DIY Bestie

Prologue

"There are too many memories here, Myka! We are leaving, and that is final!" Mom exclaims, emotion thick in her voice. "We can't function here anymore!"

"I can!" I yell in the general direction of my mother as I climb up the stairs that lead to my room. "This is the only place that has ever felt like home, I'm not moving!" And with that, I slam the door to my room.

*4 months later*

"I hate this stupid town." I growl at the unfamiliar world outside my new window. I long for the mountain view I had from the window in my old room, it would always bring me comfort when I was upset, now I'm left staring at the old, grey town, at the cars whizzing by in the busy streets below my window. It will never be the same, it will never feel like home here, and that is incredibly frustrating.

"Myka I need you to help set up the cafe!" Mom calls from downstairs.

I roll my eyes, why did my mom think moving was a good idea? We had everything we needed in Little Rock, and everything was already set up just the way we liked it, now we have to start all over again. Did I mention that this whole process is both mentally and physically exhausting?

I reluctantly stand and leave the small, bare room that I have to call mine, and head downstairs. I walk through our living space, still cluttered with half unpacked boxes, and head to the part of our house that will function as our family business, the Creek Cafe.

"There you are, Myka. I need your help setting up the cafe kitchen, and you need to stop moping around, this is our life now. Come on, help me move the oven in to place." Mom says quickly.

I groan and reluctantly help her push the oven into the opening between counters. It takes a few minutes, but we finally manage to do it. I take a deep breath and wipe my forehead with my sleeve.

"When are we opening?" I ask quietly.

"Hopefully within a couple of months. We'll need to hold some interviews for extra staff members." Mom sighs.

"Right..." I trail off.

"We'll have to clean the place up, but we can do that later. For now, lets set up tables." Mom says, looking around the cafe kitchen.

"I can do that. You can take a break." I sigh. If I'm going to be stuck here, I might as well be useful.

"Are you sure?" She asks uncertainly. I nod. "Alright then, I'll go up to the school and register you. I was going to have you come with me to do it tomorrow, but I assume you like this arrangement better?"

"Definitely." I breath. "I don't want to set foot in that place until I have to."

Mom nods and slings her purse over her shoulder.

"I'll be back soon." She promises, stepping closer to kiss me on the forehead before entering the garage and shutting the door behind her.

I sigh and start assembling tables and chairs, placing them strategically around the cafe. It's going to be a long day.

Why couldn't we have just stayed in Arkansas?