AN: IM BAAAAAAACK! Sorry about the wait, seriously I've been writing so much lately, and this just kinda got the back burner
SO LETS JUST GE STARTED

HAPPY READING

*Song of the Chapter (really this is just a song you should check out)* : You and Me (Flume Remix)- Disclosure

Greta POV-
-past-

Events from the night before left me weary and unmotivated. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and yawned.

I laughed to myself when I got a load of a smell that reminded me of my school years. This girl I was friends with (she was fake, so I had to break the ties) was extremely popular but never brushed her teeth. Partner Projects with her kept you awake, let me tell ya.

"Woah! Check out my morning breath!"

Whether or not someone was there, I always commentated on everything I did. A few examples include: Books, Movies, Games (even Flappy Bird), and even those guys at the one restaurants that chop everything in front of you. I went on a date at one of those restaurants with some guy I met through my friend, Renee, and he asked to go the bathroom and never came back.

Turns out he hated my Romeo and Juliet dialouge. It was probably when Romeo-atato was chopped in half and I screeched in his ear (on Juiecorn's behalf) and to be technical, it wasn't in his ear I was by his ear. I was sitting next to him.

He wasn't ready for that bit.

At all.

Anyways, I did have work that morning and had to get ready for it. I never had to do much for clothing, I just wore a blue denim blouse and jeans.

I grabbed my book I was reading again for the fourth time and my keys and I thought I was all ready to go, but I had forgot to do my hair.

I was in no particular rush to get to work, but I wanted to get there early and help Maurice open it up. That's what I always do.

I ran a brush through my hair and put in a ponytail, putting my reading glasses on over it.

And I had almost forgot makeup. I took off my glasses and grabbed my mascara and get this: one eye, two eye, done. I absolutely hate makeup. It always irritates my eyes and makes it hard to do anything without getting greasy sparkles on your fingers or lenses on your glasses. Face it, it sucks.

But sometimes (like today) I wear it anyways...which honestly makes me question my morals.

I finally headed out the door, grabbing a bag full of Oreos for my lunch.

Let me tell you, Oreos. Are. The. Bomb.

My dad's Monte Carlo was sitting in the small garage I had across my driveway, in its own little building.

I actually was given the house I had lived in since birth after my parents died.

I was given everything. Literally, the will my parents gave their lawyer before they died was written on a napkin that said "Give Everything To The Kid". I still have the napkin.

All I had to do was move in with my clothes and desired belongings because everything my parents owned was already there.

My favorite part of the house is the fact that it's ten miles away from the city where I work and twenty miles away from the nearest town. It's great.

So it only takes ten minutes on average to get to work.

I actually really enjoy my work. My boss is like my mother to me and she pays well!

Not like I'm all that worried about money. My parents had a bunch on a savings account they gave to me that I've never used.

All I know is I have enough to quit work and maintain a family of five for two years. That's all.

I've made a proclamation to never use the money given to me unless I'm in a situation where I'm losing my house.

Luckily, I've lived in this house by myself for three years and haven't had to use it.

I got to work before Maurice, which scared me. Maurice was always at work before anyone, because she loved her job so much. I separated the store's keys from my landyard and opened the door.

It was dark inside, and went to reach for a light switch when I tripped over something. I heard a yelp that did not come from me. I hit the ground, being able to turn on the lights on the way down.

And that, I decided, took a special kind of skill I do not posses, so I had to lay down on the ground just in wonder of my moment.

A little white dog hobbled over to me, sticking his nose in my face. I laughed when his wet nose hit mine.

"Oh my gosh, you are too cute!" I cried out, picking up the small dog. I took out one of my earbuds, I had in walking from the parking lot a ways done the street. This is the city, which meant a lot of walking around to get where you want to go.

Somebody to Love poured out of the tiny speakers as I could only listen to blaring loud music. I hate quiet music.

I read this thing on Tumblr (gotta love Tumblr) that talked abut how when you turn up the music to be extremely loud, it feels like the music is giving you a hug. Like, thank you Tumblr for being able to explain the feelings I get when I do specific dumb things.

Sometimes when I turn it up high enough, the voices in my head seem to quiet down.

I still need to find that James Moriarty character and learn his secret. I am in awe of how he made them leave for the night. I was actually able to sleep that night.

"Wheres your owner?" I said softly, while scratching the dogs ears. "Are you Maurice's?" I asked again. I sighed. "You probably are."

I searched around the cage to find a bowl full of food and water somewhere. I did happen to find it, only it was upside down, a single piece of kibble food spilling out of the corners every now and then. The bowl looked like a cereal bowl, and it was obvious Maurice wasn't planning on finding a small puppy wherever she did.

The small dog followed me and licked the pieces that had fallen as I set bowl upright, trying not to spill anymore.

"There you go, baby." I pet it awhile and decided to continue work. I opened up my computer at the desk I specifically work at, typing in my username for our program.

Our computers were always the out-dated Dells with the ministers with the huge backs and the loud noise that came on when you turned it on.  I remembered having one of these when I was in my high-school years and sneaking it on to play my lonely solitaire game always gave me a heart-attack.

