The Prophecy (9 page)

I was scrubbing down the counters while Rosemary was straightening up the tables and chairs that were thrown about.
 

“
How, exactly, did all of this happen?” She asked without looking at me.

“
I don't know.”

She stopped and sat down in one of the chairs, looking at me with a puzzled frown.
“How do you not know? I mean, shit. This,” she gestured around the destruction of the store, “is flipping insane.”

I stopped and sighed, turning to lean against the counter. I folded my arms protectively against myself, refusing to meet Rose's gaze.
“Okay, so when two people hate each other very much, they get a strong urge to beat the shit out of one another.”

She ran her hands threw her short hair while groaning in frustration.
“Look, I'm being serious here! I've never seen anything like this happen, and quite frankly, I'm freaked out.”

I looked down at the floor and started to twist my hair around my hands.
“I know. I'm just as freaked out as you, even if I've had more time to deal with this.”

“
What are you talking about?”

“
Things— look, this is going to sound insane, but I really don't know how to explain it. Things just seem to happen around me. My mother calls them my little 'incidents'. I don't know how, or why they happen. They just do. Okay?” I glared at Rose and went back to cleaning.

We headed to the office after finishing. I rapped lightly against the frame and we waited for Mary Beth to answer. We jumped back as she threw open the door, her glare stunning in its coldness. I had never felt so belittled before by a single look. All the snarky comments died on my tongue as I froze under that icy glare.

“Is all the cleaning done?”

“
Yes ma'am.” We replied in unison.

“
Good. Now, that's not the end of your punishment. Until the two of you can get along, you will both be on the same shifts. That will be rather easy to do with school starting in a couple of weeks. You will take breaks together, work on the same projects together, and from the time you enter until the time you leave you will remain glued to each other’s sides. Do you understand me?”

“
Mom, this is ridiculous!”

“
Seriously ma'am, this isn't going to work! We can't stand to be near each other!”

She held up her hand for silence and waited until we were done talking over each other.
“It
will
work. I won't have any more fighting from you two. Until you guys can learn to get along, that's the way it's going to be. Now Starlette, you can go ahead and clock out and head home. Here's your schedule for the next two weeks. Rosemary, head upstairs. I may be your boss while you're on the clock, but I'm your mother when we get home, do you understand?”

“
Jesus mom! This is like double jeopardy! You shouldn't be able to punish me twice! And what about Star? She just gets off so easily?” She was practically yelling at her mother. She started muttering to herself about the injustice of it all as she stormed off a small distance and began pacing.

“
Oh no, dear. I've already called Stars mother and informed her of the incident. I'm sure she'll hear all about it when she gets home.”

The grin that was tempted to break across my face died instantly.
“Oh come on! You didn't have to call her!”

“
Yes, I did. It's done, so you better get used to it. Your mother is waiting for your return.”

“
Great. Just fuc—”

“
Language Star!”

“
Flipping great!”

“
Yeah, not so happy now, are you?”

“
Shut up Rose!” I stormed out and tried slamming the door behind me, but it was useless. Swinging doors don't make good objects to take your frustrations out on. I jumped out of the way, nearly being knocked over by the door attacking me.

On the drive home I went over and dismissed everything I could say to my parents to make them understand. I knew that regardless of what I said they'd still flip out on me. So I began to think of all the things I could do to Rosemary in retaliation for getting me into this mess. True, it wasn't entirely her fault, but if she wasn't such a bitch to begin with then I wouldn't have lashed out. Well, at least I hoped I wouldn't have. With how hectic my emotions were lately, there was a high possibility that I would have eventually. With happy thoughts of nefarious deeds floating through my mind, I pulled into the driveway and sat in my car. Tempted to just turn around and drive off.

It wouldn't do any good. If I drove off they'd end up tracking me down. I sighed and slowly started to walk to the front door. Before I even made it halfway up the sidewalk, the door swung open. Mom stood there, highlighted by the entryway light, glorious in her fury. I quickly averted my gaze and attempted to pass her. No such luck. 

“
Living room. Now.” She stated, then turned on her heel to storm away from me.

I realized that there would be no need to talk my way out of anything because I was screwed. Royally and totally screwed. I headed straight to the couch and slumped down, waiting for the onslaught to begin. I looked up into the glaring eyes of my mother and the resigned eyes of my father as the only thing that greeted me was silence.

