One Night Stand

My Converse-clad feet were growing colder by the minute as I weaved my way through the masses of ignorant people. The black canvas had at least four holes per shoe and the rubber souls hade absolutely no traction left. It was safe to say I was actually slipping along the sidewalk, not walking.

I was currently in pursuit of the book shop not three blocks down from my apartment. I had already been to the all the coffee shops and the cafes and the general stores and none were willing to hire. This one was really my last chance.

I was watching the scuffed up toes of my shoes walk their way across the slushy pavement when I ran into, what felt like, a brick wall. After regaining my balance, I looked up to be met with a set of broad shoulders draped in leather. You could smell the cheap alcohol and cigarette smoke from a mile away.

I looked to the two goons to either side of the middle one before craning my neck to look up at the third. His teeth were on display as a low growl rose from his chest.

"Watch where the fuck you're going, Princess." He snarled, cracking the knuckles of either hand before pushing his way past me.

I heaved a sigh and crammed my hands back down into my pockets before pressing on. The shop front was coming into view and I felt the butterflies start roaming rampant in my stomach. What if they turned me down? What if they laughed in my face? All these concerns were running through my head as I pulled the cold door open. There was a small bell chime from the doorway as it swung closed.

As much as I loved this little store, it was very run-down. It was run by an old woman who used to work at a bakery. She had always loved books, so when her husband died, she used his savings to lease the little space. And let me tell you, that place was packed with books. Old, new, clean, dirty. She took any books she could get her hands on.

Scanning the front by the counter, I found it vacant so, I started watching the thousands of titles roll past my eyes.

The Catcher in the Rye. To Kill a Mockingbird. The Hobbit. So many classics.

"Can I help you, dear?" a frail voice faintly asked, causing me to spin on my heals.

"Oh, Mrs. Hobbs, yes." I smiled, walking up to the counter.

"What do you need?' She replied gently.

"I was wondering if maybe you had any job openings here? I'm kinda in need of employment." I said a tad sheepishly, looking down to my hands. This caused her to start laughing. I looked up curiously to her apple-doll face.

"Gerard, honey, do you see anyone else in this store?" the old woman asked with a lingering chuckle. I slowly looked around to realize that we were indeed the only ones in the store.

I shook my head. "No, ma'am."

"Meaning I can manage on my own." She finished, a small smile still on her thin lips. I felt my heart drop into my flipping stomach as I looked down to the counter.

"Please, Mrs. Hobbs. I've been everywhere and I can't find any place that'll hire me. I need a job or I'll lose my apartment and everything." I was practically pleading.

She chuckled again.

"Tell you what, dear. If you promise to keep this place clean and organized then the job is yours." the woman said reluctantly, folding her wrinkly hands on top of the counter.

I nodded eagerly. "Of course! Anything, yes!"

"Then I'll see you in here tomorrow at 7?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Great! Bye now, Love." She smiled, waving me out of the store. I waved back, still smiling to myself.

With a small sigh I fished the box of cigs from my pocket and flipped the top back. I Grabbed on and pinched it between my chapped lips. I set the stick aflame and drew in a long breath through the filter, filling my lungs with addictive chemicals. I let the smoke billow from my lungs.

Finding myself lowering my body down on a cold bench, I scanned the area. Through the crowds I managed to see a familiar restaurant; the diner Frankie worked at. I looked down to my phone to see the time reading 6 as I rose from the seat and flicked the cigarette butt to the ground. Pushing my way through the flow of civilians, I reached a crosswalk when a shrill scream reached my ears.

It took a moment to register that it was, in fact, Frank screaming my name, but when it did I was in a dead sprint over to the diner. As I neared I saw exactly what was happening and my fingernails started digging into my palms.

Without even thinking, really, I drew my fist back and brought it into flying connection with a man's jaw. Then one to his nose, followed by my knee driving into his abdomen. The other guy had dropped Frank and I found myself swinging my foot into his crotch. He dropped to his knees and the first helped him up and lead him to a van.

When the vehicle had pulled away from the curb, I turned my attention to my gawking boyfriend and I couldn't help but chuckle. I strolled over to the shorter man and pulled him in for a kiss. As I broke the connection, I wrapped my fingers through his and lead him into the dinner.

"Why am I always saving you?" I smirk.

He lays his head on my chest. "Because you're the best."

I chuckle. "How the hell did you wind up in that, anyway?"

"They barged in asking for beers and when I asked them to leave the big one grabbed my and carried me out."

"I see." I smiled, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head before sighing. "Well, now that I've been your knight in shining armour, I've gotta get down to the bar."

Frank nodded. "Okay, I'll be down at about eight."

"Alright, babe."

-

"That guitar guy is really good!" I heard some tipsy woman say to her friend.

"Yeah," The other replied. "And he's a cutie!"

I sighed and looked around the crowded space. Ever since Frank has started playing we've been getting more and more customers. And Drew's been much, much happier...I can't imagine why.

I pulled my stool out and plopped down, holding my head in my hands. What was I going to do with that whole cluster fuck? Frank is having sexual affairs with my boss so I can quit this fucking job. I felt terrible for not stopping him. It's my fault, after all!

Taking in a deep breath of the hot, stale air, I looked around the room to see that Frank was no longer on stage . Curiosity getting the best of me a worked my way out from behind the bar and ducked into the staff bathrooms. As I stood by the doorway, I tuned in on Frank's and Dennis's conversation.

"Christ, steer clear of Drew tonight." Dennis warned in his normal, giggly tone.

"Why?" Frankie asked back.

"The fucker is dunk off his ass! And he's like hella horny. He;s been passing out the se weird sex drive ills, but saying he's saving the rest of the bottle for some special guy." The older snorted with a giggle.

I felt my jaw clench as I closed my eyes.

I had to stop this. Now

Notes

So what's it been? Three months?

Lol yeah, sorry

I would feed y'all excuses, but I'm sure you don't wanna hear those soooo
here's an update! It woulda been longer but my ass is starting to hurt from sitting too long.
And this computer is lagging

so yeah.

-DetonationKid