I wiggle my pencil between my fingers as I wait for the bell to ring. Today was going by excruciatingly slow. I tried to focus on the chalkboard but my mind kept wandering to the night before. I was planning on going back to the café today when school ended, hoping to speak to someone about getting that job Zack and I spoke about. I couldn’t wait to get a job. After getting my grade point average up, a job was the most important thing on my agenda. If I got a job I could save up, get a car and leave here the day I turned 18 - which was 298 days away.

Finally, the bell rang. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the bell to go home, only the bell for lunch but I was okay with that. Lunch meant the day was halfway over, and lunch always went by quick. I gathered my books before I headed to my locker. I cradled my binder in my arms and grabbed a pencil before making my way to the cafeteria.

I grabbed a salad before finding my seat at my usual table. I always sat a table in the back of the cafeteria, away from the doorways and main traffic. It was the quietest place, though there really was no such thing in a room full of teenagers. I opened my binder and sighed, completely unsure how I was supposed to start this history paper.

I played with my salad and mostly stared at the white paper with blue lines until I was interrupted by a clattered lunch tray in front of me. I glanced up and was surprised to see a familiar dark hair and light-eyed boy sitting across from me.

“Hey, Sheridan,” he smiles. “Do you always study through lunch?”

I grinned back, slightly embarrassed. “Not always. You always sneak up on someone while they’re trying to get work done?”

He shrugs, popping one of the fries from his tray into his mouth. “I was coming to see if you wanted to sit with me and my friends.”

“Oh,” I raised a brow, glancing down at my homework. “I’ve got a lot of work I should get done before…”

Zack stands from his seat. “Oh, come on. You’ve got plenty of time to do school work. I promise you’ll have a good time.”

It was tempting and Zack didn’t seem like he was going to give up. After a moment, I close my binder and gather my belongings into my arm. I grab my salad and follow Zack to another table where a small group of girls and guys sit.

“Café girl,” one of them calls as Zack and I approach. He looks familiar, and as I get closer I recognize him as the guy that was in the café last night with Zack and me. The girl that accompanied him was sitting to his left, and a girl who looked just like her but with lighter hair was sitting on his right, next to another guy.

Before I can take the rest of them in, however, Zack starts introducing them. “This is Brian,” he points to the guys who called me Café Girl. “Michelle,” Zack points to the girl Brian was with last night. “Valary, Michelle’s twin, and Matt.”

“I’m Jimmy, that’s Johnny, Leana, Lacey and Gena.” A lanky guy with spiky blond hair told me. As he spoke he pointed to a younger looking guy with short dark hair, a girl with light brown hair with red tips, a girl with shoulder length black hair and lastly, Gena who had long blond hair.

“This is Sheridan, you guys. She moved here a couple of weeks ago,” Zack told the group sitting down in an empty seat.

“Where’d you move from, café girl?” Brian asked me, taking an exceptionally large bite from his apple.

“Kansas,” I tell him. I stood there awkwardly, not sure if I should sit or continue to stand.

Zack answered my unasked question by tugging me to his side and into the seat next to him. I set my binder on the table next to my uneaten salad. “Kansas? Why’d you move to California? And during your last year of high school.” The guy at the end of the table asks. I noticed he had the most adorable set of dimples as he spoke. What did Zack say his name was? Matt?

“Kind of didn’t have a choice,” I answer, hoping my answer is good enough for him not to press it.

“Ugh, parents suck, don’t they?” Jimmy asks with a grin. I nod in agreement even if I didn’t completely agree.

“Hey, I have you in history class,” the blonde twin, Val, smiles.

Zack smiles over at me. “Oh, don’t expect her to know if she has you in class. She’s too busy keeping her nose in her books to notice who she’s got in class.”

I feel my cheeks getting red and the sides of my mouth tugging upwards. “Oh, shut up, Zack,” Val says. “You should follow her lead and put your nose in a book sometime. I'm sure your teachers would appreciate it.”

Zack grabs a crouton from my untouched salad and tosses it at Val, a laugh escaping his lips and the lips from his friends. “Oh, hush.”

“Which thesis topic are you choosing for your research paper?” I ask Val.

Her twin sister piped up before Val could answer. “Val and I are doing the one about whether or not drug addiction treatment should be covered by health insurance. She’s writing about more of a positive side and I’m doing more of a there’s no chance in hell side,” she laughed.

I grinned and opened my mouth to reply but was interrupted by Jimmy. “Oh, enough with the school work talk! Let’s talk about the show this weekend! I’m stoked as fuck! What are you guys dressing up as?”

I turn to Zack, confused. “Show?”

“They’re in a band. A metal band, nothing I think you’d be too fond of,” Gena says from across the table.

“Oh,” I say quietly.

“There’s this small club that we’re playing on Saturday night for their Halloween party,” Zack explains.

