The New Girl

Pinky's

I was sat in my parked car outside my apartment.

It was a run down apartment building that had definitely seen better days, situated in an area that was now half empty. Half of it's former inhabitants had moved on to bigger and better things. The other half, well, let's just say they didn't take too well to change.

It was home. You know, until 'The Asshole' cheated. 'The Asshole', otherwise known as Pete, was -up until two hours ago- my long term boyfriend. Then I found him between the legs of Betty Aimes, a woman who lived 2 doors down. He apparently had a debt to settle with her. I don't know the details, I didn't stick around long enough after seeing that horror scene. Ugh, and I thought I was going to marry that guy.

I mean, in a weird way I was thankful. I had had two hours to process what had happened. I wasn't angry or sad or disappointed, you know, any of that type of stuff. I've realised that I'm free! Free! I never had to step foot in that shithole building ever again. Or look at 'The Asshole' and his face ever again.

Now, suddenly, after three years of being with and two years of living with 'The Asshole', I was alone. I didn't really have friends. I had moved countries to be with 'The Asshole', stupidly leaving behind a perfectly good life. But I was okay with that. Fresh start and all that jazz.

So now I'm just sitting in my car, finally letting the shock of it all settle in. Homeless? check! Alone? check! No connections? check! At least I have some savings, and I get to quit my horrible job.

I sighed as I turned to look at my back seats. Well, they were back seats, now, they're officially Quinn's wardrobe and kitchen rolled into one.

I looked out the window to my left. There was Bernie, an energetic elderly neighbor, resting against his rusted bicycle. He gave me a wave and a wink, and began shuffling over to me. Rolling down my window, I gave him a big toothy grin.

"I'm getting out of here old man!"

"Well, it's bout damned time missy!" he grinned back.

"I'll miss you Bern"

"Oh! Stop that now. Go on an' get to it! Don't want ta see you round these parts again, ya hear?" and with that he tapped my car and spun around, tottering back to his bicycle. Shaking my head, I laughed and started the car.

New life, here I come!

--------------------

I forced myself to breathe evenly as I stood outside Pinky's, a big two story house that had been converted. It was hidden among a few trees, a good two minute drive in from the road. I had picked up the advertisement for a job with included board, three towns over. I had stopped to grab a bite to eat in the local gas station, when I found the advert laying on top of the cashier's counter. I asked the supremely bored looking girl manning the cash desk if I could take it, and assumed the disinterested slight tilt of her chin meant yes. After asking for the directions I was on my way.

I peered in through the window of the (I had discovered it was coffee shop that does food too) shop, it wasn't packed with people. It was almost empty. The space wasn't huge, but comfortable enough to fit thirty people.

Before pushing the entrance door open, I noticed a "Help Wanted" sign. Perfect, the position hadn't been filled.

I exhaled loudly as I walked right in.

Looking around, the interior seemed as if a giant pink monster threw up all over it. The tables and chairs were all mismatched pinks and purples, some of the paint chipping to reveal the original wood. The walls had pink and yellow stripes on one side of the room and pink polka-dots on a green wall on the other. I half expected that the music would be bright and chirpy but it was nice and calm, a bit of an indie vibe.