Chapter one
Fortissimo
Delilah's POV:
Loud. That was the perfect description of today's start. Cars blared outside, my cousin's wife hollered for him to wake up and my sister blasted music from her bedroom. I winced softly at the headache that would be coming on. I had just woke up and I already wanted this day to end. Eric hadn't been at the store for a couple of days and I'd mostly been running the shop by myself. But I did have the exception of my best friend, Blake. She worked with me when she got off work from the flower shop down the street. I went towards the bathroom to take a bath. It was early in the morning but I still wanted to just try and wake up. And relax. I took my clothes off and tried to put some bath salts in the tub, ones that relieve stress. I climbed into the tub, adding some bubble bath as well. Dakota's music still seemed to blast through the walls. The bathroom door opened and Alice walked in. "Kota, lower the music! Just a little bit." I heard the music get lower and I sighed in relief. "You good?" Alice said. I wetted my face and said "I've woken up with a headache and am trying to make it go away. I have no idea what's going on. I might've woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something. I also don't think I slept well last night." Alice nodded and said "makes sense. I'm gonna do a grocery run today. What snacks do you want from the store because I know you'll want something." "Pickles. The sweet ones. Yogurt, preferably orange. And some strawberries. Please." Alice smiled and said "got it. I've wrote it all down." I saw the notepad she shoved in her pocket and she headed for the door. "Have a good rest of your bath. I'm gonna help you open today and then I'll be off." The bathroom door closed and I closed my eyes, wanting some quiet for a while. Once I was finished in the bath, I did my hair, shaking out my curls. I quickly got dressed and headed down to the shop. I did the opening procedures and Dakota walked over to me. She hopped up on the counter and I said "what is it?" "Can I just stay home? I don't wanna go to school. Today and tomorrow?" I raised my eyebrows and said "two days? No, Kota." Dakota gasped and said "please, Lilah! If I'm being honest, school has been a little hard." I knew she had been having some trouble at school. Kids could be mean. Most of the time it was fine but lately it seemed she was always coming home sad. "What's going on at school?" Dakota looked at her lap and I said "tell me." "One of my teachers. She's rude. Doesn't like that I'm a Wells." I cupped my younger sister's cheek and said "the same one?" "Yes. Ms. Wilson." I shook my head and said "yes, you can stay home." Dakota smiled really big and cheered. "But, you have to help out in the shop when I need you. Ok?" Dakota gave me a hug and said "yes! I'll help you!" I hugged my younger sister and then started going to grab some displays. I quickly tried to set them up but the bell above the door kept ringing. I took a small breath and was starting to get overwhelmed. Blake was busy working and Eric still hadn't come in. Dakota carried some boxes of chocolates to put on the counter. "Excuse me, could you tell me where the coffee's are? The grounds?" Dakota nodded and pointed to a wall towards the back. "Thank you." The woman said as she walked away. I groaned softly as the customers kept coming in. "Dakota, can you handle the counter?" "Yeah. I think so." "If you can't do it, call me over. I gotta try to finish these displays and try to stock this stuff. Eric usually does it but it seems like he's too busy for this job." Dakota nodded at me and said "I got the counter. I can do it." I kissed her head and she rushed off. I started to stock some chocolates on the shelf. I tried to reach the top shelf, my chunky heels not even helping me. I stood on my tip toes, trying to push the box up onto the shelf. I felt a hand on the small of my back. "You're going to fall." Eric's deep voice said. I jumped and turned to look at him, trying not to fall since he scared me. "You scared me." I said. Eric frowned and said "oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Why don't you go handle the counter with Dakota? I got this." "Are you sure? We're slammed today." Eric nodded and said "I'm good." I quickly finished stocking the box I started on before leaving. The bell above the door continued to jingle as customers walked in. I sighed deeply and Eric said "go, Lilah. I got this." I gave him a half smile and then started to make my way to the counter. Dakota looked up at me and I said "go take a break. Go get a snack. Eric is here now and can help me." She gave me a quick hug before going upstairs. I took a breath and started to greet customers and help them as quick as I could. My customer service voice was like a second nature to me. I was beginning to get exhausted. I couldn't wait to close for the day. Eric set his sport coat behind the counter and exhaled. "How're you?" He said. "Very tired." I replied. Eric sat down on the small sofa and said "me too." He wiped some sweat off his brow and his eyes fluttered closed as he caught his breath. I'd be lying to myself I thought the man in front of me was attractive. I didn't have a full blown crush on him but he was always so sweet to me and was helpful. And him calling me 'Lilah' made my heart race. Once I finished helping the last customer in the store I sat down. I dusted the non existent dirt off my legs and I was hoping we'd be slow for the rest of the day. "Has it been busy lately?" Eric asked. I looked at him and said "yeah. But I handle it. As usual." "Sorry I haven't been in much. I've just been dealing with...things." Eric had sincerity in his eyes and I nodded. "It's ok. I think I've handled the store pretty well." Eric gestured to the store and said "this place would fall apart without you." "You think so?" "I know so. There wouldn't even be a store without you." I half smiled and Eric didn't same. "You being around helps so much more. And I'm not alone." I told him. Eric rolled his eyes playfully and said "I know. I'm just so popular." I pushed him and said "seriously!" The both of us giggled and Dakota came downstairs. "What's for dinner?" She said. I looked at the clock on the wall and said "we close in an hour. I don't think I feel up to cooking, Kota." "Let's go out!" She said. Eric sat up and said "go out? I think I'm a bit tired, Kota." "Please! We could all go out and get something good! After today you guys deserve it!" I looked at Eric and said "she says we deserve it. Do you think so?" Eric made a face as if he was thinking about it. "I think so. I think I worked my ass off today we definitely deserve it." Dakota jumped up and down and cheered. "Diner food it is then." I said. Eric chuckled at Dakota's excitement. "Am I allowed to change?" I asked. Eric shook his head and said "no. If I have to go in my suit, you have to go in your poofy little dress." I rolled my eyes playfully and said "fine. It's a deal." The three of us went out for dinner after we closed the shop. Everything seemed to be perfect. The night ended well with Eric parting ways with us after dinner. The next day however would be the start of a horrific future. One we would have to grow accustomed to and try stay alive. No matter what it takes.

Like I said before! This was written before the movie came out! Most of Delilah's backstory came from my own ideas! And my other oc's. There won't be any other chapters posted until I see the movie. Which will be on Friday night. (Yes your girl is going opening night.) I will post an update to let everyone know I have seen it and will be giving a brief review lmaoo! And after my review (which will contain no spoilers) I recommend not reading past that if you haven't seen the movie. There will be spoilers and I don't want any of you to get spoiled so I'm warning everyone now! I can't wait to see what this movie does for the franchise and I know just from the cast this movie is going to be good. I love horror movies and I'd be watching this movie whether Joseph was in it or not. But yeah I hope you'll all read this and have a great time!
~skylar🤎🛸🤎🛸