Because of you

Chapter 7

4 weeks later….

It was a few days after I had just turned 18. I hadn't spent it alone though. My two co-workers had come over and we had had a few to drink and watched a bunch of movies while scoffing down an Indian. It wasn't all that bad really, but I couldn't escape the feeling of longing to be with the one I loved. Sighing, I got up and got ready for work.

Slamming the door of my car shut, I trudged into the local coffee shop. As soon as I was in the shop I was thrown my apron. I turned to see who had chucked the garment and I was met with the very furious face of my boss. I winced slightly as I picked the item up off the floor and wrapped it around my small waist.

"You're late" my boss hissed as he glared at me. I fought against rolling my eyes so I just muttered a sorry before walking into the back. I was met with large grins from my two co-workers, I threw them a small smile as I walked over to the coffee machine and got it up and running.

When I turned back around Trish was lighting up a cigarette. She saw me looking and extended the pack towards me. "Want one?" she asked as she held her own in the corner of her mouth. I hesitated for a few seconds before taking one and her lighter. As soon as it was lit I took a long drag, I felt myself suddenly calm down slightly, I closed my eyes as I blew the smoke out. I heard a small cough and turned to my second co-worker, a small girl, Amy. She gave me an apologetic smile.

I laughed and flicked the access ash into the tray. I turned to Trish. "Why does he always have to be such an ass to me?" I muttered as I averted my eyes to our boss who was slumped against the counter watching the door. She shrugged and took another drag.

"He's always an ass to new workers, he likes to get them in line, show then who's in charge" she snickered. I scoffed as I puffed on my cigarette. When I was done I flicked into the tray and blew out the remainder of the smoke. I walked out into the main area of the shop and looked around the place. A few people were sitting down reading the paper while drinking their coffees. I sighed and pulled a note pad out of my apron.

I had gotten this job about a week ago and I was already sick of it. I mean, the people here weren't bad, and I liked being out of the apartment, it was just, the boss was a complete dick and I swear he hated me. I was brought out of my thoughts when someone spoke.

"How are you today Mitchie?" came Amy's gentle voice. I looked at her; she was loading money into the till and switching them around. She had just turned 20, She had long blonde wavy hair that fell way past her shoulders, her eyes were a marvellous green and she was no taller 5ft 2.

I slapped on a fake smile as I looked at her. "Im fine thanks, how about you, still with your ass hole boyfriend" I asked. She winced slightly at my comment and I instantly regretted it. "Amy I-" I began but she cut me off by raising her hand and giving me a watery smile.

"It's fine," she said as she walked back out back. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. I then felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around to see Trish.

"Don't worry, she's just sensitive, she doesn't like people talking about Braden, she knows he's bad for her but she just wont leave the bastard, she loves him too much" Trish said with a sigh. I nodded and turned my attention to the back, wondering how Amy was.

Trish ran her hands through her glossy black hair as she took someone's order. I didn't know she worked here to be honest; she really could be a model or something. She was about 5ft 10, long lean legs that anyone would kill for, her eyes were a chocolate brown colour and she never stopped smiling. She had some nasty habits though. She smoked, she drunk a lot and she had a past with drugs, but she had a heart of gold. She and Amy were the closet I had to friends.

It wasn't all that busy through out the day and I only had to take a few orders. When I was done, the three of us all went back to Amy's apartment for a takeaway. When we got there, I collapsed onto her couch as Trish poured us some wine. I looked over at Amy who was looking very antsy.

I sighed. "Look Amy im really sorry if I upset you earlier" I said. "I didn't mean to say that, I bet Braden's a good guy" I lied. Who was I kidding; of course he wasn't a good guy. He treated Amy like shit, he was constantly borrowing money off her, he was a slob and he just came and went whenever he liked.

She laughed harshly. "You were right," she said in her small voice. I looked at her confused. She agreed with me that her boyfriend was an ass. Trish came back in, handing us our foods on a tray and our glasses of wine. I watched as a sad smile placed itself on her lips as she took the glass from Trish.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I took a sip of my drink. Trish looked at me curious. I mouthed Braden and she just rolled her eyes and made a gagging expression before sipping on her drink, as she shovelled a mouthful of Chinese in her mouth. I laughed slightly as some drink dripped down her chin, but then I turned my attention back to Amy.

She lifted the glass to her crimson lips as she took a large swig. "You were right, he is a dick, and I don't know why im with him, I guess I just don't like being alone" she said as she shrugged.

I felt my chest tighten. "Amy, you shouldn't stay with him out of fear of being alone, look at me, im alone and im fine" I said as I plastered on my usual fake smile. But I was far from fine. I felt myself getting closer and closer to the edge of loosing my sanity.

Amy shrugged and Trish snickered. "So Chels, why don't you have a man in your life, your young, your beautiful, what gives?" she asked as she looked at me with a smirk on her small lips. I swallowed harshly as I felt a lump form in my throat.

