Women And the Demons Who Love Them

We Were Young-2

Imagine Dragons- Demons

Chapter Two: Parties Are For Dancing, Not Punching People

    "How do you not have this book in stock?" the woman demanded showing me a piece of paper that says our library has the book she needs. 

    "We only have one copy. It's not a very popular book and right now it's not here," I repeated for the second time. 

    "You just said it's not a very popular book," 

    "Yeah, it's not popular enough for us to have more than one copy but popular enough for someone else to have checked it out. There is a line behind you. If we're done. Step away," 

    "I don't think I like your tone," she smacking her paper on the counter. 

    "Look, lady. This isn't a store or a restaurant where you can demand anything from me. We're in a library. There is no manager for you to complain to here. I have a computer and the computer says the book is not here. Go. Away," she scoffed taking her stupid print out with her. "Next," 

    "Temperamental, Speedy," I looked up to see Lawrence and a little girl who was holding a stack of books. She smiled at me, placing them on the counter. 

    "Lawrence," I greeted him, as the little girl with him took the three books on top off the stack. 

    "I have to return these and these I want to check out," she informed me, her sweet girly voice made me smile. 

    "Yes ma'am," I addressed her, taking the books she's returning. "Do you have your library card?" 

    "Yes," she nodded pulling it out of her pocket. 

    "You have anger issues," Lawrence accused when I scanned the card and handed it back to her.

    "I've been told," I smiled, placing the books on the cart next to me as I scanned them. I took the other ones out and began to scan them. Then I desensitized them so when she walked out the alarm wouldn't go off. "Is this cutie your sister?" 

    "Unfortunately," she answered, rolling her eyes. He gave her a light shove making her glare up at him. 

    "Taylor," I sighed when Marice called me out by my last name. 

    "Here you go, sweetheart," I ignored him, handing the little girl the five books she probably shouldn't be reading at her age. "You like vampires huh?" 

    "I love them," she nodded. 

    "I'm more of an angels and demons kind of chick," 

    "I like those too," she beamed with a big bright smile. Yeah, these two are related. She has that swoon-worthy smile.

    "Excuse me," Marice interrupted, looking at them. "How many times have I told you not to be rude to people?" 

    "Several," I shrugged looking up at him uninterested. The little girl snickers.

    "Then what's the problem? It's not that hard to smile once in a while. It wouldn't kill you," 

    "It might have killed her," I retorted sarcastically pointing at the woman who had complained. Lawrence and his sister laughed. 

    "Jerry, you are the highlight of my day. None of these incompetent idiots have your skills. I don't want to fire you over something so trivial. Got it?" I nodded looking over at him. "She was being a b***h. I could hear her from my office," 

    "There's a little girl standing right there," I shook my head, looking down at Lawrence's sister. 

    "Law is so much worse," she shrugged brushing it off.

    "Go put your books away. I'll take over the counter," Marice scolded, shoo-ing me away.

    I logged off my account taking a stack of books placing them on the already overflowing cart. I pushed them away from the front desk. The little girl ran over to the kid's section and began to pull things out of her backpack taking the entire table for herself.

    "What do you want?" I asked looking at Lawrence, as he followed me and the cart. He pulled out a snack-sized bag of cheez-its from his pocket and began to eat them. Who the hell is this guy? 

    "Want one?" he asked extending the bag to me. I looked around taking one popping it into my mouth. 

    "You're not supposed to eat in the library," I scolded him, putting a book where it goes. I picked up a stack that was on the floor putting them back to their rightful place. 

    "So, you're a rule-breaker and temperamental. I think I should be careful around you, Speedy. You're a bad influence," he said leaning against the wall as I started putting other books away. "Here, I thought I had you all figured out," 

    "You don't know me," I scoffed glancing at him. 

    "No, I don't," he agreed. "All I know is that your name is Jerry Taylor. You like coffee with no sugar or creme like a psychopath. You like French pastries and have serious anger issues," 

    "I just don't like being bitched at," I chuckled ignoring everything else as I pushed the cart to the next aisle. 

