During the daytime, town square is wonderful. It's filled with happy people walking, smiling, laughing, shopping, and having a good time. His gorgeous tattooed arm sneaks around me and he places it on the bookshelf behind me. I gulp, watching his strong arm that looks like it could squeeze me like an anaconda. A scent envelops my nose and I nearly close my eyes to enjoy it as much as it deserves to be enjoyed. How can someone smell so good? It's not even a strong cologne smell, it's just naturally him. What's on your arm," he speaks lowly, his deep voice rumbling through his chest and making me turn shy.

Never would I have ever thought the sound of shouting and glass shattering would become the new normal. I sit down in one of the booths and reflect over my life choices. The horrible and unexplainable life choices that come to me in the blink of an eye.

Are those the only words you can say?" I question, referring to the multiple times he's already asked me that. Don't be like that, Mr. Terrip.""You're too young for boys," he points at me and I internally roll my eyes. He's been telling me this ever since I met him when I was old enough to walk from my house to his shop. Thank you for coming here with me," I tell him as I walk through it, holding it open for him to come in as well.

I wasn't expecting you to be gone that long, Azalea," Mr. Terrip raises his eyebrow at me as I walk in the front door of the store.

Is that all you've got?" I grit out. If he thinks he's gonna get to me by just that, he's got a whole storm coming. Mr. Terrip is a kind-hearted man in his late seventies and he's still going strong. I've known him for many, many years and he's been a guardian-figure for me for as long as I can remember. Even better than that, my milkshake is still here. I bet it's melted into a more creamy milkshake but at least it's still here. I think you've been crazy for a while," Mr. Terrip teases and I point a threatening finger at his face. Two hundred whole dollars. I told him that I didn't want to take his money but he insisted and I can't turn down money like that so I took it.

The man looks at me with slightly widened eyes and I feel like slapping my own forehead for going off on a slight ramble. Well, I hit it on my bed frame," I sigh dramatically. He releases my arm and stares down at me coldly. Well, at least we have something in common. He turns me on with one look. Turn on? Goodness, I need a vacation. Oh, I've got the perfect book for you," I spot the book. I lift it from its place and turn, showing it off to him. Shelves cover most of the store. Considering he's not the youngest man ever, most of the store looks quite old. That doesn't keep me from loving it any less.He puts a sweatshirt over my head that smells exactly like him and I swoon into it. He lifts the hood over my head and pulls the bottom of it down as far as it will go to cover my bare legs. I hold my pillow tighter against my ears as the sound of our once loved fine china gets thrown against the walls of the home I used to adore. I carefully and slowly open up the front door and walk in as quietly as I can. From my side, I hear the sound of a clearing throat. Maybe, just maybe, they won't be mad. Maybe they just forgot to turn the lights off before going to bed.