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(y/n)'s POV
I was in a dreamless sleep when I felt someone lightly pushing against my shoulder and uttering my name. I opened my eyes to meet the brown gaze of my father who was kneeling next to my bed, "What is it?" I asked in a sleepy tone.

My eyes were burning, begging to be closed again. I worked at my summer job this morning and now I am completely exhausted. It's an easy job, and I do love it, but working at a bakery can get tiresome; especially being around hot ovens all day when we're currently burning in the summer heat.

My father gave me a sheepish smile before slowly holding up our wired house phone to me, "It's the bakery."

I groaned heavily, sitting up in my bed and grabbing a hold of the heavy phone. I placed the receiver up to my ear with a low sigh, "Hello?"

"Hey (y/n)," My boss spoke with a little too much enthusiasm. I already had a feeling of where this was going, and I was dreading it, "The closer called out for tonight."

I lifted my head up to stare at the ceiling, "Please don't say it Rick."

He sighed sympathetically, "I'm so sorry, but can you please come in and close with Bella tonight? I would do it, but my son is sick." He pleaded, his tone filled with desperation.

I remained silent and bit the inside of my cheek; debating on what response to give him. I could say no, I wanted to say no. I was incredibly worn out, I already worked eight hours this morning and I had plans with my boyfriend tonight. But I was thinking about the money, which was the main reason I work this job every summer. I was saving up for an out of state college next year. Not to mention he's a single father, just like mine, so I held sympathy for him.

I felt torn, until he spoke his next words and made my decision much easier for me, "I'll give you double pay for this morning's shift, and tonight's." He bargained.

I smiled into the phone while I twisted the coiled cord around my finger, "Okay you've convinced me, but I also get unlimited coffee for the week."

He chuckled, "Anything for my life saver."

💛

I walked into the bakery and the bell on the door rang upon my entry. I stopped and stretched with a heavy yawn. I'm definitely going to have a coffee in my hand for this entire shift. But with double pay, I'd happily do this every day.

I told my boyfriend, Clovis, about my call-in, and I was worried he'd be upset, but he was actually fine with it. He even offered to pick me up afterwards. Which I thought was sweet, but he's always been a sweet guy, it's one of the reasons I fell in love with him. We met freshman year of high school as lab partners and we've been together since then. Now we'll be going into our senior year together in a few months and hopefully college together.

He's the star football player at our school and he's been getting a lot of out-of-state scouts that are interested in giving him a scholarship. That's one of the reasons I want the money, so I'm prepared to go with him wherever he goes. It was him who convinced me to do this. He says he loves me, and wants to spend the rest of our lives together; and I, of course, want nothing more.

I stepped around the counter and greeted my co-worker Bella with a smile, she's fairly new which is why she can't close alone just yet. I don't know her well since she's only been here maybe a week or two, and we tend to work opposites, but she comes off as sweet, and shy, "Are you ready to do this." I sighed, placing on my apron and tying it behind me.

She nodded with a sorrowful look in her eyes, she happened to be coming in when I was leaving this afternoon. So she's well aware that I'm working a double, "I'm so sorry you had to come in again-"

I held my hand up to stop her unnecessary apology, "Don't worry about it Bella," I assured her, "Come on, it's pretty slow right now, I'll show you how to make the dough so we can leave plenty for tomorrow." I gestured for her to follow me into the back kitchen area.

💛

A few long hours later, we were coming close to closing time. That would only leave us with making the dining room spotless for the opening crew, which we can start as long as no customers are in the lobby.

I was in the back washing a few trays when Bella came behind me and lightly tapped my shoulder. I turned around with a smile, "Everything alright?" I asked with furrowed brows when I noticed the timid look in her eyes.

She pointed behind her towards the lobby, which I couldn't see from where I was, "There's a group of guys in the lobby, and one of them is smoking a cigarette." She informed me. I sighed while turning off the water. We have a no smoking policy in our lobby, but of course, there's always that small handful that ignore any, and all rules, "I asked him nicely to put it out, but he ignored me; they all did."

I nodded, wiping my hands dry on a small towel. I can tell by her anxious behavior that she has trouble with confrontation, but I on the other hand, have absolutely no problem with confrontation, "I'll take care of it, can you finish these trays?" I asked, pointing to the dirty dishes. She nodded, taking my place by the sink.

I threw the towel down and stepped around a corner, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror we have near the doorway to the registers. It's meant to be there so we could check our appearance, making sure that we're presentable. I wasn't even close to being presentable right now; my hair was up in a messy bun where loose strands fell around my features, my apron was wet from the sink water, and I had flour from making the dough all over my face, hair, and clothes.

To put it simple, I looked horrendous.

I walked through the opened doorway, bringing myself behind the register. I looked over into the lobby and there they were. It was about five young men, probably around the same age as me, all dressed in leather jackets. I groaned, it's almost always the greasers that fail to adhere to rules.

Although I don't hate them like others do, I'm not a fan of how disrespectful some of them can be. And I do know it's not all of them, because my best friend Josie's brother hangs with that kind of crowd, and he's one of the nicest guys I know. But my boyfriend, on the other hand, loathes them.

Greasers and Jocks; disastrous mix.

