awk·ward

adjective

causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience.

Emilia shifted in her seat, not paying attention to the clock overheard that everyone else in class was staring at. Her eyes whipped along the page, absorbing every word that she was reading. H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu" was gripping, and even though it was just a short story, she got lost in the world he had created. Only when the bell actually rang did she realize that she was out for the day. Solemnly putting the book down with only ten more pages, she slipped it into her bag and then draped it over her shoulder.

Leaving the class, she walked down to her locker to get what she needed and put away that which she did not. She didn't even notice that she was muttering gibberish under her breath, words straight from the book she was reading, it would be nonsensical to those around her. But people didn't linger around her, they walked around her like she had a force field.

Other than the initial staring, which died down after a few months, the burns had done more for Emilia's misanthropic views than anything else. People avoided her, walked around her like she had the plague, because they didn't know how to approach someone who was different from them.

And so she did not notice when someone appeared right next to her.

"Hey Emilia," his voice made her stop mumbling. "You summoning the devil, or...?"

Billy decided that Emilia was weirder than she let on. But she was still the sheriff's daughter, the burned girl, and the weird girl. That was three check marks in one. That was better than the preacher's daughter.

Emilia turned her head to assess Billy. It had only been a day since he had given her a ride home, but she was surprised to see him so soon. Perhaps it was because she had never seen him in the school before then.

"No," Emilia leaned forward, laughing lightly, and making sure her hair fell over her burns. "No, just something I'm reading about. I," she looked up and blushed, stumbling over her words, "I talk to myself sometimes without... noticing."

"Oh," he feigned interest, "what are you reading?"

"Uhm, I sort of have to get going, I have to work..." She realized how rude she sounded, "How are you adjusting to the new school?"

"Swimmingly," he flashed his white teeth. "Maybe I can drive you to work?"

"I have my own car," she told him. She'd never had someone push her like this, and she couldn't tell if he was trying to be nice, or trying to get into her pants. "But thank you," she held out a hand in an awkward gesture, trying to slip away from his prying eyes. "I appreciate the gesture."

"Sure thing," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Emilia."

At work, Emilia forgot all about Billy for the busy hour that always came after school. Parents rushed through the grocery store with their young kids in tow, lots of yelling and crying over what they weren't allowed to have caused complete chaos in the store. It made her head ache, and her shift had only just started. Soft music played over their speakers, but it was drowned out by all the squeaky cart wheels, shouting children, grumbling parents, and then followed the sound of something crashing.

"Honey, could you get that?" The assistant manager asked Emilia as she stepped into her register area. "I'll take over here."

"Sure," Emilia nodded, knowing that she was simply the grunt who was told to clean up the mess. It didn't bother her, because customers ignored the people who cleaned up, customers didn't think twice about grumbling about her being in the way of the product they wanted, but they never actually said anything to her.

A mother was whisking away her rambunctious child with an apologetic look on her face. A bunch of cans were scattered on the floor, and the chocolate bar that the mother clearly did not want her child to have. Sighing, Emilia crouched down and picked up a bunch of the dented cans; they would have to be sold at a discounted price now. The ones that were salvageable she put back on the shelves, and the others she tossed in a basket to bring to the back for repricing.

"Just grab it already, damn it, Max," a familiar voice growled one aisle over.

"Do you have to stand there?!" A young girl shouted. "I'll meet you in the car, Billy!"

"Well hurry up!"

There was arguing going on in the aisle over, and Emilia did her best to ignore it. But knowing that it was Billy, she felt inclined to go address whatever issue he was having. Entering the pharmacy aisle, she spotted Billy and a young girl, about thirteen, with colourful orange hair. Her face was beet red.

Billy turned around and began to leave, when he spotted Emilia. A smile broke onto his face, "Emilia, hey."

"Hi, Billy," she said tentatively whilst looking at the young girl. "Is there something wrong here?"

"Yes," Max grumbled, arms crossed over her chest.

"She's just being a brat, you know how kids can be."

Emilia couldn't help but think they were all kids, but held her tongue. She noticed that Max was looking at the feminine hygiene products and realized why there was tension. "Maybe you should go, Billy, I can help here."

"Thanks Emilia," he said with a seductive purr to his voice. "I knew I could count on you."

She offered her best customer service smile, which seemed to please Billy, and he cockily strode down the aisle and out of sight. Alone with just Max, who Emilia presumed was Billy's little sister, she gave her a real smile of understanding. The girl looked enraged, but softened when Billy was gone.

"He's a bit..."

"Of an ass? Yeah." Max looked at the ground.

Emilia laughed lightly, "What can I help you with?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," Max said as she turned back to the tampons and pads. Her hands were balled into fists, knuckles white.

"First time buying them?"

Max nodded, not looking at Emilia.

Emilia stood beside her, and then grabbed the box that she thought best for someone her age. She handed it to her and Max looked up, cracking her cold demeanour and looking younger than she was then. Holding a box of pads, she was clearly older than she looked, but to Emilia she was just a kid.

"How come your brother is here helping you with this, not your mother, or someone...?" Emilia asked.

"He's not my brother," Max growled. "Step-brother. My mum has been... too busy with the move."

Emilia ran her fingers through her hair, "Well this should tide you over for a while, and you can always ask me anything. I know you don't know me, but sometimes it is nice to have a friendly face to see here and there."

"Emilia, right?" Max asked.

She nodded, "And you're Max?"

Max nodded quickly, "I don't have... money..."

"Oh," Emilia realized, "It's on me."

After Emilia had rung through the pads and paid for them, she handed them to Max in a bag. The after school rush had slowed down and she was able to chat with Max for a while, even though she could hear Billy's car rumbling.

"I wrote my number on the receipt, you can call me if you ever have questions or need anything, okay?" Emilia extended this because she never had anyone to look out for her when she was Max's age, or a little bit older.

"Uhm, thank you," Max looked sincere, grateful even. "And you should stay away from Billy, he might act nice, but it's just that, an act."

"Thanks the tip," Emilia smiled, then watched the young girl rush out of the store. 

So I was balancing two stories, and then finished the other one (A Dark Fairytale with a riff on Snow White if anyone is interested), and was glad to be able to focus on this entirely. However, I've gotten another fanfiction that's swallowing me day and night. It's a Bane story because I couldn't find one that I loved on here. But don't worry, I'll always keep up on posting Shatter! 

Question of the Day: Did you like Max in the show, or did you find her annoying?