“It’s November third,” I say slowly looking down the row of teens.

“Halloween was on a Sunday night,” Brian reminds me.

I didn’t get the connection, which caused Gena to roll her eyes. “It was a school night. The club is 21 and under, so it’s a lot of high school kids.”

“So, they’re doing it this weekend to make up for it,” Matt smiles.

Jimmy sighs. “So, what are you all dressing up as?”

The group begins to talk about their show this weekend and I turn my attention back to my closed binder and salad. I felt out of place, everyone in this group was already so close and I felt like I was stepping on Gena’s toes about something but wasn’t sure what. “So, you should come by the café when school lets out,” Zack says from beside me.

“Why is that?” I ask.

Zack smiles. “Drake will be there and I’m pretty sure I can get you that interview.”

I can’t hold my excitement. “Really?”

Zack laughs. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just an interview for a lame ass café. How on earth are you supposed to do all that studying you usually do if you’re too busy working?”

I slightly nudge him. “Oh, be quiet.”

The bell rings shortly after, alerting us that lunch is over and class was to begin again in ten minutes. I gather my belongings once more, this time tossing my uneaten salad into the dumpster. Zack's friends begin to disperse, some saying goodbye to me and others, including Gena, just walk away. “So, I’ll see you after school?” Zack asks, walking with me through the cafeteria.

I nod. “Yeah, definitely.”

He smiles. “I could give you a ride if you wanted.”

“What?” I ask, slightly puzzled.

“To the café. I have to go there straight after school to get there in time for my shift. So, if you want, I can just give you a ride.”

I grinned, stopping in front of my locker. Zack stops too and remains there while I unlock the lock. “Oh, thanks. That’s really nice of you. I think I’ll go home first, though. Change into something a little more…I don’t know…interview-y?”

“Again, it’s a lame ass café, no need to get all dressed up,” he smiles.

I smile too. “You know what I mean.”

“Alright,” he shrugs. “I’ll see you sometime later then.” He gives me a wink before disappearing into the crowd of students.

The second half of the school day went by even slower than the first half. When the final bell rang, I almost ran home. I ignored Eli sitting on the couch and ran up into my bedroom and looked into my closet. I know Zack said it was just an interview for a lame ass café but I still wanted to look nice for it. I nibbled on my lip, looking into my closet, allowing my eyes to scan over each article of clothing. I decide on a pair of black leggings and a peach flowy top. I pull on some sandals and run a comb through my hair before running back downstairs.

“Where are you going?” Eli asks me.

I grab my cardigan hanging beside the door. “I have a job interview.”

He gets up off the couch and starts to walk to me. I grab the door handle but he stops me before I can leave. “A job interview for what?”

“Eli, leave me alone. You’re going to make me late,” I sigh, avoiding his gaze.

He takes another step to me, closing the small space between us. “Where’s your job interview at?”

I didn’t want him to know. He would fuck it up for me, one way or another. “One of the convenient stores on Main street,” I lied. His eyes search my face, making me feel uncomfortable. He doesn’t say anything and the longer he’s silent the more uncomfortable I feel. “Can I go now?” I ask.

Again, he doesn’t say anything but he moves away from the door and goes back to watching television. I walk out the door quickly and make my way down the street and towards the café. My nerves start the closer I get. I never had a job interview before. I didn’t know what kind of questions he was going to ask, or what kind of answers I should give those questions.

I take a deep breath when the café comes into view and exhale as I cross the street. I walk in like I did last night and take a look around, looking for Zack. The café is slightly busier than it was the night before, but there’s still space up at the bar so I take a seat.

“Hey,” Zack smiles, walking out of the back. “You look great.”

“Thanks,” I smile, smoothing out my shirt.

Zack nods. “I’ll go get Drake. Do you want something to drink?”

I shake my head, afraid if I drank something I would spew it during the interview. “I’m good, thanks.”

Zack walks back through the door leading him to the back of the building. I pick at my cuticles for the next few minutes before Zack reappears. “Alright,” he smiles reassuringly. “He’ll be out in a second. Are you sure you don’t want anything to drink?”

“Yeah, thanks, though. For everything.” I tell him.

“It’s not a problem, Sheridan, really.” He reassures. “I got some work to do, but holler if you need anything, okay?”

“Okay,” I tell him. I continue to pick at my cuticles until I see a guy walk out of the back. He’s got dark skin and stands about six feet from the ground. He spots me and smiles before making his way over to me. Should I stand or remain seated? Should I offer my hand if he doesn’t offer his?

“Sheridan?” he asks, I nod. “I’m Drake, the owner. Zack has told me a lot about you.”

He offers me his hand and I take it. Zack has told him a lot about me? Like what, I wonder? “Has he?” I ask, slightly confused. Zack barely knew me, what could he have told Drake?

