The Diner

Chapter 1: New Home

Mom and dad moved us to Gatlinville because of dad's work. It was summer,so I put on the spot to make friends and socialize. The house we moved into was a 2 story white ranch house. Of course it wasn't on an actual ranch. It just reminded me of a ranch house. The staircase was by the door. Which made it a struggle to carry my bed up. Other than the cramped up stairs by the door. The rest of the house was spacious.

"Seren, why don't you head out. Your dad and I can take it from here. Just make sure to set up your room when you get back."

My stomach dropped. Where am I going to go? Gatlinville is basically in the middle of nowhere. Their "busy" part of town consisted of one lot of stories and a diner. Oh don't get me started on their downtown too.

"Mom, where am I gonna go?"

My mom looks at me shrugging,"Well hun, that's for you to decided,but your not staying here. Go out and explore do whatever you teenagers do. Oh! Just no drugs!"

Heat rises to my cheeks. Drugs? Okay then. I grab my keys to my Ford 150. My dads truck that he handed down to me. Putting the key into the ignition. I look around. Nothing but woods surround the house. The road goes on for a mile or 2.

By the time I pull into their "busy" part of town. Their are cars filling Alfie's Diner. I guess I'll go there. The Diner is a cozy long with an old style feel to it building. Chatter fills the Diner, I glance around and spot an empty booth. Pulling my book out I sit down and burry myself into "Me before you."

"Hello, ma'am my name is Adrian and I will be your waiter today. Would you like to order?"

"Ma'am?"

Snapping my attention up I flush. A boy with Blonde hair,ocean blue eyes, with a muscular built and tattoos of vines running down his left arm stares at me with annoyance.

"Oh, um yeah sorry. Can I have a uh chocolate milk shake?"

Scribbling down my order I catch another glance at him. His eyes catch mine and he clears his throat.
"Will that be all?"
"Oh yes, thank you."

He nods and starts to head back to the vintage counter to place my order. Before I can go back to my book he swiftly turns around.

"You're not from town are you?"

Oh great so people notice those things here...
I flash him a smile and answer,"Yes, I'm not. Just moved here."

He smiles back and walks away.
I look back at my book. Rubbing the crease at the top. The whispers from the booth besides me grows louder.

"Mom,why do we have to wait here again. Dad didn't show up last time." A boy groans.

"Mason, I've told you this before. Your dad and I are divorced. I don't want him seeing you at the house ,so the social workers decided this should be the spot where he saw you."

The boy,Mason, shifts in his seat. Letting out a long sigh.

"Whatever mom. It just doesn't make sense. Why doesn't Annie have to come to these things."

"Jack isn't her dad Mason. He's yours."

The ring of the door opening makes me sit up straight. Guilty for listening to their conversation. Feet pound the tile floor.

"Here's your drink...umm?" Adrian looks at me with a questioning look.

"Seren. Seren Collins."

He flashes me another smile and walks away. I glare at the monstrous milk shake. Drool practically oozes from my mouth. Not long after I drain the delicious drink. I take the check and pay it. Leaving a tip on the table. Before I leave I take a glance at Mason and his mother. Mason a shaggy red haired boy with milky skin. He doesn't look any older than 14. His mom well she's a small red haired women with a round belly influencing that she's pregnant. The mother looks at me with curiosity. I wave and quickly rush out. The scent of cigarettes is strong. Almost too strong. I search for the source. I catch sight of Adrian behind a dumpster with his hands in his hair, a cigarette by his feet. Should I talk to him? No...it's best to leave him be.

The drive home was tiring. Mom and Dad were laying together on the couch. Boxes surrounding the living room.

"Hey, sweetheart! Your mom said you went out. How was it?" My dad winces as he gets up. Probably because of his knee surgery.

"It was good."

My mom looks at me with a loving smile.
"Well, go fix your room now. I'll fix dinner."

It is Saturday. Which means 4 more weeks until winter break is over. 4 weeks until I have to go to the small high school. I throw myself into the bare mattress in the corner of my room. The room is a peach color,the closet empty. I close my eyes and drift off. Blue eyes stuck in my mind.

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