Chapter 1
Chapter One
NYX
Eyelids – Ryan Ooakes, WesGhost
Five months earlier…
I've always believed, deep inside my heart, that the North Shore of Silver Falls is a place where dreams die.
It's unfortunate that I was born here.
What I believe even more is that if I don't leave this place, I'll die along with my dreams.
That's what tears a long huff from me as I enter the diner where I work.
It's called The Basement because it's underground.
No windows, a damp smell that's barely hidden by the scent of frying oil coming from the kitchen, and the type of food that’s going to make us all have heart attacks before forty.
During the summer break, when I take day-long shifts, I get here right after sunrise, and sometimes leave when it's already set, but I don't care, because I'm certain the sun doesn't shine as bright on the North Shore as it does in other places anyway.
Stephen and Laurie, the two cooks and owners, are already chopping and listening to the same album they listen to every morning, so loudly they have to shout instructions at each other.
Bobbing my head to "Believe" by Cher, I head to the staff room.
Well, staff closet. I pull out my black apron, throw my backpack in my locker, and wrap the two strings around my waist. A quick look in the mirror as I pull my hair in a ponytail and arrange my fringe, and I'm out on the main floor.
My best friend, Lena, is already setting up the cutlery, so I grab the coffee mugs and follow her.
"Morning, pretty girl," I say through a yawn, still feeling how little sleep I got last night.
Lena loves the summer because it means I'll be here for all her morning shifts. During the college term, I only work weekends. The woman works three jobs to support her younger brother and sister. She's the only adult they have, and college wasn't an option for her.
Her amber eyes widen. "Nyx," she gasps, looking like she can barely breathe. It really should be no surprise that I’m here.
"What?" My heart kicks. Something bad must have happened. There's always something awful happening in this shitty town.
She drops all the cutlery she was holding, grabs my wrist, and pulls me behind the counter, reaching across to point at something.
An envelope.
"This arrived. It's for you."
The logo embossed on the paper makes me feel like I swallowed a snake that’s currently uncoiling in my stomach. It’s the profile of the goddess Athena in her armor, a laurel crown, and the motto Wisdom he groomed you."
The bell indicating someone’s entering makes my friend reach for her pad, while I contemplate what she just said.
She's never even had a boyfriend, yet always sounds so knowledgeable.
Still, it doesn't mean I like hearing her opinion about my relationship.
I'm just used to it being one of the few topics we don't agree on.
I straighten up, taking half a step to grab the corrected order from the counter, when Lena grabs my arm.
"Oh my God," she whisper-hisses. I'm still trying to grab my plates as she faces the restaurant door and gives my arm a tug. "He's here."
"Who?" I mumble. "Can you let go? I'd like to serve my table."
We both have less than a minute before the rookie waiter runs over to us, shaking and saying he can't handle all the orders on his own.
"That hot violinist you're obsessed with," she gushes, then grabs the plates from me. "I got these. Go take his order."
"Wait. What?" I whip around, and my mouth drops open.
I don't have time to take in the man sitting on his own at one of our shitty booths before Colin, the rookie, is already sprinting my way.
"Nyx, Nyx! That rich violin guy you're obsessed with is here," he says too loudly.
"Oh my God, Colin. Inner voice." My cheeks are burning so hot you could cook an egg on them.
"Sorry," he mumbles with a wince. "He didn't hear me, though. Don't worry. What's his name again?"
I swallow roughly.
"Achilles Duval."