My eyes landed on the cloud of smoke that rose from their table and I trailed my gaze down to the source; just in time to see a blonde man placing the cigarette in his mouth and taking a drag, "Hey, there's no smoking in here." I called him in a calmer tone than how I actually felt. But just as he did to Bella, he completely ignored me, "I said there's no smoking." I spoke with more authority, and he still said nothing. But his lips tugged into a slow smile, prompting me to believe that he does in fact hear me, "I know you can hear me blondie." I snapped. He reacted to the name I called him, and his blue eyes darted to meet mine. Now that I had his attention, I gestured to the sign that clearly said 'no smoking', "Can you read?"

He nodded, smiling in amusement, before slowly placing the cigarette back into his mouth. He took a drag to taunt me.

I walked around the counter and made my way over to him. All of the men at the table were now watching me curiously as I stepped up to the blonde who was failing to listen to me. I swiftly grabbed the cigarette out of his mouth, and dropped it into his drink that sat in front of him, "Apparently, you can't." I uttered in annoyance.

The other men at the table made 'oooh' noises and another nudged the blonde's shoulder while his gaze bore into mine. I expected him to be angry, especially given the crowd he was with, but he looked entertained more than anything.

His smile widened and he leaned his back against his chair, "I actually can," His ocean blue eyes looked at my name tag, before glancing back up to me,"(y/n)." He spoke my name softly, almost like he was trying to be flirtatious, "Pretty name for a pretty face."

Now he's just being sarcastic, I know damn well that I look grotesque.

Ignoring his false compliment, I grabbed the cup from the table that had his cigarette in it, "If you want to smoke, then please go outside." I mumbled in my tired voice, spinning around, and going back towards the counter.

"My name's Anakin," He called after me, a smile in his voice.

"I don't care." I called back; stepping behind the counter and dumping the cup into the sink. I didn't like being rude to people, it was unlike me, but in my defense; he was rude first.

The group of men laughed while one of them mumbled, "She's a feisty one."

Then there was a deep, but soft chuckle that stood out from the rest, "Let's see how feisty," I recognized the voice to be the ill-mannered blonde.

I glanced up to him, and I narrowed my eyes when I saw another cigarette in his mouth. It was unlit, but he held a lighter towards the end with his thumb on the spark wheel. He smiled while the deadly tobacco rested idly between his lips, he was challenging me.

I shook my head and went under the counter. I pulled out the hose that we used to clean the floors at night, and I stood up with the nozzle in my hand; holding it in his direction, "Light it, and I'll put it out." I challenged him back.

He picked the wrong girl, on the wrong day.

"Apparently very."

"She wouldn't"

"I don't know man, I think she would."

"This is kind of turning me on."

"What is wrong with you?"

"Don't judge me Piett, you know I have mommy issues."

The other men at the table spoke about my actions. Then the one sitting next to my temporary rival—who I learned is named Piett—grabbed the cancer stick out of his mouth, "Leave the poor girl alone Kin, look at her, she's clearly had a rough day." He mumbled to Anakin whose eyes never once left mine, like he was studying me in a way.

"Thank you." I smiled victoriously, and placed the hose back under the counter, "Now if you boys don't mind, we'll be closing soon so please finish up whatever you have, and you can leave the trash on the table. I'll get it for you." I changed my tone back to my normal professional one, and turned away towards the back area; breaking my gaze away from the attractive, yet insolent, delinquent.

💛

The next time I went out into the lobby, the men were gone, and surprisingly; they cleaned up their own mess even after I said they didn't have to. I decided to skip hosing the floor down tonight since today was rather slow, and I decided to just sweep, and wipe the tables down.

Once I got to the table that the young men were at, I noticed a piece of paper that looked like it was a part of the receipt. I picked it up to throw it away, but I paused when I saw it had writing on the blank side.

My dearest apologies, gorgeous.
I hope I see you again.

I hummed, already knowing who it was from. Well, at least he had the decency to apologize, I'll give him that. I folded up the paper, and placed it in my back pocket before going back to wiping down the tables.

Finally, we were done.

I locked doors behind Bella and I for the night, and luckily I had tomorrow off. So I can easily sleep the day away, "Have a good night Bella."

"You too (y/n)," She smiled before walking away towards her car, and I dashed towards the familiar black one that was waiting for me.

I excitedly opened the passenger door, and got into the seat; smiling at my boyfriend who was staring down at his hands while he picked at his nails, "Hey babe how was your day?" I asked, leaning over to kiss him.

He turned his head and accepted my gesture; kissing me softly, and contently. He then pulled away from me, "Boring." He shrugged, putting the car in drive, barely giving me a glance, "How about yours?"

"Tiring." I responded, leaning back into the seat and closing my eyes.

The car ride to my house was rather short, and it was mostly filled with us having small talk. I also told him about the events in the lobby today, "Greasers." He mumbled with a hint of vexation to his tone while he parked in front of my house.

"Do you want to come inside?" I asked sweetly, "My dad is working the night shift." I smiled, hinting at an invitation to come to my bedroom.

He was quiet for a moment before letting out a deep sigh, "(y/n)," His gaze slowly shifted to meet mine, his eyes filled with sympathy, "We need to talk."

My heart instantly fell into my stomach, and I became nauseous; those are the words that no girl ever wants to hear.

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