"Cigarette breaks are only fifteen minutes, Emma. Not thirty minutes. You only get two, not five."
   Rolling her eyes, Emma walked passed Charlie Evans without care. "If you had a life, you wouldn't have bothered counting!" She called over her shoulder as she bustled through the restless crowd.
   It wasn't her fault she had to take the extra time. If she hadn't been so damn unstable tonight she wouldn't be having these problems with concentration. Or balancing trays and not breaking any of the several monogrammed glasses. Ever since yesterday she'd been a basket case… almost.
   She cringed when she felt a hand groping her, and quickly shoved her way through to avoid another incident like that. Groaning loudly in her mind, she stepped up to a booth full of college kids.
   Swallowing the bitter jealous that always filled her when she saw the carelessness of the college kids. Going away to better their education and lives. Supposedly. Getting drunk nearly every weeknight and skipping classes to have sex with… someone…
   Sighing, Emma shouted over the DJ for their orders and was about to go get them when Charlie was right behind her, the manager Shaian Marcett next to him. With her hands on her lips, and a disgusted look on her face.
   Nodding, Emma set her tray down on the table in front of the college kids. She grimaced and knew this humiliation was definitely one she could live without. At least for today anyway.    Untying the string to her apron, she tossed it down upon the ownerless tray and walked off. Going to Jim for her last paycheck and heading out the back door.
   Biting off the urge to kick and scream and throw a few things, Emma knocked out her last cigarette and crumbled the package tightly in her left hand. Hurling it at the brick wall, she stomped down the alley and towards her car in the back lot.
   Pulling out her Wal-Mart lighter, she lit it as she continued walking. Grimacing as she took a long drag and realized that her Marlboro's would soon become Doral's if she didn't get another high paying job.
   Unlocking the scratched door of her low-rider, Emma gratefully slid into the comfort of her car and rested her head on the headrest. Closing her eyes, she slammed the door, and hit the automatic lock so that she could relax just for a moment, without the worry of someone sliding into her car with her.
   Pulling off another drag of her smoke, she concentrated and blew delicate rings as she reclined peacefully.
   After her last expensive cigarette was gone, Emma sat up and dug through her pocket. She had an extra five bucks to spend on whatever she wanted, besides kicking it towards bills.
   Putting the key in the ignition and starting the engine, Emma looked in her rearview mirror and put her car in gear. Dinner time. At one of the places Gracie loved to eat at.
   And if she were lucky enough, she just may catch her there.
   The parking lot was surprisingly nearly empty at half past nine. Which Emma rejoiced in, but was crestfallen when she didn't notice Grace's car or her parent's.
   Parking anyway, and trudging to the side door of the brightly colored and lit fast food place, Emma sucked in a breath and willed her weakened strength to hold up for just a little while longer. A few more minutes then she'd be allowed to go home and crash and fall apart all she liked until tomorrow started.
   Refusing to walk through the empty maze to the cashier, Emma unhooked the velvet rope and stepped up to the tired looking teen behind the counter.
   Nodding in a small respectful manner, Emma glanced at the bright menu and ordered the chicken nuggets and a diet soda.
   Paying for her order, she moved to go sit down in the back when she noticed familiar hair in the front of the restaurant. Grinning to herself, Emma started moving towards them when the head turned to the person they were next to and kissed them.
   Gasping a little at the shock, Emma quickly thought back to when Taylor hurt Grace. If he turned her gay, I'm killing him. I don't care who he is or what he does for a living.
   Getting ready to confront her friend and possible her friend's girlfriend, Emma started forward once again when their voices carried over to her.
   She stopped once again in shock. There's no way that's a girl and she sounds like that!
   Tilting her head a little, she noticed that the blonde haired figure was indeed a guy, and indeed looking at Grace with a very tender look…
   It was hearing the worker call to her to pick up her order that it dawned on her then who he was, and fuming Emma stalked back to the counter. Picking up her food and drink, she slammed out of the place and was racing by the window when she saw Grace at the doorway staring after her.
   Zac Hanson was standing behind her.