~Ch. 2~

~Detroit 1999~

(Y/n POV)

"You didn't get the whole wheat bread?" Your brother, Henry, guesses, annoyed. You don't reply, just sit at the table in deep thought about bumping into Kim, Henry's words bouncing away from your ear.

"What in the world could distract you SO fucking much that-"

"I ran into Kim..." you reply coldly, so he would finally shut up and understand.

Henry was silent before he sighed, "Alright...I get it...Sorry...Just know-"

Before Henry could add, the second to last person you wanted to see, right before Kim, stumbled in drunkly. Your dad...alcoholic, asshole, and the reason mom left.

His eyes half open, he took a swig from the beer in his hand, groaning, "Did you get...the beer I asked for...(y/n)?"

You shake your head, already expecting what he would do.

He growls, "YOU USELESS WHORE!"

Right before the beer bottle hit you, you ducked below letting it shatter against the wall, glass pieces scattering across the kitchen tile.

Henry sighs, "Dad please-"

"Shut the fuck up!" He spit at his son. It wasn't a normal day if your father didn't get mad at his kids.

He pointed at you threatening pointlessly, "I swear Imma kill you one fucking day. Fucking kill you!"

Your dad storms back into his room slamming the door behind him. No one in the house really had the effort to take him to a program.

~Next Day~ You stood at the 7 Eleven cashier counter, waiting for the man in the snapback, grey jacket, and baggy sweats to grab his shit and fucking pay. Your fingers drummed he countertop impatiently, just waiting and waiting to tap the keyboard of the cash register. He finally came to you with a whole bunch of Red Bulls rested in his arms.

You sigh forcing yourself not to give eye contact, "Will that be all?"

"Mhm."

You start scanning the Red Bull 32 times and while doing that, the man asked, "Fan of Eminem?"

You figured he saw your silicon Eminem brecelet, shrugging, "Yeah."

He chuckles, "Wish to see him live?"

"Who doesn't?"

"True." You smile a little, "And also cause..." You bite your lip this time refusing to answer. Not wanting to give a stranger a hint of your past. After seeing Kim at the grocery store, memories of high school and moving from than coming back to Detroit rolled through your head.

"Cause what?" He asked, intrigued.

"N-Nothing..." You shake your head and continue typing the cash register. That information is classified.

"C'mon you don't have to keep a secret from me. It's not like if I said it to the whole fucking world anyone would care..."

"Wow, so my story doesn't matter? Thanks asshole." You roll your eyes.

"No no I meant it won't have an affect on you. Besides the only thing I have to tell this secret of yours is a fucking tree."

Your lips quivered and you think would it be an relieving to tell this story to get it off your chest. When you were younger, your depression always was dealt with endless tears to let it all out rather than bottle up inside your head. Maybe you'll forget about the grocery store incident if you just say it.

You sigh, still a little anxious and not giving any eye contact to your listener, "Well...I used to be best friends...with him...back in '87...but...uhhh...all went down when I had to move to LA...and I didn't have the strength to tell him earlier...so I told him 2 Days before...and than he-"

You choke on your tears, just urging for yourself to hide them. The man was silent and he just watched you. You chuckle as you wipe a tear about to leak from your eye, saying as you look down, "S-S-Sorry, I look like a fucking...baby...crying like this..."

Unexpected to a huge extent, the stranger hugs you, reaching over the counter and giving you and embrace. Your eyes widen. It was supposed to feel unsafe cause an unknown man was hugging you but unusually, it felt really really safe...and weirdly familiar.

"Don't be sorry...I'm just glad I still had time to forgive you...(y/n)..."

Eyes dilating to the size of dinner plates, you freeze in his embrace. Just too speechless and confused to move. He couldn't have read your name tag to know your name cause you forgot it at home. He pulls away where you finally get the chance to look at his face and confirm his identity. Those eyes...those baby blue orb like irises...an ocean to get lost in...no map able to lead you out. The jawline...so lean and noticeable, resting against the side of his face. And those lips, so flat and thin yet soft looking. And that pointed, slim nose...all added up to one possibility...

He side smiles, and chuckles, "Didn't expect me huh?"

Your words finally caught up with you, "M-M-M-Marshall...?"

He nods, "How are you?" Your shock only elevated. No answer escaping your lips except, "I-I-I-"

The door flings open and SHE storms in complaining, "Marshall what is taking-"

Kim freezes at her steps to look at you, her own shock raising up to your level speechless. She held a young girl's hand in her hands, the little girl with a face of complete unrecognition. Marshall sighs rubbing his brow, "Kim, not now-"

Kim orders, eyes like spears piercing into your own, half growling, "Marshall grab the things you bought and let's-"

"Daddy," the little girl asks walking to Marshall,her footsteps squeaking against the tile floor and her head only up to his knees, asks, "do you know her?" she points to you with her tiny index.

Marshall smiles kneeling down next to her, "Yes Hailie, I do."

"She's pwetty," she giggles.

Blood rushes to your face quickly as it boils, just showing your embarrassment.

Marshall chuckles. Kim grits her teeth, coming next to Hailie and grabbing her arm pulling her roughly, commanding firmly, "Let's go Hailie."

Hailie, unwillingly, followed her looking back at Marshall than at you. You smile and wave a little and she smiles and waves back.

Marshall sighs, standing up and grabbing the Red Bulls while pulling his wallet out, "How much?"

You bite your lip, looking at Marshall for a moment than sighing and clearing the register, replying, "Just take em." He was in utter shock, "For real?"

"Yeah just go..."

"(Y/n) I can't do this-"

"Just take em Marshall please..." You look down avoiding eye contact with him at all cost. He sighs taking the Red Bull in his arms and walking to the door, stopping his footstep to look back at you with one last glance without you knowing before pushing the 7 Eleven door and rushing to his car. You groan leaning on the wall behind you and just not giving any effort to force your tears back.