I sighed as I finished my long shift. It was 8pm and Edward would be picking me up shortly.

I was tired after a day of high school and retail. I huffed, stacking the last of the new fishing reels on the display shelf.

"Hey". A deep voice broke my haze and made me jump.

It was Joe. Joe was Mike Newton's friend. He was tall with dark hair and an intimidating gaze. Good looking with his pale skin and dark hair but he was an ass. He had been giving me a hard time lately with his passive aggression.

"Make sure all these reels are put on display or I'll tell the boss man that you slacked off." He said gruffly before walking away.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, too tired to deal with his bullying today. i didnt really need this job but i did need money and independence. Not that I planned to be human too long anyway.

I said my goodbyes to the last few colleagues and hopped into the silver volvo parked out front, eager for the warmth from the heater. I kissed Edward on the cheek.

"How was your shift?" he said warmly, kissing me on the lips.

I smiled and shrugged. He chuckled and began to drive. i held his hand and gazed out the window, pondering my current problems. There was a vicious red head out to get me and weird teenage werewolf love triangles. What a luck.

Edward and I talked for an hour before my eyes felt heavy and i drifted into an exhausted slumber, cools hands on my cheek.

i awoke to pouring rain. i felt disgruntled given i was hoping for a saturday sleep in. I had another shift at newtons this morning so i dragged my body out of bed and quickly got changed. There was a note on my dresser that read 'gone hunting, alice will pick you up this afternoon. all my love".

i chuckled.

The shift went by smoothly in the morning with minimal customers due to the pouring rain outside.

I folded old signage and placed the sheets into the plastic bin. I welcomed the sequential easy shift to keep my mind busy.

Joe walked past, a stern look on his face. I gasped as he kicked the bin near me over and muttered, 'Clean that up' in an angry tone.

Anger bubbled in my chest.

"Hey, what the hell is your problem?" i shouted.

Joe's face contorted with rage. My heart lurched as he stormed up to me, inches from my face, towering over my smaller height.

"You challenge me again, and youll be sorry." He spat, before storming off into the storeroom. my heart pounded as I processed his behaviour and felt unsafe being the only one on shift with him today. I had no idea what his problem was and i took deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

I reminded myself to be almost grateful for this more normal problem. After all, bullying was easier to deal with than homicidal vampires.

My shift ended quickly and Alice picked me up. We chatted about fashion and school and the party she was planning. We painted nails and gossiped on the couch, as Jasper sat reading a novel across the room.

"So Bella, how was work?" Alice said kindly in her high pitched voice.

i sipped my cup of tea. My anxiety pitted in my stomach. i forced a smile.

"Yeah it was fine." I said.

Alice sighed, barely noting my response.

"So bella im planning a graduation party-" she muttered at high speed as i gazed off.

While she spoke lost in thought, i noticed Jasper's curious eyes staring intently at me.
Damn empath. I averted my gaze away quickly, still aware of his eyes reading my face.

"So Bella what do you think? shopping this weekend?" Alice said excitedly.

i smiled and nodded too enthusiastically.

"Yay!" She clapped excitedly.

I yawned and placed my tea down on the table, standing up.

"Well im gonna head to bed. Night."

"Night Bella" Alice said warmly.

" Sleep well Bella." Jasper said, his gaze lingering a fraction too long.

i slept deeply that night.

The next morning, i felt anxiety in my stomach as another shift approached. I hoped Joe wouldnt be on but i knew a lot of the others were on leave.

I got dressed as my phone rang. it was Greg, the boss.I answered quickly.

"Hey Bella, just checking who locked up last night as we had a mild break in. nothing too much was stolen but i needed to check." He said nonchalantly.

I gasped lightly. "oh my goodness. well Joe locked up as i left before. im coming into work now." i said.

"Okay ill have to speak to him as this isnt the first time hes not locked up correctly. im just leaving now as all the glass is cleaned up and its sorted. Thanks Bella." He hung up.

My chest felt tight. Joe would blame me for ratting him out. I rolled my eyes.

Alice dropped me off and said goodbye.

Upon entry to the store, there were no signs of break in that were obvious but as Greg had mentioned, he was here cleaning this morning. The lights were off.

I entered cautiously, walking through the dim lit store.

"Hey Bella." A male voice spoke.

I calmed down. "Hi Greg. Great job cleaning up this morning." i said kindly.

He smiled. "cleared all the glass up thankfully not much stolen with the stormy weather last night. They must have given up quick. Anyway i am off, Joe will be in later. Thanks!"

I sighed as he left the store in a hurry.

Four hours went by as i tidied the store absentmindedly. The rain meant very few customers shopping for camping gear.

One more hour and I would be free to go. Well back to the Cullens, given Edward had me on babysitting orders.

I walked around the unsettlingly quiet store, rounding the corner of a shelf.

I gasped as I walked into a tall frame.

"Oh sorr-" I muttered embarrassed. Ilooked up with flushed cheeks.

Dark piercing eyes stared angrily.

"you ratted me out for not locking up last night to Greg didnt you." Joe said accusingly, towering over me.

i took a small step back as I collected my thoughts.

"No, he asked me who locked up and i told him. its fine." I said defiantly, irritation growing in my gut.

Joe suddenly shot out his long arm, grabbing my right forearm tightly.

I gasped.

"You wanna rat me out and throw me under the bus again, and youll be sorry." he gripped my forearm so tightly i felt my bones ache in protest.

i Pulled away as he left go. i dare not let a tear fall in his presence .
"Don't touch me." My voice shook slightly.

Joe smirked, turned and stormed off. I didnt care that my shift still had thirty minutes left. The boss wasnt around and my emotions were high and I was done. I tried to calm my breaths as I rubbed my forearm.

i slammed the shop door as i got into my car and let the tears fall. I felt defeated in so many areas of my life and so helpless. in a way I was grateful for a simple human struggle that didnt involve the safety of my inherited Cullen family.

I knew my face looked red and pitiful so I stopped back at home. Having a shower, I let the warm water easy my stress and anger.

I quickly changed into a comfy pair of jeans and a sweater, skipping dinner. I tried to think of happy thoughts as i drove to the Cullens.