Penelope Petrov

Chapter Four

Kyle Davidson's POV

I finished my shift at Starbucks at around 11pm going on midnight. As soon as I exited the caffeine scented shop, I was brutally hit with the force of the wind. I pulled my hoodie over my head and just kept on walking hoping I get home before midnight.

I reached into the pouch of my hoodie to grab my headphones when I suddenly realized I left it at home.

"Wow I am such a genius." I still kept on walking and even put a little more pep into my step so I can get home.

However while I was walking I felt like I was being followed. I started to get a little scared because it is almost midnight and I think I am being followed. That is never a good sign. Walking even faster I ignored the sound of clicking heels behind me.

I momentarily forgot that I was being "followed" and started to think about how the end of the month was approaching so fast.

"I need another job." I whispered to myself because it was true I did need a second job. I needed to pay for the rent, my father's gambling debts, and tuition for the next semester.

What was really taking a huge chunk out of my money was tuition, but it will soon be worth it when I get to have my very own restaurant. The thought brought a smile to my face.

As for my father's gambling debts I began to think about what it is that I have done to deserve a man like Gregory Davidson to be my father. I have never once met my mother and I do not think I ever want to either because if she truly wanted to know me she would most definitely have contacted me since we have lived in New York in the same house our whole lives.

The clicking of those same heels became more persistent. As though they had found a new purpose. Picking up my pace seemed to be my solution because I most definitely did not want to die tonight that is for damn sure. I turned around when I almost arrived at my destination and the sound of heels stopped and all I saw was a dark endless sidewalk.

Just as I was about to unlock the door to my "house" I was beginning to get a little scared because it was now midnight and that means my father is awake and this will just not end well for me. However I still unlocked the doors of a slowly chipping house and walked on the tips of my toes so I did not make a sound that might alert my presence.

I looked outside of the window and faintly saw the color of red hair leaving.

"I must be imagining things." I laughed a little at my vivid imagination.

My moment of happiness was short lived when I found myself being struck in the face and landing on the floor faster than I can even take a breath. I ignored the drunken slurs coming from the man I called my father and started thinking.

What have I done to be in this position today?

Am I going through this because I did something sinful in my past life?

Am I going to be one of the people that make it out of this broken home? Or will it slowly consume me?

Coming out in a gruff and slurring voice, "Get up and leave before I finish you off!"

He did not need to tell me twice. I ran all the way up to my small room and slammed the door locking it. I cringed when I felt the floors shake a little when I slammed the door.

The one good thing about this house was that I was able to open the window and relax on the roof. Even though it was cold, I found that sitting on the roof was calming. Thinking about where I wanted to work as a second part time job, I came to a conclusion that I would try to apply to Walgreens or a local bakery that was walking distance.

I was so deep in thought that it was forgotten that I needed to study for a test tomorrow in Math.

"Shoot! I am literally going to fail if I do not start studying."

I fell asleep studying and applying to jobs and woke up with a freight when my alarm went off. It was nine in the morning and my shift started at ten, quickly getting up and preparing myself for a long day at work. I went out through the window because seeing my father this early in the morning was not something that I had planned on my agenda.

Walking to work I felt a sting on my face and realized that I was getting a bruise and wondered how bad it looked and hoped that no one was going to ask about it. I arrived at work on time for once and got right to work.

For a while customers barely came in after the morning rush and I was lost in thought thinking that I needed to go grocery shopping today. I decided to stop by at a near by grocery store on my way home after my shift.

I was so lost in thought I did not realize there was a customer in line until I heard someone clear their throat. Startled I looked up immediately and realized that she was the boss of this and many other small businesses. She could literally put my out of a job in this whole entire state with just one call.

After realizing the seriousness of the situation I jumped right to work.

"Good Afternoon welcome to Starbucks what will you have today?" I said putting on my best cheery smile.

"I will have my usual black coffee with no sugar please." I have never once heard such disgusting words come from such a beautiful voice.

I nodded and got right to work thinking of how she was a true work of art. I distinctly thought that I saw that bold red hair outside of my house last night and immediately dismissed the thought concluding that a lot of people have that exact same hair color.

I found myself thinking about what if we were to be together in the future.

Would it work?

What if she got bored?

I decided that she deserves better and that I have nothing to offer her that she does not already have. I was getting carried away with my thoughts so much that I slipped on a cup and spilled her order all over me.

Oh no!

What if she fires me? I will never get a job in this whole entire state of New York. Consumed by my thoughts so heavily that I did not notice the sound of her laughter and immediately regretted not hearing it from the beginning.

She was eccentric.