Colliding Elements (Original Draft)

1. The Homecoming

Hunter walked down the crowded sidewalk, finding it difficult to view the messages on her phone as people bumped into her as they all hurried to their destinations. She constantly looked up from it, looking at the names on the buildings she passed by. She was supposed to go to her aunt's business today to see her, and it was important to get there right away.

"Dang it..." Hunter muttered under her breath, still not seeing the building anywhere. "Where is her shop?" she quietly asked herself. Hunter pondered for a moment as she took a step to the side to sit on a bench that was placed up against a store window. The contacts section on her phone was pulled up, and she looked for her Aunt Janice's phone number. After finding the contact, she dialed it, keeping the phone a good two centimeters away from her right ear. A few rings came by before her aunt picked up on the other end.

"Hello?" an elder voice spoke through the speaker.

"Hey, Aunt Janice, it's Hunter," Hunter spoke as she watched the people passing her by. "I can't seem to find your shop, what street is it on again?"

"Um, Hunter dear..." she started to trail off. "I'm still at home in Mill Valley. Just come over here and we can talk about your book."

"Are you serious?" Hunter's eyes widened at this news, surprised by the news. "So, you're saying that I could have brought my luggage with me to your home and not rent out a room at a hotel?" Her thoughts were running, mostly directed at the poor communication between her and her aunt.

"I'm sorry about it, sweetie. I should have informed you sooner. I am getting older now. Little Sammie is over if you want to see her and June."

Hunter sighed and smiled slightly. "I will see you in an hour or so, alright? Just play with your granddaughter while waiting."

"Seems like a plan," Janice spoke through the other end with a small laugh. "I hope to see you soon, goodbye!"

"Bye," Hunter said as she hit the end button on the screen. She stood up from the bench and walked back the way she had come, hoping to reach the hotel quickly. "Hey, taxi!" she shouted at a parked taxi cab, catching the man's attention.

"Yes, ma'am?" he asked her through the open passenger window. He was a middle-aged man, one with a messy and curly beard and a bit of weight building up onto his belly.

"Could you take me to the Hancock Hotel, please?"

"Of course."

"Will it be a short drive from here?"

"Only about five minutes, that should be about eleven dollars too."

"Alright, seems like an okay price," Hunter mumbled to herself as she climbed into the back seat and buckled herself in.

~~{*}~~

Kyle ran off the basketball court and went to sit down on one of the benches, panting and wiping his brow free of sweat.

"Hey, Kyle," one of the males playing with him spoke up, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit tired from practicing." Kyle picked up his water bottle and took a few large gulps from it before leaning forward again and grabbing his phone. "Hey, should people in California be awake by now?"

"I think so." The brunette dribbled the ball in his hands while watching the others continue their game of lightning. "It's about one o'clock, so it would be ten for them."

Kyle nodded and tucked his long bangs behind his ear before dialing a number. "Then hopefully Mrs Grumpypants will answer."

The phone rang for a few seconds before the receiver picked up. "Hello?" Hunter's voice came through the other end.