I've been at work for about five hours now, I'm working till eleven. We close at midnight on Sundays, and one in the morning the rest of the week. I walk over to the new customers that have arrived and stop short just before I get to their table. Sitting there with a group of friends is Ethan. I haven't seen him since that night, and now here he is sitting in my section tonight. Great.

"Hi guys, what can I get for you tonight?" I ask.

Ethan does a double take then removes his arm from behind the girl sitting next to him.

"Chloe," he nearly chokes.

"Hello Ethan," I say.

"I'll have a blue moon," I hear one guy say.

"I'll have to see some ID," I say.

"Oh c'mon, you know my buddy Ethan so can't you just let it slide tonight?" he asks.

He's got a smug look on his face as he runs a hand through his long brown hair. What is it with this restaurant attracting assholes?

"I'll take an iced tea," the girl says.

I jot it down then look at Ethan. "I'll have the same," he says not making eye contact with me. Whatever, I roll my eyes. A blonde sits across from him and looks up at me.

"Water," he says.

I look back at the asshole who wanted the beer, "So did you decide what you wanted or shall I just bring you some water?"

"I'll have Pepsi," he tells me.

"Okay. Anyone ready to order or are there any appetizers..."

"Just get me my Pepsi," he says staring straight at me.

I walk away without another word, I hear the girl yell across the table at the guy to shut his "pie hole" her words not mine. I go over to the bar to get their drinks. Katelyn comes over, tonight she's working the bar. She says she wants to learn what it's like to work behind one. I think she's determined to work at that bar down the street where the girls dance on the bar, like in that movie.

"Your bestie Ethan's here," I tell her.

"He's such a dick. He told me that he missed me and wanted to get together since we hadn't seen each other, and then last minute decides to cancel on me," she says.

I finish filling the Pepsi and put it on the tray, then start filling the others. "His friends are real winners too," I tell her.

"He sure knows how to pick 'em," she says.

"Tell me about it," I say.

"Oh, so you're coming to the party next weekend right? My house, fire pit fun?"

"I wouldn't miss it," I tell her.

It may be almost winter and pretty damn chilly out, but that doesn't stop Katelyn from having her yearly Christmas party. We roast marshmallows and drink lots of beer, it's usually a good time. I'd forgotten all about it because of everything going on at home, but I think a night out with Katelyn is exactly what I need.

I walk back over to the table to give them their drinks and take their orders. They are finally ready, and don't give me any more issues. I walk back to check on some other tables and then walk out to take a small break, I need air. The doors to the restaurant opens and Ethan comes walking out. He stands next to me, a little too close and I slide over.

"I'm sorry," he says.

"It's a little late for apologies," I tell him.

"I miss you," he tells me.

"Sure," I say.

"I do," he steps closer placing a hand on my shoulder.

I take his arm and twist it. He loses his balance and almost falls over.

"What the fuck was that for?"

"Don't ever touch me again, you got it?" I ask.

"I was only trying to apologize..."

"You can apologize without touching me," I warn.

People walking into the place give us dirty looks. I ignore them and focus my attention back on Ethan.

"So what, you with that guy now?" he asks.

"It's none of your damn business who I'm with," I tell him.

"I knew it, that's why you were acting so weird..."

"Fuck off Ethan," I say a little too loud. A customer with two young children walk by covering their ears.

"I gotta get back to work," I say pushing back past him.

I leave him behind me, and by the time I come back in his tables food is ready. I take it and hand it to each of them without a word. One of them tries to flag me down to come back, but I walk away. I hear him shout that I'm a bitch, but I'm not in the mood.

"Hey Chloe, can I see you in my office?" Roger asks.

I bet one hundred percent that the lady covering her kid's ears has something to say about my language. I walk into his office and sit down in the chair in front of his desk. Roger sits after I do and stares at me. I know what's coming I can feel it.

"Chloe. I hate to..."

I take off my badge and set it down on the desk. I look up at him, he doesn't even have to continue. I knock the chair over as I get up and walk towards my locker to get my things.

"Leaving already?" a familiar voice says as I'm about to walk out.

Holy fuck what is Merle doing here, I was hoping Roger had made sure that him and his buddies never come back. Here he is waiting for a table with two other guys.

