Blueberry Pomegranate

Chapter 1

T❋

"Tessa. Hey, wait up. Tes- Tessa?"
I kept walking fast down the street of Willigan, trying to get away from crazy Maggie. She kept calling my name over and over dodging the shoppers walking on the crowded sidewalks by me. Her heels for some reason over powered the sounds of talking and they made an annoying clank sound every time she took a step.
"Yes, Ms. Mags." I said in a long drawn out breath. She reached for my arm and brought my under a stores sun shade, away from the hustle and bustle of Willigan.
"Uh, I was just wondering. I know you have a wide selection of family members near by and I was curious. Do you think any would mind joining my journal. I need just a few writers and possibly you or someone you know has hidden talent?" She smiled and handed me a pink paper with her information. "My number and my fathers is there - since I tend to lose my phone a lot - you can call me if you find anyone." She insisted.
The paper was greasy and had stains, possibly from the food. Cooking too much? I folded the slip up in my pocket and smiled. "Sure. I'll get back to you soon."
I moved from her presence and walked back on the sidewalk, going towards the bus station at the corner.
"Call me! Journalists must stick together!" Maggie called from behind me.
I threw my hand back to wave and kept walking forward - the bus station was filled with people holding shopping bags and some with briefs cases, I the only one holding a floral backpack with the zipper broken. The men and women all seemed aged, stressed and worn out by the hot mid-june day which was fairly odd since most Willigan-bound towns folk enjoyed most of everyday life style.
"Excuse me Miss. I'm sorry. 'Scuse me." I whispered to them as I made my way to the front of the line as the bus approached the corner. I got a few dirty looks but no one had enough energy to yell at me for cutting or possibly drag me back keeping me from a stationary seat on the bus. If I had been pulled back I would of had to grab on to a pole for dear life to keep my life - the ride definitely is adventurous flying back and forth in the middle of the aisle as the driver just watches you for entertainment. Stationary seat, I prefer those.
I got a comfy section in the back to myself since of the business-y men decided to stand for some odd reason. I bet they're new here. The bus pulled off and immediately the man in front of me started losing his balance. His knuckles turned white from his tight grip on the pole and his feet barely held their ground. He moaned a few times when he almost lost balance and i tried not to laugh, but failed.
"What's so funny kid?" He asked, his voice had a mixture of annoyance and a gleam of curiosity. His gaze stayed at the pole, every so often looking back at me but losing his balance when he did.
"You chose to stand." I laughed at his confusion towards the situation. "No one chooses to stand. The driver is crazy. Sit here." I scooted to the corner of the seat and left room for him to sit. He smiled and happily took the offer.
"Thank you. Kid." He smiled and sat back. I have to admit he was one good looking man. He didn't look a day over 21 but his work attire said otherwise.
"I'm not a kid. Old man." I didn't know whether my wise-ass jokes were going to get me in trouble or laid but either way I was taking my chances. Neither could be too bad.
"And i'm not an old man, young lady. 20 is a good age."
"And so is 18." I smiled flirtatiously. I knew I was being a tease and I honestly didn't care much. Like I was going to see him again.
"So whats your name legal adult with the floral backpack?" He said gesturing to the bag with the broken zipper. I've had that bag since I was about 13 and I never got around to buying a new one.
"I'm Tessa. I prefer Tes. Yours?"
"David. Sadly I prefer Davey." His cheeks turned red and smiled to his lap while rubbing his hands down his leg.
"Ha, Davey. That's cute." I smiled and flicked his arm so he'd look up. "This is my stop. See you around Willigan."
As I walked down the steps I looked back at him smiling without showing any teeth. The doors swung open in front of me and the outside air hit me in the face. The smell of exhaust and french fries filled my nostrils and made me cringe. The streets were still filled with people and most shops had their doors propped open letting in the warm air. Around the corner from my stop a small store by the name of 'Missy's Closet' took the place of the old chinese place - the big display window was filled with white and pink christmas lights that blinked like a strobe light. Every so often the open sign would flash green, clashing with the pink and white color scheme. Inside the speakers softly played 'Ghost' by Ella Henderson and her voice echoed off the silicone white walls. It smelt of fresh made prada though it was a knock-off high end clothing store; and i've never smelt the smell of fresh prada.
"Can I help you find anything Ma'am?" A skinny petite girl asked me. She was wearing all black with a pop of what looked like pink mary kate's.
"Uhm, actually. Do you have any nice bags?" I clutched my floral bag as I spoke to her.
"Yes. Right over in the back corner. Floral not working for you?" She gestured to the bag and raised an eyebrow at me. The bag probably wouldn't be as bad if it wasn't so dirty off-white and if the flaps didn't hang open exposing what I was carrying.
"Just- time for a change is all." I smiled and headed to the corner. Most of the bags were over $100 but one stuck out. It was leather brown with metal studs on the strap and along the seam. It seemed totally bad-ass and I loved it. Down the aisle of the store a rack with the sign 'SALE' caught my attention. A pair of dark wash jeggings and a cream blouse hung next to each other and magically in my size.
I gathered my items I fell in love with and brought them back to the girl with the Mary Kate's at the register. She smiled at me and took over, ringing everything up. With each thing scanned the price went up double, triple.
"That'll be $124.98." She said. Thankfully just being paid I handed over 125 in cash and she gave me change.
Even the bag was eccentric and smelt of something I'd think as fresh made prada. My old ripped jeans and the same basic tops of black, white, tan etcetera was becoming something I didn't want to be seen in. That store - Missy's Closet I should say - was about to be my new best friend.
~~~~
At the end of Willigan right before the start of Saksmill Creek there's a house made of old wood and surrounded by acres of farmland. There's a long dirt path way to the door that's now painted red with the numbers 471 nailed to it. The rest of the house had the color of sun bleached yellow and moss started growing up the front left side from the large oak planted in the front yard.
"Mom I'm home!" I yelled from the front door. Laughing came from the kitchen but only my mothers car was in the driveway. "Hey mo-" I stopped mid sentence. In the kitchen my mom was leaning against the counter talking to a man in a suit sitting at the table.
"Sorry I didn't know you had company. There was no car in the driveway." I said pointing back to the driveway as if you could see.
"It's fine sweetie. This is David. He's going to be your fathers new lawyer so he'll be around often." My mom replied. David turned around and his smile faded away as did mine.
"Uhm hello, David." I struggled to swallow and shook his huge hand that I had just watched run down his leg in embarrassment. He smiled again, the one I caused no more than an hour or two ago.
"I'm Tessa. I prefer Tes though." I smiled at the deja-vu we were both experiencing and let go of his hand. "Since we're going to be spending a lot of time together I thought you should know."
"Well, then I prefer Davey. Thought you should know." He winked opposite of my mom so she wouldn't see. I chuckled and walked towards the entrance of the kitchen.
"Oh you went shopping?" My mom asked remaining in her same place.

"Yeah, I'm trying to change things up." I smiled at her and shook the bag. I started up the steps and she yelled after me - I made my steps quiter to hear her low soft voice, though she was obviously trying to be louder to overcome the powerful sound of my stomping.
"Maybe you can wear whatever you got to dinner tonight. Dave is invited." Enthusiasm covered her words and forbidden thoughts crossed my mind as I ran the thought of Davey being a long-term distraction in my life. Something I very well needed.