Rainy Monday

Chapter One

Papercut

I rolled my eyes impatiently, leaning against my register as the woman fumbled with her items, trying to decide whether or not she really wanted to buy it. The sigh that escaped my lips, however, was completely on accident.

'Well, I'm sorry!' she snapped, glaring viciously at me.

I lifted an eyebrow, shrugged, and rummaged around in the front pocket of my blue smock.

Smirking, I pulled my walkie talkie out, pressed the button, and spoke into it, 'Pip, where are you?'

'Putting away shit; why?' came the nasty response.

'Oh, no reason. Just bored.'

'Just bored, he says,' Erin grumbled, causing me to laugh heartily.

'You sound kinda pissed,' I returned, holding out my arms as the woman finally decided.

'Just shut up, you jerk!' she shrieked, shoving her card at me.

'Pissed, he says. Oh, you have no idea. No, fuck you! I'm not putting it away! It's called not being fucking lazy! Yes, you!'

The connection went dead as I stared at my walkie in shock. The woman was also staring; three customers behind her were gaping. Erin was so flat out fired.

'Receipt,' I muttered in a fog, handing the woman her card and receipt.

The woman didn't move. The connection clicked on again, and I closed my eyes in fear.

'Zip,' Erin gasped, and I could hear her crying softly.

'GO AWAY! PUT THE FUCKING VASE AWAY YOURSELF! I'M NOT A FUCKING CLAW MACHINE! GET OUT OF MY FACE!' she suddenly screamed, and my breath disappeared.

The oxygen flew out of my lungs as I fumbled for the volume switch.

'Ian!' Lizzie snapped from the next register, 'Shut that off or get her under control!'

I twisted the volume down, switched the power off, and reached for the register phone.

'Come on, get out, there's nothing here to see,' I ordered, shooing the still gawking woman away, 'C'mon, next customer.'

As the next woman started putting her items down, I punched in a few numbers, and then lifted the end of the phone to my mouth.

'Erin to the front,' I paused to let it echo around the store before continuing, 'Register – umm – seven needs bagging assistance. Erin to the front. Register seven.'

Taking a deep breath, I set the phone back down on the receiver, returned a glare Lizzie shot at me, and then turned to my customer. The following seconds were like torture. I flew through as many customers as I could, glancing at the line of aisles every so often.

'McKinley,' someone snapped from behind me.

I jumped at the use of my last name before spinning around and swallowing hard.

'Erin to the front?' assistant manager, prick of the year, Jared asked.

'Just a little trouble. I'm having a rough day; needed an extra hand.'

'Make sure there's no nonsense.'

'Make sure there's no nonsense,' I mocked as he stormed away, yelling at different checkers.

And then, 'Ian!'

I was about to yell at Lizzie for bothering me yet again when I caught sight of Erin. Cliché as it sounds, my heart broke as she ran toward me, tears cascading down her face, black eyeliner smudging everywhere.

'Pip,' I cooed, jumping over my little register imprisonment and catching her in my arms.

She sobbed into my chest, clutching my shirt tightly and mumbling incoherently.

'Babe, what's wrong?' I begged, stroking her hair.

'I-hate-people,' she hiccupped, still crying.

'Okay, well, you tell me while I take my last customers. Here, sit on the edge. I've got some tissues in here somewhere. One minute please,' I added to the woman waiting before pushing the tiny door open and sliding into my checking space.

I knelt down, hurriedly searching for the box of tissues I knew were hidden somewhere. Finally finding them, I handed Erin the box, gave her one last sad smile, and then turned back to business. I clicked off my light, shook my head at a man just pushing his carriage into line, and then started scanning items again.

'You know that kid Mike?' Erin whispered, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.

'Mmm,' I responded, sighing as one of the items negated.

'He was here with all his jackass friends and they started throwing stuff around and calling Jack, saying I was out of control.'

'What?'

I gave her a surprised look, but she just continued, 'They broke all sorts of shit.'

'Were you yelling at them, then?'

'Yes and no. There was this lady who just wouldn't leave me alone. She kept coming back, asking for something, and then five minutes later, halfway across the store, she'd say she didn't want it and then order me to put it back. Didn't even ask,' she muttered, brushing the back of her hand across her eyes.

God, I hated seeing her like this. My chest hurt, and I could actually feel my heart pounding viciously against my ribcage like it was going to shatter any second. I bet anyone who looked could see the agony etched in my eyes and furrowed brow.

'Is Mike still here?'

'Yeah.'

'Did Jack ever come?'

'He warned me a couple times. He wouldn't listen.'

'Hey, fuckers, nice seeing you!' a voice suddenly screeched.

My head jerked up as Erin burst into tears again. Her hand flew to her neck as I squinted my chocolate eyes, gasping as I caught sight of the necklace I'd given her for her last birthday dangling from Mike's grimy fingers.

'Have an awesome day, Ulmer!'

I vaulted over my prison so fast I almost fell. Lizzie screamed for me to stop, even reaching out for me as I sprinted toward the exit.

