Archive of Our Own ^beta

Linh sat at the cashier desk, bored out of her mind. Alden had forbidden her from getting on her phone, so she was left sitting there looking at people who walked in and out of the bookstore. There was no one particularly interesting today. 

Linh wished she had taken the job at the coffee shop next door, where Tam worked. Then at least she would have someone to bother. But no, she had thought it would be better to get some space from her brother, even if it was only a few feet. 

The bell on the door jingled as someone new walked it, Linh glanced up and froze. The person who walked in was the most beautiful girl Linh had ever seen. 

She had her fiery red hair pulled into a long braid going down her back, and wore a casual pair of jeans with a tight fitting sweater. Her nails were painted bright red, and her fingers lightly skimmed the spines of the books. 

Linh got so focused on watching the girl walk around the bookstore she almost missed a customer. 

When the man cleared his throat Linh jumped up and began scanning his books, forgetting about the girl for a moment. 

But when Linh looked up for the next customer the girl stood in front of her. 

“Hi,” Linh said, taking her books. She barely coughed out the whole speel Alden made her say to every customer. Up close the girl was even prettier, with long lashes that batted gently as Linh spoke. 

Then Linh looked down at the books she was bagging up. “Oh, this book is fantastic,” she said, lifting the cover. 

It was an older book, the spine damaged after many years of use. Linh had been eying this specific copy for a long time, but hadn’t had the funds to pay for it. It was Oliver Twist, and there were some illustrations in it. 

“Oh,” the girl said, taking the bag from Linh. “I’ve only heard about it. My mom is making me read it.” 

“Your mom has good taste,” Linh said, grinning. 

The girl laughed, “I don’t think anyone has ever said that about my mother seriously. She’s just making me read it because she has no idea what a high school curriculum is supposed to be.” 

Linh tilted her head, confused. “I’m homeschooled,” the girl said, grimacing, like it was the bane of her existence to say. 

That made more sense. The girl looked to be Linh’s age but she had never seen her at a school event. 

“Oh that sucks,” Linh said, shaking her head. “I did virtual school for a year while I was in between homes. At least I had my brother.” Linh didn’t know why she was saying so much. She normally didn’t tell people anything about her home situation. To everyone else she had a perfect home life, and no one suspected anything. Linh always made sure to keep details vague so no questions would be asked. Questions were always a bad thing. 

“Oh the emo kid next door?” the girl asked, pointing to the adjoining coffee shop. 

“Yep,” Linh said, grinning. “We’re twins.” 

The girl laughed, “yeah I can tell.” 

Linh blushed remembering the silver tips of her hair. When they had been sent to the foster system Tam and Linh had gone to the store one day and bought hair dye for themselves so that they would never have to be the perfect children their parents expected. 

“I wish I had siblings,” the girl said, sighing. “It must be nice to have someone who’s forced to be your friend.” 

Linh laughed, “sure if you want to have to share everything in your life. He still steals my clothes.” 

The girl laughed, before a sad expression came on her face. 

“You don’t have many friends do you?” Linh asked, tilting her head. 

The girl sighed, “you can tell?” 

Linh smiled warmly. “Yeah, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ll be your friend.” 

The girl tilted her head, so Linh stretched out her hand and offered it to her. “I’m Linh.” 

“I already knew that,” the girl said, a lopsided grin on her face. 

“How?” Linh asked, a spike of fear going through her. 

The girl pointed at her shirt. On it was a name tag. Oh of course. 

“Linh!” a voice cried out, making them both turn. Fitz, Alden’s son stood with his arms crossed. She didn’t really like him, he was always getting angry at his dad or girlfriend then punching a wall. The amount of times Linh had to patch up a wall was too many. “Get back to work.” 

Linh sighed, turning back to the girl. “Sorry about that.” 

The girl waved it off. “I’d better get going anyways. My mom will want me home.” 

The girl began walking out of the door, when Linh paused, “wait I didn’t catch your name.” 

The girl turned and smiled, “Marella.” 

With that she walked out of the door, leaving Linh standing there. She hoped Marella would come back soon, just to talk to her again.