I had always imagined how it would be like to live with boys. I had no one except for my mother who was known for being a whore in this god forsaken town and my father being a lonely man who owned the grab n go, and made just enough to feed me. I always promised myself I would stay happy for him and I still go on to this very day.

My life at school seemed perfect. On the cheer squad and getting straight A's, always smiling and then in the free time helping my dad run the grab n go. Really I just felt alone. I knew everyone in my school and everyone knew me, I wasn't really in a particular group. I just flowed with whoever talked to me the most. I guess you could say I had it good...- Anyways it was time to take my shift at the grab n go, wearing a tank top and some shorts since it was hot that day. But I had to be careful of what I wore because usually the people who would come in were teenage scumbags or little kids just wanting to waste their few cents on candy keeping it a secret from their parents.

"Y/N! Your turn to take the shift!" My father had yelled for me from the bathroom. Walking out into the store part, my father was packing up to leave to probably pick my mom up from some random guys place. I waved him goodbye then went over the counter to take the shift. I started reading a magazine about teen boy idols. Non of them really peaked my interest. The bell started ringing meaning customers were now rushing in. It was the normal set of customers, until my favorite customer had come in. Finny Blake was a freshman, while I was sophomore in high school.

Me and Finny met when I had found him on the baseball field launching a rocket. I felt bad that he was alone just launching rockets or maybe he liked being alone either way I walked up to him and we started talking. Ever since then I've hung out with him whenever the opportunity presented itself. There's a part of me that thinks he has a crush on me but I think he's just a bit awkward.

"Well isn't it Finny Blake in this..-" I looked around and then waved my arms. He just gave me a settled laugh.

"Well it's better then that other convenient store, it sucks compared to this one...- Besides this place has a pinball machine" Finny continued now sitting now behind the counter with me. My father had liked me hanging out with Finney, partly because it was a safer option compared to other people.

"Yeah, but it's hogged all the time by a girl" I say ringing up another customer.

"A girl...?" He looked confused at me and I just nodded. "And what does this girl look like by any chance?"

"Long blonde curly hair, tall and a little bit bulky. And I don't mean bulky in a bad way." Organizing the shelf's all I could feel is Finnys stare on the back of my head. "What!" I said turning around laughing.

"I think you've mistaken Pinball Vance for a tall blonde bulky girl." Like that the door bell rang and in came that Pinball Vance who I once thought was a girl but now was clear that he was indeed a boy.

I've never seen the face of Pinball Vance that I once thought was a tall blonde bulky girl. But I have to admit...he was a bit dreamy you could say. I looked down and then at Finney who was starring at Vance going to the pinball machine. Finney and I just continued talking while I checked out customers but soon Gwen came in letting Finney know it was time to leave. I waved him goodbye and then it was just me alone at the counter. Usually my father was back by then but this time he was unusually late. It wasn't until I was distracted from the magazine, I put down to an aggressive ring on the bell. I looked up to see Vance waiting impatiently for me to notice him.

"Do you have change for a five?" He said roughly with the five in his fist. I nodded and placed my hand out to collect the five and when he handed me the five he shocked me. Like genuinely shocked me like static. I flinched back from the sudden bolt and he just looked sour. I got the change and handed it to him back, then he just walked grumpily back.

That was my first encounter with Pinball Vance. I could tell you he's not what I imagined, he's definitely not a girl. Sitting back in my chair waiting for another customer to check out. A little boy trying to reach a chip bag from a high shelf caught my attention, he was obviously struggling so I went over to help him. When I had gotten over there I was helping him getting the bag until Moose popped into the store. He's tried asking me out several times and I have rejected him those several times. As you could guess what he was about to for the millionth time.

"Y/N you still on for that date?" Moose said cooly. I think I threw up in my mouth a bit, Moose was the biggest idiot I could ever imagine.

"You know Moose I'll think I'll pass on that." I said now trying to lead the little boy to the cash register. What I didn't expect was that he was going to push the little kid into me which made me stumble back into what seem the pinball machine. My back ached from the impact, I turned around to see Vance now in a ball of rage. He was as red as a tomato and looked like a volcano about to explode.

"What the fuck?!? I was about to beat my fucking high score!?" He then looked at me. Then at the little boy. Vance stomped over to the little boy ignoring me completely. He went feral and started yelling at this kid who started sobbing. I rushed over and stood in front of Vance.

"It was me who bumped into your stupid pinball machine! No reason to yell at him!" I said pushing him back. He went back right in my face, I was expecting a whole ass punch but he just huffed in my face going back to playing pinball. Stood shocked into my place looking at him just continue to play pinball as the kid was sobbing still behind me. Moose had ran out of the store as soon as he saw Vance yelling. What a pussy.

I stepped back a bit then rang up the little boy who I ended up paying for his chips. He quickly left, poor boy had to endure the hellfire of Pinball Vance. As time went by there was still no sign of my dad so it was just closing time. It was just me in this store and Vance hovering over the pinball machine.

"We're closing up in 5 minutes" I spoke out as he didn't turn around but just ignored me. To be honest I was scared because my dad would usually drove me home but I had to walk alone. Missing kids like Griffin then soon Billy, anyone could go missing at this point... I sighed closing up as Vance had finally stepped away from the damn machine.

Soon Vance had left a minute before I was done closing up. I had emptied the pinball machine and got all the quarters that were once Vance's probably. Then soon I locked up, it was a bit chilly outside but it's not something I couldn't get over. I started walking until I felt someone walking behind me. I turned around quickly to feel relief that it was just Vance or should I be scared to see him so that he could finally beat me up in private.

"Why are you walking alone at this time. Didn't you hear about the missing kids?" He said angrily standing in front of me. Was he actually concerned about me?

"I mean I have. Why the hell do you care anyways?" I ask, I couldn't tell whether to be thankful or terrified being alone with him.

"I don't give a flying fuck about you. I'm just saying" He huffed out rolling his eyes. I smiled at him, I could see his intentions even if he didn't want to admit it.

"I mean, if it would make you sleep better at night you could walk me home" I said raising my eyebrow.

"I would sleep fucking fine! But since you offered fine, it's not like I have better things to do.." Vance had said gritted through his teeth. He may come off aggressive and some may be threatened by his mean demeanor but I could just see right through him believe it or not.

I nodded and he walked me. It took 10 minutes to get to my house from the Grab n Go. While walking we also talked, learned that his name was Vance Hopper. I ended up embarrassingly telling him about how I thought this whole time he was a bulky tall girl which he ended up taking offense, like a lot more then I thought.

We finally reached my house and I stopped to look at him. His blue eyes shined as the sun set. "This is my stop." I said looking at the house which looked normal from the outside.

"Yeah whatever...Night" Vance said then started walking off.

"Vance!" I yelled, he turned around and looked at me annoyed. "Stay safe and goodnight." I said, even if he was the toughest kid I was still going to worry about him. His once annoyed look softened then turned around and started walking away.

I went inside to find my dad passed out on the couch with my mom, it looked like the two had been crying. I turned off the lights and collected blankets for them. I then went to my own room and laid down. All I could think about was how I was Pinball Vance Hoppers first victim to escape unbloodied and untouched.