    "I'm having a party tonight," 

    "I heard," his eyes lit up that damn smirk on his lips made me want to smack him. 

    "You're coming right?" 

    "Brandy insisted. So, yes. I have to go," 

    "Don't sound too excited, Speedy," he laughed, taking a book off the shelf. He flattened the now empty chip bag and put it inside the book before closing it and putting it back on the shelf.  

    "Really? I'm standing right here," I glared at him. I reached for it and put his trash in my pocket. He shrugged rubbing his hands together before shoving them into his pocket. 

    "Excuse me miss, Where can I find this?" I turned around to see a guy holding a book reference card. "Oh, hey Jerry," 

    "Hey Paul," I smiled at him, taking the card. "This is on the other side of the library by the giant teddy bear," 

    "Thanks," he said taking the card back. He looked past me at Lawrence. "Shark," 

    "Walk away, pretty boy," he warned. His voice low and intimidating. Paul walked away without saying another word. He didn't let up on the dirty look. Their interaction sparked my curiosity.

    "Shark? Is that your street name?" I laughed remembering the guy from this morning. 

    "I thought we agreed that it was my business," he smirked. I laughed again. 

    "It is. I just think it's funny that Shark is your street name," I shook my head, placing a few books into their place. 

    "It's not my street name," he smiled. "I have to get my sister to her dad's house. I'll see you later, Speedy," 

    "Laters, Lawrence,"  he looked back at me with a smirk. 

    I watched as he went over to the cute little girl and helped her put her things in her backpack. He put it over his shoulder as they walked out together. I finished putting the books away and walked back to the front desk. Marice made me take over the counter for the rest of the night. 

    "You find what you needed?" I asked Paul when he placed a stack of research books in front of me. 

    "Yeah," he nodded handing me his library card. "I know it's none of my business, Jer but you're not involved with Parker are you?" 

    "Not really. We have mutual friends," I answered, handing him his card back. 

    "We've known each other for a long time, Jer. I know you're careful. Parker isn't the kind of heat you need in your life. That guy is dangerous. He's a freak. You should stay away from him," 

I handed him the stack of books. "Thanks," 

    "I'm just looking out for you, Jer. Your dad and mine were tight. When does he get out?"  

    "I don't know," I lied. He nodded. 

    "I'll see you around. Take care, Jerry," 

    "That guy is a hottie," I laughed at my crazy best friend. If anyone is ever going to get me in trouble it's this girl in front of me. "What were you guys talking about?" 

    "Books," I said motioning where we were. She moved out of the way so I could wave the girl behind her forward. She jumped on the counter. "Really? Get off before Marice sees you, dude," 

    "He loves me," she shrugged. He doesn't.

    "Do you have your library card?" I asked the girl. She nodded handing me her card. The computer beeped as soon as I scanned it. "You have a four dollar late fee," 

    "Oh," she said reaching into her bag. 

    She handed me a five-dollar bill. I typed in the amount she gave me before putting the money in the cash register. I checked the girl's books out placing her dollar and receipt in her book and handed it back to her. Marice and I made eye contact. I pushed Brandy off the counter making her fall.

    "Thanks," the girl laughed walking away. 

    "What the hell?" Brandy demanded, looking over at me. 

    "You're going to get me fired. I already have two warnings today," 

    "What you do?" 

    "Some guy tried to chew me out when I told him he couldn't check anything out because he owed fourteen bucks in late fees and some lady got all crazy cause we didn't have the book she wanted," 

    "So naturally you bitched them out," she concluded. 

    "Naturally," I confirmed pulling the overhead speaker microphone to me. "Last call to check out. The library will be closing in ten minutes," 

    The remaining four began to pack their things up. Once they were out the door, Marice and I began to clean up. Brandy walked around until I logged out and told her it was time to go. 

    "Alright, tomorrow your shift starts at twelve. You're going to be working with Silvia for the next three months. She's not familiar with this library so you're probably going to have put in a little extra for her. Which means, you're probably going to be in charge of making this place look good while I'm gone. Please and I cannot stress this more than I do already. Please, do not tell anyone else to f**k off," Brandy burst out laughing. "Please, I don't want to come back to a stack of write-ups like I did last year. We had a deal," 

    "I promise not to curse any of the customers out in your absence," 

    "The rule also applies to Silvia. Silvia is sensitive. You made her cry the first time she was here," 

I rolled my eyes. 

