I shifted uneasily in my chair. The big office was intimidating and slightly frightening.

"Well, I've never had a job before, to be honest," I said. I had applied for a secretary job at a law firm in LA.

"You're only 18, that's not too much of a problem," said the interviewer, Ms. Brink, with a smile.

I smiled, a little relieved. I didn't want to seem lazy because I'd never worked before. she continued reading on my file.

"Well, Piper, I see you dropped out of high school when you were..." she looked up at me, "16?"

My smile faltered.

"Well, yes," I began. "To be honest with you, Ms. Brink, I ran away from home at 16. I never finished high school."

Her eyes told me all I needed to know.

"Piper, honey, I like you. I'd like very much to give you this job," she said. She sighed, then smiled. "Here's what I can do..."

She grabbed a pen and wrote something on a piece of paper, then handed it to me.

"This is a website for some high school courses. Some classes over the next few months can get you your diploma, and should qualify you a little better for this job."

I tried to keep up the smile.

"Thank you for your time, and advice, Ms. Brink."

She smiled and nodded. I left her office and walked outside. By the time I got home, after my Plan B interview, Leo had dinner ready.

"How'd it go?" he asked in a hopeful voice.

"Well, I didn't get the job at the law firm, but she did give me a website where I can get my high school diploma," I said.

"Ah. Well. What about the other interview?" he asked.

My second interview was at a CD shop in downtown LA.

"I got it, and even though I won't make as much, it'll probably be more fun," I shrugged.

"Well, I have a surprise for you," he whispered in my ear.

"What's that?" I asked with a smile.

"Hang on," he said before leaving the room.

He returned with both hands behind his back.

He smiled, then pulled out a police officer hat and placed it on his head.

"What is this, roleplaying?" I laughed.

"No," he said. "I enrolled in police academy today.

My laughing stopped and my smile faded.

"What?"

"Do you like it?" he asked, holding his smile proudly.

"No," I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

"No?" he said, confused.

"I hate it," I whispered. "Police academy? Are you fucking serious?"

"I'm very serious," he said, dropping the smile.

"Leo!" I screamed.

"What? I thought you'd be happy. We're flat broke, and this is what I want to do!"

"Leo!" I screamed again, not knowing what to say. "No! I'm not happy. You...No...Just don't!" I finally spat out.

"Why?" he asked in loud, almost-yelling voice. "Why are against me getting a job in something I like?"

"I'm not, unless that job RISKS YOUR LIFE!" I yelled.

"Piper," he started.

I took a shallow breath and shook my head. I looked him in the eye before walking out.

"We're done talking about this," I whispered. I walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.

It wasn't until later when I had cooled off that I decided to talk to him. It was ridiculous, but obviously it meant something to him.

"Hi," I said as I sat down beside him on the couch.

"I know that you're right," he whispered. "I know it would be too dangerous."

"And I know that it's something you want to do," I whispered back.

He sat back and patted his lap. I sat and rested my head on his chest.

"I know it's something you don't want me to do," he told me.

"I know that's true," I said with a hopeless laugh. I looked up and into his eyes. "Does this mean a lot to you?"

"Yes," he whispered without missing a beat. "It really does."

A tear ran down my face.

"What if something happens to you?" I asked.

He wiped my tear and smiled.

"C'mon. Remember how we used to be?" he whispered. "We craved risks like this. We wanted the danger."

"Wrong. We wanted to be together. Together, as in you and me. Not just me," I whispered back.

"The chances of something happening to me..."

"Are real," I said.

"Are very small," he returned.

"So I'm supposed to let this happen, because you might be safe?"

"Piper," he looked into my eyes. "Everyday, there's a chance something will happen. Every single day."

I thought about what he said for a few moments. I knew how wrong he was. I knew how dangerous this would be. But it's what he wanted.

On the first day of Leo's training, he left with a huge smile on his face. I was still a bit worried, but I put that aside.

"Be careful," I whispered while we hugged goodbye.

After he left, I didn't have much time to worry. I had to be at work in half an hour.

Seemed like life was getting harder by the day.