The Tic-Tac Pack

"But Dad, all I have in my bag to eat is Tic-Tacs," I plead, praying that he changes his mind. "I'm sorry Sweetie," he says not even sounding the least bit sorry, "I have work, but I will pick you up at the park right after." I sigh and hang up without saying goodbye.

I can't believe I was forced to stay here with dad all summer. He's terrible at being a dad. He practically stranded me here at the park just for his meeting back at the apartment. It was perfectly fine with it at first, until I got hungry.

No money, no food, and no car to go somewhere. Plus I promised him I would stay. I wonder what that meeting was even for anyway. I turn around and look back at the bench. I sigh and sit down unhappily.

I unzip my bag and pull out my pack of strawberry Tic-Tacs, knowing very well this won't fulfill my appetite I pull one out and plop it in my mouth anyway. I do this a few times falling into my thoughts.

Thoughts like: why would my father leave me here alone in New York? Where can I get some real food? And I forgot to ask when the meeting was over! Crap! Of course I forgot, what if it ends at like nine O'clock tonight? What then?

"Can I have one?" I hear a voice beside me. I turn my head to see a blonde haired teenage boy invading my personal space. "Uh.. You weren't sitting here when I sat down were you?" I ask. "You're british! I've never met someone that's British," he says dramatically, "Oh and no, I just sat down."

I must have been so caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice him sit down. "Oh.." I say. "Yeah, so can I?" he asks. "Can you what?" I ask forgetting what he asked. He smirks at me, and I can't help but find him attractive. "You don't listen very well do you?" He asks pointing to the pack in my hand.

"Oh.. I would give you one. but it's all I have for Lord knows how long," I say closing the pack. "Oh, don't you have a family?" he asked looking horrified. That's when I realize I must have given off the wrong impression.

"No no," I laugh, "My dad has some meeting and I can't go home until it's over," I state. "Then you don't need these," he smiles evilly before taking the pack out of my hand. "Hey!" I call out and he stands up.

"You'll have to chase me for it," and with that he's off. I don't feel like chasing him, he's to fast anyway. Probably plays American football.

Who could do something so rude? Steal something that isn't theirs? Absolutely awful. I roll my eyes and pull out my phone. I dial the only number I remember other than my own.

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

Ring...

"Hello?" Mum picks up sounding tired. "Oh, mum I'm so sorry I forgot," I lie, "What time is it over there?"

"It's late," she admits, "But that's okay. How is it going sweetie?" she asks. "Terrible," I don't even bother sugar coating. "Dad has some meeting so he's locked me out until he's done, so I'm stuck in the park, I'm hungry, and somebody stole my Tic-Tacs I bought earlier," I sigh.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. I should've known he'd let us down again! Do you want me to come for you? I'll get on the next flight even," she says.

"No mum, I've only been here for fifteen hours," I look down at my watch, "I'll give him a chance," I say. "Okay sweetie," she states. "goodnight and sorry," I say. "Goodnight sweetie," she says and I hang up.

I look around for a minute and tap my fingers on my knees, not really knowing what to do. I could just go home, I think. Go into my room and put my earbuds in. There'd be less people there. But then again I haven't even been to the apartment and haven't had a tour.

I decide to call dad instead. "Hello?" he says breathing heavily. "You are awful," I blurt out when I don't mean to. I promised myself I'd be civil the whole time I was here. Whether I wanted to rip his throat out or not. "What?" he says sounding confused.

"You already are doing a terrible job as a father! I come here and right away you literally send me to a park for God knows how long! I have bags and stuff. Do you know how stupid I look? The girl with three suitcases in the park?" I questions him.

"Honey, I'm-" he says but I'm to mad to let him continue. "I'm on my way I'll find it myself," and with that I hang up. He's a jerk, shouldn't have gave him a second chance.

I stand up and pull the piece of paper out of my pocket that had his address. I struggle to get all my bags together but end up doing it after about ten minutes of struggle.

I walk up to a man in a suit. "Hello? do you know where-?" I try to ask him but he hushes me. "I'm busy run along!" I look at him for a minute.

Is everyone here rude?

"I was just wondering were the This place was located," I say trying again. I show him the paper and he looks up at me. "Did you not hear me? Now leave!"

His voice is raspy, like the crunch of fall leaves. He has a business man look to him. He turns back the other way and I let out a puff of air. Okay, let's try this one last time. This time though, maybe I'll try to speak their language.

"Okay, listen here Hot Shot I am hungry, tired, angry, and jet-legged. All I'm asking for is a little help. All you have to do is give me advice. All you're doing is sitting on your bum anyway!" I let out and he looks up at me. He has a cold hearted look on his face.

"Shut up girl," he says and stands. I squint at him and mumble foul things under my breath as he walks away, I guess talking like them doesn't help much either.

Just then a taxi pulls up and the window is rolled down, the driver is a clean cut looking man. Maybe in his early thirties. Not someone I would think to drive a taxi for a living. "Hello ma'am. Your father sent me to pick you up," he says and I look closely at him.

He gets out and puts my bags in the trunk before closing it. Then he looks up at me still just awkwardly standing there staring. "Well are you coming miss? I heard the McDonalds is calling your name," he smiles and I laugh.

At that I open the door and hop in. I don't care if he's here to kidnap me, if I get McDonalds I'm fine.