One in the Same

CHAPTER 1

Aubrey

"That's all for today ma'am?" the store clerk questioned. 

I nodded slightly irritated. He asked me this every day and I replied with the same answer every time. I think at this point the man was just trying to start a conversation which I swiftly declined each time. 

 "Such a beautiful lady. Why do you frown so much?" 

He handed me my bag of sugary treats and flashed his teeth, displaying the odd color. 

"Yea, thanks." I hated complements. I knew that I was pretty, I just didn't like the attention and wanted to simply be left alone.

After checking my bag, I exited the store, bumping into a couple of kids who looked like they were getting ready to go to school. Seeing them made me miss my youth. Memories of my mother combing my hair every morning before school flooded my mind but I quickly pushed them away and walked to my car.

It was the middle of the winter and as always it was freezing. I've been here for six years so of course I was used to it but that doesn't mean it didn't bother me.

The radio came on and I immediately turned it back off, not wanting to hear another song from Lil Shit stain or whatever they're naming themselves now. I pulled out into the street and let the peacefulness of silence fill the car. I worked at some hair salon a few blocks away from my apartment building.

The owner, April, she paid well and I could live comfortable. I had no kids and really no family so the only person I had to provide for is myself. When I made it to the shop it was empty like it always was in the mornings. Around noon is when business really started to boom. Women coming to get a touch up, we even had a barber here.

The wind blew past me like blades causing me to zip my jacket up even more. The sound of the bells by the entrance rang as I walked in. 

"Well Good morning, Ms. Aubrey." Patty greeted as she sat a coffee cup on my station. 

"I got you the usual. Which is nice considering you didn't come out with me last night." She was always trying to get me to go out, but clubs weren't my cup of tea. 

"Sorry, Pats but you know clubs aren't my thing." I blew the coffee before drinking it.

" You know the coffee doesn't cool down just from you blowing on the outside of the cup."

I side eyed her and took another sip. Of course, I knew that but it was a habit and I just couldn't stop. 

"But seriously girl you need to have some fun. All you do is stay home and watch cartoons. "I sat my bag down and prepared myself for the day before April came in here complaining.

 "What's wrong with cartoons? And all those sweaty bodies, touching and rubbin'. I'll pass." I would rather be at home watching my cartoons and writing in my journals. 

"Okay but what about dating? I have this friend. He's cute an- "I shook my head, making her stop her sentence.

"Nah. I'm good sis. Remember the last guy you set me up with?" The guy was a total idiot and it was obvious that all he wanted to do was fuck.  Besides dating was at the bottom of my list and no guy was crazy enough to deal with me.