The Girl With The Lunar Necklace

Three

Serena

The sound of knocking woke me up, bleary eyed I got up and opened my door. Hailey stood there in her blue tank top and jean shorts, with an annoyed look on her face.

"You plan on sleeping all day? I know you ran last night but we still got stuff to do ya know," she tossed her dark hair turning away.

I groaned and closed the door, a quick glance at the clock  told me it was nine in the morning. With another groan I got dressed in my usual jeans, tank, and black converse. Throwing my chestnut hair into a pony tail I met Hailey at the front door.

"Remind me what were doing again? And WHY so damn early?" I grumbled crossing my arms.

Hailey laughed and walked out the door, "Well we need groceries for one, and two don't you need to go to check in at your job, or did you forget?"

Locking the door I joined her in the car, "Fine fine, but you are doing the shopping alone. Payback for doing all this before noon."

She rolled her eyes and agreed as we pulled out of the drive way. Turning on the radio to help wake me up I silently mouth the lyrics of a Luke Bryan song.

Few songs later Hailey pulls into Willows, a small twenty four hour restaurant. "Thanks for dropping me off, I shouldn't be long here so i'll probably check out the town before heading back home."

"Alright be careful wondering around, i'll message you when i'm done shopping" she said as I climbed out of the jeep.

"Yea yea yea, don't go all motherly on me hail," I answered.

I waved and went inside, the smell of food assaulted my senses as soon as I stepped in. Ready for food I asked the waitress to see the manager about work, if it went fast I could get some breakfast here before walking the area. She sat me in a booth and disappeared to get Rick, I grabbed a menu from its holder and scanned it for breakfast.

Few minutes later a mid height, bald, forty year old looking man sat across from me. "Morning Serena, I didn't think you would come in so early."

"It wasn't my idea but my roommate decided for me," I replied with a smile.

"Well since you are here this early i'll make this quick. You requested to work Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday after six. Because you were the first we hired for this semester you get the shift six thirty to one. That work for you?"

I nod, " Sounds perfect, thank you."

"I'll see you Saturday than," he smiles and leaves the table.

The same waitress comes back over, "Do you want anything else? I saw you look at the menu."

"Yes, can I have the classic breakfast, ham instead of bacon, over medium eggs and a water," she nods writing it down before leaving.

Leaning on the table I glance around the little restaurant, pictures of I would assume the owner, his family and friends decorated the cream colored walls. The place hummed with the feels of home, I wanted the job here because of that energy, the food was another plus but who needed to know that.

With a full stomach a good walk was a must, the campus was in the heart of the town which meant every store surrounded it. Little boutiques doting the landscape, able to grab the attention of anyone based on the amount of people in each one I passed.

With limited cash and storage I kept to window shopping, not trusting myself in one of the cute stores.

A small paintbrush sign nestled between an ice cream parlor and a tattoo shop caught my attention. Needing some air conditioning after walking for half an hour I gave up and walked in the colorful store.

The smell of canvas and paint hit like a wall, much to strong for being sold on a shelf. Their had to be someone painting somewhere in here. Curious I scan the isles to find the source, as I made it to the far right the smell was the strongest. The sight of part of an aisle  told me I had found it, walking to it I find a small woman wearing a store shirt.

Her auburn hair pulled into a lose bun, letting her bangs frame her young oval face. Stepping from behind the aisle, I notice that the area had other chairs with aisles and small sketching tables.

"I'm sorry I got so wrapped into my work I didn't hear the bell go off," the lady apologized putting her paint brush down and stood up.

"It's perfectly fine, I understand when you get in the zone it takes a lot to pull you out of it. If you don't mind me asking why do you have this set up?" I asked motioning to the makeshift workshop.

She smiled, "For multiple reasons, few art classes, personal use by staff and customers."

I nodded, "Very cool, I may pop in here and there then. I'm an art major at the college, so I will more than likely come in here for supplies."

"Awesome, I'm a senior in that major, definitely come here than. Students taking art classes get a discount on the basic supplies," she beamed. 

Before I could respond my phone goes off, apologizing I pull it out and look at the message. On way home come help unload.

"I'm sorry my roommate needs me, it was nice talking to you. I will definitely come here for my supplies." I promised. 

She waves my apology off and walks me out before saying our goodbyes. Setting off back home in a jog I shoot Hailey a text saying be there in an few.

By the time I made it back Hailey was already unloading, the car was jammed full of plastic bags.

"Damn girl, did you buy the whole store," I joke pulling out bags following Hailey inside.

"Nope, I left the pet food and baby isle alone," she joked back.

With both of us taking in the groceries we finished in no time, the next struggle being putting it all away. The small kitchen had all of its counters covered and part of its floor, because Hailey did the shopping I had to somehow put it all away.

"This is gona be impossible," I muttered to myself as I picked through the first bags.