A Town Called Friendship

|Part 1

"You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you."

Renee's POV

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People say, "I'm taking it one day at a time." but you know what? So is everybody. That's how time works.

But not with the waitress in front of me, she seemed to be taking things incredibly fast and that was not calming my nerves at all as I hesitantly took my seat.

After minutes of constant pacing, she was eventually carried away to the back door. She probably wasn't having the best day and I could totally relate with her.

Today had been a complete bust for me. Ever since my former workplace had to shut down due to unexplained reasons, I've been out job hunting to get some money to save up for my one year masters degree which was in two months' time.

My thoughts were brought to a halt as a bubbly teenager comes out to attend to me "Welcome to Chestnut's Place, how may I help you today?" she asked politely as I looked skeptically at her.

Damn, I hate over-excited people.

I've searched every nook and cranny for a part-time job but it's either, they aren't hiring or they aren't looking for something temporary and that is exactly what I need because I'm leaving in two months and I really couldn't afford to be idle. So, I hoped I'll get this one.

"Ahem," she coughed, bringing back my attention.

"Ah yes!, I saw your flyers right outside and I wanted to find out if you were hiring; temporarily of course" I outlined my lips into a thin line.

"Ooh, well my boss is supposed to interview you but he's absent and the thing is, we really need long term hands" she looked apologetically exacting a pang in my chest.

"Oh well, that's fine" I mumble quickly before taking my things and walking out without thanking the girl.

Stupid habit of mine.

That was my last hope and it sucks that I didn't get anyone.

I always wanted to further my education in town, to be around my parents and the rest of my family, well mostly because I don't have any friends and I despise making friends or meeting new people in general.

My parents thought it was normal and as a child, I believed them mostly because dad was a doctor and was prone to know those kinds of things, or so I thought. But growing up, I just felt weird except I didn't care.

Your first impression of me: A butter that wouldn't melt. So, a lot of people just found it very hard to get under my skin, but I never minded. That's the reason why I really don't have a best pal or anything of such.

It was the same for dance school, yeah sometimes I had to talk to them for specific things but they weren't qualified for friendship. Heck, no one qualified for my friendship.

But four years ago, I made a decision of leaving this town to study far away.

I applied for numerous schools and I got a scholarship from the best and the farthest college from home in Canada. It wasn't exactly far away, but it's something.

Not knowing where else to go, I sat on the bench next to the park as I watched people pass by with their children, smiles on their faces, bringing a frown to mine.

Sometimes I wondered what made them smile so much.

Shaking off the unsettling feeling in my body, I picked up my phone to call Carlton, my cousin and the only one who saw something good in me at least that's what he said, in hopes of making me feel better.

I waited patiently as it rang, knowing that he wasn't one to answer calls on time for some reason.

He finally answered as I was about to give up "WREN!, WHAT'S UP, HOW WAS THE JOB HUNTING?" he shouted due to the excessive amount of noise in his background.

"WHERE ARE YOU! IT'S EXTREMELY LOUD IN THERE" I shouted back because it was kind of hard not to, especially with that noise but not without earning a few stares from passersby.

What? It's not my fault I'm related to a party animal who decided going for a party at three in the afternoon is ideal.

"WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU" he screamed before I took the liberty of hanging up, the conversation was not going to get anywhere at that rate. I just texted him to have him call me when he's was done partying.

I continued enjoying the evening breeze before it clicked in me that I had to pick up my sister, Abby from her daycare.

I walked to my car, started up the engine and drove off.

Abby, my four-year-old sister was the only person keeping me from going away now that I had the chance to but has been this gut feeling lately that i think is keeping me from leaving her.

I walked up to the door and knocked on it and it was immediately opened by Mrs. Johnson, the owner of the daycare.

"Hey Mrs. J, I'm here to pick Abby" I greeted with a tight-lipped smile.

She looked at me in a confused manner "Uh, your mother didn't drop off Abby so I just assumed you were staying home today"

Almost immediately, panic and fear shot up my body so I took a deep breath in and out to try my best not to overthink things "Okay that's fine, maybe she's with my mother" I nodded, walking briskly to my car.

That woman is going to be the death of me. Why didn't she send her assistant to drop her off? I hope she took care of Abby in her workplace. She better not have left that girl unattended to. I thought to myself as I drove off.

Definitely exceeding the speed limit, I got home in a solid five minutes.

I used my keys to unlock the door but the doors were unlocked. Strange. She always made sure that her good-for-nothing personal assistant locks the door to keep her 'valuables' safe.

I called out for my mother. Nothing. Oh, who am I kidding, she's never back this early. I began to ascend the stairs as I hear faint shuffling sounds.

I took it as an opportunity to trace the sound, only to find it coming from my room. I scrunch my face in question.

Without much thought, I opened the door to reveal a tear-stained Abby on the floor with empty packets of my secret stash of junk.

Every feeling of panic and fear was replaced by that of confusion.

"Hey Abby it's okay it's okay, I'm here I'm here" I consoled her as she cried, her small arms wrapping itself around me.

After a while, I placed her down to go close the curtains when I heard her stomach grumble.

"Have you eaten?" I ask her but hesitated after seeing as she finished my stash then continued "Like real food today?" and she shook her shyly "No". Oh God, let it not be what I'm thinking.

I carried her onto her high chair just in time for me to notice that Abby's bag was still in the same position I left it in the morning.

Warming some leftover lasagna for her I turned to ask her "Where's mum?"

"I don't know. Haven't seen her" was her reply.

"Um, did you go out today?" I ask her slowly, not wanting to overwhelm her and she replied "Nope".

That was when it hit me. She left Abby in the house all day.

I swear I heard a vein pop in my head.

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