I stared at her for s few moments. What could I tell her? Oh yeah, I did have a boyfriend, but when my mom died I dumped him, my dad also began to beat me so I didn't want to see him, that's why. No, I couldn't say that, they would think I was messed up. Well, you could say I was, but they didn't have to know that.

I swished my drink around, not making eye contact with them. I shrugged. "Men are to much hassle," I said with a fake smile.

Trish raised her glass in the air and nodded. "Cheers to that, last boyfriend I had was to clingy, constantly touching me, wanted a cuddle, and when we had sex, god im not even going to go into that" she said with a cringe. Trish was 22 and never afraid to talk about her love life, which seemed to be very active. I looked at Amy who was blushing furiously, I laughed and gently slapped my thigh.

"Im glad you didn't" Amy said with a cute smile. I giggled as I covered my mouth. Trish winked and nudged Amy in the ribs, making her cheeks go even redder.

"Leave the poor girl alone" I said as I threw then moth an amused look. Nights like these made me feel better. I could forget everything for a few hours before I had to go home and face the silence and my thoughts alone. Thoughts of only Shane, my dad and my mom. They were painful thoughts that made me want to crawl in my bed and never emerge. The only thing I had to comfort me was my trusty pal, razor. Ever since the first time that piece of metal touched my skin I haven't been able to stop. But I haven't done It in almost a week though, ever since Trish got me onto cigarettes. They released my stress just as much as cutting.

But when things got really bad, I would slip the blade across my skin as a cigarette dangled from my lips. I was a train wreck you could say.

When I got home, I yanked open my door, threw my purse on the side and walked into the kitchen. Flicking on the light I saw that my phone was flashing. I forgot I had left it at home. I quickly dashed over to it and answered.

"Hello?" I asked as I fumbled with my purse, trying to get my packet of cigarettes out. I let out a long sigh as the bag dropped to the floor.

"Mitchie" came Amy's teary voice. "Do you think I could stay at yours for the night" she chocked out. My eyes widened when I heard her gentle sobs on the other line.

"Of course" I said quickly as I tried to tidy up a little. "What's wrong, has something happened with you and Braden?" I questioned. I sure hope he hasn't hurt her or anything.

She let out a sharp breath. "I gave him the night to pack his stuff and get out, he was cheating" she said as she let out a humourless laugh. "I should have seen it coming, how could I have been so stupid" she yelled at herself.

I shook my head. "It is not your fault, he is a dick" I said. "Did you want me to come pick you up or are you ok to get here on your own?" I asked worriedly.

She sighed. "I'll be fine, I'll see you soon, thanks Mitch" she said gratefully. I was about to speak when I heard the long dial tone, indicating she had hung up. I sighed and threw my phone on the side. I picked up my bag and took out the cigarette I so desperately needed right now. I didn't know how I was going to deal with a crying girl all night; I could barely handle my own tears. But she needed someone to be there for her, and I was going to be.

As soon as I heard a knock of the door, I swung it open and Amy fell into my arms, sobbing hard into my shoulder. I pulled her inside, shutting the door and walking her over to the couch. We sat down and she looked at me with her glistening green eyes. "What's wrong with me? Why did he have to cheat?" she croaked. Her face twisted in agony.

I sighed. "There is nothing wrong with you, he was stupid enough to cheat, you deserve better" I said, trying to soothe her pain. But all she did was cry harder. I rubbed her back and pulled back slightly. "Look, I have ice cream in the freezer, we are going to stuff our faces, you are going to cry about him, then tomorrow, your going to show the world you are better off without that bastard" I said with a nod as I got up and walked into the kitchen. I took the tub of ice cream out of the freezer. Grabbed two spoons and walked back into the living room.

I sat down and placed the tub between us both. She threw me a smile began sticking the spoon in and scoffing her face with the vanilla substance. I smiled at her as I saw her eyes twinkle with delight.

The next morning, we walked into work arm in arm. I gave her a pat on the back as I walked in the back. She went over to the tables and began to wipe them down. I saw Trish and leant closer to her ear. "Be gentle with Amy, her and Braden broke up last night"

Trish spun around and looked at me with wide eyes. "What happened?" she asked as she looked at Amy clearing the tables with a sad look on her face.

I sighed and shook my head. "He was cheating on her, she kicked him out last night and she came to mine" I looked over at her then to Trish. "She was a wreck, kind of reminds me of how I-" I began to say only to stop short when I realised what I was about to say. Trish didn't seem to notice though as she watched Amy with hawk eyes.

When the customers started to pile in I walked up to the counter and pulled out my pad. "What can I get you?"

"Hello Mitchie"

My head snapped up and I felt my whole body tense. My lips parted as I looked at the person. One word escaping my lips.

"Shit"

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