Alissa
After school she would walk over to the library, go to her seat in the corner of the north section, pick up the book she was reading and stay there until her mum came to pick her up at 5:30. Once they were both in the car her mum would ask her "How was your day?" and she would answer "Good." Then her mum would reply with "Have you got much homework?" and she would say "Some." And that would be it until they got home and she went off to her room. That's how it always was, that's how it would always be. Until the 6th of September when something extraordinary happened.
Alissa was walking towards the library when someone bumped into her. The guy was tall, built up and, to be honest, fairly good looking. He immediately helped her up and started apologising. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you! God, I'm having a bad day."
Alissa dusted off her pants while the guy kept talking "First my girlfriend freaking beaks up with me then I miss the bus then I just knock people over, ugh." He looked down at her again and sighed. "Sorry I'm rambling."
Alissa finally found her voice and answered, "No it's fine. I know what you feel like." Earlier that day she had spilt coffee on her new top, forgotten her homework and walked to school because she'd been late for the bus.
"Well I better..." she pointed towards the library.
"Oh yeah, sorry!" He smiled at her then they both said their goodbyes, heading off in the opposite directions.
Alissa smiled when she walked into the library and smelt the familiar scent. Old books, dust and burnt coffee. She went and sat in her usual spot at the back of the room and opened up the book she was reading.
Pride and Prejudice had always been one of her favourite novels but right now she wasn't really feeling the mood. Sighing, she walked over to the bookshelf nearest to her, looking for something else the might grab her attention.
Her mind wandered back to the conversation she just had with the guy. Alissa wasn't really the type of person you started a chat with. She was usually quiet and didn't know how to socially interact very well. Who was he anyway? She'd never seen him before.
"Alissa?" Someone was calling her name.
"Yeah." She answered walking to the end of the shelf to see who it was.
Sure enough it was her mother. Alissa frowned in confusion, it was only 4 O'clock. "What are you doing here so early?"
"Well, I finished early so I thought I might come and pick you up." She answered, smiling.
Alissa nodded and packed up her things. They both walked out to the car together and got in.
Once they were back out on the main street her mother started to talk to her.
"So, tonight there's a small party happening at Anji's." She glanced over at her daughter. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come."
Alissa looked at her mum confused. They never went out anywhere, especially not party's. "Why?" she asked.
Her mother sighed, "Honey, I know this might be hard for you but I can't just be alones forever. After your father left I've been .... isolated in a way. I mean yeah I have you, "She quickly glanced back at her daughter, "But I need someone else, someone I can be happy with."
Alissa thought about what she was saying, taken aback. She never knew her mother felt this way before. "Of course, Mum. I agree." She faked a smile.
Her mother sighed in relief, "Thank you for understanding."
They didn't talk for the rest of the way home. Once they got inside Alissa went straight to her room and she stayed there until the time came when they had to leave.
