He let out a sad laugh. “Honestly? I don't know anymore. I hardly recognize her. She's not the daughter we know and love, so I really don't know what she's capable of. With how aggressive and violent she's been lately, it seems more and more likely that she could have been the one to hurt Becca.”
I shattered, pain lacing through my soul, sending a deep ache throughout my body. I shook my head, denial moving through me. With tears streaming down my face, I silently retraced my steps. I left unnoticed.
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I didn't know where to go or who to turn to, all I knew was I had to get away. I threw the car in reverse and slammed on the gas, not caring whether my parents heard or not. I weaved quickly down the country road toward town while my heart hammered erratically against my ribs.
The words, 'She could have been the one to hurt Becca', repeated themselves over and over in my mind until they became an angry roar. Hurt... Becca... Hurt... Becca... My mind screamed over and over again. I gritted my teeth against the onslaught, my vision blurring from overflowing tears. I wiped them angrily away with my sleeve and focused just in time to see a deer start to cross the road in front of me. The tires squealed as I slammed on the brakes, sending the car into a sideways spin. I froze, every muscle braced for impact as I skidded to a stop.
“Jesus H!” My eyes fell onto the deer standing right outside the window. My heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest as the adrenaline caused my body to shake uncontrollably. “Go away!” I made shooing gestures with my hands but the deer just stood there, looking at me with curiosity.
I was glad that I hadn't hit the deer. Ecstatic that I was still alive and not a mangled corpse twisted around a metal heap. I rested my head momentarily against the steering wheel. I felt the tension starting to slowly leave me as I breathed out a sigh of relief. I looked over at the window through my hair, surprised to see the deer still looking at me. I closed my eyes, and leaned back. “This is so not happening.” I didn't know what to do so I rolled the window down a couple of inches.
I turned to the deer and started gesturing to it. “You, go run to forest! Get out of road. Big danger here!” I laughed at myself as I realized what I must sound like. The laughter held a decidedly hysterical edge to it. “I swear I'm losing my flipping mind. Okay, look deer,” I glared at the deer in question. “You need to get going. I'm sorry I almost hit you, I didn't mean too. So can you just go now before a truck or something comes along and sees me sitting sideways in the road while talking to an animal?”
It peered closer at me then pressed its nose against the glass. It breathed out once, causing fog to form on the window, clouding it. Blinking at me, it turned and slowly made its way toward the edge of the forest.
I went limp with relief as I watched it go. “Great, now I'm talking to animals. James will have a field day with that.” I shook myself out, trying to get rid of the remaining jitters. I straightened the car and headed to town again, at a much slower pace.
Evening had fallen by the time I made it to the downward slope to town. The setting sun cast a peaceful back drop, casting red and purple tones against the buildings. I noticed that most of the shops were beginning to close as I drove down the main street. I rolled my eyes at the early hour and hoped I could find someplace to sit for a while. The only available places were the town’s single movie theater, a local bar, and The Nook. I didn't want to see a movie by myself and have even more of a pity party, but I wasn't old enough to go into a bar. I grunted in frustration as I parked a couple of blocks away from The Nook.
I sat for a moment. It was really pitiful to go to your job on your time off, but I didn't know what else I could do. Besides, a cup of coffee sounded nice, even though my nerves were already shot. I looked down at myself and noticed that I still had my uniform on. I banged my head against the steering wheel. Great. I'd show up at my job with my uniform still on. Fucking perfect. I thought about just going back home but I really didn't want to. I removed the top part of the uniform, exposing a hot pink racer back tank top underneath. “This will have to do.” I got out of the car and made my way toward The Nook.
Being the one of few places open this time of night, The Nook was even more crowded than usual. Staff members I didn't know but had met in passing hurried around the store, helping patrons out while looking frazzled. I smiled in sympathy at one of my co-workers and headed to the line of people waiting to place their order. I glanced around and met a couple of gazes that looked me over with curiosity. I glared at them, sending them quickly back to what they were doing and leaving me alone in peace. I didn't want to deal with anyone. I tapped my foot impatiently and tried to look over the shoulder of the man in front of me. My frustration built when I was unable to see anything. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited.
A hand gently clasped my arm startled me out of my impatient fidgeting. I turned around quickly and saw Gabe standing behind me.
“Hey, new girl.” A dimple in his left cheek appeared as he smiled warmly.
I mentally groaned as I smiled slightly in return, then turned back toward the line. It didn't look like my night was going to get any better.
“So—” I could feel the heat from his chest warm my shoulder blades, causing my heart rate to rise. I smothered a sigh and turned to face him, a mask of politeness on my face. I swore he got more attractive the more I saw him.
His warm amber eyes seemed piercing in their gaze, causing a pleasant flush to spread across my face. I will not drool like slut bag, I will not drool like slut bag, I chanted to myself like a mantra. I noticed his lips were moving and tried to focus on what he was saying. “What?” Embarrassment flooding me.
He laughed and looked me over. “You know, you have a tendency to space off when you're around me. Do I bore you that much?” I could hear a hint of uncertainty under his flippant tone.
“Sorry.” I nervously moved my hair behind my ear, “I tend to be a space cadet. It’s nothing personal.” I gave him a small smile and hoped my answer pacified him.
He smiled more brightly and winked at me. “No problem. Anyways, what I was saying was are you ever going to tell me your name? Or should I just keep calling you 'new girl'?”
“Oh! Yeah sorry, we haven't really been introduced, have we? I'm Starlette McKinley.” I automatically reached out my hand.
He lightly clasped it and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you. I'm Gabe Morrison. So, do you go by Starlette or is there a nick name for you?”
The warmth of his touch sent delightful waves of warmth all the way up my arm to settle peacefully in my chest. I flushed and gently pulled on my hand until he reluctantly let go. “Yeah, everyone calls me Star.” I could feel the lingering heat from his touch, almost like a phantom caress on my skin. I crossed my arms, willing the sensation to go away.
“So, tell me, what are you planning to do tonight?” I caught his gaze drifting toward my cleavage. I belatedly realized that by crossing my arms caused my chest to rise higher above the neck of my tank top. I didn't know what to do so I quickly dropped my arms to my sides and shoved my hands into my pockets.
“Uh, I don't know really. I just don't want to be at home right now.”
I almost sighed in relief as he moved his gaze back to my face. “I can understand that. Since you don't have any plans, you could always—”
“Star! What are you doing here dearie?” Saved by the boss. I turned toward the direction Mary Beth’s voice came from. I waved in return as I saw her waving from behind the counter. “See you around.” I called to Gabe with and apologetic smile as I made my way toward the counter.