    "All I said was Do whatever you want. She started crying for no reason," 

    "You told her to do whatever she wanted after you called her an incompetent twit. You were fifteen then. You haven't gotten better. It's a whole lot worse" 

    "I promise not to make her cry. You can go on your trip in peace," I reassured. I had completely forgotten he was leaving today or I would have made his ass put all the books away. Funny how a beautiful set of eyes can distract you so much.

    "Thank you," he said glancing at Brandy. She waved at him. He sighed rolling his eyes before escorting the two of us out. 

    Marice hates B. When I first got my school permit to get a job, this was the first place I applied. This library had just opened up and he needed all the help he could get. So, he hired me right away. When B came out of her interview he had been livid. I have no idea what she had told him but he kicked her out. For the past two years, he has asked me why I'm friends with her. Calls her the anti-Christ. To this day, she never told me why he hates her.

    "Hurry, we have to get ready before Brant gets to my house. He doesn't like to wait," she said pulling me with her. I pulled out my flip phone and text my mom that I was going to be spending the night with Brandy. Brandy always made fun of my phone. When my mom had asked what I wanted for Christmas last year, it was between a laptop and Wi-Fi in the house or the latest model phone. It was a no-brainer. I picked my laptop. Named it Jay. My phone began to ring immediately after my text was sent.

    "Are you sure?" she asked before I could get anything out. 

    "Yes, we're going to a party," 

    "What?" she shouted. Brandy looked over at me laughing clearly hearing her. "The last time you went to a party you came home with stitches on your forehead, Jeremiah," 

    "I know, mom. That was a long time ago," 

    "It was seven months ago, Jer," 

    "Mom, that was a long time ago," she sighed. "Besides, it's not like you're going to be home anyway,"

    "I know. I have double shifts all this week. I just feel a whole lot better when you're home in your onesies watching Arrow tell people they've failed the city. I hate that show,"

    "Okay, mom. I have to go. I'll see you in the morning. My shift starts at twelve and ends at eight tomorrow," 

    "Okay, be careful. Tell Sheryl I said hi," 

    "Yes, ma'am," 

    "I love you," she said and hung up. 

    I'm not exactly sure why she never waits for me to say it back. I think I've never actually said it back. She has a problem with hearing anyone saying those three little words to her. I think it's because the last time someone told her they loved her, it was my dad. A few hours before he was arrested and then convicted to three years in prison for almost killing someone with his bare hands in a fistfight.

    "You okay?" Brandy asked opening the gate to her house. 

    "I'm fine," I said following her in.  

    "Hey," we both looked up to see her mom in the kitchen with nothing but an oversized button-up, that probably belongs to Brandy's dad, and black lacy underwear. 

    "Mom," Brandy complained, turning away, "What the hell is wrong with you guys?" 

    To top things off, her dad is coming down the stairs in basketball shorts. Nothing else. His hair is still wet from a shower a black towel around his neck. Mr. Cooper is very handsome and very fit. I looked over at Brandy pressing my lips together to try and keep myself from laughing. 

    "I thought you were staying at your place?" Sheryl asked pointing at me. 

    "We should have probably done that," Brandy shot back at her. 

    "We're going to this thing with some friends not too far from here. It made sense to stay here than taking the bus all the way to the other side of town," I explained. 

    Not that staying at my place was ever a thing. Brandy just says she staying over and I tell my mom she's there but really she's out with Brant testing the limitations of how close they can get to teenage parenthood. One day B hopes to cover for me like that. Which is dumb because I basically live alone in a two-bedroom apartment. Not that I would ever hide something like that from my mom. We talk about everything. I also have a thing about being touched. By anyone. I hate it.

    "Yeah, okay. How's Minnie?" 

    "Working. She says hi," 

    "She works so much," she sighed, mixing something in a pan. 

