Amanda's POV

My alarm goes off early in the morning and I slowly get up and head into my bathroom to start my day. I walk into my shower and under the warm water. As I wash my hair I start thinking about Eric and wonder why he is being harassed. It's not fair to him. I need to ask dad and see if he knows anything. I hate that Eric is going through this and possibly because of me. I soon finish up and grab a towel, heading into my bedroom.I get dressed in my uniform and head downstairs. I found dad in his usual spot at the kitten island reading the paper and drinking his coffee. I walk over to him and kiss his cheek.

"Good morning, daddy."

"Good morning, pumpkin. How are you this morning?

"I'm okay. Daddy, do you know anything about Jenkins harassing Eric?"

"No honey, I will have a talk with him.You know Jenkins is a nice guy. He would be good for you."

"Dad, we have been through this. He is not my type. He is kinda creepy."

"You just don't know him."

"I'm not talking about this. I'm going to work. I will see you later."

I grab my things and head out to my Jeep and head into work. Dad can be so frustrating sometimes. He always seems to push Jenkins on me. He knows I don't like him.

"Hey girl, what's bothering you today." Heather asks as I slam my things into my locker and close the door.

"My dad. He has been so frustrating lately."

"What's wrong?"

"I have this feeling he doesn't really like Eric and my relationship. He says he does, but he still keeps pushing Jenkins on me. I have told him repeatedly that I don't like him and he gives me the creeps. He just says he is a good guy and we would be great together."

Oh, wow!" That's harsh. Dad's can be so overprotective."

"Mine definitely is. I don't know how he is going to behave when I go to college. I have been rethinking when I go, just so I can get away from him for a bit."

"I'm sorry, girl. Hey, how about you come to my house tonight. Just us girls."

"Oh, a girls night. I haven't had one of those."

"Girl, you don't know what you're missing."

"Alright, let's do it. I will call my dad and let him know."
"Don't let him talk you out of it." She says as she chuckles and heads out to the front to start the day. I call my dad and he picks up after several rings.

"Hey pumpkin, what's up?"

"I was calling you to let you know I will be going to Heather's tonight. We are having a girls night."

"Are you sure that is okay on a work night?"

"We will be fine, daddy. We both work the later shift."

"It's just you two, right?"

"Yes daddy, no boys allowed."

"Alright pumpkin. I will be working late tonight anyway."

"Thank you, daddy."

"See you tomorrow."

I hang up with my dad as I walk out to the front, and I tell Heather we are good for tonight. The morning is not bad. Eric did not stop by this morning. I kinda miss him. I got used to him stopping every morning. It was soon after lunch that Officer Jenkins came in to get some coffee. It's kinda weird. He never comes in here. He just ruined my day.

"Hey, Mandy. How's it going? Can I have a coffee please?"

"Sure, and don't call me Mandy. You know I hate that nickname."

"It fits you though. Hey, how about we go out this Friday?"

"Just don't call me that okay? I already have plans this weekend, so no."

"Plans with that loser boyfriend of yours?"

"Watch what you say about him, and it's none of your business what I am doing this weekend."
"Come on, you know he is no good for you? I'm so much better.

"In your dreams. Here's your coffee, now go away."

He grabs his coffee and stomps out of the shop. Heather comes over and asks.

"Who was that?"

"That's the guy my dad wants me to go out with."

"Wow, he's a jerk and looks too old for you."

"I know, right?"

The rest of the afternoon went great and it was soon time to close up and I still hadn't heard from Eric. I head home to grab some stuff for tonight, and I head over to Heather's I park and head up to her apartment.

"Hey girl, come on in."

"Thanks, where can I put my things?"

She shows me the guest bedroom, and we head back to her living room. We order pizza and sit down to watch movies. Heather gets up to get some beers, and comes back to hand me one. I have never had one before, and I hesitate a bit.

"What's wrong?"

"I've never drank before."

