"I don't want to talk about it Elle!" I mutter as my sister follows me around the kitchen.

"I just want to know what happened!" She pesters.

"Some idiot pulled out in front of me. I failed. End of story." I snap and she lifts her hands up in surrender.

"Hey! Don't worry, it will be okay Ann. I'm sure you'll pass next time!" she says, an encouraging grin on her face. I smile back weakly, but know it'll be months before we can afford to pay for more lessons. 

I pick up a cookie from the side and grab my school bag, pulling it over my shoulder and following Elle out of the apartment. She locks the door, both of us heading down the stairway, her tucking into an apple as I munch on my cookie, a classic breakfast for the Hurst sisters.

"Have a good day, Ann!" Elle yells after me as she walks towards her car. Her job as a nurse means she works almost all day every day and I therefore walk the long distance to school, as much as Elle hates it.

Just one of the main reasons I need to pass my driving test.

"You too Els!" I call back before beginning my walk to school.

I don't always mind it. It lets me daydream, mindlessly wishing the day away as I kick stones along the road.

It was different when my parents were alive.

My Mom would stay at home as my Dad drove us to school before work. We lived a lot closer to the school then, something which an eighteen year old Elle loved. I, a mere thirteen years, had no real thoughts on the matter, oblivious that things could go drastically wrong so fast.

My parents went out for dinner one Friday night and Elle was supposed to be babysitting me. She spent her night in her room with her friends whilst I watched horror movies by myself downstairs. When the doorbell went at half eleven we both walked to the door, moaning about how they always forgot their keys.

Instead of our excitable, energetic parents we found a cop.

Our parents had crashed on their way home when a drunk driver hit them. My Dad had attempted to swerve to avoid them, and instead they ended up plowing into a tree.

At eighteen, my sister was now my legal guardian.

We moved out of our plush family home and into a small apartment across town. Elle got a job in the evenings at the diner to support us, going to college twice a week to train to be a nurse. I started working at the diner just over a year ago.

We aren't rich, but we certainly aren't as poor as we once were. We made it work, my sister and I. And I blended into the background of high school without any cares in the world.

My walk to school allows me time to myself despite how horrible it is in the rain, the snow, and the wind.

A familiar black car suddenly screeches to a halt beside me, making me jump as I glance up and down the empty street. I look down at the car, startled, as the window begins to roll down. I'm even more surprised when I realize who it is.

"Hey cheerleader! Let me give you a lift!" Brett grins.

"No thank you," I reply, turning away as I begin to walk once more.

"Come on, it's such a long way!" His car rolls along beside me and I turn back to him.

"I told you to stay away from me."

"You didn't mean that!"

"Actually, believe it or not Brett Winters but I did. I'm not the type of girl to drop onto my knees in front of you." I snap and immediately blush as he grins mischievously.

"Suit yourself cheerleader!" he replies before rolling his window up and speeding off down the street. I continue my journey, gazing down at the watch on my wrist and cursing at the time. Maybe I should have accepted the lift?

I kick the stone that's on the floor in front of me as I carry on down the road.

No, I don't need help from anyone, especially Brett Winters.

*~*~*

"He actually did that?" Zara's asks, her mouth wide open in shock as we tuck into our lunch.

"Yep. Must have been going over eighty." I snort, digging into a cookie.

"That's so hot!" Georgia rests her chin on her hand and gazes passed us, towards the football players table.

"No it isn't." I snort and Zara narrows her eyes at her. "He caused me to fail! Now I have to wait even longer to drive anywhere, whilst all of you can go wherever you want, whenever you want!"

"Everything that boy does is hot." Georgia asserts and Zara shrugs in response. I roll my eyes at her words, knowing that my problems are now being dismissed.

A loud giggle echoes over the cafeteria and I automatically look over, seeing Ashley draped over Brett as he laughs with his friends. She flicks her blonde hair behind her as she leans closer to him, her tiny skirt leaving nothing to the imagination. 

Well, she's definitely succeeded in putting me off my fries.

*~*~*

"I'll see you tomorrow Harry!" I call over my shoulder as I walk out of the diner, thankful that another shift is over. Zipping up my coat and tucking my hands into my pockets I begin to walk out of the parking lot.

"Hey!" A voice from my left catches me off guard and I look over, shock filling me. He is leaning against his car, smiling broadly at me and I feel my heart skip a beat at the sight.

"What are you doing here?"

"That's not a very nice greeting." Brett replies and I roll my eyes, beginning to walk away. "I came here to see you and you're just going to leave?"

"Why did you come here? I have no interest in talking to you."

"I'm here to apologize."

"Apologize?" I laugh.

"Get in the car."

"No." I shoot back, "Do you think I'm crazy?"

"A little." He shrugs. "You don't throw yourself at my feet!" He smirks and I roll my eyes.

"Go home Winters."

"Cheerleader I'm not leaving you to walk home in the dark." He responds, smiling slightly. I narrow my eyes at him.

"I'm not yours to save." I snap, walking away. Arrogant idiot.

Suddenly the ground disappears beneath my feet as I'm whipped into the air, over his shoulder.

