This was the first time Lacey lived on her own in a completely different city miles away from her parents. Here, she could be independent and prove to her parents that she could actually take care of herself without them looming over her shoulder. It didn't help either that she came from a small town where every person knew each other's name and business. There was little privacy, and Lacey couldn't go a block without someone asking how her parents were doing, which made this a huge change from her usual scenery. It was nerve-wrecking but exciting at the same time for the young girl. She came to the city with big dreams and hopes of getting a job and becoming successful enough to send money back home to her parents. All she ever wanted was a chance to have some freedom and breathing room, and, now she could finally fulfill that dream.
After unpacking numerous boxes, she passed out without even bothering to make some dinner and awoke to the loudest growl from stomach the following morning. She groaned and eventually rolled off the edge of the bed, landing on the floor with loud thump. Her morning could have started off better, but she was still determined to at least find a job today. One burnt toast and under cooked egg later, Lacey vowed to watch the cooking channel later to improve. Changing into a fresh set of clothes, she ventured down onto the street and found a quaint coffee shop on the corner with a help wanted sign. Entering inside, she was met with the smell of coffee beans and took in the soothing green walls. The barista was yelling orders as customers seemed endlessly flow in and out of the small shop. When she reached the front of the line, Lacey was a bit flustered but eventually spat out her words,"I saw you had a, uh, help wanted sign?" The barista whose name tag read 'Amy' lit up and turned her head toward the back to call out for the manager. "Just take a seat and the manager will find you. It's a bit crowded but there's a seat over there," Amy stated, gesturing the open seat across from a young man. Lacey gave a small nod and ordered a cup of coffee to go.
Feeling a knot beginning to form in her stomach, she made her way over toward the open seat. "Um, do you mind if I join you?" She asked with a sheepish smile. When she locked eyes with him, she took in his bright blues paired with a strong jawline and wanted to flee in the other direction. He was handsome to say that least. It was enough pressure that she could have an interview in the next few moments that she didn't prepare for and now this man was just staring at her. "It'll only be for a few minutes. I have to talk to the manager," She trailed off, scanning the room to find no other chairs.
A couple months after the incident at Blackwood Pines, Matt felt like his life was finally starting to piece itself back together. He had visited therapists to help the trauma of what he'd been through, but no one turly understood what it was like other than his group of friends. Whenever they saw each other though, it was like being reminded of the past and was too difficult. The only person that even still spoke to him was Emily, his girlfriend, but their relationship was even more rocky than it was before. If Matt left her alone for more than two hours, she panicked and blew up his phone in search of him. She barely left the house and her social life tanked. Emily dropped out of high school and moved in with him to be by his side at every single moment. Needless to say, she was a mess, and he felt as though he was suffocating. Still, Matt couldn't leave her like that. He couldn't and wouldn't be that guy. Despite the events, he managed to push through and attempt to make something of this like in hopes that it wasn't too late.
Promising to back within a few hours, Matt left for the gym to work on weights and cardio. He was preparing for the football game on Friday night against their arch nemesis. His entire college career was riding on this game with scouts from prominent football colleges coming to look at him. With his sinking GPA, this was Matt's last chance to get into a decent college. After his month off, most people didn't think that he stood a chance any longer but he defied most odds. Matt had to budget his time properly and took an hour on the treadmill before stopping at the water cooler on his way to the weights. Although, there was a girl that he had never seen before. She had strawberry blonde locks that clung to her skin and determined eyes. Emily probably wouldn't have liked the way that he had just checked out the girl, but he couldn't help it. "Hey, are you new to the gym? I come here often, so I know a lot of people, " Matt asked with friendly eyes before chugging down the rest of the water in his bottle.
January 24th, 2016 at 12:38am
