Nero texted back, You watch way too many movies. What’s your favorite movie, anyway?
Nero smiled as he got back in the car. Elle’s smile had calmed him down. Now that he knew what her real smile looked like, the ones she was giving her customers couldn’t even compare.
I don’t have one. I like too many. You? he read when his phone vibrated again.
Nero and Elle texted each other throughout her shift, getting to know one another. Nero surprisingly enjoyed it; watching her smile behind the bar when she thought no one was looking at her, while secretly texting.
He wasn’t into texting girls. Really never gave a shit what they had to say. High school girls only wanted to gossip and he only wanted to fuck them. Elle was different; she only answered his questions and asked her own of him. He told himself that this was a good thing for the job; she had to get to know him to completely trust him.
He watched her end her shift and put on her coat. He was relieved she was finally getting out of there. She walked the few blocks to the bus stop and got on while Nero followed right behind her the entire time. She exited the bus and he turned his headlights off, trailing her until she made it to her house.
When she got in, Nero rubbed his eyes. The night had been rough on him. He didn’t think he could watch her go to and from work again. The city was dangerous and Nero really knew exactly how dangerous it could be. He had no idea how she was still in one piece, or sane for that matter, for as long as she had been working there. He was going to have to come up with something. And by seeing her schedule, he needed to do it soon; otherwise, his sanity was going to be the one lost, for good.
He picked up his phone, rolling through his contacts before he hit call. It rang three times before it was answered.
“What do you need now, Nero?”
Nero laughed. “You didn’t let the two little girls get to you, did you?”
“Nope, not at all.”
Nero could hear something in the background. Smiling, he asked, “Is that anyone I know?”
“Nope, she goes to public school. I’d rather not have all your sloppy seconds.”
Nero started thinking. “Public school, huh?”
“Yeah, and they come without sticks up their asses.”
“Does she come with friends?” Nero knew he was going to go crazy if he didn’t find someone to get rid of his blue balls.
“A lot of them. That’s the best part about public school.”
“Well, let’s set something up.” Nero looked at Elle’s house. “Immediately.”
A deep laugh came over the phone. “Sounds like one little girl is getting to you.”
“Well, that’s actually why I called. Amo, I have a job for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
The Enjoyment of Terrorizing Little Kids
Elle woke the next morning exhausted. Her body wasn’t used to going to school and working. She knew it would take until the end of the week to do so. She got out of bed and went through her usual morning routine.
She looked at her small collection of clothes and couldn’t decide what to wear. I really gotta go shopping, soon.
She decided to grab one of her favorite t-shirts—Goodwill was always good for awesome t-shirts, whether they were funny, strange, or band shirts. This one was white and sported her favorite band. She picked dark, tight jeans; brown booties; and an old, brown leather jacket. The jacket was another piece from thrift shopping that had become one of her staples.
She was happy with her outfit. She had never believed the price tag determined how good an outfit could look. However, without fancy labels sewed in her clothes, everyone at school had free reign to pick on her.
She moved on to brush her hair, the wavy mass softened by the bristles and making it shine. She threw on her usual light makeup; powder, mascara, and her pink lip balm. Satisfied with the way she looked, she grabbed her satchel and headed out her bedroom door.
She walked through her house and checked the time. Nero was supposed to be there in five minutes. She wasn’t sure if she would still ride with him; she would make up her mind when she walked out the front door.
When she made it to her kitchen, her family was already seated at the table, eating breakfast. She grabbed a biscuit and started smothering grape jelly in between.
“Good morning, sweetie,” her mother said.
Elle smiled. “Morning, Mom.” She walked over to her brother and ruffled his hair. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey,” Josh said, picking at his food.
“He doesn’t want to go to school today,” her father broke in.
“Why don’t you want to go to school today?” Elle looked at her brother.
“I just don’t want to ride the bus.” He picked at his food a little more.