It was 8:30pm and I was exhausted. Luckily Mike and Duncan were tired as well so when I asked to go home, they didn't push me to stay. Despite Heather and the awkward Ferris wheel ride, I had a good time. Duncan even convinced me to go on a rollercoaster. I didn't want to go on it at first, but he brought out the 'chicken' card and the old Courtney came back. I never backed away from a challenge.

But I'll never admit to the brothers that I had a fun time.

I drove back to Mike's house to drop him and Duncan off. When we got there I said my goodbye's to Mike, but Duncan decide to stay in my car awhile to 'talk.' I swear he's like an annoying pest.

"Don't trust Mike." Duncan cautioned.

I groaned. Something is going on and nobody is telling me anything. It's starting to piss me off. "Ok what is it with you two? You guys act like little girls."

Duncan smiled but still had a warning tone, "Look Courtney, he may seem like he is all nice and stuff but he's not. I don't know what his plan is but just stay away."

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself and not to pounce on him for being stupid and confusing. "You're not making sense, like usual. Does Mike have a secret dark past that nobody knows about or something?" I asked in a sarcastic tone.

"He has a dark present."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean." I've only knew this guy for a short time and he is already given me a thousand migraines. One minute he's a smart ass the next he is warning me about an unknown danger.

Duncan didn't reply to my question but just stared at me like he just noticed something about me. I gazed at him too but looked away from those torturing eyes of his. I really, really, really hate to admit this but he is incredibly handsome. But if he wasn't so arrogant, persistent, and annoying he would actually be a decent guy.

"I just want to protect you." He said softly "From what!" I yelled.

He smiled. "How about this, you and I go on a date this Saturday and we can talk."

I rolled my eyes. "I have work that day and I wouldn't want to go on a date with you."

"Well, you work at Souplantation right?" He said ignoring my comment. "When you get off work, well just stay there."

"It'll be 10pm."

"Stay after."

"That's against the rules."

"If you obey all the rules in life, you will miss all the fun."

"I don't want to go on a date with you."

Duncan smirked. I didn't like that smirk yesterday but now, I despise it more than anything else. I just want to punch him and wipe it off clean. "It's a date." He said. He gave me a salute and jump out the car.

What the hell.

4 days later

I fucking hate people. One dollar tip, are you serious! I worked my ass off and that is all I get. These cheap motherfu-

"Hey Courtney can you handle those people over there, I have to leave right now," my coworker, Joanna, asked. I looked at what table she pointed to and groaned. I am in no mood to serve these types of people tonight, but on the other hand, they are rich so they might give me a decent tip. I muttered 'whatever' and went to the spawn of Satan's table.

"Are you finished with your plates?" I asked in monotone, referring to the plates on the side.

Heather looked up and down at me and smirked. Great. "Hey Courtney! I forgot you worked here. Though I don't know why since your parents- oh I mean parent is pretty wealthy. Your dad is a lawyer right? But I guess work experience is good for you."

Just ignore her Courtney

"So is your daddy making you work here for you practically killing your own mother?" Heather went on while her gooneys snickered. "Is all the money you earned ever going to pay off a human life? Mm… I guess we'll see."

This bitch.

I want to lunge her and give her a beating that she would never forget but I can't get fired. I mean if I want to get another job, having "Fired for assaulting a customer" is not necessary a good reference to have. So I quickly wiped my tears, lifted my chin and gave my best fake smile.

"I'll get those plates for you," I replied. Heather just smiled wickedly at me.

I grabbed the plates, practically threw them in the sink and ran to the bathroom. I felt like my mind was witnessing wave after wave of emotion and it all just came crushing down at once. Gross salty tears pour down my cheeks and I began whimpering. Ugh I can't believe I let that demon get to me. I always try to stay strong but I don't know how much fuel I have left. I hate Heather, I hate this job, I hate my house, I hate my dad, and I even hate my mom. I just feel like I'm in a pit and I keep trying to climb out, but I will always fall.

I whipped my eyes with a hand towel and tried to control my breathing. My head started pounding and all I wanted to do was go home, take some aspirin, and just lay in my bed with my eyes close but not sleeping. I hate sleeping. Sleeping brings out bad memories.

Sleeping is a curse to me.

After I fixed myself up, I went out the bathroom and sighed in relief when I saw that the demons were gone. I went over the table and saw a 20 dollar tip Heather left me! But there was also a napkin that said, "You'll need it."

Whatever it's 20 dollars and it's way better what I've been getting lately. I looked up on the clock and saw that my shift was over. "Finally." I said to myself. But at that moment I heard someone opened the door.

"We're closed." I yelled while taking off my apron and grabbing my belongings from the backroom.

"Princess, you already forgot about our date?" I froze. Why

"You need to leave. It's against company's policy and I don't want to get fired." I insisted. I got out from the backroom and was faced to face with Duncan.

"Nope we have a date so get that pole out of your ass and sit down. You shouldn't be driving when you look this tired and drained."

"Duncan!"

"Sit. Down. I'll get you some coffee." I glared at him but sat down. Why can't he just leave me alone?

Well, he sort of did. Mike texted me the day after the festival that him and Duncan are going to be away for a few days to deal with some stuff in California. I didn't know what that means but they weren't here so I was happy. I guess they just go back.

He came back with coffee and handed me a cup. I was still shooting daggers at him because one; his presence bothers me and two; if he gets me fired, I will cause him a world of pain.

"So," Duncan started, "what do you want to know?"

Yeah I didn't post anything for like 4 months. I'm back so yay! And Thank you all again for the support! It really makes my day when someone reviews/fave/follow (I know cliche but it's true)! I will be updating this and my other story more consistently!