She was being rushed again. And she hated being rushed. Absolutely despised it really.
   Trying like mad not to grit her teeth, Noni crossed her arms and dug in her heels instead. "If you don't stop pushing me and let me walk on my own, I'll just go home."
   The threat had its desired affects. Chad dropped his arms from around her, and stopped propelling her forward. "Geez, Non. Sometimes you know, you can be a real…"
   "Shut up, Chad." Matt interrupted sharply.
   Surprised at his outburst, Noni smiled warmly at him. There was just so far that you could push Mathew before he'd start pushing back.
   "Come on." He offered his hand, and graciously, Noni took it and walked along beside him to the half full parking lot.
   "You smell like french fries, Non." Chad commented, getting out his own barb to feel better at being slighted.
   Rolling her eyes, Noni and Matt ignored him as they jammed each other into Chad's car. Making Noni long for Matt's van.
   "If they don't pay us for being late, Non. Or even cut our pay, I swear to God, we're taking your cut to compensate, since it's you who's holding us up."
   Baring her teeth, Noni growled low in her throat. "Don't threaten, Chad." She warned, "I've already had a very bad day, and you're only making it worse."
   "Taylor said you can use their place to change, Non." Matt interrupted again, being the dutiful peacemaker that he was and handing her a duffel bag.
   Nodding sharply, Noni settled herself as best as she could in the backseat. Aware that Matt dropped by her place to pick up her bag that her mom and Kit must have packed for her. "Thanks, Matt."
   He nodded as well, and they allowed silence to hang around as they sped down the street and into the late night traffic.
   Stepping out of the car, once it stopped in a crowded driveway, Noni rubbed her hands together and grabbed Chad's elbow before he walked off. "Remember the rule." She muttered, staring at the house, feeling the ground vibrating already. "No drinking until we're entirely done."
   Shaking her off Chad nodded, "yeah, yeah. Mom."
   Matthew had to coax her forward, after she had already tried to back away and break into a run. "Everything will be fine."
   She heard his words, even slightly believed them for a second. But once she got through the gates leading to the backyard, they dissipated like smoke. Along with the agreement she just dragged from Chad.
   This had been a long hard day and was threatening to be an even worse and longer night.
   Covering her eyes, Noni tried to wish it all away and wake up to her alarm clock pronouncing the start of tomorrow.
   Removing her hands, she saw Taylor talking with Chad and Matt, who had long ago left her by the back door.
   Shaking her head, Noni gripped her bag a little bit tighter to her and slid the glass door open. Stepping inside, a whoosh of cool air hit her fevered skin, giving her an instant headache, but the silence inside soothed her ears.
   Leaning back against the glass, she closed her eyes again for a moment, and tried to get the pounding to stop when she realized, someone was knocking on the door she was leaning on.
   Turning around she saw Taylor standing there, staring at her through the glass. His expression intent, she read a lot of questions on his face, but worried about those he kept hidden for now.
   Stepping back, he slid the door open and stepped inside with her, closing it behind him.
   He smiled, slowly, and started walking away only to look back at her. "Bathroom's this way."
   Moving on her shaky legs, Noni followed hesitantly, there was definitely something about him that unnerved her.