Getting myself back

Abigail's Day maker

Arianna frowned, looking at the contents in the toilet. She spit lightly, hoping to get all of the vomit out of her mouth. With a heavy sigh she stood up, flushing the toilet. She threw off her shirt, letting the steam from the hot shower hit her naked body. Brushing her teeth, she wiped some of the steam off the mirror, looking into it to see her blank face. Her eyes immediately darted to the red scratch on the right side of her chin. It was hard not to notice- its long one-inch rough surface was definitely noticeable to her pale complexion.

It was actually the first thing Zach noticed yesterday when she walked in. Even earlier he had said something about it. He had asked her how she had gotten it, but Arianna easily lied. She had no business worrying him over small matters. Besides why would he care anyway, when even her parents don’t give a damn about her.

"Harred!" A sharp voice called after Arianna.

The teen grimaced, slowing her pace. She had been able to quickly get away from Justin all week; today just wasn't her day. The young man was mad at her for stealing his job out from under his nose.

"Quit your job," Justin sneered, catching up to her.

Arianna blinked, "what are you talking about?"

"Stop playing stupid," he growled. "You know damn well what I'm talking about, b***h. Cache Corp," he flicked her forehead roughly. "Quit and find somewhere else to work!"

"No," Arianna said, unfazed although her forehead was becoming red. "I don't have time to talk. I have a job to get to." She turned to walk away, keeping her head up. If she let people like Justin get to her, she would be pathetic.

Suddenly Arianna felt herself falling onto the hard concrete, and light snickers came from around. She sat up, still refusing to show emotion although her chin was burning.

"Maybe you need a few days to think about it," Justin smirked, passing her by.

Arianna blinked out of the memory. Youths were so cruel. Was it never alright to be a little different? She supposed she didn't mind, the less friends you had, the better. No one would be there for you in the end anyways, everyone just pretends to care, until they find out the more important things in their life. And she was always left behind.

Popping her neck, Arianna finished stripping and stepped under the cold water. Not thinking about it twice she grabbed her razor, doing her daily routine on both arms. They stung as she sat the razor down and let her arm fall down beside her. A few tears gathered in her eyes but she didn't cry. Silently she looked down, watching her blood mix with the water. This had become a normal routine and somehow in its own twisted way if gave her the solace she needed.

"Ari babe!" Selena, a co-worker of Arianna greeted her brightly as she entered the small cafe through the back. "I'm so happy that you're working this weekend. Oh! WHAT HAPPENED? Isa come here quick, now!"

"I always work weekends," Arianna said calmly, a small smile on her face. "And, I fell, no need to make a fuss. It’s not a big deal"

"I know," Selena grinned, the ends of her auburn hair tickling her chin. "Oh, thank goodness, at least a bandage is on it. Did anything happen this week?"

"No," Arianna smiled, walking to her locker. "I don't know why you always ask me..."

"Come on," Selena pouted. "Something has to have happened. And, I ask you because I'm not in high school anymore."

"Shut up and what happened why did you call me?!" Isabella, another co-worker of Arianna's yelled as she entered the back. With a huff she tossed a strand of her long burgundy hair over her shoulder. She looked at Arianna and Selena, smiling. "Sis is being complicated. Stupid," she rolled her hazel eyes.

"I heard that," Selena was right behind her. Her emerald eyes glared at her little sister, who only rolled her eyes again.

"You two are already fighting?" Arianna asked dully.

"Not my fault," Isabella was the first to speak. "Arianna, what happened?"

"I fell. No biggie."

"If you would stop acting so childish," Selena said calmly, taking off her thick glasses and wiping them. "Well, whatever," she continued before turning around. "Let's get back out there, Abigail is working the counter, and the cooks are about done with the current orders. And Arianna, make sure you're taking proper care of that."

Selena laughed lightly. "I guess we should be getting out then."

Arianna nodded, "yeah, I'll be out as soon as I change."

"Hey Sis, can we stop at the dollar store on the way home?" Isabella asked, walking out.

"Why?" Was Selena's sigh.

Arianna smiled softly, listening to the normal banter. It must be nice to have a sibling, someone you could fight without any hard feelings. Someone who would always be there for you. That's how Nikki and Isabella were. They fought constantly, but that made them close in their own way.

The young woman frowned as she took out her maid outfit. She loved this cafe, not so much the costumes. But, she could deal with it. This place was her safe haven to a degree. It was away from New York, so there was no chance of anyone from school finding her. And, she only worked on weekend afternoons, so Zach didn't have to know about it either.

To be honest, she didn't need this job. Both her parents made more than enough money to keep her happy with anything she desired, but she worked here anyways. Her parents were hardly home, so she was left home alone. There was no fun in that. And who wanted to always be begging their parents for money? Not Arianna.

She was grateful for Abigail, who was the owner of Abigail’s Day maker. It was a small cafe, but it still got a good hand in business.

"Ari!" Abigail greeted as Arianna walked out. "Nice to see you. The others told me you fell. Are you okay? You sure do fall a lot."

"It's nice to see you, too! But, I'm fine," Arianna smiled happily, picking up her tray and making her way to her first table of the day.

Covering her mouth with her hand, Arianna yawned and entered her home later that day. It was quiet. Not a light had been turned on since she left, nor had a room been occupied. Arianna hadn't expected them to be there anyways. Her parents were gone for the weekend- like they usually were.

Scrunching up her nose, she opened the fridge to see it full of delicious things to eat. Her stomach growled right before it gave a slight lurch. With a sigh she grabbed a celery stick, munching on it as she headed up stairs. Looks like it would be another lonely night for her...