Part.Of.Me. ~18+

Chapter 4

Lily Jenkins -

"No, sir, if you'd just listen-" I was on the edge of my frustration. If I knew working as a barista at Starbucks would be so much work, I would've opted for the McDonald cashier worker.

I glanced at Ariala as she ate her cereal in silence. It's been a day, and she still hasn't told me what happened, and I'm starting to get worried. I'm surprised she didn't catch a fever standing in the rain.

After that phone call, I sat down next to her at the table. "So..." I started. She just looked down at her bowl, her spoon swishing in her milk.

"Do...you want to do anything today? The mall? Or...oh! How about the beach! Sounds good?" I suggested, trying to cheer her up.

She stopped eating and looked at me, smiling. "Can we go to the park?" she asked softly.

My heart broke. How could anyone hurt this sweet girl? "Of course, baby. Get ready, I'll be outside."

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "I'm not a baby mom."

You'll always be my baby, Ari.  I thought as I walked out the house laughing.

I suddenly got a PING! noise come from my phone.

Thinking it's from Marge, I pulled my phone out to have gotten a text from an unknown number.

???: So, you used me.

What?

Me: Who is this??

There was a pause, three dots appearing on the screen before another message popped up.

???: Just a day ago you were moaning my name so loud. I thought I made sure you'd remember for a long time.

Huh? Daniel?

Me: Daniel? How'd you get my number?

Daniel: You work for MY Starbuck's, Lily. Don't you think I'd know who my workers are?

Me: Well, you never knew me before that night. 

Daniel: Then maybe you should wear hot sexy clothes more often.

I felt a blush creeping up my face and neck as I stuffed my phone into my pocket. I felt like a teenager who just got a valentine from her crush.

"Uh, Mom? Do you need some water?" Ari said, snapping me towards her. Gosh, I must have really been blushing. "You look...flustered."

"What? No, it's um...allergies! Yes!" I said, wiping my eyes, faking tears. "See?" I sniffed.

She gave me a skeptical look, before opening the door to the passenger seat and sitting inside, watching me suspiciously as she closed it. "Whatever you say, mom."

I let out a sigh before walking to the car door, opening and sitting inside, slightly shaking as I push the key and start the car.

After a short drive, I made the turn into the parking lot. Ari scanned the view in front of her, opened the door.

For a while, she just stood there and let out a wide smile before running in the fields, letting out a carefree smile. 

"Wait, oh my god Ari!" I laughed as I hopped out the car and joined her.

We ran, people watching us like if we're crazy. Who cares? Nooo, not me.

"Okay, Ari, let's take a-" I looked around, breathless.