Expiration Date 2076

Chapter III

     FreyFrey was an average girl physically. She was a little tall, a little thin. Her hair was naturally a dull brown like her mother's, but she dyed it soft black and cut it shoulder length. All her friends had told her how lucky she was that her dad let her dye her hair. That was back in 7th grade, and she had kept her dark hair ever since. Her eyes were hazelnut and almond shaped. A fuzzy grey hoodie was always tied around her waist or over her shoulders. Black sneakers were on her feet. Little white studs were in her ears. It was always the same. Short black hair, grey jacket, black shoes, white earrings. Nothing ever changed.

     FreyFrey was sitting. Sunrise was only an hour or two away. She pulled out her earrings and looked at them. Finally, she tucked them in one of the folds of her package. A car drove past her, and then she left. At first she walked slowly, trudging, but then the adrenaline kicked in and she ran. The new FreyFrey in her new world was reckless, and she would run. She went in the direction the stranger had taken hours ago. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and she panted. More and more cars sped past her. They were all on their way to their mundane jobs as always.

     The girl would follow the stranger's trail, find him, friend him. She would help him build. Most importantly, she would help him make change. It was bright now, and it seemed that there was an abundance of new possibilities. She wouldn't have to finish high school, star her apprenticeship under her father, or face the ghosts of the past. She wouldn't have to follow the old plan, because now she could follow someone new. 

     Quickly, she turned a corner and hid behind a Walmart. She had not had a proper sleep or meal. A grumble came from her stomach. There was a McDonald's just across the street. She felt the inside of her deep pocket. At first all her fingertips could feel was fleece, and then her wallet. She rose and grunted. Her muscles ached. After a deep breath, she left for her breakfast.

     "One Egg and Cheese McMuffin, please," She said to the employee. She had felt nervous e opening the doors. She was supposed to be at school, she had run away, and her interaction with the stranger might have been illegal. She was criminal, a girl on the run. "And a milk?"

     "Sure. That'll be $3.18," the employee looked about 18 or 19, "Wait just a minute little miss."

     "Excuse me? I'm not little, okay? Who are you, my father?" FreyFrey gasped, red-faced. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry."

     "Whoa, I didn't mean anything. Rough night?" he said this in reference to her haggard appearance.

     "Oh, um, yeah. I, uh, stayed up and forgot my alarm, and my car didn't start, so that's why I'm not at school yet. And I was just getting a quick breakfast 'cause-" but the employee cut in.

     "It's okay. I get it. Here's your food."

     FreyFrey handed over the money then turned to leave, her face lowered.

     "Wait, what's your name?" He called after her. Surprised, she stopped and looked up. 

     "It's FreyFre-Freyshia." Then she left.