"What the fuck? Put me down!" I yell but he ignores me, opening his car door and throwing me in. I feel the luxurious leather against my hand as I grab onto the seat to stop myself falling over. Within moments he's in the seat beside me, turning on his engine. "This is kidnapping!" I snap and he smirks.

"I'm just going to drive you home." He shrugs, pulling out of the parking lot and I hurriedly click my seat belt in place. "I need your address."

"Hmm?"

"I need your address so I know where to take you." He raises an eyebrow at me and I look down.

"I have to go to work." I mutter and he furrows his eyebrows.

"You just went to work!"

"Some people aren't rich enough to sit at home all day Winters." I retort and he raises an eyebrow.

"Where do you work then?" He asks as he pulls up to the end of the road. I look down in my lap, shame filling me as I realize I don't have a choice but to tell him. "Cheerleader?"

"If you wouldn't mind dropping me off I can get there early and be out of there quicker?" I murmur, looking down at my hands and he nods.

"No problem. Where am I taking you?" He turns to look at me, not knowing which way to signal.

"Aphrodite's Palace," I say quietly, hearing him quickly suck in a breath.

"What?"

"I don't dance." I retort quickly, him shooting me a quizzical look, "What do you take me for?" I roll my eyes and a small smirk appears back on his face.

"You don't dance?" He asks and I nod.

"I'm only sixteen."

"You have to be twenty one to get into the damn place."

"Maybe they don't know I'm only sixteen." I shoot back and he grins, slowly pulling away from the diner.

"Cheerleader, I think you might be more bad-ass than I've given you credit for." He winks and I grimace, shaking my head. We sink into silence and I'm glad he sticks to the speed limits as I watch the town pass by. Before long we pull into the venue's car park and I let out the breath I've been holding in.

"Thanks for the lift." I say and he smiles, no amusement visible on his face. It's a genuine smile and I find myself returning it.

I click the door open and get out, making my way to the building as I hear his car accelerate away. I push the side door open and make my way into the sleazy, familiar club.

"Hey Anna!" Jade looks up from pulling up her stockings, shooting me a quick wave.

"Hey Jade! Is the bar stocked?"

"All ready for you!" She confirms and I nod, making my way over to the dressing room and taking my time to reapply my make-up. I flick out the eyeliner to make it dramatic and apply a deep red lipstick before grabbing onto a black glittery cocktail dress and throwing it on. 

"Anna?" Eric's voice echoes through the corridor.

"I'm here!" I yell back, fastening my stiletto heels as I leave the dressing room.

"You're on time!" Eric seems slightly shocked and I throw a fake smile at him. "Finally." He rolls his eyes and my smile drops. "Get out there and work your ass off!" He snaps, before turning and walking away. I fucking hate him.

I walk through the club, ignoring the whistles as I make my way behind the bar. I quickly begin to serve, keeping my head down and carrying out the drink orders of customers, taking the money and repeating the robotic process.

I never look up whilst I work, I never want any of the men to lay their eyes on my face but tonight I have an urge to do so and I don't understand why. I keep my head down as I continue an order, pouring the tequila into a glass and sliding it over the bar. He hands me the money and I place it in the register, moving onto the next person.

"You look stunning."

I look up at the sound of the familiar voice and my eyes fall onto the last person I expect to see. Brett leans against the side of the bar, watching me as I work. I quickly tear my eyes away, my heart rate speeding up at the thought of his eyes on me.

Why is he here?

Seriously, why is Brett Winters suddenly so interested? Why is he here? I've never seen anyone I know here.

I glance at him once more, inhaling sharply as I spy his eyes, still pinned on me. Pull yourself together Savannah!

Our eyes are locked together as I pour another drink and I quickly tear them away as my current customer begins to complain. Placing the glass in front of him I take the money, ignoring his rude comments.

When I look back up, Brett's gone.

*~*~*

When my shift finishes I change back into my clothes, grabbing my bag as I push the side door and walk across the parking lot, slowing when I notice him. He's still here?

Brett stands, leaning against his car, hands shoved into his pockets, a grin appearing on his face as he spots me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was intrigued. I had to see." He shrugs, pushing himself off the car. I shake my head and begin to walk away, fed up with the cocky jock for one day. "Cheerleader!" He calls after me, "You know I'll just throw you in my car again!"

"What do you want from me?" I snap slightly, throwing my hands up. He shrugs.

"Let me drive you home."

"Fine." I throw up my hands in surrender and and stomp over to his car.

"No need to be like that." He smirks, unlocking the car. I pull the door open, sliding into the comfy seats as he appears beside me. "So..." He trails off, seemingly unsure of what to say, "You only serve drinks?"

"One shift. Twice a week. They're desperate for staff so they don't turn anyone down. As long as you're young, female and attractive, you're in."

"You shouldn't work in a place like that," he replies, his mouth pulled into a grim line.

"I don't have a choice." I counter.

"Everyone has a choice."

"Says the boy with a mansion and a sports car." I snap, "I have to work wherever I can."

"You don't know what could happen to you one day there! It's vile!"

"You think I don't know that?" I retort, "I hate it. But if I don't have it I'll never be able to afford clothes, driving lessons, a car or college."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

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