Wildflowers

Chapter One

Birdie:

 Silence, to some it was scary to me it was my solace. Because in the silence was when I could think, When it was silent I was safe. Silence meant no people, no people meant no way to embarrass my self or meaningless conversations and small talk for me to mess up.

I was currently sitting in the back of my favorite bookstore, the only book store in my small town. Hardly anyone came in here unless it was to check out a book for school or the occasional elderly lady for a book on gardening. From my little nook in the corner which was hidden behind massive unkept shelves I was able to see most of the shop while being comfortably settled on the thin thread bare cushion of the window sill. I could feel the sharp coolness of the window through my sweater while I tried to focus on the book in my lap. 

Technically I was supposed to be working by organizing the shelves but after hours of hauling books back and fourth from isle to isle and re-alphabetizing and categorizing the many rows of books I decided to give myself a much needed break. Aside from Mr. Shepard the old man who owned the store after taking it over due to his late wife's passing, I was the only other employee. And I use that term loosely, I didn't get paid much or at all really I mainly just spent my weekends reorganizing and cleaning the store from the weeks visits of people borrowing a book but not putting it back in the right place, or the occasional crowd of teenagers who come tearing through the place looking for a book to the help them complete their last minute assignments. 

During the week I work at the small coffee shop across the street after school, I don't take the orders just make them, heaven knows I couldn't do the math to be a cashier and my boss thankfully understands that now after the incident when I got an iced mocha thrown at me because I counted change wrong. 

Standing up from my scrunched position on the window seat I stretched out and checked my watch, shit it was almost 4:00 I had forgotten that I said I would take up an extra shift at the coffee shop this weekend, running out of the book store while saying good bye to Mr. Shepard I dashed across the street in the rain and strode into The cozy cup, The cozy cup was small with only a few booths and a limited and simple menu, it had a few pastries on display in little glass cases on the counter and it had a calming vintage aesthetic to it. Which was another thing that I loved about the place it was always warm and inviting hanging my coat on the rack and walking behind the counter I apologize to Ms. Meadows the elderly lady who owns the shop and was commonly seen behind the counter taking orders and handing them off to me "Its okay dear, you still early as always. you're to young to be worried about something so little as to being on time" She said with a smile while looking at me as I fix my long brown hair into a bun and pushing the glasses back onto my nose "There's nothing wrong with being punctual." I defend "I never said that their was, but theres punctual and then there's up tight." She said again before messing up my bun a little "And you my dear bird need to loosen up some, just go with the flow, there is no need to always have a schedule or be ten minutes early to everything."  She said while giving a glance at the clock "Well would you look at that you're only five minutes early, you've made progress." I nearly roll my eyes at her joke, but I didn't want to appear disrespectful. "You need to go out make some friends get into some trouble yea." she continues "Ugh, come on Ms. M you tell me this every time I clock in for work, I don't like to socialize and you know what happens when I do I end up making a fool of myself or I don't say the right things. Besides I don't need friends or a boyfriend, I've got my books to keep me company." I tell the elderly woman as I begin to clean out the espresso machine from the last order. "Yes, and I will continue to pester you about it until I see some progress in your impossibly boring social life." The woman's says with a pointed stare "It's just that I worry about you alone all the time with your head in the clouds and eyes in a book. Is that where you just came from the book store again?" She ask's as she begins to count out a customers change and I begin to brew the tea. "Yes" I reply sharply knowing exactly where this conversation was going. Mr Shepard and Ms. Meadows hated each other, why I would never know but I did know that the two adults could hardly stand to hold a civil conversation with the each other. "That wrinkly old fart" Ms. M scoffs before continuing "How he managed to charm my favorite employee into even stepping foot into that cursed book shop I'll never know." She stated with a shake of her head. I laughed before replying "It has nothing to do with Mr. Shepard, I just love books and the atmosphere and smell of that place. Plus I think you would like him too if you at least attempted to hold a civil conversation with the poor man. What did he ever do to suffer your wrath?" I ask while finishing the peppermint tea and putting it on the finished orders side of the counter After taking the next order she replied by saying "Nothing you should concern yourself with, and I will never enjoy the company of that old snake." I shook my head before laughing out "you're impossible" and she bit out and you're supposed to be working. Still laughing I turned back to the coffee and began to brew.

After a few more hours of work and chatting with Ms. Meadows who aside from Mr. Shepard might be my only friend it was time to close up the shop and head home. On my walk home I decided to stop by the store to pick up some things for dinner and for myself. Walking to the check out with my basket in hand I suddenly ran into something, something hard. Causing me to stumble backwards and promptly fall onto the ground. "Oh Shit" I heard some one mutter above me "I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going and then..." But I trailed off as I looked up and locked eyes with none other than Levi Cade one of the most popular boys in our school. Him and his friends practically ruled this town. his eyes were the color of cold steel and sharp and bare as if they could see into my soul. "It's alright" he laughed. "Here let me help you up." He said while grabbing my arms and pulling me up. Now standing I looked back down at my old worn out shoes and began to pick up my thing off of the floor and putting them back into my basket. 

"So are you new in town you don't look familiar." Levi inquired as he leaned down to pick up the basket before handing it to me. "No" I replied I wasn't new I've been living in this town since I was born and have gone to school with Levi and his friends since preschool but they were all to caught up in their own little world to notice anyone but themselves. He was about to respond back when a deep voice yelled "Yo Levi, what are you doing?" it was Hunter Lock son of the towns mayor who was standing next to West Springs another one of Levi's friends. Levi turned his head to look at his friends before replying with "Talking with someone i'll be there in a sec." But before he could turn back and continue our conversation I took off for the self check out purchased my items and left the store. Leaving a shocked Levi behind.

Walking into my drive way I noticed the lights were off which meant that my parents were still gone, they had left a note saying that they had a business trip to California and that they would be back soon. I texted them periodically just checking in and making sure that they were okay and they always were. After making dinner and showering I changed into an old t-shirt and some pajama shorts before setting my alarm and going to bed.

A/N: 

Word count 1545

Thank you all for reading the first chapter of Wildflowers I know that was a long chapter but and a little boring but I needed to start the story off somehow.  please let me know what you think and don't forget to vote and comment ;)

Question what's ya'lls favorite color?