Before the incident that broke her inside, Waverly Earp wore her heart on her shoulder to display to everyone. Almost all people under the age of six did, because they thought it was amazing how others understood their feelings with just one glance; as if they had mind-reading powers. The only two people in Waverly's life who never understood (or even cared) about her feelings were her older sister Willa and her father. Every year on her birthday, Waverly noticed how Daddy "magically" disappeared to go work on a job he would just mention that morning, taking Willa along without even acknowledging the youngest Earp's birthday.
But being an open book could only last so long before something closed off a person's emotions from the rest of the world forever. For most people, that something occurs when a family member leaves willllingly: but having her mother leave when she was four didn't affect Waverly like it did the rest of her family. Which probably explains why Daddy stopped caring about Waverly completely after waking up the next morning to Waverly playing with her toys in her room while Willa and Wynonna cried in each others arms in the living room.
No. The something that would change Waverly forever occurred one night, in the middle of winter, when Waverly was only six-years-old. Waverly remembers that night, watching it replay countless times in the back of her mind, as if it only happened moments ago.
Waverly sat at the small kitchen table, opposite of Daddy, pushing the cold food around her plate as if trying to make it disappear. Ever since her mother left, Waverly never got a warm meal unless Wynonna or her Aunt Gus cooked. Most of the time, Daddy made dinner and would forget to make her a plate until after prayer, when Wynonna would silently speak up and mention it. The action only made Daddy more angry because it "took time away from dinner with the other two girls".
The silence in the room was first broken when Waverly dropped her fork on the ground trying to set it down on the table, earning a low growl and a stern look from Daddy. Wynonna quickly leaned from her chair to grab the fork after seeing tears form in Waverly's eyes, before setting it on the table and re-focusing her attention to her plate. The silence that was once broken invaded the room again, as the only noises heard were silent breathes and silverware hitting plates. However, the silence didn't last much longer between the Earps when gun shots rang from outside the house.
Waverly watched as Daddy grabbed Peacemaker, the gun her great-great-grandfather Wyatt Earp used, before pulling Willa towards the window. Wynonna quickly helped move a frozen Waverly into one of the far corners in the living room, away from any window or door. Listening intently over the sound of gun shots, Waverly hears Willa talk about how many of "them" there are before Daddy comments on "them" getting past the border. What Waverly wouldn't realize for years is the only reason "they" got past the border is because of her childhood ignorance and wishful thinking.
The fearful trance that held Waverly broke as the sound of glass shattering against the floor. All she could do was watch and scream as the men grabbed a fighting Willa before dragging her away. Not even Wynonna's screams could get Waverly to move. Her heart started to sink in her chest knowing she couldn't do anything to save her sister, the same sister who treated her like a mistake. It wasn't until Waverly noticed Peacemaker back in its place on the table and Daddy heading out the door that she moved. Quickly grabbing the gun, Waverly ran back to Wynonna begging her to help Daddy and Willa.
Waverly's heart finished breaking as one final gun shot rang in her ears. Running to the door, Waverly saw a shocked Wynonna holding Peacemaker in the direction of the men holding Daddy, with a hole in his back. She screamed his name, hoping it would reverse the situation, to bring him back to her, because he was the last piece of her mother she had-
"Hey Waverly, are you doing okay? You have been wiping that same glass for the last five minutes now with a blank expression," Gus asked curiously. Waverly's head darted upward, eyes meeting worried one's staring back at her. The pain in her fingers finally started setting in, as they were red and turning raw from wiping the same glass. She quickly sat the glass down on the counter, along with the cloth, before turning back to Gus.
"I'm okay Gus. I just got lost in thought," Waverly replied with a smile on her face, trying to convince her Aunt of the massive lie she told. It had been a while since the memory of that night got in the way of her job. But with Wynonna's return to Purgatory after years of absence and the death of their Uncle Curtis, Waverly started seeing that night play out before her eyes more often than not.
Gus looked at Waverly with concern, trying to decide whether or not to believe the youngest Earp, before moving around behind the bar counter. "Whatever you say. But I am going to send you home, as it is close to closing time and you have already been here for nine hours," Gus said. Waverly moved her head up, about to protest, but Gus put her hand in the air to stop the words from coming out of her mouth. "No buts. You have closed every day this week. It is Friday night and you should be doing more than just being a bar-maid. Go have fun for a while."
Sighing in defeat, Waverly nodded her head before clocking out and grabbing her things. She had no friends who would willingly hang out with her unless a massive amount of alcohol was involved. Wynonna was probably out with Deputy Marshall Dolls hunting down revenents after receiving a tip on where a group was staying. And Doc never answered his phone, because he still doesn't understand the "hoodoo voodoo" of technology. The thought of Champ entered her mind for a split second, before being pushed out by the thought of another person.
Waverly reached into her pocket to find her phone, before dialing a number she memorized the first time she saw it. Listening to the ringing of the phone call in her ear, Waverly couldn't help but smile at the thought of chocolate brown eyes staring into hers as red hair cascaded those perfect shoulders.
"Hey Waves, is everything okay?"
"Yeah. I uh, I just got off work at Shorty's and was wondering if you would want to... do something. I mean, I don't know when your shift ends and I would hate to intrude on any plans you might have. But Wynonna is out with Dolls and I really don't want to be alone at the Homestead tonight. I thought of a few other people but no one ever wants to be around me without alcohol and I thought you might be different. I'm sorry but-"
"Waverly, take a breath real quick. I would be more than happy to hang out with you. My shift ends in ten minutes. I will meet you at the Homestead, okay?"
The sound of the person on the other end of the line laughing calmed Waverly's heart greatly. She couldn't understand what it was about this person that made her so nervous and so open with her hidden emotions, but Waverly didn't mind it at all. Taking a deep breath, Waverly kept the phone up to her ear as she climbed into her Jeep, just listening to the other person breathe for a second.
"That sounds good. I'll make some popcorn while I am waiting for you to arrive. See you soon Officer Haught," Waverly breathed out lightly. Feeling the other person smile through the phone, Waverly started her Jeep and drove in the direction of the Homestead.
"How many times do I have to tell you Waverly, just call me Nicole. Officer Haught sounds too formal."
Author's Note: And that is a wrap for the first chapter! Normally with the first chapter, I like to give some background information on one of the main characters. It helps readers understand the point-of-view I am trying to display while also helping me understand the character I am working with. Any way, I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I will be uploading another one soon because my life is boring and I have nothing better to do. Until next time, keep being awesome and enjoying life!