Between Read Online Free PDF Page B

happen?” Those were the exact words I had said to Patty on the night I was attacked by Julia. I should just keep my mouth shut, I thought.
    “ Okay. Thanks,” she said gratefully and rushed out the door.
    After she left, I realized that we hadn’t counted today’s earnings. Mrs. Lee told us specifically that two employees needed to count the money and sign the papers. Nanci was gone, so what was I suppose to do now? As I thought about how I was going to handle this situation, the chimes of the store bell rang. A customer walked in, but I didn’t bother to look up.
    “ Sorry, we’re closed,” I said, thinking I should’ve asked Nanci to lock the door on her way out.
    “ Hey, Claudia.”
    I looked up, startled by the sound of the familiar voice. I didn’t know he knew where I worked. Surprised to see him I said, “Uhhh…hey, Ryan. What are you doing here?”
    “ I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop by. You’re here alone?” he asked, absorbing the scene.
    “ Nanci, the other employee, just left.”
    “ It’s not safe to be here by yourself. Does this happen all the time?” He approached closer.
    “ Not that it’s any of your business,” I said as politely as possible. “No, it doesn’t. Nanci just needed to leave early today.” I began to take the money out of the register, thinking about the reasons why he would want to visit me.
    “ Do you need help counting money? Since I’m here, you might as well use me.”
    He was right and I did need the help. “Sure, thanks. You can pretend to be Nanci,” I teased.
    He chuckled lightly and walked forward to where I was standing. His sandy blonde hair was gelled neatly, and when he stood next to me, I could smell his cologne. He looked nice wearing a blue and gray striped sweater; it brought out his blue eyes. I stacked the bills in separate piles, according to their denomination. After I counted, he recounted. Suddenly, Ryan gave a short laugh.
    “ What’s so funny?” I asked.
    “ You look so serious. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s cute.”
    He made me blush. “Be quiet and count the coins,” I said playfully, nudging him.
    “ Yes, ma’am.”
    After the money was counted, it got quiet and things were awkward. “Well…thanks for coming by. I better get going, or else Mom will worry.”
    “ Do you mind if I use the restroom?”
    “ What?” I asked, thinking he had bad timing. But before I could say a word, he started walking. “In the back, towards the left,” I directed.
    While waiting for him to come out, I locked up the money bag in the safe and went to lock the front door. It must have been five minutes before I realized Ryan was still in the restroom. I began to worry, so I went to check up on him.
    “ Ryan,” I called out, knocking on the door.
    No answer.
    “ Ryan!” I shouted. “This isn’t funny! I need to go home!”
    “ In here,” he answered, peeping out of the storage room, then slamming the door.
    Feeling irritated, I stormed in. It was dark, so I quickly turned to switch the light on. When I turned, Ryan grabbed me and pressed his lips to mine.
    “ Get off me!” I yelled, trying to push him off me. “What the heck is wrong with you?”
    “ Claudia, I miss you,” he muttered, aiming for my lips again.
    When I struggled to push him off again, he backed me against the wall, then he locked my arms with his grip. His hands were slowly making their way inside my shirt, and I became frightened as the guy I knew became a total stranger.
    “ Get off me!” I yelled again, horrified of what he was trying to do. I fought with both my arms and legs. It was useless; he was stronger. “Don’t do this, please,” I begged. “This isn’t you.”
    “ Do you tell your boyfriend to stop?” he asked sharply, raising my arms and pinning them against the wall, his eyes piercing mine with jealousy and anger.
    “ I don’t have a boyfriend,” I replied calmly, but my heart was beating too fast for me to catch my