I pulled up outside of the store, noticing the sign and the abandoned police tape on the floor. I have this little hope inside me that mom and dad won't completely freak out that I'm still going to work here. We need the help, and I can't let what happened keep me down.
With my heavy coat closed tight over my work uniform, I grab my keys and leave my warm car to make a dash for the automatic doors. I feel the cold hitting my face, and it urges me to get inside quicker. I look inside and notice Edward already bent over stacking a shelf with the contents of the large box in front of him.
The doors slide open, and Edward looks towards me, but only gets as far as my legs before looking away again. Well, at least that's the most normal thing that's happened all day. I look around the store as I walk down the aisle towards the counter.
I just stare as I approach it and this sense of despair begins to build. I glance up at the hole in the ceiling, and gulp, trying to calm myself. It was only yesterday I was tucked away, scared for my life, behind this counter. I lift up the door panel, and walk through.
I can't help but look at the spot where I knelt. There are still small specks of blood on the floor. Edward's, no doubt. His face looks better than it did right after it happened. He's lucky to have a doctor as a dad.
I take a calming breath and walk into the back room, looking around like a paranoid child. I ignore the urge to run and instead force myself to hang my coat up and sign my name. I rush out a bit too fast for anyone to believe I'm as calm as I'm trying to be.
Walking over to the counter, I lean on it, and rest my head against the cool wood. I breath in and out trying to calm my erratic heart as I recall the horrifying events.
"Bella?" Edward's voice seems loud and I jump startled, knocking over the packs of gum beside me. They fall at his feet.
"Fuck, I was just- uh-"
"Nah-it's cool, I understand. It's weird, but I was really jumpy when I got here, too," he admits, not quite making eye contact.
"Then why come back?" I can't help but question. And why are you being so open with me, I want to add. But I don't.
"The same reason as you, I guess," he shrugs, looking away. He bends down to pick up the scattered packets of gum.
I bite my lip.
"I came back to help support my family. I doubt your family has a mortgage to pay off, actually I know for a fact you don't. Jasper mentioned it once. You guys are beyond well off. Why do you work at all?" I ask, a little confused.
He says nothing, just places the gum back into the cardboard box and looks down at the counter taking a beat of silence before looking me in the eyes.
"I have my reasons," he says simply, biting down on his own lip. I snap my eyes away from the display of my own nervous habit reflected back at me.
"I'll be over there, just call if you need me," he tells me. And as I look back at him, I notice that for once he hasn't got his earbuds in.