“Well?” I asked, thinking they needed some prompting to get the yelling started and out of the way.

Mom raised her eyebrow at me. What was with all the raised brows lately?
“Well what?”

“
Um, aren't you guys going to yell at me?” I was confused. Usually by now I'd be able to zone out through all of the yelling.

“
And why would we do that?” Dad asked with a raise of his brow too. Both of mine shot up in surprise. I think I've entered the twilight zone. 

I cleared my throat and pushed my hair behind my ears.
“Because I fought at work.”

“
And what would we have to say about that?”

Frustrated, I switched my gaze between them.
“How about how childish it was? Or how I need to learn to control my anger better? Oh, I know! 'You're in so much trouble Starlette! How could you do that! Do you have no restraint or self-control?'“ I said in an almost perfect replica of my mother’s voice.

“
See, honey? I told you it would be faster this way.” Mom told Dad while still holding her death glare on me.

“
Okay, seriously. What’s going on?”

“
You see, we're rather tired of you acting up and us having to yell at you. I figured we could just remain silent and let you do that yourself.” Her back was ramrod straight and her tone cold. I shrank back from her, quickly crossing my emotional limit. “Now that that's out of the way, let’s move on to the punishment. On top of Mary Beth's at work discipline, you will also be grounded here. Now, I know that you haven't had the chance to go out and make any friends, and at the rate you're going I doubt you will. However, there is something we can use as punishment for you. Since you just
love
acting up, your therapy sessions have been increased from one day a week to three.”

My eyes bulged and I thought my jaw would hit the floor.
“That's not fair! Come on, Mom! And what about my work schedule? Mary Beth already made it so it’s not like I can just change the hours on her now! And I'm sure James has a full schedule as it is with all the local crazies!”

“
There's no use arguing. I've already called Dr. Morrison and notified him of what happened. He has agreed to the three days. Once we set a re-occurring time with him, I called Mary Beth back and informed her so your schedule works around it.”

“
You told Mary Beth I'm seeing a shrink? Are you insane?” I jumped to my feet, beyond outraged. Didn't they understand the ramifications of their actions? I'd be ruined. Completely and utterly ruined. There wouldn't be a chance in hell that I'd ever be happy here once word of my therapy sessions got out.

“
Starlette! Do not speak to your mother that way!”

I looked between the two of them, tears starting to burn in my eyes. I wouldn't cry in front of them. Couldn't.
“You're both fucking stupid! Now everyone is going to know that I see a damn shrink! You've completely ruined any chance I've had of actually liking it here!”

“
You have no right to speak to your mother in such—” 

“
How dare you! You don't understand the complications your actions have caused—”

They continued to shout over each other. I'd had enough. The darkness, for once, was silent. Leaving nothing for my emotions to hide behind. I felt raw, breakable. Like I was bare in front of the world as their misunderstandings and spitefulness whipped across my already tender flesh. I couldn't handle it.

I spun around and raced to my room, creating my own escape before the first tear fell.

Chapter Nine

I woke up with a throbbing pain on the side of my face. I gently probed the area, wincing from the tenderness. I got up and went to my bathroom. I grimaced at the sight of my face as I peered into the mirror. A large yellow bruise stretched from my cheekbone up to my ear. A small purple bruise rested at the right side of my mouth. 

“
Great. I have midget prints on my face.” I tried to stretch out the soreness in my body, but it didn't help. I still felt like I'd been trampled by a herd of miniature rhino's. I hopped into the shower and turned the water on as hot as I could stand. I let the water cascade down my body and rested my head against the tiled shower wall, slowly relaxing my aching muscles as the pulsating spray worked its magic.

Feeling somewhat human, I stepped out and wrapped myself in an extra-large towel. I was working through the tangles in my hair when Mom walked in.

“Here, I washed your uniform. Mary Beth said she'd send some more home with you today.” She leaned against the door frame, silently watching me.

“
Yeah, thanks.” I didn't want to look at her. I didn't want to think about work or seeing Rosemary again. I finished up and looked over, surprised to see my mother still standing there. I figured she would have left by now. I sighed and leaned against the sink. “Is there something else you wanted?”

