WILLOW'S POV

Monday afternoon found me in the library doing my assignment as I ate my lunch. I did well in all my subjects but History tended to be a little bit more complex for me so I struggled with it. It was eating me up at the moment as I struggled with it but I was determined to finish before lunch period was over.

A shadow loomed over me and I looked up to check who was disturbing my peace. I didn't mean to but a smile graced my lips when I saw Henry standing on the other side of the table I was seated at. I hadn't seen him since we bonded over doritos in my backyard so it was nice to see him.

We had shared quite a few things that night and I felt closer to him. Not friends close but we were more than acquaintances that's for sure. I was right about one thing, people could definitely bond over their sob stories.

"Mind if I sit?"He requested pointing to an empty chair.

"Umh, no. Sit please."I invited pushing my books aside to make space for his bag.

He was dressed in dark jeans, a white t-shirt and blue denim jacket. He looked cute with his messy curls falling over his forehead blocking his electric blue eyes from me.

"Don't you normally eat at the cafeteria?"I asked surprised to see him in the library.

"Yeah but I wanted to see you."He replied taking me by surprise.

Henry sought me out and was actually talking to me. That night it had taken me by surprise when he initiated the conversations but it was nice to see him opening up to me. Now he was seeking me out at school. Had something changed in the universe that I wasn't aware of?

"That's a first, what's up?"I asked.

"I just wanted to say thanks again for Saturday night. I was going through a lot and you were there for me even if we aren't friends so thank you."He answered.

"You didn't have to come all this way but since you're already here you're most welcome."I responded with a smile.

He smiled back making the tiniest dimple appear at the corner of his lips. There was no doubt that Henry was attractive but everything in me was fighting any attraction towards him. First of all I didn't date white dudes and second if he was as messed up as I was, dating him would be the perfect recipe for disaster. We were too damaged to be anything more than friends who helped each other through the tough times so dating was out of the question. But why was I jumping into conclusions? Henry probably didn't like me and who was to say that he was even straight or dated black girls. I was just reading too much into things and getting ahead of myself which needed to stop.

"I didn't see you at the arcade yesterday? Where were you?"I asked diving into another topic of conversation.

"I'm grounded so the only place I'm allowed to go is school."He replied looking sad.

"For how long?"I inquired knowing how much he loved going to the arcade.

"A month."He answered.

"Wow, what did you do to earn you such a harsh punishment?" I inquired.

"My mom and I got into a fight. I said some mean things to her so she got pissed at me thus a full month indoors except for school."He explained.

I felt sorry for him but there was nothing I could do to get him out of it.

"I'm sorry about that."I consoled.

"It's okay."He replied with a shrug.

In that moment I wanted to hug him and help him feel better but we weren't that close just yet.

"How good are you at History?"I asked looking at Henry hopefully.

"I'm a straight A student taking honor classes, what do you think?"He retorted.

"No need to be cocky. We get it, you're smart so let's put those genius brains of yours to good use. Help me with my history assignment."I requested pushing my history book towards him and half my grilled sandwich.

"I'm only doing this for the sandwich."He replied taking a bite.

"Of course."I grinned to which he smiled back.

Who knew that quiet reserved Henry had a humorous side to him? The nerdy twin had some layers to him that I was discovering each time we spent together. For the rest of the lunch period, Henry helped me finish my History assignment. He also explained some concepts I hadn't understood in class. No wonder Henry was considered a nerd, he was actually pretty smart and whenever he explained something you actually understood what he was saying. He didn't try to sound smart, he naturally was.

"Thank you so much for helping, I would have managed on my own but I would have been awarded a migraine so I appreciate the help."I said to Henry as I packed up since the warning bell had already rung.

"Happy to help."He replied slinging his book bag over his shoulder.

"I'd say see you at the arcade but you're not going to be there for a while. Don't worry though, I'll beat all your high scores so that you have your work cut out for you when you come back."I grinned as we walked out of the library together.

"I look forward to coming back and showing you who's really the boss."He remarked.

"Oh it's on nerd."I laughed.

"See you around Willow."

"Bye Henry."I waved as we parted ways to go to our different afternoon classes.

From the corner of my eyes I caught a glimpse of Matthew fuming as he glared at us. I twirled the pencil in my hand and made a jabbing sign on the palm of my hand. He winced and held his injured hand protectively against his chest. The jackass might act all high and mighty but he was staying away from me having learnt his lesson. I grinned victoriously before getting in class proud of myself for taming the schools bad boy. In another universe, Matthew and I would have fallen in love and dated like in those cliche high school books but dickheads were a major turn off for me so he and I were a huge no. Henry and I on the other hand were too damaged to be good for each other so it was a no there too. Looks like I was not going to find any love in Crescent,not that I was looking anyway.

The rest of the afternoon went uninterrupted which I was grateful for because for once I wanted a drama free Monday.

I made it to the arcade in time for my shift and smiled when I found that it actually had customers in it. Business was picking up and the happiness on Jack's face was proof enough that I had done a good job.

Instead of finding Charlie by his usual spot at the comic book section he was behind the counter with Jack enjoying a blue slushie. The cup was almost full but his tongue was red which meant it wasn't his first.

"Charlie how many of those have you had?"I inquired.

He held up three fingers making me frown and take the cup from him.

