Heaven in the City

Chapter Two

"What about Georgia State?" My close friend Anna asks as she finishes checking out a customer. She works at the grocery store in town. We went to the same high school, where we graduated together a few weeks ago.  I have applied to a couple colleges but I haven't chosen yet, which I know is bad but I will choose.....eventually. Georgia State, South University, Clayton State, and a few out of state like Penn State and Manhattan College. Georgia State accepted me and so did Clayton State. I'm on the waiting list for Manhattan College which is where I really want to go.

"What about it?" I leans my back against the counter.

"You know what." She hisses back, "I'm going there. You should go."

"That was my back up school, I don't-I don't want to go without knowing whether or not-"

"Whether or not you got into Manhattan, I know." She smiles at a customer as they leave and turns to face me.

"But you need to choose a college and soon."

"I know, but I think I can get in."

"I'm not saying that I don't think you can get in, because I know-I know you can."

"I don't want to go to Georgia State."

"Why not, they have a great school for nursing and education and sciences."

"But I don't know what I want to go to school for."

"And they have a wide verity. You can go and try out some new classes and-and you can stay at home. It's so close."

"I don't want to be close."

"You love it here." Anna throws her arms out to either side. "You love the weather and the people and everything."

"I don't love everything and, Anna, it has nothing to do with here or anyone."

"Then what does it have to do with?"

"I want to explore." I boost myself up on the counter and stare off at the wall, "I want something new and fresh, like the breeze."

"Well what if-"

"Anna!" We both pop our heads up to meet the eyes of the manager of the store. I jump off the counter. I drop my head and advert my eyes. Anna and the manager, Connor, used to date. They dated when he was still a cashier. It was a messy break up and know he is her boss. Things get complicated sometimes.

"Sorry." She mumbles.

"I better get going." I pick up my purse off the floor, as I walk towards the door I pass Connor. "I'll see ya later Connor."

"See ya Heaven." Connor and I attend the same church. Which makes it difficult for me sometimes, I feel like I have to choose sides. The grocery store is a good ten minute walk from my house and the good thing is there is nothing to look at. I'm being sarcastic. It's so boring after the first few minutes I'm not in the town and there are just trees and fields. Nothing that I haven't seen before. It's just....blah. I mostly just kick dirt up and watch as the air pulls it away. Once in a while my attention is drawn to a bird or a small animal that scurries across my path. My ears perk up when I hear my name being called. I spin on my heels to see Brian running towards me. I didn't know he was in town.

"Hey." He exhales as he catches up.

"Hey, what were you doing back there?" I ask as I kick more dirt up.

"Mom asked if I could get some batteries and medicine, she has a pretty bad headache."

"Oh if I had known I would've-"

"I know." He smiles as he looks out onto the empty fields that disappear into the horizon. After a moment of silence he glances back at me and his face lightens up, "Oh, I almost forgot." He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a Hershey bar. He breaks it in half and gives me a piece.

"Thanks."

"What were you doing?" He asks with a mouth full of chocolate.

"I was visiting Anna."

"Oh, how is she?"

"Good, she, uh, wants me to go to Georgia State."

"You should," He mumbles.

"What?"

"I just, uh, think you should go. I think you'll like it. I mean you like it hear so much and Georgia State's only a hour's drive."

"You know I don't want to go there."

"Yeah but I want you to go there."

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why would you want me to go there? Would you want me to be unhappy?"

"You wouldn't be unhappy."

"Yes I would, Brian. I want to go to New York, you know that. For God's sake everyone knows that. I don't want to stay here."

"Fine! God, Heaven, then just leave already!" Brian shouts at me. I stand firm in my place as he walks off down the road.