In Between

Chapter 3: Mr. Grumpy

Emily's POV:

Los Angeles, California—a vibrant tapestry of confusion and charm. I've called this city home all my life, and with each passing day, I find myself falling deeper in love with its quirks. The soothing morning breeze wraps around me like a gentle hug, calming my bustling mind. The iconic Hollywood sign looms in the distance, a beacon of dreams and aspirations, reminding me of the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Yet, amidst the beauty, there's the inevitable clamor of trucks rumbling by, their loads a constant reminder of the city's frenetic pace. Then there's the view of the Red Hen Press. Anna insists it's not much to look at, and maybe she's right—it lacks glamor. But to me, it's magnificent; it symbolizes a future I see for myself, a place I hope to carve out my own dreams when success finally graces me.

"Em, ice cream please!" Anna's voice cuts through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

"Not today, Anna. We're running late for school, plus isn't it a bit early for ice cream?" I reply, glancing at the clock.

It's a typical Monday morning—just like every other weekday, really. I drop Anna off at her school, then pick up Charlotte before heading to work.

"Please?" she presses.

"Nope."

"Pretty, pretty please?" The way Anna pleads, with those big, innocent eyes, tugs at my heart. She knows how to work her magic, and I'm powerless against it.

It frustrates me when I struggle to hold my ground against her charms. Why can't I just say no?

"Alright, I see what you're doing, Anna. Stop it," I half-heartedly scold her, trying to maintain my stern demeanor. But just a fleeting glance at her adorable face makes me chuckle, and I can't help but smile back.

"Okay, how about this? We get ice cream after school. Deal?" I finally relent, sealing it with a wink.

"Deal" Anna agreed delighted.

"Good so who's the prettiest girl of them all?" I teased.

"I am" Anna replied but in a low tone.

"I didn't get that, who's the prettiest girl of them all?" I asked again not quite satisfied with her first response.

"I am," she replied very loudly and happily this time

That got people walking on the streets staring at us with questioning looks on their faces as I drove past them.

Not like we cared.

"Yeah, now that's my girl," I said as we both burst out laughing.

My car came to a halt in the parking lot at Anna's school.

"See you later Em," Anna said packing up her bags to run along with the other children

"Hey, always remember, I'm strong, I'm brave..." I started to say as usual but Anna beat me up at it in a very high pitch "I'm beautiful I'm a lioness"

I told her that each day while dropping her off her school cause I want her to know her place and Rights to know who she is and be able to stand up for herself and not let anyone bully her

Just like Eddie taught me to...

"Now that's my girl! Bring it in" and with that, we did our secret handshake and Anna got out of the car "Bye Em" she said while running to meet up with her friends who were waiting for her.

"Have a nice day at school today baby" I called after her and she turned and gave me the 'stop it I'm not a baby anymore' look and I just laughed slightly before driving off.

Damn, it's how much I loved this 7-year-old.

"Heyyy girl!" Charl exclaimed as she slipped into the passenger seat, her energy filling the car.

Charl and I? We've been through the wringer together—oh, the memories we've made! Since third grade, she's been my ride-or-die, my partner in crime, and the sister I never had. It's been us against the world from day one, and I can't imagine navigating life without her by my side.

Whenever the school bullies came for me, Charl was always ready to step in—backing me up fiercely when Eddie wasn't there. I can still hear her fierce words aimed at anyone who dared to mess with me.

And then there was Drex. Oh boy, did I ignore her warnings about that jerk! I thought I was in love, blinded by my feelings. Even when he unleashed his anger on me, abusing and cursing, Charl never once blamed me. Instead, she unleashed a torrent of curses in Drex's direction, making me feel like I had an ally in my corner.

But then came the ultimate betrayal: he ditched me for some random girl he met while we were out on a date. My heart shattered into a million pieces, and all I could feel was hurt and confusion. That's when Charl stepped in, swearing that we would unleash our own brand of revenge.

Even after Eddie's death, Charl went above and beyond to ensure I was okay. We've faced so much together, and honestly, I couldn't ask for a better best friend. Just as I was lost in thought, her voice sliced through the silence. "Are you going to start the engine or what?"

"Right!" I replied, shaking off the heaviness that lingered. It was time to move forward, so I turned the key and started driving.

"I don't wanna be late today you know my boss is an asshole," she said

"I know, right?" I replied, a smirk on my face. "You look incredible today! Got a date lined up later?"

Charl, with her stunning brown skin, light brown eyes, and curly black hair, embodied beauty. Her well-built figure and perfect curves were simply captivating. On any given day, she was beautiful, but today? She was magnificent. The sparkling sequined short gown hugged her figure flawlessly, and the light makeup accentuated her features perfectly. Honestly, she looked like she was ready for a red carpet, definitely not your average bartender at one of the best bars in LA.

"By 'incredible,' you mean hot, and yes, thank you! And yes, I've got a date tonight," Charl shot back confidently.

I knew it all along.

"And you just thought to keep that a secret?" I teased, pretending to be annoyed.

