𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Gas Station Greetings

Leon's POV:

I sigh at the crappy song on the radio, peeling my eyes away from the dark road for a brief few seconds I switch the station to something heavier and more lively. The rock song is something I've heard before, so I lean back again and resume the never-ending ride to my new home, Raccoon City. My foot hits the gas a little harder once the clock shows that another hour has gone by since I last checked, it only makes me more nervous and on edge, furthering my sour mood until my knuckles are turning white from how hard I'm gripping the wheel. I exhale, reminding myself that I've got nobody else to blame for the situation.

Apart from her. My ex.

If she hadn't of broken my fucking heart last night by breaking up with me, I wouldn't have resorted to losing myself at the bottom of a bottle. If I hadn't of drunk so much I wouldn't have woken up with the worst hangover I've ever had. That wouldn't have led to hours sitting by the toilet and making an awkward phone call to my soon to be workplace about being 'sick' and coming in late on my first fucking day.

I swallow deeply, shaking my head at myself as a set of bright lights shine in the distance. A gas station. I glance at the dial, praying that I don't have to make a detour and take even longer getting to work, but the universe decides to laugh in my face yet again. I'm running low, and have no choice but to stop. I curse under my breath as I pull into the almost empty gas station, noticing how it's a little outdated and eerie with its chipped paint and flickering lights.

Nonetheless, I hop out of my Jeep and fill up the tank as my foot impatiently taps on the concrete. Every second feels like an hour, and the giant 'welcome to Raccoon City' sign across the lot feels almost mocking. I stifle my nerves and finish filling up before rushing across the station and practically bursting through the doors as a small bell chimes. I look around, scanning the small station until I find the counter right next to me, and sat behind it is a pretty woman around my age, head ducked into some worn paperback, I'm not even sure she's noticed me.

For some reason it only irks me more.

I grab my wallet from the back of my jeans and pull out a crumpled twenty, sliding it across the counter without a word. Internally I know it's an asshole move, my bad day shouldn't be taken out on some stranger, but the fact she still hasn't even glanced up at me doesn't make me regret my attitude. I clear my throat, "Pump three." I say a little sharply.

Finally, the woman looks up, eyes widening a little until they narrow at me. Her book closes with a clap as she sets it down and sits up straighter. "Sorry, I was just on the last page, you know how it is." She gives me a small smile, but it doesn't meet her eyes. I nod in response and repeat the name of my pump, nodding to the twenty right in front of her. Her brows lift as she tilts her head, "A little courtesy wouldn't hurt you know." She takes the money anyway, putting it into the register

She's right, but instead of being reasonable I let my anger and anxiety rise to the surface. I lash out as I scoff and look her up and down, silently hating the way my mind instantly wants to be nice to her. She's beautiful, and if this were any other day I'd definitely joke around and make her laugh before asking her out. But today hasn't been my day. "Look, I'm in a rush and-" I argue, but the woman only lets out a fake laugh, pressing a hand to her chest in feign sympathy.

"Oh, you're in a rush? I'm sorry, I didn't realise that gives you the right to be a dick." She doesn't back down, if anything she looks like a force to be reckoned with. No wonder she's handling the late night shift on her own, she won't take shit from anyone, and my damn heart only flutters more knowing she's strong and brave. I sigh, turning away instead of overreacting furhter. I reach for the door, noticing a bike's just pulled up at one of the pumps, a woman in a red leather jacket swings off of it as I turn back to the woman who's captivated me.