"Okay no more sugar for you young man. Why did you give him three slushies?"I asked Jack.

"He gets an employee discount."Jack shrugged.

"But he's not an employee."I argued.

"Yes I am."Charlie retorted showing me his name tag.

"No you're not, Jack stop entertaining him."I scolded.

"Calm down, it's no big deal and before I forget, here is you name tag."Jack replied handing me a gold tag with my name engraved on it in black.

"You know what, I am just going to get to work and you two are going to stay back here and behave."I directed pinning the name tag on my shirt.

"Oh and by the way Jack, the name tags are thoughtful but unnecessary. If you make me wear a uniform next, I'm quitting."I informed him.

"No you're not and I wasn't thinking uniforms, more like costumes."Jack grinned.

"Never gonna happen."I said rejecting that idea.

Before he could argue with me, I walked away and got to work clearing out the trash and cleaning up the place while helping the customers with any I inquiries they had. I was happy that the arcade was doing better, Jack would be able to pay his debts and keep the place running. We would not be at Crescent very long but I would be glad to know that I had at least left a positive mark on the place through Jack and arcade Azgard.

"Hey Willow, have you seen Henry, I didn't see him come in."Jack inquired.

I was stacking up a new shipment of comic books after finishing up scrubbing gum off the table in the den. A few days and people were already being pricks and leaving their disgusting gum stuck in awkward places.

"I saw him at school today and he told me he was grounded for a month so we won't be seeing him here for a while."I answered Jack.

"He get into trouble with his mother again?"Jack inquired.

"Yeah something like that, wait again? How often does it happen?"I asked.

"Henry doesn't like talking about it and it doesn't happen often but when it does its usually bad. He was once grounded for three months. Poor boy came back looking so pale, I almost didn't recognize him."Jack explained.

"Jack you're kind of scaring me. Is Henry okay?"

"I apologize, I didn't mean to and yes he's okay. He's probably just stuck in his room but as much as the boy likes being alone its never okay to deprive one of social interaction for that long."Jack expounded.

I nodded in understanding even though I was now worried about Henry. He seemed okay at school and even though his parents would not hurt him physically they still could psychologically and emotionally.

"Don't worry too much, Henry is a big boy and can handle himself, he'll be okay."Jack assured me but it did little to ease my worry.

Henry and I weren't super close but I hoped he was doing okay back home.

"Since when are you and Henry close enough for you to be so worried about him?"Jack asked looking at me curiously.

"I'd not say we're close, I just, well... He's a fellow human being and I worry about all humans, the good ones at least."I mumbled carelessly hating it that Jack was putting me on the spot like that.

"Uh huh, keep telling yourself that."Jack chuckled leaving me alone to my thoughts.

Why was Jack always insinuating that there was something more between Henry and I. We were barely friends and the thought of us being anything more gave me a slight headache. I had never even considered dating anyone white and sure Henry was cute but still I'd not date him, it was too risky.

Deciding that I'd thought too much about Henry I decided to dive into work and distract myself. It didn't work but at least I was busy doing something else even if my mind was occupied.

Since we hadn't really set up proper hours for me to work at the arcade, Charlie and I ended up going home later than normal. Charlie didn't mind, he actually loved the arcade but he wasn't the one who had to balance school, work and raising your disabled brother. I was not by any means complaining but sometimes it got to me.

Jack had ordered us some Chinese take out for dinner so Charlie was going straight to be and I was going to take a shower, finish my assignments before going to bed. Charlie had already completed his assignments at the arcade so I didn't have to worry about him.

Our plans were interrupted when we found my mother in the living room having a heated conversation with Robert. Why did they get married if they were always arguing? My mom set the wrong kind of example for me when it came to marriage. I knew there were people who genuinely loved each other out there but it was hard to believe that when I was surrounded by failed marriages and people marrying for money and status.

Their argument stopped as soon as Charlie and I walked in.

"Hi Robbie."Charlie greeted excitedly.

"Hi, Charlie, how was your day?"Robert replied his demeanor changing from sour to sweet.

My mom on the other hand didn't bother to hide her frustration from being interrupted.

"It was awesome."Charlie replied with a grin.

"That's great, Willow how are you?"Robert asked his tone reducing a few octaves as he addressed me.

"I'm okay."I replied awkwardly.

There wasn't much for us to discuss so I quickly excused Charlie and I so we could escape that awkward conversation. They didn't even wait until we were out of earshot to start arguing again. The only difference this time is that we were the topic of discussion.

"Why are you so cold towards your own children?"Robert asked my mom.

My mom scoffed clearly offended by that accusation"That's none of your business."

"They are my business. I married you knowing you had kids but I didn't expect you were so heartless towards them."Robert retorted.

"Exactly they are my kids not yours so mind your tone when you talk to me."My mom yelled.

After that I didn't catch much else of their conversation as we were already out of earshot.

"Ready for bed Charlie?"I asked as we entered his room.

He didn't reply but a big yawn from him answered my question. I decided to forego giving him a shower and postpone it for the next morning. I helped him change into pajamas before tucking him in. Charlie was out like a light by the time I kissed him goodnight.

I took a quick shower myself before settling down on my desk to complete my assignments as I listened to some soothing music. My first drama free Monday in Crescent, tiring but peaceful. I was definitely looking forward to more of those.