L*O*S*T

8 - Errands and Favours

Previously in: L*O*S*T:

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I nodded as she gave me a hug and ran outside. She headed into a car with what I assumed was her aunt. Then she drived away. It was a one in a million time I would meet a friend like Skylar. And I'm sure glad I did.

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Chapter 8

"Mom, I'm home!"

I turned the doorknob as I stepped into my apartment. The old smell of cigars roamed the air and anxiety rose over me. Mom was smoking again. I found her in the kitchen, cooking a meal. She continued stirring whatever she was stirring and nodded.

"Hello, Jenna."

I shoved my shoes into the closet by the door and threw my backpack onto the couch as I walked into the living room. I sat down at the computer and plugged in my USB. It was like this usually once in a while. When mom would get stressed, whether it was over work or getting errands done. Mom always had a reason to smoke, even when she didn't have a sensible one. I began to type out onto the computer when I heard my mom call out to me.

"Come eat, Jenna."

I rose from my seat and took a plate from the kitchen. Mom made homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. I loved mashed potatoes. I ate them all the time when I was younger, in the sense that my teeth didn't come out until I was like, 5. So I was stuck to eating mashed potatoes most of the time. I grabbed a spoon and drizzled gravy all over my mashed potatoes. Mom sat down next to me, reading a magazine.

"I need you to get some groceries for me."

She took out a coupon out of the magazine and threw it onto the table. My apartment wasn't in the best shape and it was a little small. Money was a huge issue for us so I tended to go to school and make money while mom stays at home and cooks and cleans. Mom also took out 50 dollars from her purse and threw it on the table in front of my food.

"Just the regular?"

"Yup. And bring home some Safeway Chicken. I love those."

"Okay mom."

I finished my meal and grabbed my coat. I stuffed the money into my pocket and headed out the door. Completely unaware that my computer was still on and that all my deepest darkest secrets are held in that computer.

* * * * *

After bussing for half an hour and walking for another half hour, I finally arrived at the mall. The mall had a supermarket beneath and a Safeway beside it. I decided to take a small look around the mall since I had time to spare and I didn't really want to go home yet and inhale the stale cigar stench.

I knew a lot of people around here. Kids that go to my school, Gale from the Cell booth, Wanda from Swansons Jewels. Even Larry from Subway. I knew all these people, but I don't think they know me. I'm not much of a talker as you could probably already tell. My persona is more of the secluded mysterious girl who just roams the halls and where no body seems to want to talk to or get to know. Its been this way for a long time. I've gotten used to it. When there are so many people who don't acknowledge your existence, you realize that your not that important to them.

Many Christmas Decorations were still hung up as December was coming around the corner. Mom and I don't usually put up our tree until the 23rd of December. Then we take it down son New Years Eve. We think its just less work. I also don't get many presents from how little my mom makes money. I usually buy my own gifts.