'Hello Greta' was at the corner of the screen. I smiled and walked to the drop-off box where a couple of books lay.

We have a bookshop-library thing going on here, where we have sections you can buy books or you can borrow them. Simple.

Many people just bought the books though.

The dog followed me through the aisles and yipped in delight, chasing his tail now and then.

I watched as the dog followed me into our built in coffee-shop (we stole Barnes and Noble, ha) walking backwards to the counters which held all of our cafe supplies like blenders and such.

Maurice still wasn't back, and it was time to open. I flipped on the little flashing light that said we were open and unlocked the doors.

I waited around the back of the store for Lawrence to come in his truck for the fresh fruits and vegetables he grows for us, free of charge.

Most likely because he's Mr. Maurice.

I didn't wait long until I saw the Red Chevy full of crates in a trailer. I instantly smiled as he came out of the truck.

"Why good morning, Sunshine!" His bright and heavy Australian accent brought immediate joy whenever he spoke.

"Good morning Lawrence! How are you?"

"I'm doing dandy, thank you." He walked out to the back as I followed him. "Here you go, Greta. This should be good for today. Our stock this year is extra ripe and early, I have to go 'round town and give some extras to the supermarket here in Children's Street." It's funny, because he says this every time he drops off the fruit for our smoothies that teenagers always get before school, after school, during school. Our smoothie business booms during the school years.

Lawrence and Maurice always have 'extra fruit' and they always have to go around Children's Street, which is the block down from the Library,  and deliver free produce for everyone.

"Alright. I've got some extra apples for you and Maurice." He stated. I smiled at him but then I gave him a questioning look.

"Thank you, but do you know when Maurice will be here?" I asked, curious.

"You mean she isn't here now?" He answered, a slight hint of worry etched in his forehead.

"No, I figured she would though."

"Well, she left for work thirty minutes ago. She was running late but she figured you could handle opening everything. But that's strange."

"I didn't want to call her because I didn't know if she was doing something important or..." I trailed.

"I'll call her for you!" He offered with a smile. "She can't get mad at me, I'm her husband." He paused in thought. "Well, maybe she can, but let's be honest, I never really listen. I'm an old man, Ms. Levine." He joked.

I laughed, walking with the crate to the door where the doggo was pushing on the screen door.

"Oh!" Lawrence cried. "You found the puppy?"

"Yes I did." I nodded.

"Maurice was wondering if you wanted it. We can't keep it, we already have three dogs that she got from random shelters around town, and it's a different excuse every time."

"Lucky fellow." I teased. "I'd love to take this little guy off your hands! He's so adorable!"

I wanted to dance in delight. It'd be hard work to take care of a little puppers but it'd be worth it.

"Good. We don't need another animal!" He smiled warmly at me, walking to the driver side of the truck. "Good-bye, Ms. Levine. I'll make sure to call Maurice for you!" He said before slamming the door. I waved good-bye back and walked back inside the Shop, partially struggling to get inside with a giant box of fruit and vegetables.

The little dog began to whine again. I stuck out my bottom lip.

"I can't do anything to help you with a crate in my hands. You gotta wait buddy." I giggled at the doggo's behavior, setting the crate on the counter of the coffee shop. I bent down, as the puppy began to climb all over me. "Maybe I'll call you Buddy. Are you a boy?" My ear buds continued to play music. I had forgotten I even had them draped around my neck.

I hummed along to the song, 'Killer Queen'.

God, I love Freddie Mercury's vocals.

"Aha!" I shouted out loud. The dog stopped suddenly, sitting himself on my lap and tilting his head up to look at me. "Freddie! It's so cute!"

Freddie was the cutest name for a dog. I mentally high-fived myself for coming up with something so clever.

Something caught my eye...or rather nothing, to be specific. What wasn't there intrigued me. "Oh. You're not a boy." I gasped, and squealed in-humanly. "It's perfect! It's just...perfect!" I pet the dog on the head, extremely giddy, and walked to my desk as the bell on top of the door jingled.

I rolled my eyes as Calvin, my lazy co-worker, sauntered in.

"What was it this time? Too much pot?" I teased, as he rubbed his eyes, putting his hands in his back pockets afterwards.

"No." He made a face. "It was coke, to be exact."

"I don't care what you do outside of the shop, but what happens out there," I gestured out the door, "stays out there."

Calvin fake saluted.

"Yes ma'am." Rolling his eyes, he walked to the cafe counter.

"I mean it Calvin." I called from across the shop. "Maurice doesn't need any trouble from you." I pointed a finger at him, accusingly an gave him a hard glare.

He held his hands up, his eyes growing wide. "Fine! Fine! Alright!" He sauntered away to put the blenders on the front counter.

I rolled my eyes at him. He's 20 and lives in his parents basement and the only way he can stay there is if he works here. Although he isn't here often.

I practically run the place, alongside Maurice. Speaking of Maurice, my phone had buzzed in the back pocket of my jeans.

I pulled it out and swiped to answer my call.

"Hello, this is Greta Levine." I answered formally.

"Hey Greta, it's Maurice. I'm just getting back on the road, I had a little fender-bender." She chuckled, the sound of her car muffling her voice a bit.

