Chapter Eleven

After our little vacation, the following week proved to be some of the most painful days of my life. I stayed in a constant state of being conflicted. Not necessarily due to the dangerous situation I found myself in at the lake, but because I felt that I needed to stay away from Liam.

The way he kissed me, then walked away like I was nothing cut me deep. He acted like I was nothing like the kiss meant didn’t mean anything. While I had planned on avoiding him, to begin with, it has now become a prerogative to stay out of Liam’s sight to prevent further humiliation. But at the same time, I wanted to yell at him, smack him, cuss him out. But I always lost my nerve, fearful of what he may come back with.

There were still a few more weeks of break before college begins again. Even though we were both college students, Liam and I were not the type to go out and party or stay out late or never come home. We were both homebodies.

Liam was always at home either reading a book or helping take care of his little brother, who idolized him. He didn’t go out much. I’m not sure if he had any friends either. I guess he did have friends, but he wasn’t the type to go hang out with them except at school.

I, on the other hand, enjoyed going out with my friends. Yes, I love staying in the house, but being with my friends was something that I always enjoyed, especially when they would come to my house when I had a home… But it was difficult to sneak out without running into Liam. And I hated being out all day.

But what was worse than that, was when family movie night came around, Mrs. Hall tried to get me to sit next to him. I had to tell her that I wasn’t feeling well to skip it so I could go to my room and pretend to sleep.

“He never leaves the house!” I complain to Ellen and Dawn one day. Dawn and I met with Ellen who was working. “What am I supposed to do? There are only certain days I can volunteer, and I can’t always bug you two…” I state defeatedly. “There are only so many things that I can do outside of the house also before everyone becomes worried I am in a situation I can’t handle again.”

“Why not get a job?” Dawn concludes, taking a sip of her latte. “You said it yourself, you want to leave.”

“You could stay at my house.” Chad offers with a consoling smile. After getting back from vacation, he ‘forgave’ me for not telling him where I was staying. But I’m pretty sure Ellen or Dawn told him about what had happened.

“Yeah… I can’t live with you. Thanks for the offer though.” I respond, waving away his solution without giving it much thought, before continuing, “I do want to leave, but I know that it’ll hurt my dad… And I know that it will hurt Mr. and Mrs. Hall also.”

“I think Mrs. Hall would rather see Liam leave.” Ellen chimed in laughing, before walking away to help a customer who just walked through the door.

“I don’t know how I am going to do this…” I state feeling disheartened, ignoring Ellen’s comment.

“You need to do something,” Chad says, still wounded by how I dismissed him. “You shouldn’t stay somewhere with a person like Liam.”

“Chad’s right,” Dawn continues. “He is mentally exhausting. He is going to keep chipping away at you…”

My friends were right… I still hadn’t told them about the kiss, knowing that it would alarm them more.

Not long after our conversation ended, Ellen got off work and all of us walked around town for a little while. This was when I had noticed a “HELP WANTED” sign in the window of a local convenience store.

“Wait up,” I call to my friends as I enter the store.

The store was small but lively. The double front door was made of glass, with the front walls lined with windows. To the left were six aisles, lined with candy, snacks, drinks, toiletries, oil, and more. On the right, there was a little deli, some locally made candies, a coffee machine, and a frozen drink machine. Straight ahead was a big counter with a hotbox full of finger foods sitting in between two cash registers, with cigarettes and tobacco products behind the counter.

At the register, a middle-aged man stood. He was kind of short, a little overweight, with graying hair. The man stared at the cash register through thick glasses and was wearing a brown tie paired with a denim-colored long-sleeved button-up shirt with khaki pants. He appeared to be exhausted from his facial expression.

“Hello, welcome!” The worker greeted cheerfully.

“Hi, I was wondering about the help wanted sign in the window,” I reply.

“Oh! Are you looking for a job?” He questions, with his face lighting up.

“Yes, sir.”

“Great. I am the manager, Mr. Brians.” He states, holding out his hand for a handshake. “Let me get someone to stand here while I take you to the office for an interview.”

“Okay,” I replied happily, yet kind of nervously.

After a few moments, Mr. Brians came back. An employee, who appeared to be still in high school stood behind the cash register now. As the manager lead me to the back office which was behind the tobacco product wall. Walking into the hallway, the office was to our immediate right with the kitchen at the end.

He sat down at a desk filled with paperwork and a computer. “So what is your name?” He questions, grabbing a paper and pen.

“Bree Adams,” I answer with a smile, sitting down in a chair opposite him.

“Okay, so Ms. Adams, do you have any work experience in a retail setting?”

“No,” I state honestly. “This is the first time I have applied for a job.”

“Oh…” He sounded a little shocked. “Well, there isn’t much to it, especially when it comes to stocking shelves, but knowing that you have operated a cash register and handled money in that sense really helps.”

