Lucy's really beginning to get on my nerves.
She's being the supportive sister but it's just not her!
It's quite scary actually.
My parents went out on a date again last night and left me to look after Rebecca and her friend.
They almost blew the kitchen up.
God my family's weird.
Anyway, I'm on my way to Potomac now, scared witless.
Well not so much scared, more worried about what I'm actually going to do if she's there.
I hope she's not.
If there is a God, I'm begging you.
Why couldn't my parents let me quit?
I mean it's good enough to learn the value of a dollar but I've been doing this job for an eternity now.
Well, at least I'm seeing David tomorrow, that's the light shining at the end of the tunnel.
We can stand by the tree out front and...
Never mind.
Ok, I'm walking in now.
Breathe.
I can do this.
I brace myself and walk in, a smile plastered on my face.
Oh thank God.
That's Carla at the desk.
I smile with relief and lift my eyebrows slightly.
"Where's Dauntra?"
Carla smiled at me.
"Don't worry, Stan sacked her ass the day after the article came out."
She tapped the wall behind her, where thirty photos were stuck up underneath the title Wall of Shame.
I laughed at that.
They'd taken the picture of her looking gormless, she didn't look preened and perfect like she'd appeared in the Journal.
No, she looked like an idiot.
I beamed at Carla as I dumped my bag behind the counter.
"Any new films?"
At least Carla knew what that meant.
"Mmhmm," she muttered dreamily, "New Orlando one."
I laughed.
"Will Orlando or Pussy Orlando?"
"Does it matter?"
"Oh yeah, he's hotter in Pirates."
"Will one," she sighed.
"What does Stan think?" I asked, laughing, "Is it the new release or do we have to watch it on the sly?"
"For once it's a new release."
"Great!"
The night zoomed by, Dauntra at the back of my mind.
Once or twice a customer came in but as it was Friday, Potomac wasn't all that popular, our main customers, the science geeks were too busy working on reports and inventions.
When it finally came to closing time Stan checked our bags and we headed for the door.
I stopped, realising I'd dropped my latest manga comic.
I looked everywhere, but I still couldn't find it.
In the end Stan kept coughing impatiently and I had no choice.
I left.
I walked home slowly, annoyed at myself.
"Sam!"
I stopped and spun around.
"Sam!"
"What?" I called back, not recognising the voice.
The stranger came underneath the lamp-post and I saw exactly who it was.
Midnight Ebony and Pink Flamingo hair.
Black lipstick.
Brown eyes.
"Dauntra," I hissed grinding my teeth.
"Forget something?"