Life.

A word that held so much meaning, and sometimes so much hurt and pain, and tears, and...well you understand what I mean.

Life is not easy for me. I live in a small one bedroom apartment, that was okay interior wise. The neighborhood I lived in was okay as well, but there are creeps that roam at night.

Looking at myself in the mirror, my outfit plain and simple. A pair of blue jeans and a white shirt. I have two more hours again before I have to get to work, and I still haven't slept properly yet. I got shut eye for like about two, three hours and then I was up again.

I've been up from since 2 am.

Work starts at eight and it's now only 5am. My eyes had dark circles underneath them, but with the little bit of brown power and foundation I bought from the convenient store. I looked presentable.

Oh! Where are my manners. My name is Shantelle by the way. Shantelle Dawnly. I'm 23 years old and I live on my own. My parents are...on earth I believe and I never really had any friends. It's okay though. I'm not hurt or mad, I've learned from young to take care of myself.

I was place in the foster system at nine, and was out by eighteen. They did help me start up, got me the apartment I live in, but after that I was on my own.

I'm a really simple girl. A little shy but Mr. Logan, my boss, says I have a little fire to me.

I walk out the bathroom, going back into my room, I sit down on my bed. Picking up my phone and going on instagram.

Her room

I only had instagram to view the lives of others. I've never posted anything, I'm not following anyone, and my account is private. My profile picture, is a picture of my favorite animal the panda.

They're so cute really. Mr. Logan promised to go with me to the zoo soon so that we can see them. He's really the closest thing I have to family, and I him. He even bought me my phone. Got me it for Christmas.

I really don't know how I would of made it without him.

Even getting a job was somewhat a miracle. I was walking down the street, after another failed interview. My mind was just so far away that my feet moved on its own accord.
Next thing you know I was standing in front of his work place, a wanted sign on his door.

I had no qualifications for the job but still got it. Yippee to me.

Scrolling through my discover page, I see a picture of a girl and a guy together. He was looking down at her with so much love in his eyes.

My heart tinged a little, but I got over it.

Is it wrong to want to find a Prince Charming to just lift you unto his magically white horse and ride off into the sunset with him?

I've been through so much, and mostly always felt tired. I just wanted to be taken cared of. I know the feminist ways, that a woman can do anything, however I wanted to be spoiled and loved and treated like a princess. I've worked so hard for years, I think I deserved that much.

Eventually time passed and I walked out my apartment, locking the door behind me.  I walk towards the stairs, thankfully I was only on the third fall.

The elevator never works, and to tell the landlord is like talking to a rock. It makes no sense.

I walk out the building, walking down the street. Many people, were busy about their day. Rushing off to work, or just running errands.

My job wasn't that far from my house. I took the bus from across my street and it would drop me right in front of Jillman street. I walk down there, turn the corner and go down Gilmore and I was outside the Pharmacy.

I enter the store, greeting Mr. Logan with a smile.
"Good morning Mr. Logan."

"Oh there's my bundle of sunshine." He says coming over and hugging me.
"How was your night? Did you get enough sleep? Did you take the pills I gave you?"

I chuckle, removing his hand from my forehead.
"I'm fine Mr. Logan. And I did sleep." I say passing him.

"You did sleep, but did you sleep well?" I knew he caught me red handed, when I didn't look at him.

He sighs.
"You have to take care of yourself Shantelle. I don't want you getting sick."

"I know I know. I'll take the medication tonight. I promise." I give him my best puppy eyes, and he concedes.

"Who could ever turn down those eyes." He says pinching my cheek and walking towards the back.
"It's not a busy day today, so you can just sit up front. I'm going to order some things."

"Okay." I walk over to the counter, sitting down on the chair near the cash register.

Mr. Logan's pharmacy is different. I knew that. He has his doctorate in medicine, but I always wondered why he settled for a being a physician and not a doctor.

He however said it was his dream to own a pharmacy. Soo...who am I to judge. If it's the dream, make the dream come true.

--

As he said it wasn't a busy day today. By 1pm, we had about 8 customers. Mr. Logan bought lunch for me, even after I told him he didn't have too. But he never listens to me.

Scrolling through Tik Tok, another app I was a certified watcher on, I stop on a video, watching as a girl and a boy was out on a date.

I sigh loudly, feeling deeply attacked by this sudden display of love on my feed. Even then, I rewatched the video about ten times.

"Elle." I look up to Mr. Logan.

"I'll be staying overtime, starting tomorrow for the next few days. I'm restocking and changing labels and dates. You'll-"

"I can help!" I jump off my seat, hand in the air. 
"It's no problem at all."

"No. You'll be going home as usual. I can handle it myself. I don't want to have to worry about your safety. I don't think my heart would be able to take it, if something was to happen to you."

"I'll be fine Mr. Logan. I have my stranger danger kit." I say going into my bag and showing it to him.

He still didn't look convinced but I got it handle.
"I'll be fine Mr Logan." I say, showing him the eyes again.

"It won't work." He tries to fight it.
"That face won't work...it won't.." he looks away, but kept glancing at me.
He looked like he was about to cave, so I add more flair, holding my hands together.
"Fine!" I start to celebrate.

"But I want you to call me the moment you reach home, and at the sign of any danger call me! Okay!!"

"Sir yes sir!" I salute him. He rolls his eyes walking back in to the back.

I clap my hands together, feeling proud of myself. I could really use the extra money. Maybe I'll be able to finally purchase something nice for myself. I haven't been shopping in a long time. Far less went out.

The door opens again, and a man walks in, in all black. A pair of dark shades covering his face.

"Hello sweetheart."

"How may I help you sir?" His head tilted slightly to the side, a sly grin appearing on his lips.

"You smell divine."

"Oh..umm."

"Have a great day." He says turning and leaving. I look after him, confused out of my mind.

What was that about?

----
These are my muses for our characters.

Shantelle Dawnly aka Elle.

Logan Johnson aka Mr. Logan