Written In The Stars

Chapter Three

"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light"
-Helen Keller

Alice

I woke up to an obnoxious light shining through my eyelids. Somebody seriously needs to turn off the sun; it's too damn bright, and I guess this was the downside to having a massive window in your bedroom. I rolled over and attempted to go back to sleep, only to fail in my quest.

Letting out a lovely groan, I threw the covers aside and let my feet touch the cold wooden floors. With goosebumps climbing up my legs I stumbled over to the suitcase and pulled on a loose cream sweater, and took a minute to awkwardly shimmy into my favorite pair of red tribal print leggings.

Pressing the home button on my phone informed that of the time; 6:48am.
Kill me. I could already feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.

I've been getting chronic headaches for a few years now, it's insanely irritating. The harsh light of the sun was still burning my eyes. I walked over to the window and pulled shut the gray curtains that covers the entire wall from sight, casting the room into a dim gray atmosphere. Better.

I stumbled into the kitchen expecting my mother to be there with her usual cup of tea. But she wasn't. In her place was nothing but a piece of paper.

Big meeting in Atlanta. Came up unexpectedly. Should take a few days. Be back by Tuesday.
-Mom

This was it. My mother had just dropped me into a new city, into a new house, and then left. And she couldn't think to leave anything more than a hastily scribbled note on the back of a receipt. The woman couldn't even leave me with full sentences. I wish I could say that this was a first.

Crumpling up the note and tossing it in the garbage I climbed the stairs back to my room. There was no food in this house and I was starving. So eating out it is.

Grabbing my wallet, phone, and new house keys I made my way out the front door. No car. My mother never thought that I needed a car, so I guess I'm stuck walking to town. I sigh at the thought.

Only two miles to the nearest town.

~~~

Worth it.

A two mile trek to town was worth it because this coffee was insanely good.

I sat in a corner booth of a bright little diner, the word "Marleen's" printed on the sign outside. This coffee was the stuff of legends and the omelette I finished a minute earlier was just as good.

I've decided that this town was alright. It was nothing compared to New York but it had a homey feeling to it.

The town itself was nice but something about the people felt off. As I walked through town many of them stared at me like I was from Mars. I understood it, I've grown used to distasteful looks being thrown my way.

Sliding out of the booth, I left a generous tip on the table; the food was great and my waitress was very friendly. I made my way out of the diner, my coffee cup clutched between my hands in an attempt to keep them warm.

Washington gets cold in October, who'd have thought!

It's only 10:00am, I have plenty of time for all the nothing I plan to get done so I decide to just walk around town, hopefully find a grocery store.

Church. School. Gas station. Grocery store. Bingo!

I made my way into the little store, a bell chimed as I opened the door. I gather up essential foods like pasta, bread, and an unhealthy amount of tortilla chips. I have a problem okay?