“I take it that was your mom?” Alex said as she stepped into the room. Marissa looked up from staring at the floor, having not noticed Alex standing there earlier.

“How’d you guess?” Marissa said as she went back to staring at the floor. Alex just shrugged and grabbed the broom that was leaning against the wall. She began to sweep up the broken glass when Marissa quickly got out of her seat to help her.

“Here, it’s my fault, I’ll do it.” Marissa said as she grabbed the dustpan from behind the door.

“No it’s okay, I got it and besides from what I just heard, it sounds like you could use a break.”

“Thanks.” Marissa whispered as she went to go lay back down on the couch. She wrapped herself in the blanket once more and turned her back towards the rest of the room.

“Hey, I brought you a towel for your head.” Alex said as she held up a dampened cloth. Marissa turned back around to face Alex, and smiled at the gesture.

Julie heaved as she walked along the sidewalk. *What is that kid’s problem anyway? Have you gone fishing lately? Is he on crack or something, well knowing him, he probably is.* Julie thought as she neared The Bait Shop, its bright sign in plain view. *Who does he think he is, talking to Julie Cooper like that....wait a minute! To go fishing you need bait! The Bait Shop, of course! How could I have been so stupid! Well I guess that shady friend of Marissa’s has some uses after all.* Julie grinned as she stepped up her pace to a jog.

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“Alex, a little help here!” Mandy yelled as a mob of customers bombarded her at the bar. Alex looked over from where she was getting a towel out of the backroom. She put the towel back and went to go help Mandy.

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Julie reached The Bait Shop just as Anna and Seth were doing the same, Julie frowned at the sight of Seth.

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It had been nearly two hours since Marissa had passed out, and she showed no signs of stirring any time soon. Alex was out by the bar serving the customers that seemed to flood in after dark. Alex slipped out from behind the bar just as Mandy arrived for her shift.

“I have to go check on someone, and put more towels in the girl’s bathroom.” Alex excused herself as she went to go and check on Marissa. She opened the door to her office, to find Marissa still sound asleep on the couch. Alex took a blanket that was draped over a chair and wrapped it loosely around Marissa’s body. Marissa finally seemed to stir from the contact and she lazily opened her eyes.

“Alex? Wh-what...” Marissa droned

“You were sleeping it off, though you didn’t get much sleep” Alex explained

“Oh shit, my mom...she’s going to kill me. I was supposed to be back hours ago. She doesn’t know I’m here, does she?”