The Demon I Let Ruin Me

TWO

I walk into work a little worried that Alex is going to yell at me for leaving her yesterday. I see her at the desk, her feet propped up and her eyes closed.

"Alex," I say loudly to wake her up. She groans and opens her eyes, they fall on me and she puts her feet on the floor. "I'm-I'm sorry about last night, there was just a guy and he was being rude and I, I completely forgot about you," I explain nervously. She says nothing and a pill bottle from her purse, taking two tablets and swallowing some water.

"I was mad at first but I ended up going home with that guy, Jared, I think his name was. But I woke up at 5 am this morning in his apartment and had to do the walk of shame home. So it's safe to say my night was pretty good." she explains, smiling at the end. I let out a sigh of relief and smile back at her. "So this guy, what was he saying?" she asks.

"He called me boring because of my clothes." I scoff. Alex looks over my chosen outfit for the day. A skirt like yesterdays but in plain gray and a white button-up blouse.

"Can you blame him?" she scrunches her nose and I scoff again. "I'm just saying, it's 2019 and you'd think we were in the '50s again. Jeans exist y' know?"

"I like my clothes, this is how my mom dressed me and I like the way I look in them." I smooth my skirt out as I speak.

"Mckayla, I think it's time to lose the skirts and buy some jeans for god sakes. That's it, tomorrow after work you and I are going shopping. No buts." she pushes and I groan.

"I don't know Alex, I've dressed like this for the last 21 years, I mean, it's not like I've never worn jeans before but those are for lazy Sunday afternoons, not work."

"No buts. Now get downstairs." she orders and I go downstairs without another word.

It's almost 11 when I find myself so bored I end up in the teenager section trying to find a book that I can read to pass the time.

"Aren't you a bit old to be reading these?" that British accent I've heard too much of says and I roll my eyes and turn to him.

"No," I state simply.

"I can't blame you, boring is, as boring does," he shrugs and I glare at him.

"Do I need to get another glass of water?" I spit, moving past him. "What are you doing down here anyway?"

"I came to get an apology." he follows me as I go behind the desk, thankful that he can't.

"An apology?" I almost laugh. "For what? You called me boring and you don't even know my first name. If anything you should be apologizing to me."

"Alright, what's your first name then?" He raises an eyebrow and I stare at him for a few seconds before responding.

"Mckayla."

"Boring name as well, I'm afraid you're living up to your reputation."

"Why are you being so rude. What's your name then?" I stomp. This guy is ridiculous and I wish he would just leave me alone.

"Edward, Edward Styles." he puts his hand out as if he wants me to shake it but I can tell he's being sarcastic.

"Wow, that sounds like the name of someone who is rude and snarky." I throw it back at him. He cringes like he's just been shot but then laughs.

"You're right love. I am both of those things and more." he steps closer to the desk and I shudder at the way he says love with that accent.

"Okay are the introductions done cause I have some work I'd like to do," I tell him, pulling a notebook from my bookbag. I'm glad I thought of doing school work here since there's practically nothing to do I have a full 6 hours to get work done. He looks around the empty room and then back at me.