I have never been prudish or even innocent. I suppose you could say my innocence had been stripped off me when I was merely thirteen maybe even earlier but definitely not in the way you think. My father had always kept me in a short leash. Of course with puppy dog eyes, I could get out of doing things or have my curfew extended or go out on the weekends with my friends you catch my drift. I was Daddy's Little girl. I have always been but even if I did get away with it everything it always came with a price. I had to go everywhere with protection. We weren't your normal family and life is tough. There were dangerous people out there who would take advantage of me if I wasn't careful, he said. Even the closest of friends could turn bad if they knew how powerful one could be if they had the right resources or leverage. Maybe it was why I don't trust people easily. Maybe it was why I kept people on a leash, never too close to hurt me and never too far to be stabbed in the back. These things happen and most of the time it scared me. You can't ever know who is on your side and who isn't. You'll never know if one day the friends you consider most loyal would one day betray you. Moral of the story, people are not to be trusted. And yet I myself, had gone against my own rule. It wasn't love as Alice thought and it wasn't infatuation. I know because it's either I'm all in or I'm not interested. That's why I can't ever lie or pretend to be someone I'm not, at least that's what I thought till I came here and now I realized I've been daydreaming for a while now and the male in front of me is getting agitated since I've taken so long to pack his pastries.
"Here you go sir," I said handing him his food and he hands me a note insisting I keep the change. Probably afraid that at the rate I'm working he might just get his change anytime next year and I let out a sigh.
Business is slow, which is weird given it's just the beginning of the weekend but I don't blame them, this day is just too slow and I'd been in school all day. Though I can't complain if this goes on I might just have to close up at the end of my shift which was just a half-hour away. But as it seemed I had spoken too soon and I frowned when I saw who came in and picked at table in the far corner. And I rolled my eyes eyeing the knife I cut the pies with haughtily. I bet I could make a murder weapon out of it but the last thing I want is to get the old couple that owns the store out of business.
"May I get you guys anything?"
"Seriously? You're gonna pulling the working girl thing on us?"
"I'm sorry. Do you want a pen sticking out of your eye?" I said sweetly and the male in front of me shut up.
"A caramel macchiato for me Diana and black coffee for Jason here. Feel free to add salt to his. No amount of sugar could rid off his saltiness anyway."
"Don't give her any ideas, Jessie. She'll do it," he said and for a moment I was reminded of Ethan and I shook my head walking off.
I love my dad and I know he loves me as much before our family drifted apart but setting up the dumbest of babysitters with me ever since I left home is still not the smartest decision ever. I mean they get me into trouble instead of out of it, I thought letting my cold gaze fleet over them for a brief moment. Jessica and Jason Sharp. Don't let the name fool you. They are just two teenagers in love they are practically married to each other and their parents approved. And there are also the so-called babysitters, I think considering putting salt in their drinks but I think better of it. A part of me wants to ask what they are doing here but I already know. Maybe I shouldn't have trusted Eve not to tell them. There goes the last wisps of my freedom, now I have to deal with these two butting in my business when all I wanted was a normal life. Thanks a lot Dad. It's almost like I can't take care of myself.
"Won't you sit with us?"
"It's bad enough you're babysitting me again, now you want to make me a third wheel and kill every last shred of innocence I have?" I said distastefully and Jessica blushed.
"What innocence?" Jason asked and I regretted not pouring salt down his drink.
"You haven't changed," I said with a grimace and he grinned. "How long are you here for again?"
"That depends on you," Jessica said pitifully and I rolled my eyes before walking off. They seriously need to get a life other than this, but alas the last rules he gave when I saw him first were that they'd go with me. I didn't mind because I love them to bits but it gets old at times. But then when I'm just thinking it was going to be a long end of shift of me wallowing in despair, the last person I obviously expected to see shows up out of nowhere and I jumped startled.
"Missed me love," he drags out his voice deep and husky making me shudder as his lips brushed against the shell of my ear and I almost fall putty into his arms before I'm suddenly jolted back to reality by some obvious stares that currently burn into my skin and I feel slightly itchy before I slap the arms around my waist away.
"Get away from me, creep," I said and he laughs the sound ringing over and over again in my ears and he does just that before I turn to him.
"Creep!? You wound me!?" He said dramatically.
"Better you than me. I was just thinking my wish had been fulfilled and I didn't have to suffer through seeing your dumb face anymore," I said equally dramatic and he laughed even louder drawing attention to us, most especially a certain couple's and I tried my best to ignore them.
"You love this face."
"You wish. What are you doing here anyway?"
"What else? Blueberry pie," he said and found myself feeling strange despite the smile on my face as I shook my head amused going back around the counter. "What!? I have a sweet tooth."
"I didn't say anything."
"Hey Stone would you hurry up?" Someone yelled just as Jared's popped up behind him and I looked at him questioningly as he rolled his eyes.
"Long story. I'll pick you up later?" He asked and I let out a huff knowing I'll end up being dragged to one of those stupid parties.
"Despite the fact I know I don't have a choice in the matter, I'm still mad."
"Would you believe a tag team of Kaylee and Ethan ambushed me and my phone?" He said and I grimaced inwardly.
