Beep Beep Beep BEEP…

I groaned into the couch cushions, turning off my alarm. My back and neck are both stiff and sore, my head is pounding, my clothes are sticking to my body and I overall feel like a pile of shit. My memory of last night is a mess of unorganized bits and pieces and trying to remember is making my head pound more. I do, however, remember Evelyn’s little stunt. I pull out my phone with its near-dead battery and try to get my eyes to focus on the screen as best they can. I open Evelyn and I’s texts.

Me: You dummy

Me: You left me to DIE

Me: I hope you and that ginger find out you’re cousins!!!!!🖕

Me: My lunch break is at 1 :)

Satisfied, I turn off my phone and slowly sit up, blinking a few times to get the room to stop spinning. Despite feeling like I was hit by a few trains, I still have to go to work today. Standing up and finally finding my balance, I made my way over to my room, picking out a clean set of clothes for today and then making my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower letting it heat up while I brushed my teeth, unable to stand the taste of booze still lingering in my mouth. I got undressed and hopped into the shower. I was thankful for the hot water soothing my aching muscles. I felt very at peace. That is until every memory from last night came back to me. I threw up on Zack Cromwell’s shoes and then acted like a complete idiot in front of Sawyer. I could feel my cheeks heating up from embarrassment and felt gross all over again. 

Taking extra time to scrub myself clean, I hopped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my waist, and cleaned off the mirror. Looking at my reflection I winced when I noticed the bruise from when Zack hit me on the stomach. There was also a bruise on my right shoulder from when he shoved me into the wall. Sighing I walked out of the bathroom and got dressed for work. I picked out a pair of black jeans, a black t-shirt, a white and black flannel, and my favorite and well-worn pair of faded black converse. I ran my fingers through my light brown hair to get it to look slightly decent and headed for the door grabbing my wallet, keys, and skateboard. I hate driving and never took the time to learn how to ride a bike so a skateboard is my preferred method of getting around in this small town despite being twenty-seven years old.

While I was making my way down the stairs I got a text from Evelyn.

Moron💕🌙 : It couldn’t have been that bad drama queen

Me: Want to bet? A month's worth of free lunch if I’m right?

Moron💕🌙: Hmmm fine

Moron💕🌙: Now tell me what happened

Me: Nah your ass is gonna wait until 1 to hear it. You would have known if you NEVER LEFT ME

Moron💕🌙: I get it! 

Moron💕🌙: Btw Emma and I have a date tonight 😉

Me: Like I care. Maybe she should be your new bestie

Moron💕🌙: I could never replace you my lovely crusty sock❤️❤️❤️😩😩😩😩

Me: Fuck off

Moron💕🌙: ❤️

I groaned but couldn’t stop the smile from tugging on my lips as I reached the front entrance. I work at the only library in Riverstone, our small town. I’ve always had a love for books, so being paid to be surrounded by them for hours seemed like a good deal to me. Opening the door I caught Aspen’s gaze which immediately turned into a glare.

“Wow, I almost thought you wouldn’t show up today. You know you’re an hour late right?” Aspen sarcastically joked.

“I told you I had my high school reunion last night. Ended up drinking a little too much.”

“Yeah, I can tell. You look like shit dude.” Aspen chuckled, adding another book on top of a large stack. Aspen owns this place making them my boss. They’re pretty easygoing and not too strict they only pretend to be mad sometimes. “Help me log these returned books so we can start putting them away.”

“Got it,” I said, pinning my name tag to my shirt.

Just as we were finishing up a ding sounded signifying someone walked in. “Welcome to Riverstone Library!” I said without looking up from logging the last book.

“Um…” a husky voice sounded.

My amber eyes shot up to meet a pair of green ones. “Oh.” Was all I could muster up to say at the moment. I mentally cursed myself and recollected my thoughts. “How can I help you?”

“Was just coming in to browse. Although I didn’t expect to see you here.” Damien held up a bag, “want a hangover drink? I bought extra on accident.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. I’ve given up on trying to read this man and I’m too tired to argue with him so I thankfully accept the drink. Damien walks off to the far end of the library and disappears behind a shelf. I slump forward, opening the drink. Just as I’m about to take a sip I recall our conversation from yesterday.

“I’m fine. I can walk. Did you not drink?” 

“I don’t drink.”

What? I looked down at the hangover drink in my hands. Did he lie about not drinking or about buying extra? Did he buy it just for me? But then that would mean he didn’t really come here to browse. How did he know where I was? I laughed a little in disbelief. He probably bought it for a friend or something. Zack or Griffin maybe?

“Hellooo?? Earth to Kayden.” Aspen said, waving a hand in front of my face.

“Huh?”

“God. You’re more out of it than I thought. Work on putting the stack of returns in their proper places please.” 

“Sure,” I said, in a bit of a daze.

What is with this situation?