Generation Lost (Daughter of Joshua Balz & Ryan Ashley Malarkey)

Chapter 5 ~ Strangers

**6 years later**

[Snow's POV]

I stepped out of the school with my best friends, Bailey and Margo.

"Hey, Snow, are you coming with us to the movies?" Margo asked.

"I want to, but I can't. I have to help my mom with the store since my dad and uncles are coming back today," I said.

"Aww. Okay. Maybe Friday?" I asked.

"Okay, good! On your birthday, and then maybe your Uncle Angelo can bring those yummy chicken wings he makes," Bailey said as he got his bike.

"I hope so," I giggle.

"Can't believe your turning 10, Snow," Margo said.

"You kidding? I can't believe her family is a bunch of tattoo artists, oddities collectors, and rock stars that even travel to Europe. If my grandparents found out I hang out with you, they'll force my parents to send me to work in the farm," he said. "Its boring there."

I gave a 'yikes' look, knowing his grandparents live in the Amish communities.

I hugged my friends. "I'll see you guys later. Bye," I said, and went over to my bike, unlocking it and brushing the snow off the seat.

"Bye, Snow!" they said as I got on and rode off.

My name is Snow. I like in Scranton with my mom and Dad and uncles, and sometimes we stay in California for the summer or when I tour with my dad.

I'm in the fourth grade, and I'm turning 10 in 2 days.

My life is pretty good with my mom and dad, and T and Casper.

I don't think i could have asked for a better life. I'm proud of my family and hope to one day follow in their footsteps, whether its owning my own oddities parlor or playing on stage in front of millions of people.

I was turning to the corner of the street my mom's shop when my bike had slipped on the cement and I fell, thankfully not falling hard, but I did feel that I hit my elbow a little hard.

"Oww," I groaned.

"You okay, kid?" a raspy voice asked.

I looked up and met with a man with blue eyes, a scratchy beard and looked rough.

I have a bad feeling around him.

"Umm... Yeah...." I said.

He held his hand up to me and I didn't know if to take it, but I didn't want to be rude.

I took his hand and helped me up as I dusted off the snow from my coat.

I then heard him speak something.

"Te pareces a Julissa..." he mumbled. (You look like Julissa...)

I looked up at him weirdly. Traveling to countries with my dad, I've managed to learn Spanish, German, French, and some Italian.

"A quien?" I asked him. (Who?)

"Hmm... Nothing," he said, and walked away.

I looked at him weirdly and just grabbed my bike and rode the rest of the way to the store.

I locked my bike in the alley and walked in.

"Mom? I'm home," I said as Toronto and Casper ran towards me, greeting me as I knelt down to greet them.

"In the back, baby!!" She shouted.

Yeah, she has a tattoo appointment.

I jogged over to the back as T and Cas followed and walk into the back to see she was working on a sleeve for some lady.

"Hey, Snowflake, how was school?" she asked as she stopped for a second.

"It was good," I said, pulling my black Asylum coat (from Sanctus) off. "I passed the english test."

"Nice," she said as we high fived each other. "Auntie Christie left with Eryn for lunch a few minutes ago, so they're bringing you something later."

"Okay. I'll go hang out front," I said, about to turn and remember something. "Hey Mom?"

"Yeah?" She asked as she returned to work.

"Who's Julissa?" I asked.

She scrunched her eyebrows. "Julissa?"

"Yeah. I fell off my bike on the way here and this weird guy helped me up, then said in spanish that I looked like some Julissa," I said.

She frowned, stopping after she wiped some excess ink from the lady's skin and turning to me.

"Honey, I don't know anyone named Julissa. And I don't want to hear you were in a situation like that again. You know me and your father have told you no talking to strangers at all," she scolded. "And you fell? Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry. And yeah, I'm alright. Just bumped my elbow a little," I said.

"Alright. But I don't want to hear anything like this again, okay? You know better," she said as she pulled me into a hug.

"Okay. I'm sorry, Mom," I said.

"Its okay, sweetie. Now go up front and wait for your aunts," she said, patting my back.

"Okay," I said, and turned to leave as Casper and Toronto followed.

"You have a beautiful daughter, Ryan," the lady said as I left.

"Thank you. She's turning 10 tomorrow," Mom said proudly, and that's pretty much all I heard since the conversation faded out as I left.

I went to the front and removed the "Be back in 15 minutes" sign.

I've rung people up before here. I'm actually pretty advanced in math for my age.

I sat at the counter after feeding the dogs when my aunts walked in.

"There she is, the special birthday girl," Auntie Eryn said excitedly as my Aunt Christie held 2 bags.

I laughed at them. "I turn 10 tomorrow, Aunt Eryn," I said as they went to the counter.

"Well, nonetheless, happy birthday," Auntie Christie said, placing one of the bags in front of me.

I looked in and saw some stuff there.

I pulled out a small box wrapped in black paper.

I curiously opened it and saw inside a small mouse mount and earrings.

"Oh my god! ClovenHoof earrings!!" I exclaimed. "And the mouse is pearly eyed like you promised!!"

"Happy birthday, Snowball," she laughed as she hugged me and then I clip the earrings on.

"And, we got you your favorites from Panera," Auntie Eryn said.

She pulled out a box and opening to reveal my favorite meal- Smokey Turkey on Three Cheese panini, an apple, and a sealed cup full of Hibiscus tea.

Sounds like a big meal for my age, but I've gone to eat with my aunts and uncles and parents before, so I learned to taste a lot of cool stuff.

I smiled as she then pulled out another box. She opened it to reveal a small vanilla cupcake with a snowflake on it.

"Happy early birthday, sweetie," Auntie Eryn smiled.

"Thank you guys so much," I said as my mom and her client walked in.

"Thanks again, Ryan Ashley," she said, then turned to me, giving me a kind smile. "And happy birthday to you."

"Thank you, miss," I said as she left after paying.

"Alright, Snow, finish lunch up so we can go get dinner for when your dad comes home," Mom said.

"Okay," I said and started to eat as my mom and aunts got to work.

I can't wait to see my dad again.