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Work For Me

Rain gushed over me as I sped down the streets after spending all day in Newcastle with my best friend Alyssa. I held my leather jacket over my head, trying to avoid getting soaked. Cars rushed past through puddles pooling near the curb, spraying us with a wall of water. I groaned. My drenched hair was sticking to my face and had clung together in a matted mess. At least my military style boots were keeping my feet dry. I was glad I chose to wear them that day - frankly, I don't think my Converse would have managed to shield me from the unrelenting English weather.

             "I hate rain!" I complained as we took another turn.

"You say that every time it rains! I get it! You hate rain!" Alyssa retorted.

Well that was easy for her to say; her hair doesn't go all mangled and horrible when it gets wet. Alyssa had been my best friend for years and she was... well, really pretty - even with her tomboy ways.

Actually, scratch that, she was beautiful. Her deep royal blue eyes were framed with long thick eyelashes and she had golden blonde curls that always fell down her back with random braids in it to give it a punk edge and she was quite tall. She wasn't exactly fond of make up so she didn't wear any, which made me even more jealous because her complexion was absolutely flawless, apart from a few freckles.

She was practically the exact opposite of my slightly smaller than average height, brunette haired and murky green eyed appearance and obviously, a lot prettier.

             "That's just because I hate it so much." I muttered.

"Stop complaining and cross the bloody road, will you?" She ordered as she rolled her eyes at me.

"Fine." I huffed, leading the way as I stepped out on to the road.

Like it appeared out of thin air, a sleek black car was driving towards me before I could react. Pain suddenly shot through my right leg as the front car crashed into me. All I could see was blurring light as my legs were taken out from under me, making me feel weightless for a moment before my back collided with a hard solid surface. I heard the screeching of car wheels and moaned in agony.

This is it. I was going to die.

What had I done to deserve such a short life?

I didn't want to die!

Why didn't I look and see the stupid car coming? It's not like I hadn't got enough lectures off my Mum about road safety. I only had myself to blame.

"Shit." Someone cursed before the shock took its toll on my body and I passed out.

* * *

I woke up reluctantly.

My head was throbbing and my whole body ached. When I eventually gave in and opened my eyes, they immediately stung from the harsh light that flooded the room. I let them adjust for a moment before realising I was in a bland, hospital room and that my Mum had fallen asleep in a chair next to my bed. I scanned my body, checking for any serious damage - thankfully it just seemed to be minor injuries, just a few cuts here and there. I felt a slight twinge in my stomach so I lifted my hospital gown to reveal an ugly black and blue bruise along my abdomen.

I tried to push myself up into a sitting position but my arms felt like jelly and I instantly collapsed with exhaustion. I sighed with frustration as I fell back on to my bed.

             "Lou?" My Mum croaked, looking up at me with swollen red eyes, "You're awake!" She exclaimed happily and I winced as the loud pitch of her voice sliced through my pounding head.

"My head hurts." I complained, confused. Images of the car suddenly crashing into me flew into my mind as I remembered what had happened. I felt the need to clarify my suspicion. "Wait - did I get run over?"

"Yeah hun, but Dr. Hampshaw said you only have a few cuts and bruises but nothing too serious." She smiled weakly as she held my hand, giving it a supportive squeeze before looking at me sympathetically, "Your leg is badly sprained though, I wouldn't try to move it if I were you."

"Thank God." I breathed out in relief.

I tried to move my legs as I sat up and hissed when pain surged through my right leg.

Ugh. Lovely.

             "You're awake!" The familiar voice of Alyssa exclaimed as she rushed into the room looking distressed. Her eyes were also swollen and bloodshot with dark circles lurking beneath them. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alive." I laughed, but stopped as pain shot through my ribs.

"I'll leave you two to talk okay?" My Mum smiled then added. "I need to talk to your Dad about this."

I nodded, even though I really didn't want her to bother with calling my Dad, he wouldn't care anyway.

"Okay."

My Mum exited the room, closing the door with a soft click and Alyssa sat down in her chair.

"I got you something." She stated, wiggling her eyebrows cheekily.

"You did?" I raised an eyebrow.

She gave me a sour look, "You don't even believe me!" She frowned but it soon morphed into a grin, "Fine. I'll just have to eat it then."

"Eat?" My mouth was suddenly watering as I realised how hungry I was.

I watched curiously as she reached down into her bag and took out a paper bag. She dived in and revealed a doughnut. My stomach rejoiced with a loud roar.