"Chill out, girl! I was just about to spill the beans before you asked!"

"Alright, then—spill!"

"Okay, so I met him yesterday, and he is seriously hot. Like, wow!" She said, animatedly demonstrating with her hands and making some hilariously cheeky expressions that only we would understand.

"You really never change, do you?" I quipped, shaking my head, though I couldn't help but laugh.

"Get yourself a man, and maybe I'll consider changing," she shot back, chuckling.

"You know you're consistent," I said, grinning.

"Honestly, this guy feels different. I've got a great vibe about him," she said, glancing away dreamily, her confidence radiating as she spoke.

"Sure, but remember Mike from the dating app? And Maliq from f*******:? You said the same about Rex from the club and Johnny from church—not to mention Evan from..." I shook my head dramatically while driving, listing off all the guys Charl had dated in the past few months. I wasn't even done when she interjected with a chuckle.

"Oh girl, please. There's no harm in trying," she replied playfully, a hint of determination in her voice. "I'm going to keep trying until I find the right man." Her smile was infectious.

It's amazing how she can shift from feeling down to exuberantly happy in an instant. Honestly, no one could be around Charl and not smile; she's an absolute vibe.

"I hope you do."

My car came to a stop in front of Charl's workplace.

"Bye, Mily! Love you, girlllll!" she shouted after me, drawing the attention of passersby. But that's just Charl—she never cared what anyone thought.

"I love you too," I called back, almost in a whisper.

Charlotte and I were different, and that was a good thing.

Charlotte was fun, charming, social, stunning, and just exuded energy while I, Emily, preferred to embrace my quieter side. I would describe myself as more reserved, enjoying the simple pleasures of life rather than the party scene. While Charl thrived on dancing, drinking, and living on the edge, I found joy in staying home, sleeping, writing poetry, sipping coffee, and indulging in movies. Sure, going out and meeting new people pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I embraced it for my best friend.

Back in school, many wondered what someone as lively as Charl saw in a more introverted girl like me, and I used to ponder that too. But I'm grateful that she chose me as her best friend out of all the cool girls out there. Honestly, I can't imagine what life would be like without her.

"Hey, Emily!" Tessa called out as I stepped into the bustling grocery store where I work. She was stationed near the entrance, guiding customers to the items they needed.

"Hey, Tess!" I replied, managing a small smile. "How was your weekend?"

"Not bad, really. And yours?"

"Pretty much the same," I said, shrugging slightly.

Tessa and I had formed a close bond, despite the four-year age difference—she was 17, but wise beyond her years. We were both introverts who cherished the world of books; she often brought me her favorites after finishing them so we could chat during our breaks at work.

She was saving up for college, her parents refusing to foot the bill unless she stayed local in LA. Her dream was to attend university in NYC, and though she came from a wealthy family, she knew she had to work hard to make it a reality. As for me, I worked at the store to support my little sister and myself after Dad stepped out of the picture. I needed my own income too, just to have a safety net.

The store had been relentless since opening, and it was only 10 a.m.—I hadn't paused for a breath. Just then, a deep, baritone voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Excuse me, how much for this?"

I looked up and felt a jolt of recognition. It was him—the guy who had dropped his wallet the other day. Beside him stood a striking woman who I presumed was his mother; it was clear where he got his good looks.

I caught his gaze for just a moment before he asked again, "Hmm?" gesturing toward the items on the counter.

"Oh, sorry!" I stammered, shaking off my surprise. I grabbed my calculator and input the total. "That would be $3,000," I announced.

"Okay, here's my card." He handed it to me, and I processed the payment just as Tessa's voice rang out from across the store.

"Emily, have you seen my phone? I can't find it anywhere!"

"Yeah, Tess, you left it here!" I called back, handing the card to the guy. He turned to leave with his mother, and as they walked away, I overheard her say, "We should do this more often." He didn't respond or even look back.

What was I expecting? I shook my head, feeling a bit foolish for hoping for some kind of acknowledgment. Emily, you just handed him his wallet—not exactly a heroic act. So, whatever. I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the customers, all while glancing at the clock, anxious not to forget to pick up my little sister from school. Last time, she had been furious, and the look on her face broke my heart. I wanted the playful, happy Anna back.

Just when I thought I could shake off Mr. Grumpy from my mind, my phone buzzed. It was Mom.

"Emily," she said, her voice heavy with frustration.

"Hey, Mom! Is everything okay?" I asked, dreading what was coming.

"How could anything be okay..." she began, launching into yet another tirade.

I put the call on speaker, continuing my work while half-listening. Customers nearby caught snippets of our conversation; some chuckled at my sarcastic comebacks—"What, he did that? How could he? Really? Wow." Others raised their eyebrows, curiosity visible but questions unsaid.

Honestly, I was relieved they didn't ask. How could I explain that my once sweet and caring mom was slowly morphing into someone unrecognizable?

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I processed my thoughts, still juggling work and the chaos my life had become.