"Come on, where the fuck is it?" I asked myself as a rummaged through my room, looking for my wallet.
I was so annoyed because I just had it last night. "Think, Jules. Just think." I said then closed my eyes, visualizing where I put the wallet.
I remember coming into my room and setting it on the dresser before getting changed.
When I opened my eyes I looked at the dresser, not seeing it there.
"That's fucking weird." I mumbled and walked over, opening the drawer to see an ID that had 20 year old me on it.
Ana Porter
8967 Gardner Dr.
Los Angeles CA, 9001
DOB: 02/14/1999
I felt my heart seize at the memory that was behind the fake ID.
"Don't need that anymore." I mumbled and grabbed it, throwing it in the trash can without giving it another thought.
I kept stuff from around that time since I was in denial for a little while. It was the only way to cope at the time.
"Now where the hell is the real one?" I asked and huffed out a breath, looking around.
It only took a couple more seconds of searching before I noticed the corner of my wallet sticking out under the bed.
"How the fuck did you get there?" I asked and grabbed it, quickly standing up.
Now that I was even more late I needed to speed and hope with my whole heart that I wouldn't get pulled over again.
Once I was in my uniform I ran downstairs and got to my car.
I quickly started it and peeled out of the driveway.
"Please don't get pulled over. Please don't get pulled over." I repeated, glancing nervously at my rear view mirror.
Luckily I was able to get to the police station without getting pulled over.
I grabbed my wallet along with the ticket from the glovebox.
"Jesus." I whispered, looking at the $200 fine that was printed on the ticket.
I felt the anxiety within me growing, knowing I couldn't afford this right now.
You could use the money Colby gave you.
No. I didn't need his fucking help.
I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. I could handle this all on my own.
When I walked into the building there was a woman sitting behind the desk.
"Hi, how can I help you?" She asked with a warm smile.
"Hi, I got pulled over earlier today and didn't have my license on me. Officer Octavia said I could bring it here." I said as she nodded.
"Have a seat, I'll get him." The woman said and nudged her head towards the waiting area.
"Great." I said with a sigh and went to sit. I checked the time, knowing damn well that I needed to get to work ASAP.
I hoped this guy would make this quick.
"Ah, Juliana." The familiar officer said as he came over. "Hey, I have this for you." I said and stood up, handing him my ID.
"Ya know, you actually didn't really need this. I can look you up in the computer." He said and looked at the ID, then my face.
"I just wanted another excuse to see you." He said with a grin and handed me the piece of plastic.
"Oh." I said as he nodded. "I know this is like super unprofessional but how would you like to go to dinner with me?" He asked as I narrowed my eyes slightly.
I couldn't believe this guy was actually wasting my time so he could ask me out.
"Is that a no?" He asked and pursed his lips. "I have four kids to take care of. I have no time to be going to dinner with strangers." I said and put my ID away.
"What if I can guarantee a babysitter for you?" He asked as I shook my head.
"No can do. Thanks for the offer, but I can't." I said then turned to leave.
"What if I got rid of this?" He asked and plucked the ticket out of my hand. "Not taking a hint AND using your power of authority over me?" I questioned, raising my brows.
"Just think about it. I won't make the ticket go away, but I'll pay for dinner." He said then grabbed a pen and a post it note.
"Here's my number, just let me know if you change your mind." He said then handed me the ticket along with the post it note.
"Will do." I said then turned and left. It kinda annoyed me that he wasted so much of my time doing that.
He didn't know that I never let the kids be alone unless they were at school. Jenna and Carter were old enough to watch the younger two but after everything that's happened I didn't trust them being alone.
It killed my social life but I just didn't care. My siblings meant more to me than anything else in the world.
I only trusted myself to keep them safe.
When I got in the car I threw the ticket and note in the passengers seat then quickly drove to work.
"I'm so sorry!" I said and rushed inside. "It's no big deal, Jules. We were fine. It's Monday morning, and I kinda sprung this shift on you last minute." Stacie said as I nodded and tied my apron around my waist.
"It's been a crazy morning." I said then sighed and leaned against the counter. "Yeah, tell me why you had to go to the police station." She said and poured me a cup of coffee.
"I got a ticket for speeding because I overslept and was trying to get the kids to school." I said with a sigh.
"Then I realized I forgot my wallet so I told the officer I would bring it to the station but when I got there he said he didn't actually need to see it at all." I said causing her to look at me with confusion.
"Why not?" She asked as I sipped my coffee. "Because he could look it up in the computer. He just wanted to ask me out." I said and rolled my eyes.
"Was he cute?" Stacie asked with a laugh. "Yeah, I guess. He wasted my time though." I said as my coworker, Brody, walked over.
"Who wasted your time?" He asked and leaned on the counter next to me. "Some cop who asked. me out." I said as he nodded.
"I'm first in line, so he better back off." He said causing me to laugh.
Brody was always trying to get in my pants or at least take me out. I always said no for the exact reason as before.
I couldn't leave the kids.
In fact when I worked at night those poor kids sat in a booth here until I got off.
I felt bad that it needed to be this way, but the world was a dangerous place.
"You should go on a date. You've been tense since I've met you. When was the last time you got dicked down?" Stacie asked as I chuckled.
"How is that any of your business, miss manager?" I asked and crossed my arms.
"I have to make sure the well-being of my employees are good and you're dryer than the Sahara." She said as I laughed.
"It's been a really long time." I said, knowing it's been four whole years.
I couldn't get myself to do it. When I lost my virginity I lost it to someone I loved.
Then he took my heart and shattered it, being nowhere to be found when I needed him fucking most.
I was clearly still bitter.
"I think you need a night to let loose, Jules. Stace is right. You're always too tense." Brody said and massaged my shoulders, trying to get them to loosen.
"Fine! I'll think about it." I said as they both smiled.
"Great, let me take you on a date then." Brody said as I breathed a laugh.
"Nice try." I said then turned to go greet the table that had just come in.
I thought it was weird that suddenly everyone wanted to take me on a date. I guess it made sense because I was majorly elusive.
I never put myself out there and I certainly never wanted to fall in love again.
If we're being honest I never wanted to be in a five foot radius of a man after what happened to me.
I knew they were right though. I was 25 and had almost no one. It's been four years since I was involved in the crime world.
I could trust Jenna and Carter for one night to watch the kids.
Did I want to do that though?
Not really, but what was the point of life if I was going to be scared of it.
I needed to get over what happened to me.