"So, um…what's this I hear about you working at All-Stars?"

Brynn choked, sputtering soda everywhere. Quickly, she grabbed a napkin and blotted her mouth as well as the Coke driblets on the table. She looked up at the four accusing pairs of eyes.

"How'd you find out about that?" Brynn managed to get out between coughs.

Meredith White shrugged, eyeing a tiny puddle of Coke a few inches from her neatly manicured hand. "A little bird told me. I hadn't realized you…liked those places."

"I don't," Brynn said quickly.

"Isn't that, like, a Hooters?" Abby Tate said, her charcoal lined eyes wide.

"No, no, no—"

"Do you have to wear a referee costume?"

"Yeah, but—"

"I heard the waitresses keep all the tips they make in their bras and you can see the dollar bills peeping out."

"Girls," Meredith said firmly, raising a hand to stop the ceaseless questioning. Instantly, Abby, Bethany, and Kristen shut up.

"It's just a short-term gig," Brynn explained, fiddling with her hands as she did so. There was no need to tell them how her grades had hit rock bottom and she'd been cut off. No doubt the news would spread like wild-fire. "I just needed the extra cash."

"You need extra cash?" Meredith laughed softly. "Brynn, I think your family's the richest in the city. Well, other than the Wayne's, of course."

"My parents are trying to teach me to be more…independent."

Meredith nodded, her voluminous black waves bouncing. "My parents did the same with me junior year. It's nothing to be ashamed of. They're getting us off the training wheels and onto the actual bike, you know?"

Brynn nodded wordlessly and took another bite of her sandwich. The past two weeks she had been able to keep the fact that she was a waitress at All-Stars a secret. Luckily, she had been given weekday shifts and never had to work on Fridays or Saturdays (mainly due to the fact that she wasn't blonde enough and was a B-cup instead of a C). There were times when she would see fellow classmates but never ones she knew really well. Perhaps one of her friends had come in one day and she hadn't noticed?

"What's it like?" Kristen asked, brushing her blonde bangs out of her face. "Do they actually stick money down your shirt?"

"No one's tried it on me yet," Brynn said, earning nods of approval. "I mean, I've seen it happen."

"Ugh," Meredith rolled her eyes in disgust. "Men."

"Is it stressful?" Bethany questioned her.

Brynn took her straw and stirred her drink around, forming a little whirlpool in the middle. "Yeah, I guess. I have to stay up later to do homework and stuff."

There was also the fact that she had to work with Jonathan Crane. Despite the fact that the two had had a somewhat civil conversation on her first day, they were back to hating each other. They continuously threw insults at each other as well as death glares. Numerous times, Brynn had caught Jonathan staring at her, his light blue eyes hateful.

He probably wasn't over the fact that she had gone through his bag…

Or that she had given him a hard time the night she went to All-Stars with her friends…

"Accidentally" spilling soda on him the other night probably had to do with it as well…

Well, she would definitely not be surprised if Jonathan ever attempted to bury her alive.

"I have something to help with the stress," Bethany interrupted Brynn's thoughts. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small cardboard box. Cigarettes, Brynn realized. Bethany slid them across the table to Brynn. "Whenever I'm stressed over a paper or exam I have to take, I just light one of these up. They work wonders."

Hesitation made her pause from grabbing them. She was aware that they weren't good for a person, no matter what age or gender they were. No one in high school had smoked, only drank. Even Sydney was sworn off them, so they must have been bad.

Brynn looked up at Meredith. She needed someone to approve of them if she would take them and Meredith seemed to be the perfect candidate. Her friend nodded, giving Brynn permission to take them.

She thanked Bethany and slid the cardboard box into her pocket.

. . .

"Ay lady! I asked for nachos, not cheese fries!"

The fat man, sweating through his football jersey, shoved the plastic basket back at Brynn. He turned his back on her and went back to watching the game on the television.

"Bite me," Brynn said under her breath. She placed the basket on her tray and carefully maneuvered her way to the kitchen, kicking the swinging doors open with her foot.

"Can I get some nachos?" Brynn called to one of the fry cooks. He nodded and began to whip up a batch. Brynn eyed the clock on the wall. 7:56, it read. Four minutes until she could take her fifteen minute break then go back to work until ten thirty. Wonderful

Brynn and the fry cook exchanged baskets and she made her way back to the grumpy customer. As she set the basket of food down before him, one of his buds leaned across the table and shoved a damp dollar bill down her shirt and into her bra. Brynn jumped back horrified, receiving a wink from the older man.