"Oh no! Are you alright?" I asked, biting my nails, aimlessly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was my fault, I accidentally bumped into a vehicle that stopped abruptly. I wasn't looking where I was going." She laughed heartily. "I'll be there in about five minutes, did you open up the shop okay?"

"Yes, ma'am." I nodded, although I knew she couldn't see me. "I had no trouble."

"Good. I knew you wouldn't have any trouble but I just wanted to make sure. Alright then, I'll see you in five."

"Okay, see ya!" I said happily as I ended the call. I then whipped my head towards Calvin who was lazily checking his cell and gave him another glare. "If you don't put that phone away, I'm gonna throw it in the blender." I raised an eyebrow.

"You can't do that, you were on your phone." He challenged.

"Yeah, talking to our boss." Annoyed with his antics, I walked stealthily over towards him and snatched his phone.

"No no no! Wait, wait! I'm sorry, no more! Just don't...look at my phone!" He said all too quickly. I raised my eyebrow further, and sneaked a peak in spite, instantly wishing I hadn't.

"Good Lord, Calvin! Get a freaking girlfriend, god!" I threw the phone back to him.

+++

"Thank you, come again!" I cheerily handed the young teenagers their smoothies. They waved and left, the door ringing twice, signaling a new customer at the front of the store. I took the two cups I used to blend the fruit, to the sink behind me, washing the leftover smoothie off the sides of the cup.

"Hey." I heard a voice behind me, scaring the crap out of me and making me scream.

"Gah!" I cried, turning around suddenly, and clutching my chest. James Moriarty lounged on the counter, inspecting one of my blueberry muffins.

I can't cook to save my own life, but man can I bake.

"You scared me!" I managed, laughing slightly.

"That's quite evident." He smirked. "Say, are these muffins fresh? They seem a little dense. Like, rock hard." He hit one on the counter, but as it did so, it crumbled into a steamy heap of muffin mess. "Oh."

I laughed. "I got it." I pulled the trash can out and swiped the pieces of muffin into the bin.

"Well there goes my flirting abilities along with the muffin." He joked, smirking.

"Well..." I made a face and shook my head a bit. "They never really were...there."

"Oh, that hurts, Greta." He put a hand over his heart, in a jokingly manner.

I noticed Freddy hobbling towards him.

"Freddie! Get back in your kennel! Oh my gosh!" I raced out of counter and picked up the small, soon-to-be-giant puppy.

James smiled at the dog. "Is it alright if I pet him?"

"No, if any human being touches the skin cells of this particular dog, it'll blow up anything in range of 60 miles, sorry." I said sarcastically.

"Ooh fun!" James went along with it, and pet the angel I held in my arms.

See, I need friends like this, who will not take my sarcasm seriously and not get all offensive about it.

I went on a date with a guy I met on tinder and we went to this really fancy Italian restaurant. He asked me if I could pass the salt. Well, I did. And he poured a lot on his meat, so I naturally made a comment on how if he put too much salt on, his meat would explode.

Well... Mario and Luigi aren't to happy with me. Especially because some say I caused that restaurant to shut down.

But let's be real here, the noodles did taste off.

"So did you bring her here to work?"

"No. I actually found her here. My boss kept it here overnight and I tripped on her and then voila!"

"Well she's adorable." James said, never taking his eyes off the dog. Maurice came around the corner.

"Hey Greta can you-" She began but then looked at the two of us and smirked. "Nevermind, I'll get Calvin to do it!" She said all to quickly, smiling at James and nodding her head before leaving.

"That's my boss." I introduced, chuckling. "She's very...spunky." I said, searching for a word to describe Maurice. He laughed.

"Most bosses aren't. You're lucky." He smiled at me.

"You get use to it, I promise." I explained, my head moving to the side as I spoke.

"So!" He said suddenly, popping his back straight. "Have you had lunch yet? I'd love to take you out. How's that for flirting skills?"

I tucked in the corners of my lips awkwardly. "Like...take me out," I made wimpy punching motions, "or...take me out." I pretended to eat from a plate called my hand.

James smiled at me. "No, the last one." He assured, through his laughter. I scratched the back of my neck.

"I actually just took my lunch-"

"NO SHE DIDN'T!" Maurice interrupted, suddenly appearing. "She has not gone out for lunch yet! She would love to go to lunch with you, in fact she'd love to go to lunch with you every day! For the rest of her life! With you! To lunch! Go!"

I laughed, and gave James an apologetic smile, sighing.

"Where did you have in mind? Maurice said so herself, I'd love to go to lunch with you."

"Perfect! There's this Italian Restaurant downtown that just opened up, called 'Luigi's. What about there?" He offered. I almost laughed out loud at the irony.

"Lead the way!" I said, giving him a wide grin.

AN: OKAAAAAY SO

Needed to get that chapter over. I just couldn't let it end, it isn't all that good, but you needed a little more of Greta's personality before her accident. She's basically a 14 year old trapped in a 26-7 year old.

IF YOU LIKED THIS!

VOTE

COMMENT

ADD TO READING LIST

OR LIBRARY

peace ✌️