Yearn [NEW TITLE]

Chapter Two: Mate

When I entered my room, I immediately made my way over to my bed after shutting the door. I plopped on my bed faced down and let out a loud scream that was muffled by my pillow. I then proceeded to punch my bed with my fist in frustration. Sometimes, I felt sorry for the bed with all the abuse that I constantly give it. But the sad reality is that that bed doesn't even go through half the abuse that I do. Verbal and physical.

Over the years, I had cleaned out my room and gotten rid of all the vermin that had resided in there without our notice. I got rid of the wood that was hammered in front of the window and let the light in and I had changed the mattress to the dusty single bed that had been in the attic for years. My four poster king size bed was given to my cousin and I had always dreamed of slicing his expensive mattress in spite. Because my cousin had taken my bedroom, he had also taken my walk in closet. Most of my clothes couldn't fit in the little drawers I had gotten, so Mother had to buy me a massive wardrobe - and even then they didn't fit - so I had to sell out at least half of my clothes. 

Growing up, I would sell the clothes that couldn't fit anymore and with that money, I would buy new clothes for myself. This was at a time when Mother still loved me a bit and so she was the one who would handle the selling of the clothes and she was also the one who would take me to the store to buy me new clothes. 

Eventually, the amount of clothes I had got less and less as the price of clothes got darer and darer. At the age of thirteen, Mother felt I was old enough to get myself to the store and back - so that's what I did. 

I would catch the bus into town with a bag full of clothes and return home much in the same fashion. Sue - the lady at the op shop - was so kind to me and made sure I got paid the most of what my clothes were valued at and I got my money's worth with the clothes I would buy. She was probably my only friend when it became known that Father basically disowned me and I would always look forward to going to the store with a new bag of clothes. 

Soon, I realised that I didn't have enough money to buy any of the clothes I wanted and so I started working at the age of fifteen. At first no one would hire me and I was starting to get frustrated at the fact. I went to every little store begging for a job and none would take me up. 

Then, when I was just about to give up - Sue came to me with the news that she was moving. 

~ Flashback ~

"Listen Lea, i'm getting old and it's about time for me to retire, my husband and I are moving to live with my eldest son in another pack an hour away from here" she explained to me, grasping my hands. 

I bowed my head and had tears threatening to spill and my bottom lip started to quiver. 

Sue placed a finger under my chin and lifted my head to face her. With her free hand she used her thumb to wipe away an escaped tear that was making a path down my cheek. She gave me a warm smile and she made a hush sound to soothe me. 

"That means I can't run the shop from here Lea," she continued "so i'll need someone very special to look after my shop." I gave her a quizzical look. 

"I need that person to be you Lea" she explained and my quizzical look turned into a shocked one. Any and all signs of sadness vanished and was replaced with a joyful expression.

"B- but, i'm too young to run a shop" I stammered - protesting against the crazy idea or a fifteen year old girl running a shop.

"I know that sweetie, which is why Alfred will be helping you until you turn seventeen, then he too will retire and you will take full responsibility of the shop" she argued.

"But Sue, why me?" I questioned.

"No one knows this shop more than you do other than Alfred, and because Alfred is almost as old as I, you are the only choice" she answered, "besides, think of the benefits!"