The Prophecy

“So—” I could feel the heat from his chest warm my shoulder blades, causing my heart rate to rise. I smothered a sigh and turned to face him, a mask of politeness on my face. I swore he got more attractive the more I saw him.

His warm amber eyes seemed piercing in their gaze, causing a pleasant flush to spread across my face. I will not drool like slut bag, I will not drool like slut bag, I chanted to myself like a mantra. I noticed his lips were moving and tried to focus on what he was saying. “What?” Embarrassment flooding me.

He laughed and looked me over. “You know, you have a tendency to space off when you're around me. Do I bore you that much?” I could hear a hint of uncertainty under his flippant tone.

“Sorry.” I nervously moved my hair behind my ear, “I tend to be a space cadet. It’s nothing personal.” I gave him a small smile and hoped my answer pacified him.

He smiled more brightly and winked at me. “No problem. Anyways, what I was saying was are you ever going to tell me your name? Or should I just keep calling you 'new girl'?”

“Oh! Yeah sorry, we haven't really been introduced, have we? I'm Starlette McKinley.” I automatically reached out my hand.

He lightly clasped it and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you. I'm Gabe Morrison. So, do you go by Starlette or is there a nick name for you?”

The warmth of his touch sent delightful waves of warmth all the way up my arm to settle peacefully in my chest. I flushed and gently pulled on my hand until he reluctantly let go. “Yeah, everyone calls me Star.” I could feel the lingering heat from his touch, almost like a phantom caress on my skin. I crossed my arms, willing the sensation to go away.

“So, tell me, what are you planning to do tonight?” I caught his gaze drifting toward my cleavage. I belatedly realized that by crossing my arms caused my chest to rise higher above the neck of my tank top. I didn't know what to do so I quickly dropped my arms to my sides and shoved my hands into my pockets.

“Uh, I don't know really. I just don't want to be at home right now.”

I almost sighed in relief as he moved his gaze back to my face. “I can understand that. Since you don't have any plans, you could always—”

“Star! What are you doing here dearie?” Saved by the boss. I turned toward the direction Mary Beth’s voice came from. I waved in return as I saw her waving from behind the counter. “See you around.” I called to Gabe with and apologetic smile as I made my way toward the counter.

I heard grumbles of dissent as I passed by patrons but ignored them and headed toward my savior. It's not that I didn't like Gabe. He was nice and all, but a bit creepy with the whole staring at the boobs thing. But besides that, he was off limits and I didn't want any more drama in my life than I already had. Besides, I had a ridiculous tendency to embarrass myself whenever he was around. I walked to Mary Beth's side and smiled in greeting.

“You're not working tonight, are you?” she asked with a slight frown.

“No, I just thought I'd—”

“Good, because I could have sworn you weren't on the schedule. Thought I may have been losing my mind when I saw you in line. What are you doing in line anyways?”

“Well I was just waiting—”

“Whenever you're here, you don't have to wait in line, dearie. Oh, I know cutting in lines bad and what not, but I love my employees. You want your usual? Michael! Make Star her usual, would you?” she called out to the man working behind the counter without even waiting for my reply. “Now, what are you doing out so late?”

I looked at the clock behind Mary Beth. “Well, its only 6:30, so it's not really—”

“Ah, you young people, always out having fun. It’s good to do while you’re young. Live your life to the fullest and all that. Just make sure you don't do anything foolish. I'd hate to see you get into any trouble.” She began waving her hands around enthusiastically.

“I won't. I really don't—”

“Now, since you're here, why don't you grab your coffee and go on up to see if Rose wants to do anything? Hmm? That way you wouldn't be alone and I wouldn't have to worry. Plus, you probably haven't been shown around town yet, have you?”

“No, I haven't had the chance but—”

“Ah, here's your coffee now, dear. Thank you, Michael.” He smiled at Mary Beth and sent me a shrug without responding. He was obviously used to Mary Beth's scattered thoughts and ramblings. “Go on, go up to the house and I'll see you girls later. Be sure to be back home at a decent hour, will you?” With a small push to my back Mary Beth sent me in the general direction of the door that would lead to their upstairs apartment.

I shrugged and headed toward the back. Hanging with Rose could prove to be just the distraction I was needing. If all else failed we could just beat the hell out of each other. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed in appreciation as I found the door and set off up the small hallway. I paused as I came to the end and braced myself before gently rapping on the door. A part of me hoped that Rose wouldn't answer so I could slink off without notice. The other part of me was almost hoping that she'd be there. Weird, I know.

I lost my balance as the door opened abruptly. My heart was in my throat as I caught myself before falling down the stairs. That wouldn't have been good. I turned a glare on Rose, but stopped short when I saw what she was wearing.

She crossed her arms and cocked her hip while glaring at me. “What are you doing here?”

I looked her over and couldn't quite contain my laughter. “Seriously, Rose? You already get mistaken for a kid because of how short you are. Are you seriously wearing Rainbow Bright P.J.'s?”

She glanced down at her small frame. Her bright purple baby tee had a colorful Rainbow Bright across the front of it, with small purple shorts with a rainbow on the butt to match. “What? They're comfy.” She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for me to stop laughing. “So? What are you doing here?”

“Oh, your mom caught me in the store and sent me this way. Apparently she wants you to go out with me. Something about living while you're young.”

“Ugh, she always does that.” She waved me in with a sigh. “Alright, since apparently you can't get enough of me, and if we don't show up downstairs within the next ten minutes mom will come looking for us, we'll go out.” She pointed to the couch for me to sit and started walking down the hall to her bedroom. “Just give me a minute to get changed.”

“But the P.J.'s are soooo comfy!” Rose flipping me off was the only reply she gave me, as I smiled sweetly.

I looked around the apartment and took in the cozy setting. Everything was done in warm earth tones with jewel colored splashes thrown in. It had a well lived-in feel, and wasn't nearly as pristine as my house. I wasn't complaining. Sometimes our home felt like it was a model home, with everything in its place and clean. I was used to it. Mom couldn't work in a dirty house and over the years had become OCD about cleaning. Still, it was nice to see a home that actually looked like one.

I noticed years’ worth of pictures of Rose and Mary Beth, but nowhere in the pictures did I see any clue about Rose's father. I shoved that oddity to the back of my mind for later.

I turned at the sound of Rose's approach and took in her appearance. Gone were the Rainbow Bright P.J.'s and in their place was ragged cut short shorts and a tight fitting black tank. She raised her brow at me. “What? Do I not meet your esteemed approval?”

I rolled my eyes and got off the couch to walk behind Rose to the back door that led to the alley between the buildings. “So, where are we going?”

She shrugged and headed down the stairwell. “Not a clue, but I figured anywhere is better than here, even if you are all that I have for company.”

Chapter Fourteen