'Oh, fuck!' Mike exclaimed, trying to get there first.

He had one foot through the automatic door when I tackled him. Erin's necklace went flying, but I didn't have time to watch it soar through the air. Mike and I were busy throwing punches. I caught him in a nice jaw hit and he groaned substantially, but just as I was throwing my fist down again, he somehow maneuvered his foot to my front and kicked me off of him. I flew back and smashed into the automatic doors. They opened, causing me to fall through. With a growl, I stumbled up and charged at Mike again. I got his jaw again before moving to knee him. He caught me too fast, tripping me after knocking his knuckles against the side of my head. I went down, eyes tearing against the pain now throbbing throughout my head and neck.

He moved to kick me as his cronies closed in, but I yanked on his ankle and jumped on top of him. It was like a pig pile after that. I could hear Jack and Jared screaming in the distance, most likely running at us, while every male checker was also running over to help. Eventually, with the manpower of four guys, they managed to get Mike away from me while three dragged me away from Mike. The other seven held back Mike's two friends as Jack stomped toward me. Jared looked mighty pleased.

My chest was heaving as Jared suddenly jumped forward and caught Erin before she could get any closer to me. She screamed and fought against him until he finally let go.

'Oh God,' she gasped, holding my face in her hands.

'Let go of him,' she demanded, slapping away the six hands holding me.

The guys retreated as she skimmed the pad of her thumb over my bleeding and swollen lip and bruised eye. My nose was slightly bleeding and almost broken.

'What the hell just happened?' Jack ordered, shoving Erin out of the way and pushing me backward.

I stumbled, vision spinning.

'Answer me, McKinley!'

'Wait!' I hissed, throwing up my arms to avoid a blow to the face.

Jack paused, hand in the air. I peeked through my arms, trying to catch my breath.

'Wait. I have a good explanation.'

But, before I could get out a word, Erin's story tumbled right out of her mouth. She slapped a hand over her mouth when she finished, eyes going wide. Mike started shouting obscenities as Jack looked back at him.

'Let me at him, let me at him!' he yelled, fighting to get back to me.

'And?' Jack asked, looking back to me.

'He antagonized as he was leaving, and I noticed he had stolen Erin's necklace. It was just the icing on the cake.'

'Jared, call the police. This guy's going in,' he said, jabbing his thumb back at Mike, 'Ian, you go home and get cleaned up. You and Erin don't have to close tonight. You, too, Erin; go home. Lizzie, Jared, you're closing. No questions.'

Jack walked away, leaving Erin to fuss over me.

'Hold on,' I murmured, slipping from her touch.

Putting a hand to my head and willing the dizziness to stop, I staggered over to the other automatic door, bent down, and picked up the small crystal heart. Erin met me, smiling as I lifted it in my hand. Silent as ever, I slipped the cord on, snapped the clasp in the back, and touched the heart as it settled on her pale chest. She put her palm to my cheek, shaking her head before kissing me softly, making sure not to touch my cut.

'Let's go get our stuff and then we can roll out,' she said, taking my hand.

'Kay,' I returned, starting to walk forward.

Everything tipped upside down.

'Fuck, I can't,' I groaned, sinking back against the window next to the door.

'Alright, just close your eyes or something and I'll be right back,' she whispered, a frown forming as she ran her fingers delicately through my messed black hair.

I nodded, and she left, letting go of my hand only when she absolutely had to. It seemed like a lifetime until she returned what with everyone gawking and Mike still shouting and trying to get back to me. But, Erin finally appeared with our jackets, smiling in my direction. She helped me into mine before leading me out of the store. We got into my car, Erin hopping in the driver's seat without a word. She put in the keys, turned the CD track to the beginning, revved the engine, and pulled out.

I was half asleep when she suddenly stopped. I opened my eyes wearily, brows furrowing as I saw Wendy Christensen and Kevin Fischer flagging us down. Erin gave me an apologetic glance before rolling down her window and leaning out.

'What?' she snapped, holding out her palms.

'Can we bum a lift from you?' Kevin questioned.

'To where?'

She looked back at me, I shrugging nonchalantly. She knew how much I despised Kevin.

'Just to our houses. Please, Erin, Wendy's car broke down, like, six miles back. We've been walking forever.'

'Yeah, sure, whatever, get in back.'

Wendy and Kevin quickly clambered in back, I groaning against the clanking of metal.

'I hate my van,' I grumbled, lifting my feet and pulling my knees to my chest before leaning my forehead on the caps and staring at Erin.

'What're you looking at?' she said, smiling widely as she started forward again.

'You.'

'No shit, genius,' she returned, laughing softly, 'Why are you looking at me?'

'You're captivating.'

'You're annoying.'

'Annoying, she says,' I mimicked, causing her to click her tongue and shake her head.

'Like I said,' she murmured, reaching over and feeling for my hand.

I eagerly grasped hers, sighing against the contact and letting my eyes slip shut.

'I love you,' she murmured before turning around a bend.

