Wanderlust • Jadesy

• One •

It was half past ten, only thirty minutes left until closing. With caramel hair tied into a neat bun, Jade Thirlwall stood behind the counter of the empty diner. A small huff left her lips as she focused on the large clock that hung in the center of the wall opposite to her. Time couldn't have gone by any slower, these final thirty minutes always seemed to be the longest of her shift. Each night was exactly the same, every customer was out of the doors by eight and she had finished cleaning the place by eight thirty. After that it became a waiting game, one only she could play. As much as she tried to persuade her boss to let the diner close earlier, every attempt she made was a waste of breath. The diner had always closed at eleven and it always will close at eleven. No amount of pleading would change it.

Jade rested her chin in the palm of her hand, her gaze focused on the clock. While her other hand tapped rhythmically on the counter and her mind wandered off into various day dreams about anything other than here. She had become so bored with this place, not even just the diner, but the entire town. Every day followed the same routine, she could almost predict every moment of her day before actually experiencing it. Each morning she was greeted by the same customers, who told the same stories and made the same jokes; and each evening she went home alone and read another chapter of the same book. She craved for something new, something interesting.

Although long forgotten, Jade used to dream of a life outside of South Shields. When she was younger she had high aspirations, she had plans of how her life would turn out. She would have studied at a good university, major in visual arts, and become a photographer. It was once Jade's dream explore the world, see as much of it as she could and capture all of it on film.  However, all of her dreams came to an end the night her mother left. When she left, every bit of hope and joy in the Thirlwall household left along with her. Her father, although he didn't mean to, became callous and unforgiving. He pushed Jade to work and contribute to the family income. But once he started drinking, all of her money became his personal drink fund. By the time she was ready for university, she had been too worried to leave her father by himself and decided on a gap year. The gap year turned into two years, then into three... eventually she just gave up on any hope she ever had about returning to school.

Now at the age of twenty-four she lived alone, worked the same job she's had since high school, and never been outside the same town she grew up in. Pondering too much on her life and what could have never ends well for Jade. It usually ends up with her and a bottle of wine, crying on her living room sofa and cursing her family even if she did love them.

The sound of the front door opening and the chime of the bell above it broke Jade from her daze. Surprised by the new presence she quickly fixed her posture and turned her attention to the customer. A woman, not much older than herself, stood in the diner's entrance. The woman was short, very beautiful, and most importantly unfamiliar. Jade stood in silence for a moment just taking in the other woman's presence. She was so intrigued and excited over this stranger that she couldn't help but stare.

The brunette across from Jade began to look uncomfortable the longer Jade stared at her. Embarrassed, Jade broke her gaze and cleared her throat. "You can sit anywhere you'd like," she nodded toward the empty dining area. The brunette flashed a small smile and made her way over to a close booth. Hastily Jade grabbed a menu and went to take her order. "Can I get you a drink to start out with?" She asked as she handed the other girl the menu. "Do you serve alcohol?" Jade smiled and nodded. "Thank god. I'll just take whatever your cheapest beer is."

Amused by her answer Jade decided to try her luck at a conversation before getting the girl her drink, "Rough day or something?" The brunette looked up at Jade and gave a slight shake of the head. "No, just long. Been driving all day and I'm exhausted." Her answer peaked Jade's interest even more. "Where are you heading, if you don't mind me asking?" The girl shrugged her shoulders, "Wherever the roads end up taking me... Don't really have a set destination in mind. I'm making my way through Europe, just to see where I end up."

Jade raised her brow, baffled on what to say next, she'd never met someone on a journey like hers. All she could do to not stare at the brunette again was nod and fetch her the drink. Once she returned to the table with the beer, she was greeted with a thank you.

Jade watched the girl glance through the menu. She took this moment to really get a good look at the mystery woman in front of her. The girl had dark brown hair and tan skin, tattoos stretching across her forearm, and long eye lashes. Her facial features were beautiful and captivating. Her body, though mostly hidden under the table was obviously fit. The brunette raised her gaze back up to Jade, "I'm actually not all that hungry. But, it looks like you have a little while left before you close, so if you want, you could keep me company while I finish this beer?"

Jade, a little too eagerly, accepted the offer and slid into the other side of the booth. She muttered a small thanks, and stretched her hand across the table. "I'm Jade, by the way." The other girl gave Jade's hand a swift shake and smiled, "Pretty name. I'm Jesy." Jade couldn't help but return the smile, and form a slight blush at the compliment.

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A/N.  I ended the first chapter here because I didn't want it to get too long. But hopefully all of y'all enjoyed it so far. We'll see where their conversation leads them in chapter two. Feed back is always appreciated if you have anything you wanted to say.