"More where that came from, hunny!" he cackled.

She fought the urge to gag as she quickly walked away, fishing around for the money in her shirt. "I'm taking my break," she said to no one in particular.

Brynn hurried through the kitchen and out the back door to the alleyway. The October night air was an escape from the B.O. and fried food being served inside. Inhale, exhale, she thought to herself. Inhale, exhale.

She had forgotten about the bill, which was now crumpled in her palm. She opened it and smoothed it out against the wall. Five dollars. She had just been felt up for five effing dollars.

In a fit of anger, she dropped the bill on the ground and stomped her foot on it. She was in the process of tearing it between both feet when the door opened again.

Jonathan Crane exited the building, a trash bag slung over his shoulder. His dark hair was damp with sweat and matted against his forehead. The glasses he wore were crooked. Behind them, Brynn could make out purple half-moons under his eyes.

When he saw the battered bill on the ground, he gave her a questioning look. "Bad day?"

"I just got groped for five dollars," she said bitterly.

"Yes, I saw."

Jonathan walked to the large trash bin and attempted to throw the trash bag inside. His weak form struggled to lift it and throw it in. Brynn watched as Jonathan attempted to balance the bag on his shoulder, only to have all its contents spill out behind him.

"Need some help with that?" Brynn asked, knowing the answer already.

"No," Jonathan said sharply. He was throwing everything in the trash bin, not caring if his hands got messy. "I can do it myself."

"Whatever you say…" Brynn muttered. She leaned against the brick wall and closed her eyes, fighting off the massive headache that was beginning to form. How much more of this did she have to endure?

Remembering the pack of cigarettes Bethany had given to her, Brynn reached into her back pocket and pulled them out along with a cheap lighter she had purchased. She opened the pack and pulled one out, rolling it around in her fingers, trying to get a feel for it. Now seemed like the perfect time to have one.

The dumpster closed with a bang and Jonathan wiped his hands off on his pants. His eyes narrowed when he saw what she was holding.

"What is that?"

Brynn held it up for him to see. "A cigarette?"

"Yes, I know that. Why do you have it?" Jonathan demanded.

"Why not? I've had a terrible day, so I might as well light up," Brynn sassily replied. She squinted at it and said to herself, "What, do I just light it and go?"

To her surprise, Jonathan walked over and stood before her. He crossed his scrawny arms over his chest. "Have you even smoked before? Do you know what they do to your lungs?"

"I could care less right now," Brynn muttered. She raised her brow at the younger boy. "Why do you care so much?"

"I don't," Jonathan replied, his voice smooth. "In fact, go for it."

A tiny flame burst out of the lighter. "I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, Meredith said it was okay."

Brynn put the cigarette in her mouth and lit it. She took a deep drag and inhaled.

The coughing fit started immediately after.

Brynn doubled over, coughing uncontrollably as she tried to rid her lungs of the toxic smoke. Her vision blurred and tears streamed down her face as the coughing became more violent.

"Holy shit," she wheezed.

"Told you so," Jonathan muttered. He pried the burning cigarette out of Brynn's grip, dropped it on the ground, and stomped it out.

"What's in-cough, cough—that—coughthing?"

"Tar, as well as other chemicals," Jonathan said, his eyes disapproving.

Brynn righted herself and stared at him in disbelief. "Tar?"

His expression was smug. "Yes, tar."

A groan escaped Brynn's lips as the headache was worsened. She slowly slid down the wall and sat on the cool ground, focusing on Jonathan's black loafers. "I need water…"

"What you need is a better sense of judgment," Jonathan replied, looking down at her curiously. "I'm assuming 'Meredith' is no doctor; therefore, you should not take her word to heart."

"And you are?"

Jonathan smirked. He stuck his hand out and waggled his pale fingers. Brynn tentatively reached her hand out as well.

"No, give me the cigarettes," Jonathan explained, causing Brynn to go bright red. She reached into her pocket and handed them to Jonathan. Then he turned away and threw them into the dumpster.

"There," he said and left, leaving Brynn alone in the alley.

