Queen's Princess

PART III: Chapter 17

A year had passed since my grandparents had passed. The day after they did pass, I tried to take Odessa to the oasis, but I wasn't able to. I was too overwhelmed with my emotions that I stayed with her for about a month before I headed back home. What I had made for Odessa was still where it was. I opened up the back door and the furnitre that my grandparents used to sit at were still there. I walked over to the chair my grandfather sat, running my hand down the fabric, feeling it run against my skin. The grandmother's quilt she made for my mother when she was a baby was still on the back side of the couch. Walking over to it, I picked up a corner and looked at the stitching, seeing that it was hand stitched. I sadly smiled at it before heading over to my room to see it was still in a disarry. I sat down on the edge of my bed and placed my face in my hands, rubbing my eyes before placing my palms against my cheeks. The front door opened and my father walked over to my room.

"Hey, kiddo," he said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey, dad," I sighed.

"How are ya feeling?"

"Horrible."

Walking over, my father sat down beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I think the biggest support you're going to get during this time is not only going to come from us, but from Odessa."

"Yeah," I whispered.

"How are things with 'er? Ya spent quite a long time with 'er."

"I needed 'er."

"I know ya did. I'm glad she was able to help ya when ya needed it most. She has a strong shoulder to lean on. Don't lose her as a friend, Y/N. I know ya want more, but if she doesn't, ya two are great friends already."

"I know, dad."

He nodded and stood up, "I'll let ya have some alone time."

"Hey, dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Where can I get paint here?"

"Paint? Most likely the central part of the Wastelands. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Yeah most likely down there."

"Thanks," I said and stood up, walking out of the house.

I headed to the junk yard first to get what I needed and then I headed over to the central area to see if it was true. Sure enough, it was. While they were pretty expensive to purchase, I had some parts that are valuable. Hopefully they'd be willing to trade. They were willing to trade one part for one large bowl of paint, but if I wanted to buy more, I had to pay instead of trade, which I did. I headed back home and went to my father's work bench, continuing the project I was working on for Odessa. It took me well into the afternoon to finish, but it was great for tonight. Setting them aside, I slid down the sand dune and made my way to her house. I got onto the step and knocked on the back door. The door opened and it was her mother who answered.

"Oh, hello, Y/N."

"Hello, Mrs. Stone. Is Odessa here?"

"She's actually in the central area toady. She was looking for something, I don't know what, but it was pretty urgent. Once she comes back I'll send 'er to your house."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I climbed back up the sand dune and decided to get some work done on my weapon, which were dual swords and the blades can come off, creating sword nunchucks. I was still learning with the nunchuck part since I was cutting myself here and there. Getting too engrossed in my work, like always, I didn't hear Odessa coming up the sand dune, but I did feel her hand being placed on the right side of my hip and she slowly dragged her hand across my lower back before stopping and placing her other hand on the left side of my hip.