I drop my pen twice. Who drops their pen twice? Luckily, I'm left handed so the pad covers up my skin. I know that Jakoby doesn't remember me, that was ten years ago, but I still try and hide the vitiligo. There's just this part of me that wants him to see me for me, and not that little girl he saved. He'd probably think he wasted his time pulling me from that house for me to end up like I am.

Jakoby's partner orders the t-bone and eggs.

I hate the smell of the t-bone. It upsets my stomach. I smile Jakoby's way but he's not looking at me. He's so thorough with his order, I won't be able to ask him any questions about it. I'm pathetic. "I'll have that right out."

Jakoby is talkative with his partner. I even hear him call him Daryl.

Yet, every time I approach the table, he falls silent. "Here are your checks."

Both of them are quick to get out their plastic.

At the register, I notice Jakoby's first name is Nicolas. Nicolas Jakoby is what his card says. Gosh, I feel like a stalker, and this is hardly professional. As I start to swipe Daryl's card, I'm yelled at.

"What are you doing? Officers don't pay for their food here. Charge him though." My boss points at Jakoby's ticket.

"But he's an Officer, too."

"Charge him. Now."

When my boss has his back turned, I get my tips from my apron so I'm able to pay for Jakoby's breakfast. I write 'thank you, but no charge' on both of their paid tickets and put a smiling face on Jakoby's. I'm a little disappointed when I set their paid tickets down and only Daryl says thank you. I turn on my heel and scamper back behind the counter to hide my expression.

I almost miss my night class today. I'm trying my best to become an RN. To have purpose in my life and better it, but I am constantly failing. School is difficult for me because of how far behind I am since I spent the first nine years of my life kept in that room. Today is no different. I fail this test and that means I'll have to take the course again. Maybe I should take a year off school and find someone to tutor me.

I close the night like most other ones. With me crying in the back of the bus. This isn't even about school. I'm just hurt from being ignored at the diner and it's not even his fault. It's my own because I can't bring myself to tell him how I feel. I'm stupid for even having feelings for him.

I live on the outskirts in a one bedroom apartment in an Orcish community. I've managed to stay on good terms with them despite being human. Perhaps it's because the children are constantly breaking my windows by accident when they play ball.

"...sorry," the orcish child frowns.

"You're getting stronger," I smile, retrieving his ball once I unlock my door.

"Thanks," he replies, scampering off.

His father grunts. "That's twice this week alone."

"It's alright, Bilge. It's a simple fix."

Bilge gives me a few more extra dollars than usual. "You need to be careful," he warns. "There's been a lot of stabbings by the bus stop."

I nod and thank him for thinking of me because he doesn't have to. The way humans have treated their kind is disgusting.

Another ball is launched through my back window.

I suppose this is why they put up with me.

"Sorry," the disembodied voice calls.

I almost laugh at this point and extend my hand.

Bilge sighs and fishes more money out of his pocket. "Get in the house, now," he yells at the little ones.

I spend a great deal on my appearance this morning by brushing the tangles from the underside of my hair before putting it into pigtails. My hair has to go up at the diner and I don't like it pulled back. Especially with my bangs. There. I look… the exact same. I heave a breath and flip off the light.

It doesn't even end up mattering. Jakoby and his partner don't come in that day. Or any of the days that follow. I've been at the diner for six months today and only saw them that one time.

"Hey," my boss snaps his fingers in front of my face. "I need you to work a double."

"I have class tonight."

"Do you want this job or not?"

I suppose it doesn't matter. I'm failing anyhow. "Alright."

"And fix your fucking hair." He gives me the most disgusted look then turns his back to me.

Today is definitely one of those days where I have to constantly remind myself that you need this job, Oz. Especially when I end up missing the bus because I get off so late. I guess I'll just sleep at the diner around the back. It's just too far and dangerous to walk home and I can't afford a taxi.

As I turn down the alley, I'm hit so hard that I black out. It ends up being someone running from the police.

"You stopped that guy when he ran into you. I was able to apprehend him."

Lucky me. And my shoes are scuffed. My boss is going to have a heart attack. Wait a second, I know that voice.

Jakoby helps me off the pavement and to the front seat of his police SUV. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"What about me," the guy in the back whines. His head is split open from the fall.

"Shut up," Jakoby tells him.

The hospital is even farther from my apartment than where I'm at now. I shake my head no.

You're brave, alright?

"I don't feel very brave. He ran into me."

"What?"

Oh, gosh. I'm answering my own delusions. I slither down in the leather seat mortified.

Jakoby and I don't get a chance to talk with dingus here in the back shouting about his rights, but I don't mind. These twenty minutes in his front seat are the happiest I've ever been.

"Uh," Jakoby starts, "this isn't a safe place for you to live."

I know he's talking about me living near the Orcs. "Thank you for the ride," I manage to say. As I shut the door, one of the little ones come running up me.

"It happened again, Oz," Kodagh frowns. "It's so bad."

Bilge rounds the corner of the building. "I'm sorry, and I'm out of cash tonight."

I smile and touch my hand to his arm. "It's alright."

"Thank you," he smiles before snarling over my shoulder.

I glance back to see Jakoby behind me, his hand on his gun.

Jakoby says something to Bilge in Orcish, which Bilge snaps back.

I'm so worried this is going to get heated until the one Bilge calls his 'baby momma' comes out of their duplex and starts screaming at Bilge. Gosh, she's worked up. Thankfully, it pulls Jakoby and Bilge apart so Bilge can go deal with her.

"Come on, miss. I'll walk you to your door."

The last thing I need is an escort here of all places, but I'll take any chance for a few more minutes with Jakoby.

"Are you sure I can't take you to the hospital?"

I shake my head no. I'm not the best student, but I don't have any of the signs that would be worrisome enough for me to go get my head examined. Or maybe it's because I just don't have the money.

Jakoby puts his hand out to keep me from going inside my apartment when he sees the window is broken.

"It's alright. Sometimes the little ones break my windows with their toys."

Kodagh is already giggling behind me.

"Here," I say, handing the ball back. "You better get home. Your mother seemed upset."

"She's always upset."

I know what it's like to live with a parent like that.

Jakoby watches the little one until he's safe at home, then turns his attention to my broken window. "Do the Orcs bother you?"

Another head shake. Oz, talk to him. Hmm. I wonder how I could get him to come inside? "Do you want some coffee?" Please say-

"I still have that perpetrator in my vehicle. Goodnight." Jakoby is practically back at his SUV before I can open my mouth to say goodnight back.

And here I thought Orcs were slow…

I don't feel well waking up, but that's not an excuse to stay in bed. It's already noon. As I open my front door to leave, I notice several pieces of plywood, a box of nails, and a hammer. Bilge is on the way out with the little ones, so I ask him about it.

He points to his bottom teeth before heading to his suburban.

I go back inside and flash my teeth in the mirror, figuring when I ran into that guy in the alley he chipped one of my teeth, but there's nothing wrong with them. Wait. Bilge was talking about Jakoby's teeth. Jakoby was the one who left this stuff? I blush at the gesture, even though I'm by myself. Ok, I'm going to do it! I'm going to wait for him outside the police station today and tell him how I feel.

A/N Reviews are always much appreciated! Thank you for the follows!