Chapter One

    ''Got it done?''

    ''Mm,'' Julia said tightly. ''Can I-''

    ''Leave? If you only want half of your money,'' her boss shot back.

    ''Well, how much longer?'' Julia demanded.

    ''You still have three more hours. And make USE of them; you dilly-daddle more then you WORK.''

    Julia groaned. She hated working at the tiny bookstore. She wouldn't have, actually, if her old manager didn't fire her.         

    Julia used to work at a shopping mall. One day, she was caught trying on a dress and not working. Her manager immediately fired Julia; she was a strict woman and hardly ever smiled.

    Julia, dusting off a book, scowled at these memories. It was a good-paying job, too. Oh, another complaint to add to. Julia had a lot of things to complain about, and she had to admit it felt good, so she began to think of her childhood memories.

    She never had a good life. Her dad died when she was only seven, and her mother hardly ever had a good living. They moved a lot, and moved in with a lot of different people. Julia went to several different schools and fought kids when they called her, 'new girl,' resulting in her being sent to detention.

    When she graduated, all she cared about was fashion and wearing the latest styles. That's why she worked at the mall. And, because of her vanity, she got fired for trying on a dress... and actually wearing it. 

    Of course, Julia herself wouldn't admit she was a vain teenager. She was too stubborn for that. But anyone could tell, just by being around her. 

    Finally, after three loooooong hours passed just dusting plain, dumb books, Julia was, 'allowed,' to leave. Julia often groaned to herself, because, even if sh tried to sneak out JUST FIVE MINUTES before her due time, her boss would notice and give her less money... even if it was a few cents reduced from her salary.