Change of Heart (NaNoWriMo 2011)

Chapter 5

Jariel climbed in to another dumpster, muttering to himself how he wished he was anywhere but there at the moment.  He ruffled through the garbage, putting cans in his garbage bag as he went along. He managed to get a good amount from that dumpster, and felt a bit proud of himself as he climbed back out of the trash and moved on. Isaac had told him that he had other business to attend to, what ‘business’ Isaac had, Jariel didn’t know, and so Jariel was on his own today.

            The sky looked depressing, as if it was about to cry at any moment. Jariel prayed that it wouldn’t. He didn’t feel like getting soaking wet on top of everything else. Despite the clouds, it was a really nice day. People were out and about doing their daily chores and shopping. A person or two would sneak a dirty look at him, but he did his best to ignore it. He was beginning to smell, and his clothes were a little dirty from sleeping on the hard floor.

            He cashed in his cans and smiled to himself when he found that he had made about six dollars and fifty cents. He now had enough money for a small meal. He discarded his bag and then made his way to Joe’s diner. He was in much better spirits today then when he first found himself here. He guessed it was because he knew that soon enough, he would be getting the revenge that he so desperately wanted.

            The smell of fried eggs, bacon and coffee welcomed him in to the 80’s wannabe diner. He waited patiently to be seated, and found the same waitress that had served him the last time he was here. She saw him, and immediately looked as if she wanted to be elsewhere.  Jariel let out a sigh and guessed it was due to his attitude the first day. He supposed he should apologize for his behavior, but he quickly brushed the thought aside.

            She led him to his seat, gave him a menu, and then walked away; attending to her other customers. Jariel looked over the menu, and at what he could afford. He had eight dollars total, including what he had received yesterday. He decided to order eggs and coffee once again, seeing he couldn’t afford much else. The girl came back, took his order and was about to leave, but Jariel wanted to know something first.

            “Excuse me, but what is your name again?” he asked, not surprised when she looked at him with a questioning expression.

            “Dawn.” She replied. “Dawn Meyers.” With that, she smiled shyly and went to go put in his order. Jariel nodded to himself, like he was pleased with her name, and looked out the window. Life went on, even when someone else was hurting, Jariel realized. Life wasn’t going to stop just because he was unhappy with his situation. It would keep moving ahead, and Jariel had to either move with it or continue to dwell in the past.

            “Thank you.” Jariel said when Dawn came back with his food. She just nodded, told him to enjoy, and went back to attending the other customers. Jariel watched her, thinking that she was interesting. The smile never removed itself from her face when she talked. It was almost as if she loved being here. She could tell she didn’t though, because she would look out the window from time to time, as if longing to be anywhere but here at the moment. Jariel knew that feeling all to well.

            “So, Isaac told me you were new. Where ya from?” Dawn asked when she came over to check to see if the food was okay.

            “Uhm,” Jariel said, unsure how to answer the question. “Nowhere in particular.”

Dawn laughed. “Well, you must be from somewhere. People don’t just end up homeless.”

            “You have no idea.” He whispered. Dawn didn’t seem to notice. Jariel spoke up, “I really rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind.” Humans. Why were they so nosey?