Abandoned

Shocked

She appears to be just as taken off guard as I am.

"Hello, Lauren." She says mockingly with a glare.

"Why are you still here?" I ask, "Victoria."

She looks surprised. As if she thought I'd never talk back.

"That's no way to speak to your mother!" She says, shocked.

"You're not my mother." I say bluntly.

"I gave birth to you, didn't I?" She taunts, "And I wasn't fourteen!"

"That means nothing." I say through gritted teeth.

"Well," She says sarcastically, "Scientifically, that means that I'm your mother."

I'm getting really angry. "A mother-" I shout before being cut off.

"What's going on?" I turn around to see Emma, "Who's this?"

"This is Victoria." I say angrily.

"I'm her mother." Victoria says with a smirk.

Emma suddenly gets really angry. She punches Victoria in the face.

"Emma!" I shout.

"Are you defending her?" Emma shouts.

"No!" I yell back, "But this could get me fired!"

Emma's eyes widen. "My bad!" She yells.

Victoria stands up and walks out of the store.

I look behind me to see Ava poking her head from behind the corner of the aisle.

"What happened?" She asks quietly.

"I ran into my mother." I respond.

"Oh." She sighs, "You have a mother?"

"Not anymore." I sigh. Ava looks confused. Emma notices this.

"I'll explain later." Emma says quickly.

"Wait," I realize something, "Where are the twins?"

"They're with one of your coworkers." Emma says, "I asked her to watch them while I went to the bathroom."

"Did you ever go to the bathroom?" I asked.

"No," She giggled, "I ran into this situation before I could."

"Then go!" I said in a goofy/bossy tone.

"Okay, okay!" Emma says defensively, "Damn!"

"Watch your language!" Ava giggles.

•  •  •

Ava and I walk up to Becky, who has the twins.

"I'll watch them," I say, "They're my friend's brothers."

"Okay." She says and walks away to help someone.

"You work here?" Noah asks. Liam and Ava sigh while shaking their heads.

"No shit!" Ava laughs.

"Ava!" I yell strictly.

"Sorry!" She says quickly.