'I love you more,' I whispered, kissing her hand.

'Guys, I have to stop at his house real quick, kay?'

'Yeah, that's fine,' Wendy said from the back, and I was suddenly aware of her eyes fixated on me. I'm sure she saw all the blood, cuts, and bruises when I'd leaned over to kiss Erin's hand.

I pouted as Erin removed her hand from mine to put the car in park. She just rolled her eyes at me, and blew me a kiss before hopping out of my van and jogging toward my house. She skipped the idea of going through the front door and instead climbed up the side and into the window.

'Dude, you looked fucked. What happened to you?' Kevin abruptly blurted.

'I got in a fight.'

'Other guy come out worse?'

'Much.'

'He must be pretty messed, then.'

'Mhmm.'

'Who was it?'

'Mike Douglas.'

'Ouch. He's big. What'd he do?'

'He hurt Erin.'

'Oh.' And that was the end of all conversation until Erin appeared in the van again, tossing a duffle bag at me.

'Aren't I only staying the night?' I queried, suddenly confused as I looked in and found a few pairs of clothes.

'You're dad is drunk,' she answered quietly, knuckles white on the steering wheel.

'Was he awake?'

'No, but your mum is in the bathroom crying.'

'What? We can't leave her there!'

I sat upright, trying the door. Erin had already locked it.

'Erin!'

I turned to her, eyes pleading.

'Shut up, Ian.'

'Erin! I can't leave her!'

'I'm not letting you go there and get hurt!' she screamed back.

'She's my fucking mother!'

'Can we not have this conversation right now?' Erin shrieked, slamming on the break and turning to me, face red.

'I'll break the window!'

'He'll hurt you if you try to take her!'

'I don't care!'

'I do!'

I let out a scream of frustration, burying down in my seat. I hated this. Erin started forward again with a jolt, and I felt like crying.

'I'm sorry,' I whispered, not looking at her.

She didn't respond. Had I really done it this time? I bit on the end of my sleeve after upping my hood, and curled into a ball in my seat.

'We'll see you guys later,' Wendy suddenly said as I heard the door opening.

She got out and it was only minutes before we were stopping at Kevin's house. The ride to Erin's was painfully silent. But, when we stopped in her driveway, neither of us budged.

'Babe, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped like that. I know you're just worried about her,' Erin murmured, running a hand up and down my hunched back.

'I'm sorry I yelled at you,' I returned, looking up to meet her emerald eyes.

'C'mon, let's go inside. I know of a huge, empty bed waiting upstairs.'

My smile instantly came to life as I thought of Erin's spacious, comfy bed. We quickly got out of my van, skipped into the house, silently ran upstairs, and I was jumping onto her bed in mere seconds. She went into her adjoining bathroom to get some cleaning supplies while I fell back on her bed, eagle spread, and sighed. Moments later, she crawled on top of me, legs straddling my hips, and hands full of different items.

'Hold still,' she murmured, leaning forward and dabbing my lip with a cold towel. She wiped it clean, following it with the bruise around my eye, my nose, and the side of my forehead. The alcohol was next, which I neatly squirmed through, before she daubed the cuts dry.

And then, all of a sudden, her lips came crashing down on mine. I responded instantly, kissing back eagerly and hungrily. My fervent passion was interrupted by an inescapable moan, however, as she moved her hips against mine.

'Mmm, Pip,' I gasped, leaving her mouth to kiss her neck as she pushed her hips harder against my own.

'My mum is – home tonight,' she murmured between kisses once I'd returned to her lips.

'And?'

We paused in our speaking to kiss deeply, tongues swirling and clashing. Being careful not to squish her, I expertly rolled us over so I was on top, our war never breaking. I could rapidly feel my lungs losing oxygen and my chest burning, but I ignored the pain and continued to swap spit with my beautiful Erin, wanting more and more by the second. But, as it goes, breathing is a necessity and we were forced to break. Of course, it only lasted a fainting maximum of a few seconds before our swollen lips connected again, the battle enticing much more heatedly than before.

'Zip – my mum – is home,' Erin gasped as we slowly parted with smaller kisses after a bit, chests heaving and panting.

'So what?' I begged, leaning down to kiss her again.

'What if she walks in?'

Glaring at her momentarily, I hopped off the bed, making sure to turn quickly so Erin couldn't laugh at my excitement. I locked the door, turned, and held out my arms.

'Better?'

She cocked an eyebrow, nodding at my waist.

'Shut up, okay? You make me nuts.'

'So I can see.'

'You're done for, Erin Ulmer,' I growled before launching myself onto the bed.

She let out a squeal that I quickly covered up, shoving my tongue down her throat at first chance. I pushed my hips down on her, laughing mentally as she moaned and clawed at my back. This was how it was supposed to be.

--

Reviews are very nice. Quite lovely, actually.

And heyy, is this too unrealistic? Too OOC?

PS – This takes place during FD3, like, right before Erin dies and then continuing on. Surprises to be had. P