She shook her head and looked away.
“No, there's nothing.” With a sad smile she reached out to touch me, but dropped her hand back to her side without making contact. “Have a good day, honey.” She left the room without waiting for a reply. I felt overwhelmed. Regret and sadness laced throughout my soul, weighing me down, damning me. Frustrated, I threw the brush onto the counter and stormed out.

******

At a quarter till eight I pulled up outside of the Nook. I wasn't excited about working. It would just mean more 'fun' with Rose and meeting more backwoods hillbillies. I winced as I put my hair behind my ear. Having a bruise on my face the size of Texas wasn't helping my attitude. I sighed and got out and locked it. I headed up to the doors and braced myself for a day with Rose.

My eyes narrowed as I pulled on the door only to find it locked. I growled in frustration. This definitely wasn't helping my mood any. I was tempted to kick the door but held back and instead began pounding on the glass. I hoped that Rose wouldn't let me in so I could go home, though that prospect wasn't in the least appealing either.

After waiting for a couple of minutes I sighed in resignation and turned to head back to the car. I quickly turned around as I heard a key turn in the lock, nearly tripping on the steps.

“
Easy there, tiger.” Came an unfamiliar masculine voice.

I looked up from my unbalanced perch and into a gorgeous pair of baby blue eyes. They were the most beautiful set of eyes I've ever seen.
 

I reached out to grasp his offered hand and took a moment to contemplate him. He was easily 6 foot tall, making me feel dainty as he towered over me. He had a strong face, with a beautiful bone structure that was perfectly proportioned. A strong jaw and chiseled cheek bones lent a hardness to him that bellied the softness found in his eyes. Flipping his slightly long, sun kissed light brown hair off of his forehead, he returned my appraisal.
“Well, well. You must be the little Star I've heard so much about.”

I looked over his well-built frame and returned blandly.
“Yup, that would be me. And you are?”

“
I'm Brandon, coffee maker and book organizer extraordinaire!” he bowed with a heavy flourish. A slight smile crossed my face. Something was off about him. He was too pretty, too put together.

“
I've haven't seen you here yet. You just get back from vacation or something?” I followed him in, trying to figure out what exactly was different about him.

“
Yeah, my family and I just got back from New York. I've worked here since I was 15.”

“
Well, that's nice.”

He laughed and sent a wink over his shoulder.
“I suppose it is. Better than working at the bait shop, that's for sure.” He shrugged as he headed behind the coffee counter. “Can I make you anything before we open?”

“
Yeah, that would be great. I'll have whatever you're having.”

“
Oh, yay! My favorite person arrived! What, couldn't resist being with me again?”

I stiffened at the sound of Rose's sarcasm. And so it begins.
“Oh, you know how it is. Have to get in my daily dose of nasty hag, otherwise my day isn't complete.”

Brandon almost dropped the coffee. He handed it to me with a wink, then turned to face Rose.
“Hey baby, how
you
doin’?” He wiggled his eyebrows right before he grabbed her up in a giant hug.

This time I almost dropped the coffee. Surely they weren't a couple?

Rose swatted him on the arm. “You don't have to act around her, she's not important.”

“
Oh come on Rose, I have to practice for when school starts.”

“
What are you guys talking about?” I set my cup down. I didn't want it in anymore danger of falling.

“
None of your damn business, twat.” I rolled my eyes at Rose and looked to Brandon for an explanation.

He tugged on Rose's hair.
“Oh come on Rose, it won't hurt for her to know. Besides, we're all going to be besties.” He leaned against Rose's shoulder, causing her to stumble from the weight.

“
Get off you big oaf!” Shoving, she dislodged him from her shoulder. “And there's no way in hell I'm going to be her 'bestie'.”

Brandon grinned and looked over at me.
“Ooh, she really likes you.”

I ignored his remark and looked at the two of them.
“Seriously guys, what's the big secret.”

He slapped Rose on the ass and quickly moved out of her reach. He walked to my side, his face a mask of severity. He leaned down, his breath fanning my ear.
“I'm gay.”

I was glad I put my cup down because what he said almost made me fall out of my chair.
“You can't be serious!”

“
Oh yeah, one hundred percent babe.” He winked yet again. I swear that boy had a muscle problem with his eye. I looked to Rose for confirmation. She just shrugged and started to walk off. No help on that end. 

“
Come on, little Star. We've got work to do.” She called after me. I followed slowly behind her and cast a half smile to Brandon. He returned the grin and went back to prepping the coffee bar.