The bell chimes as I open the door and walk in—just like yesterday. The blond behind the counter spins around ready to welcome the stranger that has walked through the door. Her eyes land on me and her head cants to the side, she looks a little confused but her ever present smile is still tugging at her lips.
"Back so soon?" She enquires, I approach the counter and look down at all the beautiful jewellery as I try to think of an excuse for coming back here—damn I haven't thought this through.
"Um, yeah" I'm still thinking, nope nothing
"Are you returning what you bought yesterday?" She asks, I shake my head, no. "You want to buy more jewellery" it's more of a statement than a question and she seems a little shocked, too.

I am an idiot, but I have to go through with it now.

"Yes, um do you have any earrings to match the bracelet I bought yesterday?" I ask completely winging it and excitement flashes in her eyes
"Of course I do!" She beams and pushes aside the veil curtain acting as a door, heading into the back. While she's in the back I rack my brain for a way to keep coming back without it looking like I'm stalking her. She's just always smiling and her eyes light up regardless of what you say, she's so enthusiastic about everything. Her cheerfulness is just so enticing.

"Here we are" she smiles as she lays a box on the counter "Go ahead, open it" her eyes are full of happiness like a small child on Christmas. I open the box and inside are two earrings in the shape of a teardrop, they both have one small diamond in the middle, they're simple and gorgeous. "Do you like them?" She asks apprehensively as if she really cares whether I do or I don't.
"Yeah, they're lovely" I put the lid back on the box and push it towards her. Honestly, I don't really care about jewellery, the earrings are nice but they're not why I'm here.
"They don't go on sale until next week, that's why they're in the back" she bites her lip considering something and then that smile returns "but I'll sell you them anyway, it's only a week right?" She giggles and it's a comforting sound—comforting in the sense that it's good to know somebody in the world is genuinely happy, even if it isn't me. All of a sudden I have a great idea and I imagine a lightbulb popping up above my head like they do in childrens' cartoons.

This is perfect!

"Oh it's okay" I shake my head "I'll just come back next week and pick them up when you're actually selling them. I don't want you to get into trouble on my account" yeah that was smooth, this is fail-proof. I give her a big smile.
"No it's okay, I can let you purchase them today, it's no biggie" she shrugs smiling warmly, I shake my head in refusal
"No, I won't let you risk your job. I'll pick them up next week" I adjust the hat on my head nervously.
"Okay, if you're sure?" she picks up the box and passes it from her right to her left and back again while she talks
"Yes I'm sure. Besides it's not like I have anything better to do" I laugh a small laugh, kind of at myself and how pathetic I am.
"And here I was thinking you just couldn't get enough of my company" she clutches her heart all mock-serious and then giggles loudly, I laugh too, she shakes her head, gaining control of her laughter and heads back through the veil-curtain-door to take the box back—if only she knew.
"They go on sale next Wednesday, just pop in and you can buy them" she speaks as she's reapproaching me.
"Okay, thank you, um" I look for a name tag but she isn't wearing one.
"Hazel" as if she read my mind she says her name, it rolls off of her tongue like something delicious tasting.
"Beautiful. I'm Vic" I introduce myself and hold out my hand politely, she blushes at my compliment and reaches out to shake it and I swear I see her hand tremble but her whole demeanour is so calm and happy I feel like it's just a trick of the eye. "See you next week, Hazel" I purposely emphasise her name and her almost gray eyes crinkle as her cheeks reach up to meet them and it's the most stunning smile ever.

---

"I'm home" I shout as I walk through the door, Mike rounds the corner and bends down and hugs me tightly, taking me completely by surprise—am I missing something?
"You're an asshole but I know you don't mean it" he mumbles
"Apology accepted, buddy" I pat his back a couple of times and then he pulls back, readjusting his beanie.
"I went to see dad" he answers my internal question and my confusion fades—that's why the sudden change of heart, way to go Papa Roach!
I nod "I see" and add "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, man. I thought I was doing the right thing by you, but it was pretty selfish" I look at the floor, I then realized that mom and dad have changed the flooring in the entrance from carpet to wood—not that that is even relevant or significant, it just never ceases to amaze me how so many little things go unnoticed.
"It's fine, like I said, I know you don't mean to be an asshole, it just comes natural to you, I guess" he shrugs and he sounds deadly serious but I can read his facial expression and he's kidding, although it does seem he's only half kidding. I laugh as a reply and head past him slapping his back in the way us manly guys do—HA!
"Mom at the hospital?" I ask, grabbing some Mountain Dew from the refrigerator. Mike enters the room halfway through his sentence
"-so much time there, I don't know how she does it"
"Huh?"
"Mom...? I said she spends so much time there, I don't know how she does it" he repeats slower as if he's talking to a three year old
"Oh right! Yeah I know. She holds it together pretty damn well though" my mom is the strongest person I know, she's incredibly sensitive but I swear she's made of stone, she's always so strong, she's always positive and keeps everyone's hopes up when everything is shit. I've always admired that about her. I take a long drink from my Mountain Dew, reveling in the refreshing flavor. He nods in agreement.

---

The Pierce The Veil RV pulls into the driveway and my Mom, Jaime and Tony hop out of if and head towards the house. They're all smiling.
"You drove the RV to the hospital?" I raise an eyebrow at Jaime as its clear that he drove because the tell-tale jingle from the keys' sound with every movement he makes.
"Yeah. Your car is at your apartment and we had no other form of motor operated vehicle" he smiles, his dimples broadcasting how pleased he is with himself—like a child, I think to myself.
"And you couldn't have possibly walked?" Amusement is plastered all over my face, the hospital is literally like three blocks away, it's not even far enough to need to drive there in my opinion.
"I'm a star. Stars don't walk anywhere!" He scoffs, pretending to act like a 'rock star' "If I'd have walked I would have been molested by teenage girls and then you'd have never seen me again and I know how sad that would make you, so I took one for the team and told Tony and your mom that I just had to drive, just for you" his sarcasm amuses me and I laugh hard
"You fucking douche" I laugh shaking my head, it's good to know it's possible to still laugh and smile while you're hurting, it's good to know that other people can still put you in a more positive state of mind—I don't know where I'd be without Jaime and his ridiculous sense of humour and low maturity level.

"Vic, sit down. I have good news" my mom says smiling. I obey and hop up on the counter top "Your father, he's getting better" she beams.

Yes!

Notes

This was pretty short I guess? I hope it's okay quality though. I'm not at home so I've been writing on and off all day but there is just so many distractions!

Next chapter will be long, promise :)

Give me some constructive criticism and maybe a couple of ideas, so I can continue :)

SHARPEN YOUR TEETH AND BITE AS HARD AS YOU WANT — that line just gets to me, you know? I think it's the emotion in his voice when he sings it, I just ah.

Comment, rate, subscribe and all that cliché stuff! Ha :)

loving you all. (: