New Beginnings

2. Riley's POV

Well seems like dad forgot to do the grocery shopping. The fridge was practically empty and there was just an open box of cereal on the shelf. I'm too hungry for a dry bowl of stale cereal. I've been cooped up inside the house for about 2 weeks now, unpacking boxes and cleaning. Dad is a lawyer and his office is in town and he gets really busy so I don't mind sorting out the house. I figured I could drive into town and get a few groceries and maybe stop by dad's office and bring him some lunch.

My stuff was mostly unpacked; just a few boxes with clothes still remained untackled. Even though summer was quickly disappearing, it was still pretty warm out. I decided on a pair of denim shorts with a crop top and a flannel over and to finish off a white pair of converse. Highly satisfied with my choice of outfit for the day I gathered up my car keys and wallet and left the house. We have 2 cars. When mum died I asked dad if I could keep her car, it was the few possessions of my mother's that we decided to keep. The rest, like her clothes, were donated to shelters and people in need as per her wishes. She really loved that car and now it's mine to love, it's filled with memories of my mother. It's a black 1969 ford mustang. Gotta love a good ol' American muscle.

Driving into town is the best. Greenery on either side of the highway. It didn't take long to get into the town... must have been 15 to 20 minutes and that's with me just cruising. I'm pretty sure I could get there 10 if I really put this monster to work. The town is absolutely beautiful. It's the kinda place where everyone knows everyone. People leisurely going about their day in the most care free manner possible. Kids were biking around with their friends, chatting and laughing away. There weren't a lot of cars on the road so there was no traffic.

While driving around looking for the supermarket I spied a cute little coffee shop. Deciding it to be the perfect breakfast stop before having to walk around endlessly in a supermarket, I parked in front of the shop and walked in. The rich smell of coffee immediately invaded my senses followed by smells of freshly baked goods. There were a few people ahead of me so I just followed the line till it got to my turn.

"What can I get for you?" a boy around 15 years asked from behind the counter.

Now you see the problem with being antisocial and socially awkward is that I don't really know how to talk to people. I freeze, mind goes blank, and I end up making a fool of myself.

"Uhm... what would like to get?" he asked again politely, reminding me that I have yet to order something. "Right tell the nice boy what you want. It's not that hard, just open your mouth and speak," I mentally berated myself.

"Okii. Can I... uuuuhhhh... coffeeandjamtartplease," I rushed out with panic. "That was definitely not easy. Nothing about that was easy," I whined to myself as I walked over to a table situated at the corner of shop.

I was just enjoying my breakfast keeping to myself when two attractive looking people walked in. One was a boy and the other was a girl, they were tall and thin. Not thin as in skinny but as in they lean and looked really athletic. The dude was much bigger than his friend but she also looked like she worked out regularly. It was the girl that caught really caught my attention. She had these blue eyes. It was like getting lost in an ocean. An ocean I didn't mind getting lost in might I just add. But there seemed to be something so alluring about them. 'Arggghh. I really should not be having these kinds of feelings towards a) A literal stranger, and b) a girl. Get a grip Riley.'

They seemed way to hyper to be consuming caffeine. They were talking animatedly amongst themselves. Once they received their orders they left the coffee shop, probably to go do whatever they had planned. I watched the spot they once occupied a previous moment ago. They seem like nice people; maybe I'll get to see them in school.

I've spent way too much time sitting in this coffee shop but I absolutely love this place, definitely gonna be coming here all the time when school starts. The supermarket wasn't too far away from the coffee shop and...AND I did also find the high school I would be attending as I was driving past. So that's good I know where it is.

It took so long to buy whatever groceries we needed. Rolling my eyes as I loaded everything into the car. Completely exhausted I stopped and got takeout before making my way to dad's office for a late lunch. It was real messy in there. Files were sprawled out everywhere. I'm pretty sure there's a table under all that papers he got on top of it.

"Hey kiddo," dad called out from behind me with a mound of files in his arms. I had no idea someone could possibly have this many files.

"Uhm, yeah dad you really need to sort this place out. Or get someone to help you out, like a secretary or something," I said while still looking around in shock.

"Enough about that now I see you brought me food," he laughed and started clearing out a spot for us, "Come let's see what you got in that bag and you can tell me what you've been up to today."

Lunch dates with my dad are great. We talk about anything and everything. I know he misses mum. He's trying to be strong. I love him for that. He's always trying to shield me from any added pain. I hope he knows that we in this together, he doesn't have to be strong all the time. That's why I enjoy surprising him with small things such as these lunch dates or helping him out with errands, he already has so much to do.

It was early evening when I reached back home. I was busy unpacking the car when I could feel something staring at me. It gave me the creeps. I turned around quickly, scanning the forest for something. I was so lost in concentration I almost jumped out of my skin when a rabbit scuttered from one bush to another. Clutching my chest I tried to get my breathing back down to normal and started laughing at my misplaced fear.