Mr. Cain
6
I look at the time on the top of my phone; I have six hours to kill. He had to be in my morning class, and now I don’t want to even go to the next two classes. Grabbing my laptop, I send out an email to both my teachers. When I came to school and spoke to them about my mom’s situation, they knew there could be days I might not be able to come in.
I shouldn’t be using my mom as a reason to miss class, but after what happened there's no way I can be around anyone. But if they can send me the notes from the class, then I can go to the library, sit in the corner and work through it all.
I grab all my things and leave my room. The first place I need to go is the coffee shop. I need some coffee, and a cake, anything sweet if I’m honest. My dorm is walking distance to everything, which is a huge help, because my car I’m sure will break down on me one day. So, if I don’t have to use it I won’t in case my dad calls me and I need to get to the hospital or the house, I know my car should be able to get me there.
I walk into the coffee shop, smiling at the couple in front of me as I wait in line looking up to see what I would like to have. The café hums with quiet conversation, and smiles as my turn comes.
“Caramel latte and a cupcake, please, order under Olivia.” Tapping my card to pay, I walk to the other side and wait for it be made.
Sitting in the corner by the window, I open my laptop and stare at my essay which I've started.
I tap my pen against my lip, not being able to focus on the assignment, my mind is on Hayden. It’s always on Hayden. I’ve never been able to stop thinking about him, but the way he looked at me today, the way the words of hate escaped him, I know there's no returning to what we once had.
Slamming my laptop shut, because no matter how hard I try to focus on my work, the words won’t be coming.
Instead, I grab a book from my backpack and do what helps me forget my problems, and read a book about other people's problems, and how their love life is going. Even though they always get their happily ever after at the end, it still makes me smile knowing these characters love each other and want to be together.
But my life is real, and I don’t see it happening for me.
The bass vibrates through the floor, a steady pulse of heavy beats and remixed anthems. Neon lights flicker between deep purples and electric blues, casting shadows that stretch and shift as bodies move to the music.
Skyline is packed.
Every booth is full, every floor swarming with people.
The second-floor balcony overlooks the chaos below, there’s a sea of dancers, flashing drinks, and too-loud laughter. The metal pole in the corner gleams under the strobe lights, girls spinning effortlessly, their laughter mixing with the music.
And outside? The line is still insane.
"Hey, Olivia, are you alive back there?" Jess, one of the other bartenders, nudges me with her elbow as she passes by, balancing a tray of shots.
"Barely." I flash her a grin, already reaching for the next bottle.
I knew this club was busy but fuck I haven’t stopped once since I started tonight. I’ll be sleeping like a baby tonight.
The bar is slammed, but I love it. The rush, the constant movement, the fact that it leaves me with time to think.
Another order rolls in. I twist the cap off a bottle of vodka, moving on autopilot. That’s when I feel it, a group of guys watching me.
I glance up. “Here we go.” I place the glass in front of the man.
"Busy night," one of them shouts over the music, and I turn to see who it is. My heart almost stops, what the fuck are they doing here. Leo and his friends. I look around to see if security is close to me. I don’t want them close to me, but I also don’t want to lose my job.
I keep my expression cool. "It’s a bar. What did you expect?"
He chuckles. "Feisty. I like it. You’re more beautiful than you were back then.” Leo leans in closer to me and brings the card machine between us.
I roll my eyes but hand him his drink anyway. "That’ll be fifteen."
"Bet you’d make more than that if you switched jobs." He nods toward the pole in the corner, smirking.
I don’t flinch. I’m not letting Leo win again, never fucking again.
Jess appears at my side before I can respond. "Move along, gentlemen." Her voice is all business, but her sharp stare says she’s one second away from throwing their drinks in their laps.
