Big Tree Village

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

            “Bert, Zoey, and Demona. So yesterday we talked about why our lives aren’t great. Today we will be taking action. The first step to being a happy teenager is to feel good about yourself. Be fit. Be in good shape. And most importantly LOOK GOOD!” Ms. Murray announced as we all took our seats. Uh oh. I looked over at the chubby Bert. He looked worried. Demona was looking in her purse, texting.

            We took a run around the building. Ms. Murray chanting supportive sayings the whole time. She also informed us to do these runs twice a week. Bert and his arm continued to spaz and have malfunctions. Demona was walking and just moving her arms fast like she was running. I was the only one really trying. Why was I trying? Because I had two sherberts yesterday and probably going to have more today.

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            “Where yah going?” Demona yells after me. I slowed down and waited for her to catch up.

            “I just got a job at Larry’s.” I mumble. She laughs and pulls out a cigarette and lights it.

            “Damn. You gunna to get a fat ass after that. That sherbert is pretty damn good.” I nod in agreement. She blew out smoke. “I hate Ms. Murray, she be getting me irritated.” I nodded again. “Oh shit.” She stopped walking and I did too. I followed her gaze to Get Inked. There were cops in front of it and a guy with tattoos was being handcuffed. “That’s my boyfriend, Rocki, damnit’ he must have gotten caught with the weed.” She grabbed my hand and pulled around to the back of the shops. She stomped out the cigarette. So I’m supposed to be up in these mountains to straighten my life out and here I am with a smoker/tattoo artist hiding from the cops. So ironic. She pulled out her phone and held it to her ear. “Yeah, Chance. Hey it’s Demona. The cops are here with Rocki all handcuffed and shit.” A long pause as she listened. “Nah I’m in the back with,” she looked at me, “Zoey she is in the class too.” Another pause. “Yeah well could yah help us out?” Another pause, I hope I’m not going to be late for work. She laughed loudly. “Right okay yeah I’ll be at Larry’s with Zoey, she working there now. Alright okay, bye.” She dropped the phone in her purse.

            “So, who was that?” I ask.

            “Chance, he is like really cool. He owns Chance’s Garden next to Larry’s. He is Rocki and me’s hero. Like every time we get caught he be convincing the cops something. I don’t know.” She laughed at herself. She began walking to the back entrance of Larry’s. She stopped and looked at me. “Where is the employee key?” She wondered. I shrugged. She groaned and banged on the door. I heard a crash and Larry’s voice scream “I’m okay!” The door clicked open and Larry smiled.

            “Zoey! Demona! So great to see you both. Why are you coming in the back way?” He murmurs letting us inside. I was immersed in to the smell of sherbert.

            “Sup Larry? It’s Rocki he so damn stupid.” She shook her head and fell on to a silver chair. We were in the back where only the employees were allowed. There were 3 full buckets of sherbert plus many cups and spoons. Larry laughed and handed Demona and I an empty cup. “Help yourselves.” Demona rushed to the flavors.

            “Shweeeeet! Thanks Larry my man.”She yelped scooping out pink sherbert and putting it in her cup. I followed her. As I was deciding between green or yellow sherbert the bell on the door rang. I looked up. There was a tall guy with bronze skin. He had blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. He was wearing a navy blue T-shirt and faded jeans. He smiled and his teeth literally glowed. “Chance booboo!” Demona screeched. She jumped over the counter and fell in to his arms. Chance almost fell over. Larry came out of the back.

            “Hello Chance. Would you like some ice cream?” Larry wondered smiling. Demona got off of him and smiled.

            “Nah my Chance man best be getting to saving Rocki’s ass, again.” She rolled her eyes. Chance looked over at me and I felt my face flush. He was gorgeous, just gorgeous. Demona pushed him out the door and the bell rang. I watched him walk towards the cops. Demona sighed deeply. “Where would I be without my booboo?”

            “Jail.” Larry murmured. We all started laughing. I scooped my green sherbert and licked my spoon. Demona plopped herself in one of the vintage chairs and devoured her sherbert. Larry hobbled over to me. “Okay Zoey. Let’s get started!”  

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“Flint loves me!” Paige screeched in to the receiver. I could picture her, on the floor in her room rolling over and admiring pictures of Flint. Flint is Hispanic and has spiky black hair. He is in love with this orange truck he has. He and Paige spend every second of every day together in that truck.

            “Did he tell you that?” I wonder.

            “Well not exactly. No. But I just know it.” I rolled my eyes. I tried to tell her about Demona, Chance, Ms. Murray and Larry but she wouldn’t shut up about Flint. The moment I hung up the phone rang again. It was my mother.

            “Hello?” I say unpacking my suit case. I was finally adjusting to this attic and new life.

            “Zoey is that you? Oh my goodness you sound so grown up! How long has it been?” She sounded so happy, almost like Ms. Murray.

            “Just three days mom.” I grumble. I found my party outfit all folded and nice at the bottom of my suit case. When summer first started Paige insisted that we have one outfit laid out all the time. It was a party outfit, for unplanned emergency parties only. I had worn it the night I got caught drinking. Now looking at it I had a flashback of the night.

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            “Zo get the party outfit! Oh my god it’s the perfect time! Now! PARTY!” Paige was waiting outside my room screaming. My eyes darted to the worn jeans, loose T-shirt, and red leather jacket. I slipped everything on and realized it was a great idea. I looked mature, and like I was going to an amazing party.

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            “Well how is everything? That class? Your father?” My mother brought me back to reality. I put the phone crook of my neck and put the party outfit on the top of my dresser.

            “Fine. I don’t like my teacher. But I made a friend, Demona. Peter is fine, stressed.” I admit piling the rest of my clothes in the drawers. There was a long pause before she answered.

            “Demona. Hmm, what a name don’t you think? Is she a demon?” My mother laughed a worried laugh. If she knew Demona she would judge her right off.

            “I don’t know mom, it’s just her name.” I spit at her. I was obviously defending Demona. She’s my friend. There was another long pause as I fell on my bed.

            “Well then. Anything else new?” She wondered.

            “I got a job.” I admit. She gasped and clapped three times really fast.

            “Oh my goodness! Zoey you’re growing up too fast! What job? How is the pay? Do they know you’ll be leaving at the end of the summer?” Why did she have so many questions?

            “Uhm,” I stall, trying to remember what she asked, “ice cream shop.” She gasped.

            “Spectacular! How about you treat me to some when I visit? Okay!” She screeched.

            “What?! You’re visiting?” I yelped, too quickly.

            “Well yes. Peter didn’t tell you?” She murmured. Oh my god, now I have to really be sure she doesn’t meet Demona.

            “No, alright bye.” I mutter hanging up. I was done listening to her cheery voice and answering all her questions.