Escaping the Past

Chapter 3 - Starting Out In A New Town

Tw alcoholism, slef derivation, anxiety, guilt over food
Enjoy~

Annette had gotten an early start to the morning want to make the most of day Yoba, I could really go a coffee right now 
Katie stumbled around in search of coffee or a coffee maker and grimacing when she found neither her eyes did land on the bottle of wine Robin had given her and a voice creeped up in the back her mind that would also work as pick me up Annette shook her head No I don't do that anymore stop it
She quickly grabbed the bottle and stowed it out of sight 
Annette trudged out of her house with her tools and began working, she slowly Began cutting away and weeds and breaking down rocks. She sighed looking the large trees I'll have to find Robin tomorrow to get some help with those 
Annette continued her work. 
The first full day on the farm was slow but productive. Annette cleared enough space in front of her house to plant some parsnip seeds Lewis had stopped by to give her she made sure to leave space between them and any trees that'd she planned to cut down. 
Annette checked her phone and saw it was nearly 5pm and decided to grab her blue sweater and take a walk into town and maybe meet a few people. Lewis told her only about 30 people lived in the town so she figured she may as well meet a few of them
Annette stepped into the town square and say two ladies talking a little south of her. They looked friendly enough so she slowly walked towards them I hope I don't say something stupid and make them hate me
One of the women notice my approach and turned towards me she nudged her green haired friend who also looked toward me and smile
Here goes nothing 
"Hello, I'm the new farmer in town" Annette extended her hand out "My name is Annette" 
The ladies glance at each other before the green haired one took my hand and shook it "Hello, I'm Caroline. My husband runs the general store here. And have you met my daughter, Abigail? She's the pale one with the purple hair" 
"No I haven't met many people yet" Annette turned her attention and offer her hand to the other woman 
She accepted it "Oh! You aren't exactly how I imagined... but that's okay! I'm Jodi."
Annatte made a face what's that supposed to mean but she quickly changes it back into a smile letting Jodi continue 
"It's a quiet little town, so it's very exciting when someone new moves in! Having a farmer around could really change things." 
Great another person to let down
"I hope I can help" Annette took her hand back "Well it was nice to meet you ladies have a great evening" 
Annette quickly walked away and once she turned a corner she let out a breath of relief
I hate meeting people Annette looked around and saw a blue haired girl walking out of her house and notice her and make a beeline for her
Damn it now I have to meet someone else too
"Ooh!... I can read it on your face. You're going to love it here in Pelican Town. Are you doing anything?" 
Annette shook her head
"You should stop by the Saloon this evening that's where I work!" 
"Maybe" I probably should stay away from alcohol though
"Come on, it'll be fun. Plus I bet I can get Gus to give you a welcome meal on the house!" 
Before she could even respond the woman grabbed Annette arm and began leading her toward the saloon
"Oh I'm Emily by the way don't think is said it" 
Emily then basically dragged me into the building and called out "Gus look who I met!" 
Everyone in the bar turned to look at us
Annette looked around Lewis with a short chubby woman a redheaded woman and a man with long brown hair at a table behind them as well a Robin with a dark skinned man near the bar and an older blonde woman with several empty glasses in front of her
Everyone took turned meeting Annette. Lewis introduced her to his 'friend' Marnie
They looked a little to close to just be friends but I won't pry
Robin introduced her husband Dimitruis
The remain townsfolk introduced themselves, she ended up meeting Leah, Elliot and Pam I really hope I can remember all their names but she noticed someone else sulking in the corner who didn't approach 
Emily noticed him in the corner as well and called out "Shane, come meet the new farmer!" 
"I don't know her, why would I talk to her?" 
Annette was taken slightly aback I shouldn't be too surprised there are assholes everywhere
Emily turned back to me before apologizing on his behalf "Sorry about him, he can really be a nice guy once you get to know him" 
I doubt it "It's fine I've met worse people in the city" 
Alright let get you fed she led me up to the bar and Annette sat down before she went around the counter
"Alright we have salads, pizza, spaghetti and the dish of the day is Gus' Maki roll" 
Sushi in a bar that's sounds questionable better play it safe I don't want to get sick "Some pizza sounds good" 
"Alright what toppings we've got most of the normal ones" she leaned in close to whisper "but don't ask for pineapple Gus might lose it a little" she giggled 
"Uh… pepperoni is fine" I don't want to bother her with anything complicated I already feel bad that she's not gonna charge me
"Alright I'll get that going for you. Did you want a drink while you wait" 
Annette mouth started salivating a little at the thought Yes she almost said it No you can't do that again "I'll just have a water" 
"Alright!" Emily filled up a glass and passed it to me
Annette tried to enjoy the night and chatted with Emily while she worked, while ignoring the guilt of the free food
After while she'd only eaten about half the pizza and felt guilty about not being able to finish the rest
"Hey Em," she called to her "Do you want some of this pizza I'm too full to finish it and I don't have a fridge yet" 
"I'm vegetarian so I won't eat it but Shane would. Do you want me to give it to him" 
Annette eyes narrowed a bit but she still agreed "Sure maybe he won't be such a dick to me next time I try to talk to him"
That made both girls laugh and Emily grabbed the pizza and went around the counter before handing it Shane and pointing toward Annnette who gave a small wave before turn back to her water
Soon she heard footsteps come up next to her 
"Thanks" Shane said to her
"No problem didn't want it to go to waste" 
Emily handed Shane a card 
"Alright you are settled up see you later Shane" 
"Night" Shane then trudged out the door
"Annette unfortunately we are closing up, but like I said Dinner was on the house so have a great night" 
"You too Emily, I'll see you around" 
When Emily turned Annette quickly grabbed some money from her pocket and set it on the counter before leaving can't say no to the tip if I'm not there she felt satisfied know she essential paid for dinner anyway it helped ease her guilt about it a little Yoba, that was a lot of work I hate meeting new people at least Emily was nice I could see us being friends pretty easily Annette sighed and made her way home to get some rest