I just realized that two chapters ago, we hit 50!!! How awesome is that!?!👌🏻😎🎉

This is an AU!!

Enjoy!!

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Hera's P.O.V

Two months.

Two months since my mother passed away from cancer.

Two months since I left home and my depressed father.

Two months since living and providing for myself. Surviving. Not living large but a simple apartment and even it was crummy. Yet, it was all I could afford, especially with how much I'm being paid at the bar.

I've never been the same after my mother passed away. I've kept to myself and became more quiet. I never was a people person but didn't like being alone. Now, that's all changed. My life has changed for the better. If all my father is going to do is work being the mayor than give me some sort of attention, then that's the end of the line.

My attitude in people has also changed. Instead of shyly looking away, I tell them to 'lay off' and walk away. I don't have time to deal with other people's problems nor do I need more on top of mine. Though, I'll admit that even when rejecting attention, I can't help but feel, wish that it would come back.

Can't anyone see that I'm hurting. That I'm in pain. No, my mask was to strong. To thick for anybody to break. Besides, even if I do call out, who would hear in the first place? No one.

"My my, who dragged the cat in here?" A drunk guy slurred, nudging his friend in the side. The friend laughed hysterically and I rolled my eyes. Drunk men. Stupid as always.

"Who let the idiots in here?" I muttered under my breathe while walking behind the counter.

"Now Hera, you can't just go around labeling people," Old Joe said. He's the only one that has ever been nice to me since I arrived in town. I appreciate his kindness nevertheless, I still hate boys. All's they do is think of themselves and not of others.

I would have gotten a different job long ago if it were possible. Sadly, no one was up for hiring except the bar full of mostly drunk men. Lucky me. What's even worse is that, I'm eighteen years old and they try to do some...inappropriate stuff.

Since I'm the mayor's daughter though, I've been trained to defend myself. So I know how to handle the situation and better. Sometimes it scares me at how well I can protect myself mentally and physically.

"Yeah yeah," I said, annoyed. Joe just chuckled a bit and walked over to a new customer. I kept washing the dishes and stared down blankly at the plate.

I smiled over at my mother as I dried the plate. She smiled back and handed me another until the dishwasher was full.

"Great work, honey!" She spoke brightly. I smiled, proud of myself for doing a good job.

I groaned. I hate memories.

Ezra's P.O.V

I dug around the trash can to find some sort of food. To my luck, there was a half eaten piece of pizza that still kinda looked good. My mouth watered as I took a bite. It tasted better than the moldy cheese I found three days ago.

I know it was getting late and that bad people will be out soon. Yet, this delicacy isn't going to be devoured by itself. The ache in my stomach was soon satisfied and a smile spread across my lips.

"What do you know, I never thought I'd ever seen a kid from Rugrats again," I heard a menacing voice behind me. I gulped and turned around to see the two teenage boys that I stole from a week ago. They've been hunting me down for awhile now but I was very good at hiding my trail until now that is.

"Give us back our money and we won't turn you face into whatever you eat," the other one threatened. I gulped and great...I'm cornered.

"Hey!"

Hera's P.O.V

I'm actually enjoying a nice stroll home. Of course, once I see two guys ganging up on a child in an alleyway, my instincts kicked in.

All the boys turned to see me. The two teens smirked and laughed making me all the more angry.

"Wow, what are you? The baby's mommy? The damsel coming to rescue her pathetic kid. Tell me, I'm dying to know the father!" One laughed. I gritted my teeth.

"I can't believe someone so pathetic actually has someone that cares," the other joked.

"Than you must be talking about yourself," I growled and that immediately mad them mad.

"What did you just say, you piece of-AAAHHH!"

I satisfyingly sprayed pepper spray in his eyes. The other guy tried to punch me but I caught his hand and broke it. He screamed and the two ran out of the alley.

"You'll pay! Both of you!" Then they were finally gone. I breathed heavily then turned back to see the scared kid.

   "Kid," I called getting the small boy's attention. He jumped a bit and still seemed to be in a shocked state.

   "You okay," I asked, blankly. He shyly nodded in a way most people would see as cute. That's probably how he survives in this world. One look with those puppy eyes and people will melt on the spot. How deceiving...but smart.

   "Where's your parents? I suppose I can take you to them if you know where they are," I offered. I may be cruel but I'm not evil unlike some idiots in the world.

   He nods.

   "Great. Where are they?" I asked. The faster I get this kid back home, the faster I can take a nap and when I mean nap, I mean hibernating until deciding to get up.

   He raises his pointer finger up. Confused, my eyes averted up to see the sky. Why the heck is he pointing at the sky fo-oh...OH. Realization came crashing down and it packed a punch with logic. Religious logic.

   The kid didn't seem to fazed about it as he shyly placed his hand back down still keeping an eye on me. I felt very awkward in this situation and shifted foot to foot while clearing my throat.

   "Well, uh. Do you have a guardian or someone looking after you or...something?" I asked, sheepishly. He shook his head 'no.' I felt like a bee stinging this kid in the wrong place that mad the pain more than it should of been. A knife being stabbed into the heart. I've felt that pain before.

   I sighed, agitated. I couldn't leave him here but where am I going to take him? An idea struck me in the back of my mind. Not a good one that I'm not likely going to enjoy but maybe it will work until turning him into child custody. Yeah...that should work.

   I carefully walked closer to the scared boy and knelt to his height.

   "I'm Hera. What's your name?" I asked. His eyes widen more if possible. He seemed so surprised that someone was actually talking with him. That worried me a little.

I almost didn't hear him say anything when his head bowed.

"Ezra..." his voice squeaked, trailing off and nervously played with his fingers. I didn't know whether to feel sympathetic or played. For all I know, he could just be playing a shy orphan to toy with me and steal the money in my back pocket. Of course, I probably would notice if he were trying to steal from me though.

I sighed, not believing what I was about to do. Looking down at the boy, who so desperately wanted to runaway.

"How about you come and live with me for awhile," I said. While he's staying with me, I can find a good foster system or orphanage that's nearby. I was to young to take care of someone else, let alone have barely enough for myself. Hopefully though, I have just enough to last us both until further notice.

The boy looked up with hope-filled eyes and suspicion. I wouldn't blame him. We just met a couple minutes ago and I'm suddenly offering some space in my...apartment.

"I know you probably don't trust me. Believe me, I'm not sure if I should even trust you. Yet, I'm willing to do it until we find you a good home, that is...if you're willing to take the risk," I said, standing and offering my hand. My other hand is tucked away in my pants pocket. I tried pulling off a smile the probably looks more of a grimace.

Now it was down to this. Either he runs away or takes my hand and we go to my place. A tough choice...considering how long it was taking him to think about it.

"Come on, kid. My arm is starting to cramp. Are you coming or not," I said in the nicest way as possible. To him, I probably sound hostile but that's just the way I am now. That's how I've survived so long. By being aggressive and hostile.

The tough and hostile girl that lives on her own like a lone wolf. Now the teen saving a little boy's life from the streets. This went from one to ten very fast yet, there was still a little bit of my old self in me. I wouldn't admit it out loud though nor show any sign of my vulnerability from my youth.

Yet, with a little amount of trust...

...and as ridiculous as it sounds with my reputation and aggressive, tempered personality...

...a small hand grasped my fingers.

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