"Fuck off Merle," I yell.

He grabs my wrist as I'm about to walk out. As I turn to face him I notice Katelyn standing by one of the tables. She's got her eyes on me and her mouth hanging open.

"Stay away from my brother," he grumbles.

"Mind your own business," I tell him.

"You're messing with his damn head girl. It needs to stop." His grip on my wrist is starting to hurt. He's squeezing really hard. I try to pull away, but he's holding me down pretty hard.

"Well you'll be happy to know that I want nothing to do with him. So you don't have to even worry," I tell him.

"Bullshit!" he says squeezing me tighter, and I yelp.

"Let go of my wrist," I say.

He glares at me and then finally let's go when Tina asks how many menu's they'll need. Katelyn is still standing there mouth agape just staring. I shake my head and head out to my car. I get in before Katelyn can even step foot outside and speed off.

I pick Liam up from the sitters, he's asleep when I do. I carry him to bed, luckily he stays asleep. My head is pounding so I down two Tylenol's and call it a night. I make sure my window is locked so that Daryl can't get in. I slide under the covers and pull them up high so that I can't look out to see if he's there or not. I'm so tired from everything that I start drifting quickly.

I'm woken up by someone screaming my name, "Chloe!" "Hey Chloe!" He's loud, too loud. It almost sounds like he's in my room, but when I open my eyes all I see is a shadow moving outside my window.

"Chloe!" he shouts reminding me of that film I saw in English class with Marlon Barndo, where he shouts the girls name loudly.

"Chloe let me in, what the hell?" he yells.

He starts banging loudly on my window. I growl under my breath and throw the sheets off. I take three huge strides towards the window and pull open the curtains.

"Shut the hell up!" I yell only opening the window a crack.

"Let me in," he says.

"No."

"C'mon Chlo," he says making his own nickname for me.

"You're drunk," I say.

"Just please let me..."

"Will you be quiet if I do?" I question.

I don't need him waking up Travis or better yet having Merle hear us. I open the window and he stumbles in. Without looking I crawl back into bed and throw the covers over me. I close my eyes wanting to just go back to sleep. I really don't care what he does right now.

"You can stay, but don't think about touching me," I tell him.

"What's going on with you?" he asks.

"Oh I don't know," I say sitting up. He takes off his boots and starts to walk towards me. "After my meltdown this morning, Ethan shows up at work today and harasses me about seeing you, then my boss fires me, followed by..." he sits down on the bed. "Your idiot brother..."

"What happened to your wrist?"

"Huh what are you..." I stop as I look down at my wrist. I have a small bruise forming where Merle grabbed me.

"Who did that?" he sounds angry.

When I don't answer he raises his voice,"Chloe I'm not fucking joking, who did that to you?" he demands.

"I saw Merle and..."

"Merle did this?" He looks at me, his eyes wide, as he runs a thumb over the bruise. It actually hurts a little and I wince as he presses down.

"God Daryl don't worry about it I'm a big girl I can handle myself..."

"Not against him you can't!"

"Daryl I'm not some weak girl who needs someone to save them, I've told you this. I can do things on my own I always have. I'm fine and I don't need you to be my knight in shining armor. I don't need you at all!" I say.

"Chloe I..."

I shake my head.

"Whatever this was, it's done Daryl."

"Why do you have to be such a bitch?"

"Why do you have to be an asshole? You know life will be so much better when you leave!"

He starts to get up and tie his boots back up. I stalk over to him and push him while he's still lacing his boots. He must be pretty wasted because he stumbles. I start to hit him as he's backing away. I don't need nor do I want a guy in my life, not now not ever. I'm losing focus on my goal and that's to save Liam from this awful life.

"Well good news we're leaving after Christmas." He gets in my face. He's a little too close for comfort, so I step back slightly.

"Good!"

"Good!" he shouts back.

He opens up the window and climbs back out. I walk over and slam it down hard. I don't care if anyone has heard me now, I'm too angry to care. So glad I ended that now before things got too complicated. I'm so done, starting tomorrow I'll be looking for a job and an apartment. I can't wait to start a new life with Liam away from this hell hole.