TIFFIN

40

Hey everyone (: I thought Rihanna was perfect for this chapter!
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When my next shift had come around, I felt more relaxed. My father didn't bother calling or texting since I told him off and I honestly didn't mind. It gave me a break from his overbearing tendencies and it gave me a rest before I had to deal with it again. 

Josephine had of course been worried, but it soon had evaporated as we both looked forward to hanging out during work. We both helped pick each other's outfits out and styled each other's hair, giggling about what the future could hold for us. 

"So, with your career," Josephine said, "is Hero involved with that?"

I blushed as I bent to pick up a hair clip, fastening it in my hair. "What are you talking about?"

"Come on," Josephine urged, smiling, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Obviously you and him... are moving forward with things."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't say we're moving forward. I"m not even sure what this is between us."

Suddenly the thought of respect came unbidden into my mind. Was that what this was? Did Hero respect me?

"Look," Josephine went on, "It isn't exactly a secret that Hero has many girls he has affairs with. But I have never heard of him stringing them along for more than one night."

As I thought about this, I knew this wasn't exactly true. There were several occasions in which I saw Kylie following him around like a puppy dog.
 
"You think he's stringing me along?" I asked, feeling offended. 

"I don't know," Josephine replied, "I mean, he did... do things with you sexually. That is kind of his MO."

I folded my arms, wanting to cry.

"Well..." I paused, feeling a stray tear run down my cheek. 

"You won't have to worry about it anymore," I snapped, "It didn't mean much to me anyway."

"Kristina.." Josephine began, reaching out for me. 

I pulled away, holding my chin up high, not willing to let anything or anyone bring me down.

"I have better things to be fussing over. I have grades to keep up. I have an image to uphold... I can't talk to him anymore."

Josephine looked like she wanted to say more, but she held back, nodding. I continued fixing my hair and when I was sure I looked acceptable, I waited for Josephine to finish. I closed my eyes as I felt the car make its way out of the parking lot. 

As soon as we both clocked in, the shift seemed to be going pretty well. It was nice and busy, fast-paced, and to my joy, Kylie and her group of friends weren't anywhere to be seen. I saw many happy faces and it kept me in a good mood for the most part. 

If I was being honest with myself, working a nine-to-five wasn't too bad. If I had to for the rest of my education, I would definitely keep this job. 

"Lucy?" I called for our manager who was busy on a laptop.

"Yeah?"

"I'm taking my fifteen-minute break. Is it alright if I snag one of the expired muffins?" I smiled in apprehension.

"Of course!"

I didn't waste time, snatching a muffin from behind the glass case, but as I turned around to find a table, my worst nightmare came to life right before me.

Both my mother and father stormed in, looking like they were about to jump the counter. 

Crap.

I should have known better than to think they would let this go.

I expected my father to say something, but for once my mother approached me like some deranged psycho and snatched the muffin out of my grasp.

"Is this the junk you've been filling your body with?" She demanded. "This will go straight to your ass!"

When I attempted to roll my eyes at this comment my mother's voice became even more demanding.

"KRISTINA."

I snorted. "I'm not going to stand here and listen to you ridicule me."

My mother placed her hands on her hips. "I knew you weren't over this. I told your father that you weren't finished with this obsession with that boy! Now you are fighting with me on this! That is not your place!"

"Obsession?" I shrieked. "I hate to burst your bubble, mother, but this isn't like, 1980."

"You think you're so wise," My mother went on, glowering at me, "Yet here you are eating something that is so bad for you. No wonder you're so fat."

I gasped at my mother's audacity. My father stood still, not quite sure what he was to do next. 

"No, not this drama, again," Lucy stated, pointing towards the cafe's door, "Out. Get out of my establishment now!"

"Who are you to talk to me this way?" My mother demanded rounding on Lucy in a threatening manner.

"I am the general manager, lady. Now get out before I call the owner. I'm not messing around."

"Miserable wench," My mother retorted under her breath, "My daughter is quitting today."

"No, I am not!" I shouted.

My mother now towered over me. "YES, YOU ARE!"

I now gathered the strength to puff my chest out. 

"No! I will not! Go ahead! Threaten to stop my funding, go ahead! That is exactly why I have this job: So I can pay my way without fear of you gaslighting me!"

The cafe had grown completely silent. In the background, I could hear the coffee machine running and the tension was palpable. Both my parents stood, ashen-faced, backing away from me as if I'd threatened to stone them.

As if things couldn't get worse, my father rushed forward grabbing at my arm. 

"You're coming with us whether you like it or not-!"

I didn't know what came over me in the next instant. With all the power in my lungs, I screamed bloody murder, yanking away from him. 

"LET GO! LET GO OF ME!"

"That's it," Lucy said, "I'm calling the cops," 

Just as she fingered her cell, my father grabbed at my mother, backing them towards the door. 

"You miserable brat!" He shouted. "You can't be in here forever!"