Today was another day. Business as usual. I turn the sign from closed to open.
I pull my hair back into a messy braid and tie the black apron with the store logo on it around my waist. I lean against the counter and wait for the day to begin.
It looked beautiful outside. I hardly go out though. I spend most of my time indoors. The outdoors isn't my favorite place at the moment. I'm doing as I've been instructed. Stay hidden, and not bringing any attention to myself. That's exactly why I'm indoors. The more I avoid going outside the less likely I'll be recognized.
"Good morning Margaret. It's a beautiful day isn't it?" I smile. I've been trying to make the best of what I have. It makes no use trying to make my life a living hell. "You are in a good mood this morning." She laughs. "And to answer your question it is beautiful outside. Maybe you should take the day off and go out there. You're always working." I smile. "I like to work. It keeps my mind busy and off of them." I sigh. I've come to the conclusion if I don't say their names it will make it easier.
"Well if you don't want the day off to go outside, at least go down to the post office and get the mail." I wanted to roll my eyes but I resist. Margaret has been nothing but kind to me it's the least I could do. Beside it's just the mail how bad could it be? "Alright Margaret."
I walk down the block to the post office. It felt strange being outside. I really haven't left the building. I work downstairs and when the day is over I head upstairs to my room. "Careful Timmy if you keep running you'll miss out on some things." I shout to the blonde headed boy running past me. "It gets me places faster." He shouts back over his shoulder.
"Good day Olivia." Mr. Bradford says tipping his hat. "Hello Mr. Bradford. I haven't seen you in the shop for a while. Hope you're not skipping out on me." "Wouldn't dream of it." I giggle.
I run into a few other regulars from the market. "Hello Roxanne." I say. "Anything for Margaret or I?" She looks through some boxes. These letter are for Margaret and this package is for you. Tell Ms. Margaret I say hi." "Will do."
Who on earth would send me a package? I only asked her because I knew I wasn't going to have anything. No one knew I was here. And those who did came by the store if they needed to give me something. I try looking for the return address. There isn't one. How strange? It isn't very big. It's inside a brown box.
I walk into the store. I hand Margaret her letters. "I see you've gotten something in the mail." I nod my head. I pull a box cutter out of one the pockets from my apron. I slide it across the taped edges. Inside is a ticket. It's to a performance. I read it to see whose it was. One Direction. Who would have sent me this? There for tomorrow. I look inside the box and there is a smaller black one in it. I'm afraid to open it. "What is it?" Margaret asks. I shrug my shoulders. "Well open it dear." I do as she says. I open the top. Inside is a silver chain. I pull it out of the box. At the end of the chain is a rose pendant. It's beautiful. A tear escapes my eye. That was Harry's and I code word that day at the beach. There is a note taped on the bottom of the box. I unfold it. I read it and choke on my sobs. "Is it from him?" I nod my head.
He had found me. Why hasn't he come into the store? How do I know this is from him? The handwriting matches his, but that doesn't necessarily mean he sent it.
"Are you going to wear it?" I shake my head. "No. Not yet." He can't just do that. He can't just send me this gift like that. Just out of the blue. "I think you need to go to that concert. That is the first place you heard about them, it might as well be the last right?" "You're right Margaret. Thank you for everything."
I begin to work. I'm so excited for tomorrow. Yet I still have this nervousness and butterflies in the pit of my stomach. What if he didn't send this? What if his life is fine with out me? If I see him will I be able to walk away?
Mr. Brown walks in. "Olivia is there something wrong? Why have you been crying my dear?" I laugh. "It's nothing. These tears are of happiness. Don't worry, I'm fine."
I hide the package under the counter. I slip the necklace into one of the pockets of my apron.
"Are you sure you don't want that day off?" Margaret asks me once more. "I think I could use it." I smile.
I leave and take the bus further into town. I walk into a clothing store. It's been such a long time since I've been to one of these. I feel as though I should show that I'm doing fine. To start that means a new look. It is a new me. I buy a floral dress. It was a strapless white dress with blue and black flowers. I also by a pair of short combat boots. I also make a stop at a Starbucks and order a green tea. I'm make my way back to the shop when I pass a tattoo parlor.
I've always wanted a tattoo. Not a large one, but a small one. I never really knew what I wanted. I think now I know. I walk into the parlor. I'm greeted by a girl with bright pink hair with tattoos all over her arms, and neck. I couldn't help but stare at her piercings. I counted she had about four on each ear and and five on her face. I wonder if it hurt.
"Can I help you?" I lay my elbows on the counter "Yes I think I want a tattoo." I say. I'm a bit nervous. "What did you have in mind?" I tell her what it is I was looking for.
She prepared the needle and wiped down the area in which she was going to mark. The machine made a humming noise. It wasn't very reassuring. She moved it closer to my skin. It was only inches away. Am I really going to go through with this? I felt the small prick of the needle. It stung when it first touched my skin. After that you got used to the stinging. She finished one and then moved to the other. The second one hurt the most. I think it's because of where I asked it to be placed. That one was the one that meant the most to me, it was funny how it was the one that brought me the most pain.
I left there with two new tattoos. One was a cross on inner part of my left wrist. The second was on my ankle. It was a ocean wave. It wrapped all the way around my ankle.
I walk into the shop. "Hello Margaret. You were right I needed the day off. I've never felt better." I smile setting my bags in the back of the store. "I'm glad to hear that sweetie. We were quite busy when you left but nothing I couldn't manage." She smiles. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
Was I? Emotionally, no. Was I still planning on going? Yes. I needed to see them one last time. Give them my final goodbyes. That is if I run into them. If I don't, then I will keep on my way. I'm terrified.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? I wish I knew.
