“She thought I wanted what she had. We had a fight, and she vowed to destroy me.”
“You mean destroy you physically?”
A bitter laugh escaped as I looked at James. “No, not physically. Socially. It's the only thing that mattered to her.”
He stared down at his desk, tapping out a rhythm with his fingers as he contemplated my words. “Did it work?”
“What? Her destroying me?” I gestured around, bitterness coating my words. “I'm here, aren't I? What do you think the answer to that question is?”
He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. I felt a surge of guilt roll through me like a wave as he remained silent.
I sat up and shifted in my seat, feeling uncomfortable within my own skin.
“I’m sorry.” I fluttered my hands, as if the action would clear my thoughts. It was useless. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
“Yes, you did. I understand that, to you, this,” He gestured around him, encompassing the whole town, “would be considered social suicide. Just like your perceived thoughts about our sessions. You’ve judged this town and its inhabitants based on preconceived notions, so you won’t give it a chance.”
My pride rose up, demanding that I defend myself, deny his accusations. He just waved my words off and continued.
“Star, I understand” That silenced me. “Believe it or not, I have traveled. I’ve been to big cities and I know how vastly different it is compared to a small town like this. The change would be difficult for anyone to adjust to. Add why you had to move here into the mix, and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do.”
“You don’t?” A surprised frown crossed my face. I expected him to droll on and on about how great it was here, about the need for me to start fresh. Basically a repeat of what my parents have lectured to me about. I wasn’t expecting his acceptance.
“No, I don’t blame you. It’s perfectly understandable. But,” Here it is. “Regardless of how or why you came to be here, the truth of the matter is that you are here. Whether you enjoy it or not depends on you. The situation may suck, but no one has the ability to make your life here miserable except for yourself.”
I let his words sink in, thinking back on how I reacted to the people that live here. How negative I've been about everything and everyone. Wrapping my hair around my hand, I jumped when I felt a hand touch my shoulder, causing me to pull my hair. I grimaced at the stinging sensation in my scalp and looked up at James.
“Just think it over, okay?”
I nodded and rose to my feet. “I will.” I surprised myself by the honesty behind my words. I smiled slightly and waved to him as he moved to sit behind his desk. “See you next time.”
“I’ll be here.”
Chapter Eleven
The week flew by faster than I expected. I looked forward to having the weekend off and finally be able to relax, but I still had a full work day ahead of me along with the last therapy session of the week. I wasn't looking forward to either of them. Work, because of having to deal with Rose. Therapy because of having to deal with myself.
James had shed light on parts of me that I never knew existed, or rather, that I refused to see. I quickly came to realize that I didn’t like who I was becoming, but didn’t know how to stop it.
Brandon greeted me with a cup of coffee as I walked into The Nook. I sent a grin his way as I breathed in the caffeine laden aroma. “What's the terror up to today?”
“Oh, the usual. Breathing fire and eating babies.”
I rolled my eyes at him and lightly slapped him on the arm. “I'm serious. What type of torture can I expect out of her today?”
“Honestly, I don't know. She's been pretty quiet today, so I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he turned back to me. Damn he was built.
“So I guess we'll just have to play it by ear today, eh?”
“I swear, if you push your tits farther across that counter they're just going to pop out and blind all of us.”
“Speak of the devil.” I said happily. Brandon gave me a thumbs up and turned back to his work. I turned to face Rose and was stunned to see the circles under her eyes. I looked closely and noticed that they were slightly red and puffy too, which was weird. I thought evil never cried.
I sauntered over to her, my sweetest smile in place. “I didn't know you were into checking women out. If I would have known that I would have found you a girlfriend by now.”
“It's not my fault I can get people into bed, unlike you, Ms. Virgin.”
“And it's not my fault I actually respect myself.” I spouted back, becoming flushed with anger.
“Now, now, girls, there's plenty of me to go around.” Brandon gestured to himself while wiggling his eyebrows. “You both can bask in my awesome sauce.”
We both doubled over with laughter, clutching our stomachs.
“Did he seriously just use the term 'awesome sauce'?” I asked Rose between laughs.
She wiped her eyes and tried to contain her laughter. “Yeah, that was epic. Brandon, I never want to hear about your 'awesome sauce' again.”
He gestured between me and Rose, grin fully in place. “See girls? I knew you guys could get along.”
We stared at each other, animosity cutting through the air making it tense. “And there it went.” He muttered to himself. He sighed and stepped between us. “Look guys, I'm getting really tired of this bitch fest. Rose, you're awesome when you let people in, and I know your dad—”
“Don't talk about him.” She snapped, cutting him off with an icy glare.
“Ooookay, don't use the 'D' word, got it. Anyways, obviously you have some issues about 'he who must not be named', but I think you'll realize that Star isn't going to hurt your family, me included. So can't you just try to get along with her?” he continued without waiting for Rose's reply and turned his big, blue eyed puppy dog look onto me. “And Star, you're completely new here and school is starting in two weeks. Don't you think you could hold down the animosity long enough to get some friends? It's going to be hard enough starting a new school, let alone starting one where you already have an enemy.” He looked at me pointedly. I sighed and looked over at Rose. She was looking anywhere except for at me.
“Yeah, you're right. Believe it or not, I'm getting tired of this too. It would be nice if I could actually like coming into work instead of contemplating jumping off a bridge instead.” I sat down on top of the counter and looked at Rose. “Cease fire?”
She looked up at my offered hand. For a moment I thought she would bite it. “Fine. But I swear if she stabs us in the back it will all fall on you, Brandon.” She spat out while quickly shaking my hand.
He gathered up both of us for a big group hug. “See? I told you guys, we're all going to be besties!”
“I swear that is the gayest thing I've ever heard.” I said with a laugh, trying in vain to remove myself from his embrace.
“Well, what do you expect from the big oaf?” Rose said laughingly, nudging Brandon in the ribs with her elbow. “Now let go doofus, we've got to open the store.”
He released us and stepped back, his smile still firmly in place. “You know you love me.” He said with a wink, then sauntered to behind the counter, leaving us alone. We looked uneasily at each other. Having become so used to all the animosity I wasn't used to playing nice anymore, at least on a real level.
“So. You want to unlock the doors, or do you want me to?” I asked, looking toward the item in question. I could see the shadow of people outside the doors already.