An Old Friend

Chapter 1

SUNNY

I walk into my tiny little bakery that sits on the corner of the street and turn on the open sign. I go into the back turning all the lights on and begin doing prep work for the day. Fridays were always busiest for me, so I try to do as much prep work as I can before the customers start walking in.

I bought this little  bakery when I was just 20 years old. My parents helped me clean up the place and decorate. Even though it was a lot of hard work, I wouldn't trade this little paradise for anything. A lot of people didn't think I could run a business or do anything successful in life.

When I was younger, I didn’t talk to many people. I enjoyed staying in my own bubble which seemed to be a problem to a lot of people.

In middle school I had friends, but I still liked being by myself at times. 

High School was a bit different though. I went into school thinking that I was going to have many friends and go to parties all the time because that’s what I heard would happen.

That was a complete lie.

I almost went my whole Freshman year without having any friends until I met Sam.

Sam transferred to my school in the second semester of Freshman year. He was about 6’0 and he had curly, blonde hair. His eyes contrasted his light hair as they were a dark brown. He was completely different from me. From the moment he walked into the school I knew he was a social being.

Oddly enough, my teacher sat him right next to me in math class. As time went on, we started slowly talking to each other more and more until he became my best friend. We would often eat lunch with each other or he would come over to my house to bake with me and my family.

Soon, senior year came around. By this time, he was quarterback of our football team for two years and he became involved with multiple school activites. We still became closer and closer dispite the differences between us. Graduation soon came and we promised each other that we would continue to be best friends even  when we went off to college.

I was going to college for business and he was going for sports medicine and to play football. 

As we left high school, things started to change a bit more. Sam and I wouldn't hang out as much as we did before. He seemed very distant from me. One day all communication stopped and I never heard from him again.

I still think about Sam everyday. I wonder if he is okay. I want to ask him why he dissapered on me so suddenly.

The bell at the front of the store takes me out of my reminiscent state. I look up to see Mrs. Alice, one of the regulars at my bakery. She’s a sweet little old lady who always asks me how I am or about the latest news in my life.

“ Hi darling, how have you been lately?”, she asks as she looks at the pastries in the glass casing in front of the counter.

“ I’ve been good how about you Mrs. Alice?”

“ Oh you know the same old news. Actually, my grandson is coming to visit me. He’s a football player so he barely has time for me.”

I look up at her with a surprised face. “ I didn't know that your grandson played football.”

“ Oh yes, he’s very good. He makes good money from it too. You know, now that I think about it I think you guys would make a perfect couple.”

I shake my head at her and hand her usual order across the counter. “ That’s okay Mrs. Alice, I think I'll be good on my own for a while.”

“Nonsense! You say the same thing every time I try to set you up with someone, Sunny. You may have this beautiful bakery but I can tell that you’re very lonely.”

I look at her with a sad smile. I love Mrs. Alice, but I hate how well she can read me sometimes. 

“Now, I have got to go but I will be back tomorrow.”, she says as she pays for her order and walks out.

I go up to the window to make sure she gets across the street safely like I always do. A hearty chuckle comes from my chest as I see her stroll across the street despite the traffic. When I see that she’s across the street I go back to the counter and wait for more customers to come in.