Second Chances: Lucas

Sleepless Nights

Elena Pov

I woke up very excited but last night I had such a hard time sleeping. I haven't had this problem since the night my parents died. It took me forever to finally sleep without having any nightmares or sleepless nights. I don't know what triggered this but hopefully, it wouldn't last long. I took a shower and got dressed before I went to gran's to have breakfast. As soon as I was done, I was so eager to head out and go to my new workplace.

The Pug Mug, as soon as my feet entered the door I was bombarded by little barks.

"Guys, relax," I heard Carmen say. "Hey, welcome back."

"She thought your grandma would have stolen you from us," I heard Ken say as he carried out a tray full of mugs. I laughed and helped him pass them out to the customers.

"Okay, so the office is through that door past the kitchen," Ken told me. I walked to the office and knocked on the door before Rachel said to come in.

"Hey, glad to have you onboard," she smiled. She gestured for me to sit. "So fill these out and then we will discuss pay and your schedule." I took her pen and began to fill out the papers she handed me on a clipboard.

"So how do you like it here so far," Rachel asked me.

"It's wonderful. The scenery itself is amazing," I told her.

"Yeah, I come from the big city so this was definitely a change for me. I felt out of my element for years," she told me.

"How long have you been here?" I asked her.

"Oh, ten years now. Ken was born and raised here so I knew I wasn't going anywhere when I met him,"

"So cute," I smiled.

"Yeah, he is my better half," she gushed. My parents were like that. I always wondered if I would ever have something like that.

"Okay, so I know the pay isn't much but-,"

"Oh, no it's fine,"

"Okay, good. So you can work Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We are closed on Sundays and we rotate the Saturdays," Rachal explained.

"Sounds perfect," I told her. "So I start tomorrow?"

"Yeah, the dress code is casual and you might want to pick something you don't mind ruining. These dogs tend to go nuts sometimes,"

"Oh, okay. No worries,"

"Good, well I am off to start my shift," we both stood up and headed towards the door. "Want some coffee before you go?"

"Would love some," I told her. We headed out to the front of the shop and she gestured for me to sit down at the counter. The pugs followed my every step.

"They love you already," Ken said.

"Good would hate to not hit it off with my coworkers," I joked.

"So, tell us a little about you Elena," Carmen said from behind the counter.

"Well, I'm 22 and I recently got my degree in English. I thought I was going to be a writer or an editor but life happened and now I am here," they all sensed my mood change so Carmen changed the subject.

"Well, you are so damn pretty girl, you have a man in your life?" she asked.

"No, I don't," I giggled.

"Oh, well, someone might snatch you up soon," Carmen said.

"Leave her be, she doesn't need a man," Ken said.

"Oh whatever, I do," Carmen joked.

"Well, I should be going, I'll see you guys tomorrow," I said. I patted the dogs before I left and then headed out.

When you love someone

You'll do anything

You'll do all the crazy things that you can't explain

You'll shoot the moon

Put out the sun

When you love someone

You'll deny the truth

Believe a lie

There'll be times that you'll believe you can really fly

But your lonely nights have just begun

I sat by this tree for hours. I wasn't sure what or who I was waiting for. I was just singing and looking up at the sky. I wanted to cry but I wasn't sad or anything. I couldn't really figure out what I was feeling. I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

Lucas Pov

I didn't know how long she was here for but she looked so peaceful. I knew I didn't want to disturb her and I had to stay and protect her. She wasn't too deep into the woods so someone could see me and get scared but I wouldn't leave her here alone. She was so beautiful.

About fifteen minutes later, she woke up and was a bit startled to see me.

"Hey there little fella," she said softly. She brushed her hair to the side and looked deep into my eyes.

"How are you today?" I wanted to smile. I wondered if she thought I could actually answer her. If she was a wolf in my pack I could mindlink her and she could read my thoughts. I really wanted to say something, anything to her. I wanted her to know I was here for her.

"Well, I should go. It's late and I am still a bit tired," she said as she stood up. She was walking away but I didn't want to let her go. I started to follow her. She looked back at me once in a while, not believing I was still there. She walked a bit faster and so did I. I didn't want to freak her out but I didn't want to part ways just yet. I haven't been able to sleep since I met her. I needed her by my side.

"Elena, please don't go," I thought. She stopped and I wondered if she had heard me.

"Hey buddy, I have to go now." She reached her front door but I didn't stop. She stared at me for a few and then suddenly she pushed the door wide open. I can't believe she was letting me in. I howled slowly and softly. She looked at me and smiled. This was a step in the right direction. I don't what happens after this but I knew we were bonding.