I become discouraged. “I see. But I learn fast and am somewhat good with computers.”

“That’s good,” he replied. “I’m just going to ask you hypothetical questions. These are just used to determine whether you are a good fit for the position. It is something we have to ask everyone who is applying for a job and something you will run into if you apply anywhere else.” Mr. Brians smiles at me while explaining the procedures. “What would you do if you had an angry customer? How would you handle this type of situation?”

Hesitating for a moment, I begin, “Well, it kind of depends on what the problem is and whether I can help them. I would remain calm and patient and call for someone who is more experienced than I am to handle the situation if I couldn’t.”

“Okay,” He continues. “What would you do if you caught an employee stealing?”

“Well… I would say I would report it to the manager, but I also would want to allow them to either put it back or tell the manager themselves.”

He nods, checking off things on his paper. “I see.”

I start to fidget in my seat, worried that my answer wasn’t correct.

“Last question, what makes you believe that you will be a good fit for a retail position?”

“Well… I love to help people. Even though this seems like something mediocre, since it is as simple as pointing them in the right direction or checking them out so they can grab whatever they need or want and go on about their business, it is still something important. It is a crucial part of everyday life. And I believe I can help with that, in a polite and steady speed, without giving them too much of a headache or taking up too much of their precious time.”

“Okay.” He replies. “That was an interesting answer… Are you a student?”

“Yes, sir. I go to the college just down the road. I am on break right now and will start again in two weeks.”

“That’s good.” He replied, looking me over. “I would have preferred someone full-time, but I think you will work just great.”

I smile, unsure of what to say next.

“And do you do any volunteer work?” Mr. Brians asks, noticing the question on the paper.

“Yes, twice a week I am a big sister to a young girl. I also help organize and run fundraisers at school sometimes.”

“That’s great!” He continued jovially. “When can you start?”

“Whenever is best for you,” I reply happily with a smile. “I don’t have a whole lot going on right now.”

“Great. Can you be back here tomorrow, say around three in the afternoon? It usually isn’t too busy here around that time, so training won’t be too hard.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Thank you!” Mr. Brians states smiling, shaking my hand.

Leaving the store, my friends were waiting for me in wonderment.

“I start tomorrow!” I announce excitedly.

“Good job!” Ellen and Dawn say.

“Congrats!” Chad exclaims.

All three of my friends hug me as we all became optimistic about the situation I was in.

“Speaking of work,” Chad starts, looking at his watch, “I need to head to mine. See you all later!” He turns to run off, “And good job, Bree! I’m happy for you.” Smiling a big smile before heading in the direction of his job.

“I have to go too,” Ellen states. “I have to babysit my niece. Bye! And good luck tomorrow Bree! Tell me how it goes!”

“I will! Bye!”

Dawn and I walk around town aimlessly, window shopping. We stop by a little corner shop full of antique items, looking at little knick-knacks. Before long, it was dinner time, so we set off to a fast-food place.

While waiting on our food, Dawn begins, “Why don’t you just move in with either me, Ellen, or Chad?”

“You know your house and Ellen’s are too crowded. And Chad… That would be too awkward since I know he likes me.” I respond. “No… I’ll just have to wait it out.”

“Are you sure you can?” She asks with concern.

I shrug my shoulders, unsure of the answer.

“Well, I’m here if you ever need anything.” Giving me a faint smile filled with worry.

***

Over the next two weeks, I had been so busy that I had barely seen Liam. Between my volunteer work and my new job at the convenience store which required me to work the late afternoon/early evening shift, I was too busy outside of the house to even worry about Liam.

Many nights, I would get home late usually after eleven o’clock at night, which caused problems with my dad and Mrs. Hall, as they wondered where I was; worried that something may have happened to me. I would just tell them that I lost track of time hanging out with friends or I stopped somewhere for something to eat. They didn’t always buy it, but they didn’t need to know everything. I’m nineteen years old, I don’t need someone constantly watching me, even though I tend to find trouble without looking for it… And they also didn’t need to know what I was planning. I’m not sure if I could even go through with it. However, I wanted that safeguard in case living here became too unbearable.

The first day at my new job was… disastrous. While stocking products, I somehow managed to make an entire row of shelves collapse, spilling products all over the floor. A few items broke, but most of them survived, thankfully. I’m still not quite sure how that happened, but it did. My boss wasn’t too pleased about it, but he still kept me on. Even after I burned myself on the hot box, nearly broke the frozen drinks machine, and fell while mopping.

“You really are something,” Mr. Brians chuckled to himself. “Are you sure you want to work?”

“Yes, sir.” My voice trembled with anxiety.

“Try to be more careful then, okay?” He continued in a soft tone with a smile before walking off.

Mr. Brians’ initial statement made me feel horrible, triggering a memory of Liam. “You really are troublesome.” Letting out a sigh of disappointment, I think to myself, I really am, aren’t I? Becoming dismayed, I try to continue my work.

