Crystal Clear

Chapter Three

Who was she to tell me this? I have the right to do as I want. She is not my mother. And she's correct. I will never come back to Stanfield, over my dead body. I don't want to give it a try either. That's why I completely shocked myself when I said—

"Alright, I'll try. I promise," What was I saying? No idea. Why did I say that? I'm clueless. And making a promise?! Insane. I don't want to be here for the life of me, yet for some reason my mouth says otherwise. It's probably due to all the fake publicity that my mom makes me do up in Jersey. Literally hate myself. My mouth was speaking before my brain could even think and register what I was agreeing to.

"Thank you, for finally agreeing. Just give Stanfield a try, you just might like it. Now tell me why you didn't like the dinner he made you?"

"I'm a vegetarian," her mouth went into a sort of O.

"How long now?"

"Six months,"

"Must be a new fad or something," she laughs. Yeah, because killing animals is part of their daily culture when you're a barbarian. She kisses my forehead and exits my room.

I went over to the window seat where I had left my laptop. I sit down, cross-legged, and turn it on. As my screen saver pops up, so did all the memories. It's a picture of my boyf—ex-boyfriend, Tony and I. He was kissing me on my cheek and I was hysterically laughing. I don't know why I still have him as my screen saver. I go to delete it and change it to the background of a moon instead. Stupid boys. Boys are dumb. Tony. My dad. Just illogical.

I remember because my friend took the picture and for some reason I thought it was funny. I logged onto Facebook and immediately Tony chatted me. He would be online waiting for me because he misses me so, so much. That's just the type of guy he is. So sweet sometimes. Stalker-y too, but sweet.

Tony Dellazi: WADDUP QT

Graise: Hi, Ton...

Tony Dellazi: How it's there in Tennessee??

Graise: * North Carolina

Tony Dellazi: Right, ye. What I meant. You like it?

Graise: It's ok

Tony Dellazi: guys hitting on ya?

Graise: They don't exist down here.

Tony Dellazi: ... LOL

Well I gtg babe.. we're going to Trista's for a hot tub party tn.

He logged off before I had the chance to write back, have fun. He was just saying that on purpose anyway to me, to make me jealous. It wasn't working. I get up from my little window seat and grabbed my phone, trying to connect it to wifi. For some reason it kept failing, even my laptop was having issues now. I guess this is what I'll have to deal with all summer. Spotty wifi. Talk. About. Poor.

"Gab, get dressed! We're going to head to the shop to close up!" my father calls from downstairs. I put on a white Hollister shirt with bootleg jeans and flip flops, then proceed to go downstairs.
"You're ready?" he asks. I nod. We get in his Graise Bouquet van and he drives. My grandma goes in the passenger seat. Matty's sitting literally on the floor of the van in the back. He doesn't seem phased, so I guess he's used to this life. I certainly am not.

We stop in front of an apartment building and drop off my grandma. Then he drives to the store. When we get there, there were a few customers. My brother and I follow my father around the counter.

"Hi there! Boy you've grown! Do you remember me Gabby? Name Chanelle ring a bell?" I smile politely. Chanelle has platinum blonde hair and looked in her early forties. She pulls me in for a kiss and a hug.

"I don't, sorry," I mutter. She smiles warmly, "that's alright," and hugs and kisses Matty as well. She seems nice enough. Southern hospitality.
"Where's the ladies room?" I ask her. She points to the back hallway and I nod, thanking her. I hate having to always thank people around these parts but I guess it's necessary. Their social norms. I don't want to be an outcast.
Does it really matter what these people think anyway? They're nobodies in the grand scheme of my life. I go inside the bathroom, my thoughts still racing about Chanelle, she just gave me such a weird smile, almost like a knowing one. Like she knew something I didn't know. I just hate the uneasiness she left me with. As I get out of the stall and finish up washing my hands, I go to leave the bathroom and the door whips open with this tall, toned, muscular guy in a pink Graise Bouquet polo. My mouth nearly falls to the floor, he's so attractive.

"Uh, I—sorry," I stammer out.
"Men's room?" he laughs. I roll my eyes and shove past him, awkwardness and embarrassment washing through me. I went into the men's room?! That's how lost in my thoughts I was, that I didn't even realize there's a freakin' urinal in the same room as me?! I need to get a grip.

When I get back to my father and Matty, they take me over to the bakery side of the shop. It's a bit bigger than the florist side and it's filled with a clear counter of all sorts of delicious, fattening goodies that just want to give me calories and make me join the races with America's obesity problem. I take a seat at a small table with Matty, while my father goes in the back. He says he'll be back soon and hopes that we have room for dessert. Obviously I certainly do as I didn't touch the food that he gave me at his house.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, the bathroom guy is there. He's handing out a couple of orders to the remaining customers. It was busier on the bakery side than on the florist side. He was so gorgeous. He had a smile that was more than gorgeous. His hair was spiked back, trident-white teeth.
"That's Mauricio," my father says as he returns, handing me a small piece of carrot cake. He told Mauricio to come and introduce himself to me and that he'd take care of the rest of the orders. Clearly he recognized me. He looked about my age.
"Hey," he says and wipes his hand on his apron, before shaking mine. Our eyes held a gaze.
"I'm... Gabby,"
"I know. The whole town does. Your pops been talking all about ya Gabby. Now I can see why. I'm Moe, by the way," he had brown puppy-dog eyes and a smile that definitely lit up the room. He could make my day even on the worst ones. Like right now. Like right at this minute. 

************************************************************************

Let me hear your comments down below!

- Eleni