He nods. “He has. He says you’re looking for a job.”

“Yeah,” I admit. “I just moved here from Kansas. I’m wanting to save up some money to get a car.”

Drake nods, looking around the café. He doesn’t say anything for a moment and although the moment is brief it’s long enough to make me nervous. “Okay, can you start tomorrow? After school?”

“What? Really?” I ask.

Drake nods, a small laugh escaping him. “Yes, Sheridan. I am sure. Zack works every day for the next week except for Saturday and Sunday. I’m going to match your schedule with his since you already know him. Just long enough so you can train, at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after, you’ll be on your own.”

“Oh, wow. Thank you,” I tell him.

“It’s my pleasure, Sheridan. So, be here tomorrow after school, alright?” Drake tells me.

I nod, “Of course. Thank you!”

Drake gives me another smile before walking away and disappearing. A moment later, Zack finds his way back up to the bar. “How’d it go?”

“I got the job,” I grin.

Zack laughs. “I know, Drake already made the decision to hire you before he even met you.”

“What?” I half-laugh. “What do you mean? What did you tell him?”

Zack shrugged. “Just told him the truth. I told him you just moved here, you needed a job and that you seemed like a real, genuinely nice person.”

“Well, thank you, Zack. I owe you,” I tell him, sliding off the stool. “I better get home, though. I start tomorrow so I better get a head start on all my studying and homework.” Zack and I laugh before we say our goodbyes and I walk out of the café.

I don’t get very far – maybe a handful of steps – before I hear my name being called out. I turn around and see Zack standing there, a smile on his lips. He runs his hand through his black hair. “So, your schedule is the same as mine, right?”

I nod. “Drake said I won’t be on my own until next week or the week after.”

“Awesome, so…I’ll see you Saturday?” Zack asks.

I cocked my head to the side slightly. “Drake said you were off Saturday?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, no, I am. I’m playing a show, remember? Late Halloween show, costumes, heavy metal…”

“Oh,” I laugh. “Yeah, yeah, I remember now, sorry.”

“So, you’ll come?” He asks.

I cock my brow. “Thought Gena said it wasn’t really my scene.”

Zack shrugs. “Gena thinks she knows everything, but she doesn’t. Show starts at nine, so I’ll pick you up at eight.”

I nibble on my lip. “Okay,”

“Okay, it’s a date,” he smiles. “I better get back inside. I’ll see you at school, tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, focusing on the sentence before his last. A date? Zack asked me out on a date. He asked me out on a date and I agreed to it.

I turned as he did and began walking back to the direction of my house. A date…I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that. I didn’t know if I liked Zack in that type of way. I mean…he was attractive, there was no denying it. He was kind and funny. I just didn’t know him very well, but I guess that’s what a first date is all about, right?

That night I fall asleep with a smile on my face. Two nights in a row of falling asleep happy. I was excited to start my new job and to spend some time with Zack. Happiness didn’t last long, as I was woken in the middle of the night with extra weight on top of me and a hand over my mouth.

Fear and panic consumed me as I felt Eli’s hand travel under my shirt. I jut my hips forward and to the side, attempting to throw him off but to no avail. His hand under my shirt finds my breast and I scream into his hand. The muffled sound doesn’t faze him as he squeezes my breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers.

His mouth connects with my jaw, then my neck and collarbone. He thrusts my shirt upward, exposing me before taking my left boob into his mouth. His hand slides down my skin, and he wiggles his fingers between my body and shorts. Slowly, I feel his hand pass over my vagina, the only thing separating my skin from his was the thin fabric of my underwear. Hot tears rolled freely down my cheeks as I slapped at his skin and tried to push him off. He was so much bigger than me, so much stronger.

He pulls my panties to the side and slides one finger against my slit. I beg him to stop, but once again everything is muffled by his hand covering my mouth. I dig my nails into his skin as hard as I can and eventually he raises his head and cries quietly out in pain.

“Fucking bitch,” he curses, pulling his hand away from my mouth. I open my mouth to scream but before I can he brings his hand back down, colliding it with my cheek as hard as he could. I began sobbing immediately. “Scream all you want. Mom isn’t even home,” he admits. He takes my throat into his hand and begins to squeeze as he pulls my shorts down just far enough to expose me completely. He positions himself, and though I can’t hear anything over my sobbing and labored breathing, I know what’s happening. Before I can push Eli off, he has my panties pulled to the side. He thrusts his dick into me, entirely and forcefully.

I cried out as he smiled down at me. I wanted to die. I wanted to fucking die

Notes

Thank you guys for reading! Feedback muchly appreciated!

Thank you, imagine fiction, MeRi, Hollie, C.H.Sullivan, DaphneG and ShadowSkye for commenting!

If the journal entry didn't show up correctly you can find it here

Title credit: Fall Out Boy "Just One Yesterday" Altered line.