My stomach groaned in protest to the lack of food. It was 8:42, I had to get to work by nine, open up Charlie’s and start setting the tables. I worked seven days a week and sometimes managed to squeeze in double shifts, this barely covered my non existent rent and overpriced gas, this is what minimum wage can do to a eighteen year old girl.
Today was going to be a very long day, I thought. It’s Monday which means it’s a double shift day. Sighing, I haul myself out of the car and shuffled through my bag trying to find the stupid keys, in order to lock it. They always managed to wiggle down, losing themselves into the back hole that hides inside my bag. My hand twists and tugs on different objects, until I finally feel the cold metal tease my fingers—so I pull. I manage to get them free and I lock my car.
The change in temperature bites my skin, making it crawl. Goosebumps appear all the way from my forearm all the way down my spine. The wind pushes me against my car and I stagger back. Distracted by the invisible force keeping me captive, it takes me a moment to notice a man staring at me from the other side of the street. Our eyes meet and I hold his gaze. His hair is short and blond. A military cut, I decide. His eyes are a pale grey, dull. There’s nothing spectacular about him, nothing captivating. So, after giving him a stare with the ability to kill, I decide to turn around and walk away. I still feel his stare piercing through my back, it’s almost tangible.
Work is less than ten minutes away, but in this weather I dread the short commute. I pull my sweater as close to my body as possible, and confront the bitter wind. The wind is punishing, but in those corners where light doesn’t filter in a penetrating breeze bites at my exposed skin.
I reach the cafe, desperate for warmth, and I’m glad to see that Charlie is already there. I open the door and the familiar bell rings.
“Isabella.” he greeds
“Good morning, Charlie” I say plastering a smile on my face, he scoffs at my intensions.