in for book signings, we held events like poetry night, and some kids events as well to get them interested in reading. It's my favorite time of the year because of how social it gets and I get to be surrounded by even more people who love books as much as I do. Plus I like to think i'm good with little kids.

Once June arrives, i'll be graduating and saying goodbye to my fake parents. I finally have enough to leave a wad of cash behind, some for a deposit on a small studio apartment close to the bookstore, and the rest is for a couple college classes in the fall. Ellen has been so generous as to let me come into work whenever I get done with classes as long as I let her know when i'm on my way. And on days off from school I can work all day. Most likely my days off will vary from week to week. Thankfully she is so lenient with my schedule.