Embracing the Abyss

Chapter 1

The last bell rang and every student started running out like the place was on fire. I took my time knowing full well that Braxton was outside waiting for me.

When I embarrass him in front of people he tends to try and ambush me in public and do something stupid so I seem like I want him. One time he pinned me against a tree. I could feel his hands sliding up my shirt and out of instinct I bit his neck, making him shout in pain, letting me go. When it started to bruise and turn purple he told everyone that I was all over him and that the mark was just to prove how “desperate” I was to get him.

The noise in the hall slowly died down. Everyone was trying to make it out of here as quickly as they could. Pulling my hood over my head and slinging my bag over my shoulder I rushed out, avoiding the rest of the students in the hall.

Outside, the parking lot was nearly empty. Only a few stragglers were left. Braxton’s truck was gone and I was in the clear. The streets were crowded with students and other people trying to go home or get to work.

The shop wasn’t busy when I walked in, hearing the bell chime

“You’re late. Can’t you see how swamped I am?” Nico said, making some paper airplanes and tossing them towards the trash can near the front door.

“Clearly,” I smiled, picking up the few planes that didn’t make it in.

Walking around the counter I placed my bag and sweater under the counter and deposited the planes on the counter.

“How was today?” I asked, tossing one of the planes to the basket and nailing it.

“Lunch rush was the same. How come I never see you here with the rest of the annoying kids?”

“What would I get here in? My lambor-feeties?” I asked lifting up my foot”

“Okay smart ass,” he said taking aim at the bin, “You’ve been saving money for some time, how much more do you need?” he asked, tossing the plane and missing.

“I’m getting close. Nothing a few more days of work couldn’t fix,”

We laughed, Nico nudged me as I was tossing my plane, throwing off my aim. The bell chimed as someone came in. My plane hit the newcomer right in the chest. Immediately Nico’s laughing died and his smile faded. His features hardened and his poster straightened. I could feel the tension in the air rising.

“Welcome,” I smiled, trying my best to treat this man like I would any other customer.

He bent down, picking up the paper plane that hit him.

As he walked to the counter it took everything in me to not take a step back. Just looking at him I could tell he was not one to be messed with.

“So this is what we pay you for?” He placed the paper on the counter.

I kept my eyes everted. I didn’t know who this man was, but Nico seemed to. A hand went under my chin and out of instinct I smacked it away, ready to shout at him when my eyes met his.

Dark brown orbs with furrowed eyebrows that were as black as his hair, on his left brow there was a scar that ran at an angle through it. His features were sharp with a square jaw that tightened as he clenched his teeth, making the small scar on his chin noticeable. His skin was immaculate, smoother than most of the girls I’ve seen on T.V, making his olive complexion glow.

He was in other words very handsome and looked a few years older than me.

“Nico. We have business to attend in the back,” he lifted his hand and through the door came 5 other men.

Not once did he take his eyes off of mine.

“Yes sir,” Nico responded in a deeper tone then I’ve ever heard.

“Here,” this man smirked at me, taking money out of his wallet and placing it in the counter, “that should be more than enough for your days worth of pay”

I looked down and saw 8 hundred dollar bills on the counter. My insides felt like they were on fire with the anger building up in me.

“Thank you for your generosity, but it’s unnecessary,” I pushed it back to him.

“Aria,” Nico whispered, but the man infront of me held up his hand, to stop Nico from speaking.

“Not enough?” he pulled out 3 more hundred dollar bills and placed them ontop of the others, “that should be enough for you to show me just what kind of quality service you give here at my shop”

I could feel my face turning red from anger now. The other men behind him snickering.

“Who the hell do you think you are? You come in here flashing money and think I’m going to just drop to the ground and-”

“Aria!” Nico grabbed my shoulder, “Please, just… just go home”

I looked up at him and could see the fear in his eyes. He knew how much I hated going to that house and for him to tell me to go there meant it was safer there than here.

Letting out a sigh of frustration I grabbed my things from under the counter and stomped to the door.

“Aria,” the strangers voice was deep and him saying my name sent a chill down my spine, “forgetting something,” he held up the money.

I stompped towards him snatching the money from his hand. A triumphant smile accross his face.

“I believe you forgot to tip your server,” I shoved the money in the tip jar on the counter. “I’ll see you tomorrow Nico, don’t forget to thank this man for being so generous,” I walked out the door, letting it slam behind me.

There was nothing left for me to do today so I walked around town, avoiding that house. Finally as the darkness grew and the wind chilled me to the bone, I decided to go back.

Only the light from the T.V shown through the window. Anne’s car was gone. Odd I thought. The front door was unlocked as always. The floorboards creaked as I walked up the rickety staircase.

Dread filled me when I saw my door was wide opened. Flipping on the switch I could see that someone had gone through my things. My clothes were tossed everywhere, the bed was slightly off the box spring and every drawer in my desk was pulled out.

And in the middle of the floor was the torn up envelope I kept all my money in that had been taped to the bottom of the top drawer of my dresser. I picked up the pieces and felt the tears sting my eyes. How could she? She still receives child support from Jacob and keeps every single penny for herself. Not once have I asked for anything in over 10 years. I slammed my door, locking it.

My back against the door I slid to the floor, looking at my room. I had a little over 3 thousand dollars in there. The used car I had my eye on was now further from me. Hope of leaving this place when I turned 18 felt more like wishful thinking. The memory of what happened at the shop today came back. I was starting to regret that I refused the money. There was was no way I could’ve accepted it.

Slowly I started putting my room back together to make it semi functional. Finally when I was satisfied with the way it looked I laid down, pulling the tattered comforter over me and slowly drifting off to sleep.