“You did what?” Ellen questions me after I tell her about my first day.

“Oh, you heard me, don’t make me repeat it,” I respond in aggravation.

“That’s our Bree!” Dawn announces teasingly.

“That isn’t funny!” I yell wounded. It might be true, but the truth still hurts.

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” Dawn defends herself.

“Yeah, you know we are just messing with you.” Ellen continued. “Life would surely be boring if we didn’t have you in it.”

“But mayhem does tend to follow you wherever you go.” Added Dawn.

I let out an aggravated sigh. “I’ve noticed.”

“Don’t take things to heart so much. You know we love you. We aren’t trying to hurt your feelings.” Dawn hugs me, trying to make me feel better. “And things will get better. You just need to practice it more and focus on the task. Stop thinking about all your problems and just get lost in what you are doing.”

“Seriously, do you remember my first day at the café?” Ellen continues. “Don’t you remember how many burns I came home with? Do you remember how many orders I got wrong?”

“That was the worst coffee I had ever had in my life,” I respond sullenly.

Luckily, after the help of my friends, I gained my confidence back and the following days were a lot better. I had proved to be an excellent, hardworking employee. I was enjoying my time at work. It kept me busy and away from the one person I didn’t want to see most.

One day during my shift, I was cleaning the counter when a customer put an energy drink and some chips down for me to scan.

“So this is why you’ve been coming home late?” Liam’s voice questions filled with annoyance.

“What’s it to you?” I reply coldly while scanning and bagging his items. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

He seemed taken aback by my statement at first as he handed me the money for his stuff before continuing, “No, it’s not. But I would think you would have more consideration for my mother and your father. My mom stays up late every night waiting for you to come home. She is exhausted and a ball of worry every night because of you.”

“She does?” I ask guiltily.

“You should have told her what you were doing so she wasn’t a nervous wreck for the past two weeks,” he continues, glaring and scolding me.

Someone clearing their throat broke the tension between us. “Hey, Bree!” Chad’s greeting sliced through the thickened air, instantly lightening the situation.

Liam rolls his eyes and leaves with his things in a huff.

“What was that about?” Chad continues with curiosity filling his voice.

“Nothing…” I respond with gloom. “Anyway, what brought you here?” I ask, trying to get away from what had just unfolded.

“Oh!” He states, remembering he had a reason for coming. “I know you’ve been working late so I prepared a meal for you,” Chad announces proudly with a big smile, holding up a lunchbox. “Would you like to join me?”

“One second,” I replied smiling as I look for a co-worker. After getting the go-ahead to go on break, I met back up with Chad on the other side of the counter.

We walk outside together, sitting at a bench on the side of the store. Opening the lunchbox, to see homemade fried chicken, with French fries, and homemade biscuits.

“It smells so good,” I comment as I begin digging in.

“I made it, especially for you,” Chad states, smiling.

“You are going to make a great chef one day,” I said, my voice muffled behind a mouthful of food.

Chad laughs, “That’s the goal.”

“Well, you’re hitting the mark already.” I smile.

“So, are you having a good day?” He asks.

“I was until Liam showed up.” I retort, licking my fingers.

“How did he ruin it this time?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I reply setting my biscuit down as I suddenly didn’t feel hungry anymore.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—“ Chad begins to apologize.

“He is such an ass…” I begin to vent. “Liam sits there telling me how much of a screw-up I am all the time. While he sits back like he fucking flawless.”

“Geez, Bree…” He was visibly taken aback by my language since I don’t swear very often.

“I know, I know, I shouldn’t let it bother me, but it does.” I continue with aggravation. “It’s just… Now I notice how much I mess up. Because of the things he’s said, I do see how troublesome my presence is to everyone. Every time I try to do something, it ends up being a huge ordeal.”

“You’re not a screw-up,” Chad replies. “You’re perfect.”

“No, I’m not! Why would you even delude yourself into thinking so?” I question in astonishment. “Everything I do, everything I touch, I somehow manage to find myself in the middle of a disaster!”

He shrugs. “To me, you are perfect.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. He completely took me off guard by that statement. “Someone who loves me for me,” I remembered the words I spoke to Liam. Instead of focusing on it, I decide to brush it off. “I can’t believe how much of an idiot I am…” My voice grew sad.

“Bree, you’re not an idiot.” He responds with a soothing, cool voice. “He is.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, perplexed. “Liam is very intelligent.”

“Because he doesn’t see just how special you are.” He replies, staring deeply into my eyes.

I freeze, lost in his blue eyes. What do I say to that? How do I respond to that? Why has everything become so complicated? “Chad… I—“

“Don’t say anything.” He continues, his cheeks becoming red.

“But Chad…”

“How about you focus on studying, working, and saving up money to move out?” He resumed our previous conversation, clearing his throat.

“Yeah… I guess I should…”