Rebellious Rock Princess (A BOTDF Fan-Fic) (Book One)

Chapter One: Is It Worth It Anymore?

Edited 4/11/17

Vivian's POV

I looked around the soup kitchen. It looked just like the countless other's I'd seen, in all the cities I'd passed through. Had it really been two months since I started running? I looked down at myself; yes, it had been. I was covered in dirt from head to toe. You could hardly tell I was white anymore. My hair, which is naturally black, is matted and filthy and oily from lack of bathing. I'm sure I smelled like a dumpster, but my nose had been running non-stop for as long as I'd been running at least, so I couldn't smell anything. I'd lost a lot of weight as well. Constant motion and only one meal a day will do that to you. I'd never been fat, but I hadn't been skinny either. Now you could easily count my ribs, even through my baggy t-shirt. I counted them now. It had become a habit of mine; counting my ribs when I was bored. It's pretty pointless, it's not like I'm suddenly going to have more or less than twenty-four ribs. But I guess that's why I do it. It's comforting to know that there are some things that will never change.

I get in line with the other people at the soup kitchen and wait to get a plate, or bowl, or tray, or whatever it is they're handing out up there. I'm probably not gonna like whatever it is they're serving, but I'm gonna eat it anyway. I need to replenish my strength just a bit. I get up there and a girl younger than me hands me a plate. She smiles at me. It's a small smile, almost pitying. I hate that. I can't stand it when people see me and feel like they have to pity me. I'm better off now. I'm away from my abusive father, I'm away from my ridiculing classmates, I'm away from my misunderstanding friends, I'm away from all the pain and grief that has suffocated me for the past year and a half. I left that all behind up in that small town in Maine. Now I'm in Florida; I can start over, begin a new life. That bastard called my father hasn't even tried to find me. I know this because I purposely stuck around for a whole week to see if anyone would say anything. I bet no one even notices I'm gone. Why would they? I was always just the quiet-emo girl; I was bullied and harassed by some, ignored by most, and loved by few. And the most important of those few people who love me can never help me again.

I finish the meal; steak, with a side of mashed potatoes, and a bowl of mixed peas and carrots. I also had a glass of water and managed to refill all three of the water bottles I carry with me. The steak was well done and I like it medium rare. The mashed potatoes could've been more mashed and less potatoes, and I absolutely despise carrots; so the meal could've been better. But it's food and I'm hungry, so I don't complain. I eat it all and lick the plate when I'm done. I grab my bag and throw out the paper plate. I'm about to leave when the girl from earlier stops me.

"Hi." She says.

"Hello." I mutter, looking at the ground.

"I haven't seen you here before. What's your name?"

"Vivian."

"Wow. That's a pretty name. I'm Kaylee."

"That's a pretty name too."

"Thanks. How old are you?"

"Fifteen." Shit, why did I tell her the truth?

"I'm twelve. Are you, like, an orphan or something?"

"Or something." I say, not wanting to tell her the truth.

"Are you still hungry?" She asks suddenly. I look towards the kitchen area and my stomach growls loudly. Kaylee smiles, which tells me she heard it. "Come on." She doesn't lead me to the kitchen, though; she leads me outside and down the street. We stop outside an ice cream parlor. "My mom gives me money to come here for desert every day after volunteering. She always gives me extra and I get to keep the change. I save most of it." She says, heading inside.