. . .

What's the point of living if you have nothing left to live for?

That was the question Olivia was beginning to ask herself.

Three days Charlie had been dead and for three days Olivia had been sitting on the couch, staring at the wall. Brynn had realized something was wrong because she stayed in her mother's room all day, only coming out to use the restroom or find something to eat. The seven year old looked at her mother's disheveled figure curiously each time she came out, but said nothing. Neither of them spoke.

The apartment felt deserted despite the fact that they still lived there.

She was still, like a statue. A sudden movement—anything sudden, really—would set her off and the remaining sanity she had would be out the window in a heartbeat. So she opted to sit in silence.

What's the point of living if you have nothing left to live for? she thought again. Charlie had been everything in life. He was the reason why she had stayed strong through those nights when a newborn Brynn had cried nonstop or when she was having a horrible day. Charlie made everything better.

And now he was gone, taking with him what was left of her strength and sanity. Her world had fallen apart.

Slowly, she turned her neck, the movement causing it to crack. Olivia looked at the table next to the couch with the rusty handle on the drawer. Inside was a gun. Charlie had insisted on buying one, in case something was to happen while he was gone. Luckily, she had never had to use it.

What a waste of bullets.

Had Charlie died from a bullet? Or was it something else? The questions whirred through her mind as she slowly scooted towards the drawer. Strangulation? Stabbing?

A tentative hand reached out and gripped the handle, pulling the drawer open slowly. Olivia reached in and pulled out a heavy shotgun.

She looked over her shoulder to her bedroom door; it was shut and no sound came from the room. Good. Brynn wouldn't have to see what her mother was about to do.

Olivia eyed the weapon. Her fingers slowly brushed over it causing her to shiver. She would make it fast.

"Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo," she whispered the Our Father in her native language. Santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino."

Three loud knocks rattled the door, followed by a gruff voice shouting, "GCPD! Open up!"

"Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día," Olivia prayed, ignoring the men outside.

More knocks, more urgent. "Open up, Miss Rivers!"

"Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal," Olivia said, a tear rolling down her cheek. She positioned the gun before her and closed her eyes.

At that moment, the door was knocked down by the GCPD.

Another door was opened. The door to Olivia's bedroom, where a confused Brynn stood.

"Amén," she whispered shakily and pulled the trigger.

Pow.

A/N: So I posted Chapter Eight sooner than expected and I hope everyone liked it. I know it was kind of short but I'm feeling very creative and will probably start Nine tomorrow morning so be prepared for numerous updates these next few days. ;)

Thank you sooo much Musicaddict1, AlainHotCoco1, chocolate bear, Anon, masterofpuppets, , daisydoll, and anyone who followed the story. I'm so flattered that you all enjoyed the previous chapter so much and was absolutely thrilled to see all the feedback. You are all amazing! I was even happier to know that you guys think I'm funny! Like, whaaat? No one laughs at my jokes. :( At first I thought the diet water joke was cheesy and unoriginal but I'm glad to know you guys thought it was funny. No joke you guys, I could not stop smiling when I was reading all of the reviews. Like I said, I was absolutely flattered by all your reviews and the wonderful things you said. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

There were also a few questions asked, so I'll try to answer them as best as I can. 1) In the story, I imagine Jonathan as a younger Cillian Murphy, so his appearance is based off of the movie instead of the comics. 2) I will be brining Jonathan's past into the story but later on. In case you guys didn't remember, I said I would be dividing the story into parts and we are currently on Part 1 which is Brynn's P.O.V. Jonathan's P.O.V. will begin in Part 2. After Part 2, the P.O.V.s go back and forth. In case you're confused, go back to my A/N in Chapter 4 (I think that's where it is). I explained it much better there. 3) Brynn and Jonathan will start interacting more in future chapters. In a romantic way? No, not yet at least, we have a long way to go before that. In a friendly way? Perhaps. It depends on how those two behave with each other. I hope this answered any questions you might have had. Please feel free to PM me if you have any more, I'd love to be able to interact with everyone who reads the story.

I don't really have anything else to say…I think I expressed my excitement haha. With that being said, R&R and I'll update ASAP!

HOLD UP, ONE MORE THING. If you have any ideas at all, and I mean ANY, for the story, please tell me in your review or PM me!