"So, you want to get a job here?"

"Yes"

"Well, you look like an able young man. You've proven yourself to be a nice guy from this interview"

"Thank you sir- oh shit"

I mentally kicked myself for swearing in front of the god damn manager of this place. I just had to swear didn't I. In an interview no less. It's not my fault. Alice gave me a fright when she started crying.

It had been two weeks since that night. Id been on the run the whole time. Id managed to sneak back to the house and grab as much baby things as I could. I was now attempting to find a job anywhere really. So here I was. Sitting in an interview to work at Starbucks. Yeah, I know. What a crap place to work. It may not have been much money but it would get us by until I figured out what to do.

We'd made it pretty far away. We were now in a completely new town all together. I wasn't sure if I was incredibly lucky or the police were just really bad at their job. We were at least five towns over and no one seemed to be suspicious at all. Maybe id actually gotten away with this.

"Sorry. Sorry" I apologized, quickly scoping Alice into my arms. She did stop crying at least, only making little unhappy sounds. "I'm so sorry"

The guy had a new sort of look in his eye as he looked at me. "Is she the reason you want this job?"

"Yeah. I um, I need the money to look after her"

"Is she yours?"

Quick think of a lie.

"Um, yeah. Her mum died while giving birth" I paused, using those fake tears id learned how to create from all those years of stage school "It was…pretty tragic. My parents disowned me so…we only have each other" I sniffled, wiping my eyes.

That should do. I'm only seventeen. That sounds like believable story. Right? He'll believe it.

Everything will be fine.

"Oh, wow. I'm so sorry. That must be so hard for you. I have a wife and kids at home"

I smiled, tightening my grip around Alice. He actually believed me.

"You're seventeen, right?"

"Yeah" I nodded.

"Well, I'm not supposed to start you on this pay level until you're over eighteen but…I know how hard it is to be a dad. Can you start tomorrow? Don't worry about the paper work. I'll just pay you by hand until I sort that out"

"Wow. Really? Thank you so so much"

"No problem. If you ever need any help you can come to me" he held out his hand to me, flashing me a small smile. "It's a pleasure to have you on board"

I shook his hand, showing him that same smile back. With the money he was offering I could even afford to maybe rent a small flat. We wouldn't have to sleep on the streets anymore. Who knew all my years of acting could do something like this.

It was only when I was strapping Alice back into her carrier that I realized the biggest problem. "Um…" I said quietly, grabbing the mans attention again "I know it would be really un professional of me but…could I bring her into work with me?…"

"Of course. I mean, as long as you get the work done. Everyone loves cute babies and she is just adorable. What's her name?"

"Alice"

"Well, Alice. You sure are a little cutie" he smiled "Cute little girls like you actually attract more customers. You wouldn't believe the amount of customers he had last time one of our employees brought her daughter in"

"Thank you so much, again. I mean, just. Thank you"

"No problem lad. See you tomorrow"

We shook hands again then I left. I made my way back to our alleyway that was pretty much our home. When I had went home I took as many bags and blankets as possible. I felt kinda proud actually. Alice was doing fine and so was I. It had only been two weeks, but. I was doing fine. It really was like I was a dad. I still couldn't believe that guy believed my sob story though. Then again. I guess stuff like that does happen.

I sighed softly, holding Alice close to my chest as I leaned my head back against the wall. She made a little grumpy noise, threatening to cry again. I rubbed her back while trying to reach into the bag to pull out a bottle. I found one, pulling it out and holding it up to inspect it. I think you're supposed to warm it up, but yeah. I couldn't exactly. I think I read somewhere that it does matter if it's warm or not. Lets just hope that's right. It's bad enough she's on formula already.

"Come on Alice. Lets have some milk then we can take a little nap"

I pressed the bottle to her lips, watching her little eyes slip closed as she began to drink it.

It was surprisingly dark for the time of day. It was slowly becoming evening, but still. It's light until like 10pm or something in summer. Yet here we were at about six and it was getting dark. Or maybe it was just because this place is so under cover. It was a good thing I guess. I didn't want Alice to get to hot or it being to bright for her to sleep. The air was actually warm so she wouldn't get too cold either.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me of the fact that I haven't eaten in about two days. I was just so wrapped up in looking after Alice I kinda forgot about myself. I got my stuff together, making sure I had money in my pocket, before making my way back to Starbucks. Some food and a coffee would do nicely just now.

"Hey Dan. Couldn't stay away?"

I smiled at the guy. So the manager was on the shop floor. That's kinda cool. "Yeah. Well, I just thought. Why not come here for a snack, you know. Get to know the coffee and stuff for when I work here"

He laughed, signalling me to come over to the till "Yeah. Good one. Here. Pick something of the menu and it'll be on me"

"Are you sure. You don't need to"

"I'm sure. Come on. I told you id help you out"

I smiled at him and picked the biggest drink and snack there was. That would last for me for at least today and tomorrow. I sat down on one of the couches with my drink, trying to keep an eye on all my bags and Alice without spilling my drink.

"Do you need a hand there?"

My eyes were meet with shining blue ones when I looked up. A boy who looked a couple years older than me was smiling down at me. He moved his dark hair out of his eyes as he helped me secure my bags on the floor next to me.

"She's cute. Look at her" the guy said, perching on the couch next to me. Well, next to Alice since I had her between us. Her little eyes opened as if on cue.

"Aw. She's gorgeous. What's her name? actually, what's your name?"

"I'm Dan and this is Alice" I said softly, sorting the blanket around her.

"She is so adorable. She has your eyes"

"Thanks…I guess" I replied with a small smile.

"I'm Phil by the way"

"It's nice to meet you…Phil"