Chapter 9

Chapter 9

My wrist is throbbing, and a sharp stabbing kind of pain shoots up my arm every time I jostle it. I did get really good tips though. The elderly couple tipped me twenty bucks, and the group tipped ten each. They must have felt bad for me because of my eye, but hey, I’ll take pity tips. Maybe I should get punched before work more often.

“Hey, Theo.” Matt clasps me on the back. “Thanks for coming in. It was a huge help.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Pain stabs at my wrist, and I wince.

He stares at my eye. “You sure you’re okay?” He actually looks at me now that the craziness is over.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I assure him “I mean, it doesn’t feel good, but it’s nothing I can’t suck up for the night.”

“Right.” Matt nods. “Make sure you take care of that girl of yours. She’s a special one.” He pats my shoulder.

Course, I’ll always take care of Lana. I use my one good hand to scrub the dishes and put them away. Matt’s doing the vacuuming out in the dining area, and as soon as he finishes that, and I finish this final stupid dish, then I’m headed home to get some sleep.

“Shoot.” I wince when I bump my wrist on the edge of the sink. I look down at it. It’s a little swollen. Probably nothing. I just want to go home. Lana will be up waiting for me.

“All finished?” Matt calls to me as I finish drying my hand.

“Yep.” I hang up my apron and meet Matt at the door. He looks more exhausted than when I came in.

“See you tomorrow night.” Matt yawns and locks up.

“Night.” I call back and head to the subway station.

Manhattan is well lit. Lana loves it here. The lights, the people, the stores. I wish I could afford to bring her here more; eat an actual meal here, buy her something nice at one of these stores.

I walk these streets almost every day on my way to the subway home, but the jewelry store catches me this time. The ring is tiny and mostly silver but the stones in the center are shaped like a flower. It looks so much like something Lana would wear. I want to buy it right now, but the store is closed, and the ring is three thousand dollars.

“Dang, Lana would love that…” I sigh and step away from the store. There’s no way I can afford that anytime soon. I glance down at my phone and see an unopened email. I skim through until I see one labeled QUERY.

Thank you for thinking of us for your project. Unfortunately, we don’t feel you are the right fit for us. We wish you the best in your pursuits.

“Fantastic.” I drop my head back, my hand aching along with my pride now. How does Lana think I’m not a loser? I couldn’t even protect her tonight. Alex had to come and save her and me.

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Dear yeah,

It’s getting better. I don’t even know the point in writing this down when I don’t really have anyone to give this to later. I mean I already tell Shaina all this stuff. Well, most of it. Not the really important thing but I don’t really tell you either because I don’t want anyone to know.

Anyway, I was actually able to spend my day off at the park walking, listening to music and just enjoying me time and it was nice, it was just really nice. The knot that’s been in my stomach is fading and I’m getting less calls. I’ve also stopped answering though.

I think it’s gonna be okay. I think I’m gonna be okay.

Lana

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WebNovel exclusive Bonus scene:

Lana’s Perspective:

The rain is relentless. It’s okay. The gray skies and constant downpour match my mood.

“Wait!” The voice is strong and loud and tears through the thunderous downpour above the subway.

“Please wait!” A woman swings in just as the door closes. “whew, that was close.” She laughs and wipes the water from her face. Her hair is in these beautiful braids woven through with red. Her skin is flawless, her cheekbones high but her cheeks aren’t without a rounded edge. She’s really pretty.

“Um… miss.” I wave to her. She smiles at me.

“Hiya.” She seems nice. “some storm, huh?”

“um, your jacket.” I point to the doors. She tries to walk forward but her jack is caught. A good chunk of it is stuck in the door.

“Oops.” She bites her bottom lip.

“Here,” I reach for her jacket and grab a chunk. “We’ll pull at the same time.”

“Good plan.” She beams at me. She looks like sun on this storm.

“One… Two… Three… Pull!”

We pull at the same time.

“Try again.” She insists. We do but it’s not budging.

“I don’t think we’re going to win this one.” I laugh. “Let me help you out of it so you’re not stuck the whole ride.” I help her slip the jacket off. She has a cute sweater dress underneath. It’s red and long sleeves and hits just a bit above mid-thigh.

“Thanks.” She flashes another smile at me. She can’t be any older than I am.

“No problem.” I want to know her name but will it be weird to ask now? Maybe she’s not looking for anymore friends.

“I’m Shaina.” She offers her hand to me.

“I’m Lana.” I giggle.

“Cool, our names rhyme.” She laughs too. “Where’s your next stop?” She wipes at some excess water on her face.

“It’s about eight stops but I’m right around the corner from my next stop.”

“lucky.” She groans “I ‘m forever away from my apartment from my stop.”

“If you want to borrow my raincoat, I don’t mind.” If she accepts it, she’ll have to give it back to me.

“Are you sure?” She seems surprised by the offer.

“Yeah, it’s a two-minute walk from my stop. I’ll be home and warmed up in no time.”

“Yeah!” A smile explodes across her face. “That would be great.”

My stop is first, her jack fell down the side of the subway before we could catch it. I give her my phone number and we wave goodbye from the window.

I hope she wants to be my friend.

She returns my jacket three days after, she brought us ice cream.