"Maybe but a heads-up could have sufficed," I said and all of a sudden he was cradling my face over the counter as his thumb brushed against my bottom lip pulling it from between my teeth.
"Next time, princess," he said kissing my forehead and I flushed in embarrassment as his gaze dropped to my lips and back to my eyes once more and he gave me a Cheshire cat grin. "Love, this would be time I attempt to kiss you and you let me sweep you off your feet, completely weak in the knees, but I see a knife next to you and I want to see us grow old together."
"You actually sound way too sure of yourself."
"Just the truth babe."
"Oh my," I let out dramatically fanning myself and he chuckled pocketing his hands, biting his lip as he stared at me down and I could feel heat pooling in my nether parts and I shifted uncomfortably realizing that not once had he even tried to hide his attraction whenever it was just the two of us. It was endearing yet a bit confusing given how he acts when we're in front of others. Again mixed feelings and it was starting to mess with my head.
"Stone, I'm seconds away from whacking you with this tray if you don't leave. You're distracting me from my work."
"You don't even have that many customers," he said and I raised the tray making him chuckle as he raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine but I'm still picking you up at your house."
"I'm curious. What makes you think I'll come with you?" I asked and he gave me a pointed look.
"Are we going to play this game now?" He asked and I rolled my eyes making his eyes narrow at me.
"Fine," I said resigned and he nodded amused as I waved him off dismissively.
"See you around princess."
"Don't call me that," I said but he only grinned as he walked out and I was left massaging my head with my eyes closed. I swear I work up a headache whenever I'm with this guy.
"Who are you and what have you done with our friend?" Oh boy, now the part I was dreading the most.
"Drop it," I let out but Jason was not one to listen as he started on how I've gone soft when I came here and I rolled my eyes.
Truth be told, it was true but I wasn't home anymore. I couldn't sneak out to go to underground fighting club. Okay, that's a lie but I thought I was being considerate. I mean the Wallaces could have chosen not to take me in, especially with my past that I doubted they knew. Why give them a headache when I could just control my impulses. And what's more Ryder would be so mad. Not sure why that is a basis for not doing it, but the guy flew off the handle when he heard I wanted to join the wrestling team. And let's just say, I'm waiting for him to tell them to refuse me. I mean, people already feared him for some reason they never say out loud. It couldn't be that hard. That's if these two idiots wouldn't get to them first, I thought narrowing my eyes as I remembered how angry I'd been when I found they had enrolled in the school which was going slightly haywire at the news four new students had joined the school in the middle of the school year and all seniors. It was crazy I could tell you that and I haven't even seen the fourth.
"Are you even listening to me?" Jason asked jolting me from my thoughts and I watched him blankly.
"No."
"Ugh, talk to her Jessie," he said with a huff walking off and left us alone.
"Crybaby," she muttered under her breath as I lifted my eyes to her.
"You're looking excited."
"That's because I am."
"Uh-huh. Is it that time already to cover my ears?"
"No silly. So tell me, who's the stud?" She asked and I tensed for a brief moment before getting ready to tally the numbers.
"No one important," I said stoically and I could feel her gaze on me.
"Right?" She said sarcastically and I looked at her curiously. "You finally got yourself a boyfriend but you won't tell me about it."
"He's not my boyfriend. Get that out of your head and I swear if you mention him to anyone I'll chop you up in pieces and make soup," I threatened and she rolled her eyes but I knew she was changing her strategy so that she wouldn't annoy me farther.
"You know we have to report everything," she said softly as if gauging if I'll blow her head off or not as I stopped short going over my options.
"Don't make a big deal out of it," I thought deciding to forego threatening her for a moment. "I'm making friends just that. I've known both of you since we were toddlers. Don't make me use the information I have."
I said and she paled knowing it was true. Before Jaime and I became close, the three of us were knit tight, at least until they learnt that there was more than cooties to the opposite gender and I became a third wheel. I didn't blame them for getting together but they know that they are the reason we drifted apart and I chose to leave, pretty much deciding to leave them to it before I realized it wasn't that easy.
"Are you threatening us?" Jason asked coming back and I only glanced at him briefly.
"Think of it as making a compromise. I'm almost 18 and you guys are still babysitting me."
"One, not for another year and two, think of it as us hanging out like old times instead of babysitting."
"No, it's more of third wheeling instead of babysitting."
"You can't hate us just because we are in love. You know maybe if you let someone love you for once you'll be much happier and less grumpy," Jason blew up and I glared at him.
"Not sure why I would be jealous of you two when I want to live my own life but seriously look at you two. You're both adults and you're still my father's lapdogs. Do you think he always be there for you to fall back on?" I said and all at once a loud smack reasonated in the room and I smiled bitterly refusing to let the tears flow and I bit my cheek.
"I guess I have my answer then."
"Diana, I.." Jason started and I raised my hand cutting him off.
"You should both leave and preferably stay away from me. Just because I'm nice doesn't mean I can't hurt you," I said before letting out a sigh when they both left and I closed the cafe before hailing a cab and I headed home.
One thing for sure, this was just the beginning of the worst to come.