Chapter 3 ~ Safe ~
Straight after my last lesson, I go home and get changed into my uniform for my part time job in the coffee shop around the corner. Dad isnt home, but I know he will be by the time I return from work. Thankfully, I work in the back, making the cakes and desserts that all the customers love; I truly didn't want to be noticed by anyone.
I arrived, and the bell above the door rang out, I liked the sound it made,when I was 4 (before my dad turned into an alcholic, and before I became miserable) I used to run in and out until I ran out of energy, just to hear the lovely chime it made.
My boss, Lucinda, heard me come in and walked over to me. She was the nicest woman you could possibly meet- caring about everyone.
''Hello darling, Annabelle isn't in today, so do you mind working at the front?'' Hope glimmered in her chocolate brown eyes.
Hope is a roller-coaster, it's one of the scariest rides in life, getting your hopes up is like going up on that ride, you don't know whats going to happen next, it could go down quickly or it could go well and just be a flat surface, but there's always a point when you go down; or to be a specific, when someone lets you down.
In this case, I didn't want Lucinda to be dissapointed , so I agreed and sorted out the cashier while I waited for customers to come in. I never realised how hard working at the front would be. Tons of people coming in and ordering made it especially annoying when people were impatient. I would rather much have stayed in the back, baking away.
It was 8:30 PM now, we would close up in half an hour. There was nobody sitting in the shop, so I started clearing up. Fifteen minutes later, everything was gleaming clean. I returned back to the counter and relaxed for a while. The bell rang, and I looked up, it was perfection, he was here, he walked towards me and looked at the delicacies.
''Two chunky, chocolate cookies please.'' He looked at me expectantly.
I put two cookies inside the paper bag and gave it him, as he gave the money. He smiled at me, something I wasn't used to people doing to me other than the customers I saw today.
''Thanks,'' He squinted at my left, fairly sized boob, what the...? ''Allison.'' He finished.
Thank god, he was only reading my name tag!
''No problem, it is my job after all.'' I said warmly, trying to avoid eye contact with him. He stayed there staring at me, until he finally spoke.
''You're the girl from the library aren't you?'' He asked. I sighed, he shouldn't be talking to me.
''Curiosity killed the cat.'' I was trying to answer him, without giving myself away, I desperatly hoped it worked.
''Darling, you can go home now, i'm just going to close up.'' Lucinda piped in, ignoring the guy.
I grabbed my coat and left, but not before giving Lucinda a hug. The air outside was cold, I breathed in and out watching 'fog' come out of my mouth. Brightly shining, was the moon, radiating light on half of the world. I started to walk as my nose started to freeze, along with the rest of my face.
''Allison, wait!'' The guy called. I didn't know what to do, so I just carried on walking. He caught up with me, and stood infront of me waking backwards. Im so going to laugh if he trips or runs into anything, I may be nice but that would be funny.
''So how about you let me walk you home?'' He offered. I shook my head.
''But it's dangerous when it's dark! And I could keep you safe! Also... Also...Um..'' He ran out of reasons.
I just scoffed, not in a mean way- in a sad way, the truth was I had never felt safe in my entire life. To feel safe around someone, you need to trust them.
''I don't even know your name.'' I told him. He smiled again, it lighted his face up and made, him look more attractive, especially his dimples. He stopped walking, which almost caused me to bump into him, and he stuck his hand out.
''The name's Taylor. Adam Taylor.'' I shook his hand, and smiled.
I think he took this as permission to walk me home, as he moved out of my way and started walking beside me. The awkwardness between us was killing him more than me, so yet again he tried to start up a conversation.
''So what were you doing in the library yesterday?'' He asked.
''Y'know. The usual. Just hunting my pet snail, he's always sneaking off.'' I replied casually. He looked at me weirdly.
''And what is this pet snail called?'' He was in on the joke. I gave him a blank look.
''Bob.'' I stated as if it were obvious. We both burst out laughing at my lame joke.
Wow, I hadn't laughed in a long time, but that was probably my fault, since I always avoided people and didn't talk much.
He laughed with me, his laugh was like a little ray of sunshine. I don't know where I heard this but I was once told that a little laughter is like the sun breaking through the storm clouds, it illuminates the darkness, laughter is the light that shines on our faces and the medicine that heals the soul; it gives us life and helps us grow.
We talked (but mostly laughed- well I chuckled and he had full blown laughs) all the way until I was home.
I told him to stop a couple of streets before my house, I didn't want Adam to see my messy, disgusting front garden. He obliged, and hugged me goodbye. I froze, I couldn't do this, so I akwardly stood there as he hugged me.
He blushed from embarrassment and he went his separate way and I went mine with a quick little wave. Dad was home, and drunk as ever.
''Where were you?'' He asked roughly, his eyes were bloodshot and menacing.
''I- I was at work.'' I stuttered. I had to go through this every day.
''I don't want to hear your lies!'' He slapped me, I could feel my skin burning from the touch of his. ''It shoud've been you, not her! You killed her, you useless, murdering, life- stealing thief!''
He continued to abuse me, until I couldn't move, before his punches were as hard as brick, but now they were just numb. I couldn't move but I felt my tears trickling down my cheek as I fell asleep on the cold, hard floor.
