Dakota Quinn meets a young boy in a similar situation to her own.
All the two have is each other, a stray dog, and the smallest amount of money possible. How will they manage?
[Book 1 of 3]
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By the time Dakota reached Flagstaff, she has decided that she hates buses more than almost anything. Three times she'd had to tell sleazy teenage boys to back off. Four times she'd had to stand up to let an old person sit down, even though there was a seat especially for the elderly which no one except the elderly were allowed to sit in without getting kicked off the bus. And twice, she'd been kicked off a bus.
Rolling her eyes at the thought of all the incidents on the buses, Dakota walks down the street towards a bakery. She was smart enough to bring all her money when she left, knowing that if she didn't, she'd starve to death.
Dakota stalks towards the small bakery and walks in, the scent of fresh bread and other treats hit her immediately and the young girl breathes it all in happily.
"Hello, dear." The old woman at the counter smiles at her. Dakota gives her the best smile she can muster and walks towards the counter. "What can I get for you?"
"Uh." She looks through the glass at the cakes on display until something catches her eye. "Could I have a double chocolate chip brownie please?"
The woman smiles kindly at her and uses the tongs to pick up a brownie and places it in a bag, just as the bell signifying a new customer goes off. "There you go, dear." The woman smiles handing the bag over. "That will be seventy-five cents, please."
Dakota smiles, reaching into her pocket and hands the woman the correct amount of money. "Thank you." Dakota smiles at the lady before turning around to leave.
A boy around her age is stood behind her though, clearly waiting to buy something. Their eyes meet for a second and Dakota smiles at the boy, earning herself a small smile back. Dakota quickly continues walking towards the door, and reaches the it just as she hears the boy ask for a slice of apple pie, sounding quite sad.
Dakota continues walking down the street, trying to ignore the feeling she has telling her to go back to that boy. There's something about him, something drawing the young girl to him, and Dakota has no idea what.
Sure, he's good looking. She isn't even going to try denying that. But it's more than that, it feels like she's meant to be near him.
Sighing, Dakota shakes her head and continues her endless journey.
Okay, so she'll admit that this isn't exactly her most well thought out plan. But she just could not stay in Phoenix any longer. People expected too much of her there. Here, she can be whoever she wants to be.
Dakota smiles as she finds a park, Buffalo Park, it's called. She sits down on a bench and takes out her brownie to eat. She watches children run around playing, flying kites and chasing dogs. Sees families sat eating picnics, parents watching their children play with find smiles. She breathes in the scent of pine and freshly cut grass, basks in the excited squeals of children and the rays of the warm sun on her face.
For the first time since she left home, Dakota doesn't feel totally awful. A small grin overcomes her face as she realises this and she lets out a delighted chuckle.
"You like it here too, huh?" A quiet voice comes from beside her, and Dakota turns her head to see the boy from the bakery sat beside her on the bench picking at a slice of apple pie and smiling at her tentatively.
