Free The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon by Amy Lunderman

that never ended well.
    “I’m sure. Thank you for bringing me in today. And staying after.” I say with a smile at both of them.
    I feel like I’m saying the final goodbye and it feels like lead inside. Then the bell over the door rings out and an actual customer comes through. Backing away from my neighbors, I address them with a bright fake smile. I don’t really look at them and only really half hear what they say, but it’s good enough to start making their order. I glance up after a moment, to find that my neighbors are waiting for me to finish up. Clearly I was mistaken about them leaving feeling like a real goodbye. Guess I’m a little melodramatic.
    As I wrap up the sub, I’m pleased that I didn’t make a mistake once or drop it. Of course I’d feel dignified, if Toby hadn’t snuck up behind me and snatched the register before I can ring out the person. Just as well I guess, saves me the sales pitch step. Saying my blessing to the customer and handing the rest to Toby, I move back over to Ash and Chance.
    “You’re getting really good at that Daria. I knew you’d rock the sub world.” Ash squeals practically bouncing up and down.
    I have to smile at her. I just wish I had her enthusiasm. Chance remains a little more reserved. I notice keys in his hands now, so I guess they do have to go. I’d be selfish if I made them stay. The demon in me wants to be selfish. It really does.
    “Good luck tomorrow at the school. Don’t let my mom rattle you too much rabbit.” Chance tells me with less enthusiasm as his sister.
    I nod and smile at him.
    That’s right. I almost forgot about my experimenting with high school tomorrow. I have to wonder how that is going to go. I guess it’ll be a surprise. But I do have the rest of the night to stress, so I’m grateful for not having a meltdown at the moment.
    Then they say their goodbyes, and I stand stotic as they walk away and out the door. I’d like to say at the rest of the night was more exciting, but it just wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but it could have been better. At the end of the night, I help Toby clean up. This was the thing I’m most good at, to his blushing pleasure. It’s good I’m mostly on the nightshift. Cleaning is essential during that time.
    Toby was nice enough to offer a ride home, but unlike Chance, I don’t feel the comfort of agreeing. So I declined, and saved face by mentioning maybe another time. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. And the walk home wasn’t so bad either. It really was super close. I even pass the high school I missed on the way in. I was a little busy eyeing other things earlier, so I can forgive my lack of observation. It’s nice to know that I can even walk to school.
    When I’m climbing the garage stairs leading up to my apartment, I feel a strong sense of freedom. Before I always felt if I push myself a little more it’ll come naturally. And now, here it is. I’m coming home late at night from my job to my very own apartment. It’s enough to make me want to break down in happy tears.
    That’s when I notice something resting at the base of my door.

Chapter Six
    Instinct stops me cold. I feel my hackles rise and the scent of ozone is strong in the air. It’s not real I know, the scent is like a warning for my inner Taser. It’s like a mini lightning strike, and I think it’s all mental. But whatever it’s borne from, I’m holding it to me like a knife as I rise the stairs the last couple of steps. My mind is spinning that my family have found me and this is some kind of game their playing.
    I don’t hear anyone around in here, and all the lights were off at the Harris’s. But that doesn’t mean anything. My family makes it a habit, of being sneaky. Even so, I move with caution. At the small landing, I find that the something on at the base is actually a duffle bag. What the?
    Kneeling down, I use shaking fingers to tear open the zipper. Halfway through