Reaching Out

Ch. 1

I took in the scenery of the beautiful city, stopping to take photos of the mountains and palm trees surrounding me. I was new to the city of Los Angeles, and I was trying to find my way around. I've only been here for two days so far, and I decided that it would be a good idea to do some sightseeing. It was busy on Hollywood Boulevard, and I found myself dodging people carelessly walking down the street.

I look around and can't help but notice the way everybody is dressed. It's nothing like where I came from. Everybody is wearing jean shorts and crop tops. Then there's me...wearing old leggings, worn flip flops, and a three year old baggy shirt; My hair's thrown up in a messy ponytail and my sunglasses are sitting on top of my head.

I'm snapped out of my people watching when the barista asks what I'll be having, a smile stretched out on his face. I reply and flip open my phone case to find my money as he pulls up my order on the cash register.

"That'll be $2.48," he says, patiently waiting with a small grin on his face. I zip open my old fashioned wallet phone case and hesitate as I only see a $2.00 bill.

I look back up at the awating cashier and open my mouth to speak, "I'm sorry, I forgot to put money in my wallet, I only have a $2.00 bill," I apologise.

"Don't worry, it'll be on the house. Are you new around here?" the barista asks, quickly asking my name.

"Thank you so much, my name's Kaitlyn. And yeah, I moved here just a few days ago. I'm trying to get sightseeing out of the way so I can get to know the area a little bit," I smile.

"That's great. Hey, if you ever need someone to show you around, I work here from 2:00-4:30 Monday to Friday. You could drop by when I finish work if you want?" He asks. I smile and nod my head, telling him I would definitely consider it.

I go to pick up my drink to see my name written "kaitlin :)". It's the wrong spelling but it happens so much that I don't even care anymore. I poke my straw into the hole and anther little bit of writing catches my eye: "here's my number if you ever take me up on my offer (205) 987-6252 :P."

I smile as I read the words, putting my sunglasses back on my face and walk out of the crowded shop.

Once I'm back on the street, I try to figure out what I want to do. I decide it would be a good idea to go do some shopping, so I stopped by my apartment to grab my credit card and bus pass.

I walk to the bus stop with my purse in my hand and wait for the right one to come down. It says that it comes at 3:15 and it's 3:00 right now so I might as well just go for a little stroll.

I pause in the middle of the sidewalk, not really trusting myself to go any further seeing as I don't really know much about where I am, so I just take in my surroundings. It's so serene and peaceful right here.

"ETHAN!" someone shouts.

Maybe it isn't so peaceful and serene.

I turn around as if I were the one being called, and accidentally laugh out loud.

A few feet behind me there's a teenage boy completely covered in cake, and another boy right in front of him, although I can't make out his face. I'm going to assume he's laughing by the way he's bent over with his hands on his knees, laughing loudly.

My laugh catches the boy with the cake on his body's attention, and I quickly turn around, not wanting him to assume I was staring. I guess I was. But that's irrelevant.