Chapter 2
Throughout the upcoming week, Tom persistently prodded me about whether I had any more secrets to divulge. Each time, I would give him a meaningful look that clearly indicated my unwillingness to share with him. Unfortunately, my attempts to avoid his interrogations were futile. As the week drew to a close, I eagerly looked forward to the arrival of Saturday. It meant that I wouldn't have to confront Tom and that I would have the chance to work at my mother's store alongside Penny.
Originally known as Vesters and Venum, my mother's store underwent a significant transformation after her tragic passing. She lost her life while standing up to a poacher, and as a result, my father and Uncle Ominis rebranded the store as Rosewood Reserve. In addition to the name change, they also took on the responsibility of publishing my late mother's unfinished book, "Ancient Magic and an Unhinged Teen," which she had been working on before her untimely demise.
"Hey, Penny!" I said as I walked into the store.
"Hey Emree," Penny responded. "Wait, you seem way too happy to be here. What happened?"
"Can't I just be happy?" I asked, hoping to throw her off and not tell her I was avoiding a boy.
"Oh, you can. But you are never this happy," she said, giving me a look. "Spill." I gave an awkward smile, hoping she would stop, but she didn't.
"Okay, okay, I'll spill. I am currently avoiding someone because I am content with the friends I have right now," I said, giving up.
"Why?" Penny asked.
"Because he talks too much," I answered, not realizing my mistake.
"He?" Penny asked with a smirk.
"No," I said, shooting down her assumption immediately.
I soon escape into the back. As I was checking stock to see what we needed to order, what I needed to scavenge for, and What I needed to put on sale for. When I heard the bell go off, so groaned as I went up front with a fake smile plastered on my face.
"How can I help you-" I cut myself when I saw who it was.
"I was wondering where you were today'" Tom said with a smirk.
"What do you want?" I say clearly unamused
"you, and this book with these." He said grabbing my mom's book and a golden flower crown with matching earrings.
"50 bucks" I stated.
"What?!" he says "The book is 10 and the jewelry is 5."
"Yeah, but there is an annoying tax," I say with a smirk
"Is there any way you can get rid of that." as a little girl walked.
"Move," I say.
"Why?" Tom asks.
"Hey there Sweetheart. Is there anything you need help finding?" I say in a calm and sweet voice.
"No, ma'am," she said
"Okay let me know if you need anything," I say grabbing a bowl of candy. "Oh Before I forget the is a bowl of candy for angels like you."
"Thank you," she says as she grabs a piece.
"sweetheart you can have as much as you want."
"Really?!" she asks
"Of course," I say as she grabs a handful. "Now you," I say in a stern voice shocking Tom. "Either pay and leave or leave."
"Okay, I am sorry for annoying you, but if I take you to Honeydukes and pay for whatever you want, will that take off 30 bucks?" Tom bargains.
"That's not enough," a small voice said.
I looked down at her and smirked. "You heard the lady," I said.
"Well, little one, what do you think I should do?" Tom said, kneeling down to make eye contact with her.
"Well, you should take me to Honeydukes and any other shop I want to go to, but you still have to pay for everything. You should also promise to never annoy me again," she said.
"I like how you think. You know what, you are my new best friend. My name is Emrys, by the way," I said.
"My name is Euphemia," she said.