    "Not all women can be desperate housewives," Brandy retorted, taking my hand pulling me up the stairs. 

    "Hey," her dad called out. "We've talked about this Brandy," 

    "You did and I pretended to listen," she said rolling her eyes. 

    Brandy might seem like a brat. She is but her parents aren't exactly... How do I put it? They don't really act like they're her parents. They're more like her roommates. Her dad is a detective. He's hardly ever home. When he is, he and her mom are either fighting and at each other's throats or hopelessly in love. 

    Sheryl is a book editor and works from home. They both have a hard time dealing with one another. You'd think they'd be close but Brandy is more like her dad. She likes running in the direction of danger. Which explains Brant. The only reason Mr. Cooper hasn't shot him yet is because, Brandy won't admit they're together. She'll deny it with a straight face with Brant standing right next to her with her purse in his hands.

    She handed me some clothes and shoved me into the bathroom. I took a quick shower and almost put the dress she had handed me on. I walked out in my underwear holding the dress in my hand. 

    "What the hell is this?" I asked. She laughed tossing me a different one. 

    "Fine, I'll wear that one," I tossed her the dress looking over the blue one.  "Don't be such a stick in the mud, Southpaw. Parties are for dancing. Not fighting," 

    "I don't plan on fighting. I'm just not as comfortable with wearing that like you are," 

She rolled her eyes. "Okay. You can actually wear your combat boots with that dress without looking like a spaz,"

    "Don't hate on my boots,"  

    "Heels are sexier," 

    I rolled my eyes slipping the blue dress on. She zipped it up for me from behind and inspected her handy work. She nodded approving before going to the bathroom. I went through her drawers looking for a pair of spandex shorts and found them with her yoga pants. I shook my head knowing she would purposefully wear these little shorts to work out in just to piss her parents off and Brant. He's just as protective as her dad. 

I walked into the bathroom as she dried herself off, then grabbed the gel and began to do my hair. 

    "Help," she called out. I turned around and laughed. Her dress had rolled up under her arms 

    "That is a sign for you to wear something else," I said pulling it down over her body. 

    The fabric wasn't as thin as I originally thought it was. The simple dress went fitted along her lean curves. It wouldn't have fit me the same. It would have been tighter. We might be the same height but my build is a little thicker than hers. She likes to do cardio and while I love to run myself, I like to hit the weights just the same. 

    The dress she had handed me is similar. It went against my curves. The difference is that this one has long sleeves and made it just above my knees. Hers didn't have sleeves and covered down to the middle of her thighs. She began to tousle her hair. I took my small makeup bag from my backpack. 

    "Makeup?" she asked watching me put mascara on. 

    "What?" I asked straightening up. 

    "Nothing. I thought- Nothing. I'm glad you're going out of your comfort zone. Let me see," I handed her the eyeliner shutting my eyes. "I didn't even know you own makeup," 

    "Just because I don't wear it constantly doesn't mean I don't have this stuff. Do you know who my mother is?" 

    "Yeah," she said finishing. "There," 

I looked back at the mirror to see she was way better at this than I am. Not that I would ever admit that to her. 

    "Can I borrow some of this? I haven't gotten a new one," I nodded finishing with the mascara. Her phone rang. She pressed the green button on the screen putting it on speaker. 

    "I'm here," the deep masculine voice said. 

    Brant is a really scary guy. He's about six feet three inches tall and his build is thick as hell. The muscle on the guy isn't exaggerated but I would not want that guy hit me not even playfully. I'd probably shatter. He plays baseball and drives an expensive car. Rumors around him aren't very nice ones. I've seen the files with him and his dad's name on them in Mr. Cooper's office. They're thick.

    "Coming," she said hanging up. 

    She walked out handing me a black cut off, leather jacket to match my boots. I pinned the curls on the right side of my head back with my favorite black leather bow. She handed me a pair of black cut off gloves and a set of pearl bracelets. I put them on making sure my earings were in place and hadn't fallen off when I was in the shower. This shouldn't be so hard for me. I'm going to be just fine.