The Secret

"Erica, please come here." I heard my mother call from the other room. I lazily stood up, threw my used cigarette out the open window, and walked into our tiny living room.

"I would like you to go to the store and buy these things."

She handed me a list. Apparently, she wanted stuff for spaghetti. "I have no clue where the store is, through." I complained. "Well, figure it out." She stared right into my eyes. I flipped the list around and saw money taped on the back of it. I sighed. "Have fun." My mother said as I shut the door. I decided to think about how people were going to treat me at my new school. I really prayed that I could make some friends here. Everybody there always tormented me because I'm Jewish. Even through I hated every living soul in Birmingham, I sure loved the cornfields. I would run around for hours and hours before being forced to come inside. I would take a good book up into a tree and fall asleep. A thing inside my heart seemed to crack in a million little pieces as I recalled my memories. Lost in a subdued mood, I soon snapped back into reality realizing that I had to ask directions to get to the store. In hopes of finding someone, I strolled down an empty and dark alley. Along the way, I heard some soft singing and guitar playing. I assumed it was coming from the right of me. I walked down further and preened around a corner. A young boy, probably about my age, was singing an unfamiliar song and strumming his guitar. There was a small crowd surrounding him. I just couldn't take my eyes of off him the moment I first saw him. He had neat, cropped dark brown hair and blue eyes. He seemed totally at ease, which he caused me to be as well. "Alright, alright, show's over for today! Y'all go on home. I got a new set of songs for tomorra." The boy said, in a New Jersey style accent. I told myself that I would stick around and ask him for directions to the store. As everyone else began to file out, I raced to a nearby alley. I waited a few minutes. After I was completely sure that the rest were gone, I acted innocent as I came over to the boy. "Hey, do you know where I would happen to find the grocery store?" I asked. "New around here, ain't ya?" Said the kid, lighting a cigarette. "Yeah, I moved here a few days ago." I said, trying to be casual. "Walk right out this alley, turn on Bogart Drive, then you see a smallish place called Market Street. That your destination." He said, taking a drag. I eyed his cigarette. I desperately wanted one, but I had used my last one earlier today. "Uhhhh...sorry to ask........but do you have another cigarette?" I asked pleadingly. He smiled, which then turned into a laugh. "Yeah, yeah." He said, fumbling with his jacket pocket. "Here." He handed me an already-lit one. I inhaled deeply before saying "thanks". "Oh, and by the way, I'm Paul." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Erika." I said while tightening my grip. "Well, I should probably go now. It was very nice meeting you. Bye!" I said. "Already? Hell, we been talkin' for five minutes and you gotta go! I'll see you around, I guess." He stood up and walked into another alley. I assumed he was going to his apartment. I never even knew his last name.

This is just a short little bit😊 I will be writing more soon!✌️