"Oh, girl. I have a lot to show you, don't I? Try it, if you don't like it, I will get you something else."

"Alright, I'll try it."
I place the beer to my lips and let the liquid hit my tongue as it slides down my throat. It's not too bad, a little bitter, but I think I could get used to it.

"So what do you think?"

"Not too bad. I could get used to it."
The rest of the evening we eat pizza, watch movies and drink. I was getting a little tipsy as this was the first time I ever drank. Soon I could hear my phone ringing, and I knew it's Eric.

"Heeyyy. Baabby."

"Hey sweetheart. Where are you?"

"I am....at.. Heeatther's (hiccup)"

"Are you drinking?"

"Yeess, is my first beer." I hear him chuckle before he answers.

"I'm glad you are at hers. Then I don't have to come and beat someone for touching you."

"Where have you been all daay? I misseed you this morning?"

"Sorry babe, I woke up late this morning, and my uncle hates tardiness. We were super busy today and I never had time to call you. I'm sorry. I missed seeing you this morning."

"I wish you were here."

"Me too, baby. Me too. It seems like you are having a girls night. So I don't want to impose."

"Yeah, (hiccup) I don't want to ignore Heather. Wee are hangin' out and watchin' movieees."

"Sounds like fun. I better let you go. I just wanted to hear your voice before I go to sleep."

"That's sweet. Hey, we are working the later shift tomorrow, so you won't see me again."

"Darn, I was hoping to see you. Maybe I will stop on my way home."

"Yaayyy!"

"Well, I will let you two get back to your fun. Have a good night and drink plenty of water in the morning."
"OOOKKKaaayy, see you tomorrow."
"Sweet dreams, sweetheart." We hang up and we get back to the movie. We finish watching it and pop in another and we both pass out on the couch together. The next morning I wake up and try to open my eyes and quickly shut them again as the pain shoots through my eyes and into my brain. I slowly sit up and grab my head. This is the worst pain I have ever felt and my stomach is twisting and turning. Uggh, what is this?

"Good morning, your first hangover, huh?

"Is this what it is?"

"Yes, dear. Here, drink this and take the aspirin." She says as she hands me a bottle of water and a couple tablets. I lay back and wait for the pounding to stop. Eventually it subsides and I can get up and move around. I head into the kitchen and Heather is making breakfast. As I sit down at the table she brings over two plates and we sit down together to eat.

"So how are you feeling?"

"Much better now, thank you."
We finish eating and clean the kitchen before we head into the bathrooms to get ready for work. Once we are both ready we head into work and of course I see Jenkins sitting across the street watching. Why can't he just leave me alone? We head inside and start our shift. We had been busy most of the day and it had finally slowed down when I heard the door chime and I looked and saw my favorite guy walk through the door.

"Hey, handsome!"

"Hello, beautiful. How has your day been?"

"It started out rough, but after some water and aspirin, it started to get better. Now that I get to see you, it's just the icing on the cake."

"I've missed you too." I quickly move around the counter to give him a hug and a quick kiss. "So are you coming over this weekend?"

"Absolutely, how was your day today?"

"It was busy, but not as bad as yesterday."
"That's good. Do you want any coffee?"

"No, I just stopped in to get my daily fix since I didn't get it yesterday."

"What is that?"

"To see you."

I blush and giggle. He wraps his big arms around me.

"That's the best color. I love to see you blush. Well, I am going to get out of your hair and head home. Call me later?"

"We are almost finished here. I will call you when I get home.

He kisses my cheek and heads out the door. We soon close up and I head home. Walking out the door, I again see Jenkins and I have a weird feeling about this. I head home and look in my rear view and see a car following me. This is ridiculous. Why are you following me? I soon pull into my driveway and stop to get the mail, and head inside. I put the mail on the table except for one piece. It is an envelope from the University of Austin. My hands start to shake as I pull out the paper that could change my life. As I read those words I begin to tear up.

"Oh, my god!"