Simple Life of Leslie

Chapter Two - Pauline Violet

CHAPTER TWO

"It gives us the faith to keep on going after something bad takes place."

Saturday.

It's been a month since I've been on the road. A week after I was hired at Sal's Diner. I received my first paycheck, although I asked to be paid in cash instead. I got $139.74 my first week plus tips which was fine because I really wasn't expecting much. I saved half of it in my bag so I could begin saving up for a place to stay, it was around 70 dollars. More less but you get the point.

I was off to buy myself a new bag and some clothes. Which would be hard considering I had around 60 - 70 dollars in cash but nonetheless I needed to try. Many waitresses are paid less than the federal minimum wage by their employers and rely primarily on tips to earn a living. This is the equivalent of about $20,890 per year. Which divided in half is $10,445 so I would be able to get a place in.... A year.... Considering I can find a few roommates- Oh boy...

I begin heading to the mall to find the things I needed, I also mainly went to thrift shops on the way there and got an outfit before I even arrived at the mall. So I should be good if I buy one more outfit and a bag. I was carrying everything in my one backpack at the moment and it made my backpack look a lot bigger than it actually was, so getting a new bag should be my top priority. I am cut off from my thoughts by a familiar voice. A girl runs up to me.

"Leslie! Wow, I thought we would have never met in person!"  Pauline runs up to me, then by my surprise jumps into my arms. She's a lot shorter than I would have imagined.

"Woah! Same, really I would have never expected to see you today." I reply to her.

"So what are you doing today?"  She asks me. I reply,

"Nothing really just came to pick up a few things." I tell her

"Oh really? Maybe when you're done we can meet up at the food court? Let's say two?"

"Yeah! That be great!" I tell her before walking off. It being 1:18 PM I had an hour to shop, and also figure out where the hell the food court is. She runs off with a couple of other people, I'm guessing her family as they look extremely similar. I get the things I wanted while still keeping 35 dollars on me, not including the money I was saving. It being 1:48 PM I look for one of those weird map things on a board. Once I find one I make my way to the food court right on time with minutes to spare. She's waiting for me there at a table.

"Hey! Leslie! Over here!" she says joyful and happy. It almost seems as if she was eagerly waiting for my arrival for some time now. I shrug it off and order some food, our food arrives and we chat for a while.

"So, how long have you known Devin?" I asked not really expecting much of a reaction from her- but to my surprise, she becomes hesitant to my question. Her mood immediately changes.

"Quite sometime now... we've been best friends for almost 7 years...." She says clearly hiding something. Then she changes the subject,

"Anyway-- what have you been up to? You seem to be at Sal's a lot." She chuckles.

"Well, I have to be there a lot because I work there."  I Answer her.

"Oh! That's right! I forgot. I've never really worked before, although I do a lot of volunteering at our school." She laughs.

"Oh, that's cool! Is that's why we never see you at the diner?" I ask teasingly.

"Hehe- Yeah, Pretty busy during the week- But I wouldn't mind at all having a real job! Oh, that would be great! Though... my parents don't allow me to work. Which is honestly stupid."  Pauline Explains.