Sweet Munchies

Second Munch

The bell chimed as we walked into the ice cream shop.

"This is the place." Jake said. I looked around the shop. The shop's theme was definitely pastel -- the walls were purple and the tables and chairs were pink. The air conditioning was on full blast.

"Jake! Who's the new girl?" A man wearing an apron walked out from behind the counter.

"Hey William. This is Estrella. Anna's daughter. She just moved in today." Jake answered.

"Hi, Estrella. Fancy a new and pretty face around here." William looked at me.

"Rella would do. Nice to meet you too." I said.

"You took a compliment as a greeting. Cute." William said.

I said nothing and just smiled. I was really craving for some ice cream. Not much craving for small talks.

"What do you want to order, Rella? It's on the house for the new girl." William said.

"Thanks." I replied.

After we got our ice cream -- mine a double scoop of peppermint chocolate chips and Jake a triple scoop of vanilla flavoured ice cream, the bell at the door chimed again, indicating someone walked into the shop.

"Rella?" Someone stopped at our table and casted a shadow. I looked up and saw a girl with her hair braided into two. Someone I thought I lost -- someone I left behind when I left Lake Havasu.

"Julie? Is that you?" I stood up, surprised at the fact that she still recognised me.

"Yeah, it's me! It's been so long, Rella!" Julie exclaimed. She pulled me away from the table and pulled me into a really tight hug. I do the same.

"I missed you," She whispered into my hair. I wondered if it was oily, but whatever. I missed her too.

"I'm sorry." I said once she let go of me. Tears almost welled up in my eyes.

"For what, Rella? You're already here and that's what matters the most. The rest is in the past and I don't really give a shit anymore." Julie grinned at me.

I smile back. Julie was a close friend that I met while I attended elementary school here. She was the only one that I told about my parents, grandparents and someone that I really trusted around here when I was younger. Whenever my parents quarrelled, I would sneak out of the house and ran to Julie's house for cover. Her mum -- Wendy was really nice too. She did not ask for any reasons when I barged into their house at random timings. Sometimes even at 6AM in the morning and Wendy would dress me in Julie's extra uniform and send the both of us to school in her car. I would never forget their kindness towards me.

When I left Lake Havasu, I did not tell anyone about me leaving. Including Julie. I thought she would be upset and get angry at me for leaving since I was also one of very close friends. But seeing at how she hugged me when she first saw me in the ice cream shop, I forget all the bad thoughts.

After letting Julie out of my embrace, I look a good look at the people that she walked in with.

"Oh, these are my friends -- Annie, Rachel and Bel. Girls, this is Estrella. Or you can just call her Rella like I do." Julie said. She pointed to each of them while introducing their names so I know. It was really nice to hear Julie introduced me as Rella, so I don't have to say it again.

I smiled. "Hey. Nice to meet you girls." I said.

Annie, Rachel and Bel said their heys and they looked really nice. Like, pretty. They were tan, but pretty. I realised all the people here are really beautiful looking and me? I think I'd look as plain as I looked back in Alaska. Really.