C H A P T E R E I G H T

I'm currently sitting in my living room, listening in on my parents conversation, and let me tell you that's it's not exactly the nicest thing I've heard in all the years I've been alive.

"Honey, I'm sorry but there's nothing you can really do about it." My dads says to my mother, trying to calm down the anger that is spewing out of her mouth.

"But Vince knows that I wanted that assignment. . .why didn't he give it to me?" She yells, running a hand through her blonde hair. She's obviously extremely upset, and I'm way to scared to say anything at the moment.

I'm realizing that she scares me a lot more than she should.

My dad shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe he thinks that Winn is better for that specific assignment. . ." He suggests. That only makes her more upset.

"I honestly think he's getting back at me for not going out with him in high school." She growls, squeezing her hands into fists. "That little douche bag."

"Sadie!" My father says, a shocked expression on his face. "You can't call people that word!"

If they only knew the words I've called Quinton. . .

"What? It's true! He gives me the worst jobs to do just because he's bitter that I chose you over him." She states, rolling her eyes.

"That doesn't mean that you have to call people bad names. . .if he's upset with you about something that happened over twenty six years ago, then that's his problem." He says, letting out a sigh, rolling his eyes.

I've only ever heard the story once, but apparently my mothers boss was in love with her when they were in their senior year of high school, and he's still bitter at the fact that my mother chose my dad over him. He's now bald, fat and single, and apparently he doesn't treat my mom like all of his other employees at the police station. I feel kind of bad for her. . .I mean, it's not her fault that she fell in love with my father instead of him.

I agree with my mother...what a douche bag.

"I know, but he ticks me off." She says, placing her hands on her hips. He lets out a sigh before grabbing her arms, pulling her next to him on the couch.

"If it's really bothering you that badly, would you like me to go in and have a word with him?" He asks, placing his hand on hers. She quickly shakes her head.

"No, that would just make me look weak." She claims with a sigh. He rolls his eyes. "I'll just ignore him."

"Honey, why don't you just find another job? I'm sure there are plenty of other places that would love to hire you." He asks, kissing her forehead. I smile at the way the small gesture brings a small smile to her lips.

I hope I find love like that one day.

"Because being a police officer is what I'm comfortable with. . .I can't just give it up." She admits, looking down at her lap with a frown. I know the real reason why she doesn't want another job. . .its because the police station has her work pretty rough hours and it makes her tough enough to forget about her brothers death.

I'm extremely worried about her and her emotional state. Him and her were really close, and when he died it seems like her heart hardened and now it's just breaking her. I have no idea how she must be feeling, but I just wish that she would open up with me and let me in. The only person that she talks to about Tyler's death is my father. I just really want to get closer with her, but I don't know how.

"I'm sorry mom." I finally speak up from my spot in the arm chair on the other side of the room, a smile on my lips.

She looks at me and give me a small smile of her own. "Don't worry about it. . .I'll just try speaking with him about it tomorrow, as much as I don't want to."

My father nods his head. "That sounds like the right thing to do. The best thing for you to do at this point is to be kind and loving, no matter how rude he is to you." He says, rubbing my mothers leg with a sincere smile. She nods her head in agreement before leaning down and pecking my dad on the lips.

"Umm," I interrupt, holding back the urge to vomit all over my fathers nice armchair. As cute as they are, I'm not too fond of watching them lock lips. "I'm going to go shower now." I jump out of the chair as fast as my body will let me and sprint up the stairs, faintly hearing my fathers laughter as I shut my bedroom door.

☆

A sigh escapes my lips as I listen to the pounding rain that hits the roof, loud but yet relaxing. I've always loved the rain, how it darkens the sky and makes you want to curl up in bed with a good book and a cup of tea. But of course, I have to work a double shift today. It's only three o'clock and I'm already tired of working. Yes, it's nice that no one has come in to buy anything because of the bad weather, but it's so boring just sitting here at the register.

And I have to work with Satan for half of my shift, which sucks the most.

About half an hour later of just sitting on the counter with my eyes closed, I'm surprised when the bell above the front door goes off, signaling someone's presence. I open my eyes and look over at the door with a smile on my face, only to see Quinton standing there, completely soaking wet.

"Why the heck are you so wet?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. He looks at me and glares, not even bothering to answer my question as he walks into the back of the store. I roll my eyes, not at all surprised at his rude behavior.

He soon comes back out, his leather jacket off and his hair a bit more put together. I just ignore his presence and shut my eyes, putting my chin in my hands as I continue to listen to the rain. My peaceful state is soon enough ruined by my annoying co-worker.

"Get off the counter, Evelyn." Quinton snaps, and I can't help but look at him with all the hatred I can muster.

"No." I snap back, deepening my glare. He just rolls his eyes at me.

"You're such a child." He says, and I scoff.

"I'm the child?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. "You literally boss me around just to annoy me."

"No, I boss you around because I am your boss." He says, smirking.

"Well Percy's still here, so as of right now, you're not my boss." I state, crossing my arms over my chest. As if the world is against me today, Percy walks out of the back room with his keys in his hands and a smile on his face.

"I'm gonna head out now, you know the drill."

I can just sense Quintons triumph as he smiles. "You got it, boss."

I mentally scoff.

"Okay, enjoy the rest of your day off." I say with a small smile and he nods his head before heading out the door, leaving Quinton and I alone. I can feel him smirking at me, and I can't help but glare at the door.

Thanks Percy, for leaving me here with Satan.

"Get off the counter, Evelyn." Quinton taunts, and I let out a scoff, hating the way my name sounds coming from his lips.

"I don't think so." I say back at him, refusing to let him tell me what to do. I would rather shave my head and call myself Matilda before getting off of this counter. I don't even know what the big deal is anyway. He's just doing this to make my life more miserable. I hate to admit this, but it's working.

"Oh really?" He asks, narrowing his eyes at me. I stare back at him, refusing to lose this fight. "Unless you want to get fired, get off."

"No." I say back once again, making my gaze even more intense. I keep my arms crossed, feeling pretty good about myself for not letting him push me around.

He scoffs before breaking eye contact with me, pushing a hand through his wet hair. "Whatever, I'll just tell Percy." He says before stomping into the back, and I can't fight back the smirk that makes its way to my face.

I won that argument.

And I feel good.