"You brought me a doughnut!" I stated happily.

"Correction: I brought you a custard doughnut." She smirked triumphantly.

"Really?!" I burst out in excitement - it's my favourite dessert, okay?

"Yep. It's a shame you didn't believe me and I have to eat it now..." She trailed off as she began eyeing my doughnut. I scowled at her.

"You don't even like custard!" I pointed out.

"I do now." She replied smugly.

"You're stealing food from an injured person!" I complained.

"I haven't even gave it to you yet so how is that stealing? And I bought it!" She frowned.

"Just give me the doughnut."

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"It's rightfully mine!"

"Yeah right!"

"Please!"

"No."

"Not even with a cherry on top?"

"Not even with a cherry on top."

"Alyssa." I whined.

"I'll get you a coffee, 'kay?" She laughed, "I'll be right back."

"Lyssa!" I scowled as she left with my doughnut.

Typical. She buys me a doughnut then she won't even give me the damn thing!Crossing my arms over my chest, I huffed through my nose in disappointment. This hospital bedding kept sticking to my legs and I fidgeted continuously, kicking my legs – or leg, to avoid any more injury – in an attempt to lessen my discomfort, but ultimately gave up. My face was pressed into the pillow with exasperation and I puffed out a sigh.

Two courteous thumps pounded on the door and my head whipped towards it. It was a simple sound, but it almost gave me a heart attack with fright.

             "Come in!" I called.

Must be Dr. Hampshaw to check up on me or something.

Time suddenly stuck; trapped at the very second I witnessed that Greek God who entered the room. I remember the clock above the door behind his head catching my eye in the same moment. 5:35pm. It exactly 5:35pm when I first laid my eyes on him, and I’d never forget it.

Tousled to perfection, his dark umber hair fell into a stylish chaos just below his ears, framing his face and enhancing his strong jaw line. He looked like he was in his early twenties with flawless chiselled features and I noticed he had a five o'clock shadow. I slowly drank in his appearance and nearly fainted when I spotted his obvious muscular build still visible through his smart black suit. Deep chestnut brown eyes glanced over in my direction and immediately narrowed as they landed on me. He pressed his full dark pink lips together as he stormed over to me.

             "You ruined my car!" He stated angrily, his eyes practically burning a hole straight through my throbbing skull.

I flinched at his tone. So, he was the person who ran me over.

"I-I-..." I stuttered, unable to get my words out from his sudden confrontation.

"Well? He glared at me expectantly, "What are you going to do about my car? I deserve compensation!"

Something snapped inside me at that moment.

"You're the one who ran me over! I'm the one who deserves compensation!" I yelled, ignoring the stabbing pain tearing through my ribs. His eyes grew wide with anger - he looked like I'd just slapped him in the face.

"You deserve compensation?! I was just on my way to work when you randomly decided that would be a great time to cross the road! You're lucky I was driving way under the allowed limit or you'd be dead!" He snarled.

I grew silent as I collected my thoughts. I was to blame - I mean, I was the one who crossed the road without looking to see if there was any traffic.

"I'm sorry." I apologised meekly. I didn't know what else to say and even if I did I don't think I could have managed anything more than a simple apology anyway. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a second before letting out laugh without humour.

"You're sorry?" He smiled, but it was bitter. "I guess that makes everything okay. My car is going to cost a fortune to get fixed but don't worry - it's fine because you said sorry!" He snapped.

I jumped at his voice again and suddenly the uncomfortable plain white sheets on my bed were much more interesting as I avoided eye contact with the intimidating man.

"Cat got your tongue?" He mocked.

I clenched my fists and quickly swung my legs around so they hung off the bed before I stood up, making sure not to put too much pressure on my sprained leg. I looked at him in disdain.

"You think you're so great, don't you? I know for a fact you can probably pay for the damage yourself so why are you insisting I pay for it?!" I glared at him as he stood there acting all high and mighty.

He reached me in no more than two large strides and towered over me, his ebony orbs staring down at me."It's called responsibility." He told me calmly, all signs of anger gone from his features. I sighed. 

He'd got me.

"Well, even if I did want to pay for the damage, there is no way I can get that kind of money." I replied honestly.

He slipped his hands into his pockets casually as he stood there for a moment in thought. Suddenly his eyes seemed to light up and he turned to me with amusement dancing in the deep abyss of his eyes, he was secretly laughing at his own silent joke.

             "Work for me." He smirked.