Obsession

Obsession CH 1-3

Chapter 1

Julia

There's something to be said about being home. I don't mean in a house or apartment, but the town or city or dwelling of some sort that you grew up in. It's comforting and comfortable. It's what you know and a challenge both at the same time. And I am finally home, again.

I just came back, actually. Back from trying to make it on my own somewhere new. Back from meeting people and making friends, hopelessly falling in love (twice) and getting burned (twice, bastards!). I'm done with new and shiny places, with new and shiny people. I want comfort, I want happy, I want family and my friends. Three years I tried, and for most of those three years I was miserable.

But, I am not going into all that because I can make a fresh start from home. I'm going to reboot and try again. It's time to put on my big-girl panties and start living a life worth living. Not a life following Joe or John around like a little lost puppy. I am done with men, and all their teenaged drama that follows them. For real. I am done.

I think.

I am definitely not a man hater. Don't get me wrong. I love men, they can be great friends, they're usually good at something useful, and sometimes they help scratch an itch that just can't be done solo every time. I'm just done with the relationship part. The part where you are all of a sudden you're their pseudo-mom and the man colds start to last three weeks and they can barely wipe their ass without you holding the paper. That is, unless your man has one of those mom's that still does all that for them, because then you just end up never good enough or the constant third wheel. That is also not fun. Not one bit.

But I digress. I'm at work right now, my first shift back. Straightening shelves, ringing in customers, and helping with pricing and stocking food and treats. I worked here at Jo's while I was in high school and ended up being the Assistant Manager even before my last year of school began. Just a little hole in the wall market that sells everything from candy to toilet paper, and whatever else she deems fit to sell.

I loved it then, and I'm quickly realizing I still love it now. When I decided to come back home Jo was the first one I called about work. She was excited to have me back since she couldn't seem to find any reliable help these days, or so she says. She's the strongest, toughest 60 year old woman I know and doesn't take shit from no one. You have to be on your toes and willing to work, but if you can do that she will respect the hell out of you and probably have your back for life.

She never cared if I worked on homework, or the amount of time I would spend staring out the window at the garage across the quite street dreaming about a certain apprentice mechanic who worked there. All she cared about was that the store was stocked and clean, and that customers got helped. This was my first job ever, and though I'm sure it won't be my last, I'm happy she took me back.

"Hello?! Julia, are you even listening to me?" my friend asks with a scowl on her face.

I look up at my friend Lyndsay as she waves her small hand back and forth dangerously close to my face and smile. Her blond bob perfectly sleek framing her narrow, naturally beautiful face.

This is what I missed, the annoying friend who loves to get too close and frustrates the hell out of me because she can't accept my no man stance on life at the moment. I hate it when she's right in my face like this, and she knows it. But I let it go, because I'm glad she can be in my face right now, instead of trying to do the same thing over Skype. That shit don't work. Chuckling to myself, I remember many conversations we had. She usually ended up knocking over her laptop, or a drink that was close to it because of her flailing limbs.