You're Different || Jimmy Darling

Chapter 2 From Tampa to Jupiter

My grandma lived in sunny Jupiter, Florida. We lived all the way up in Tampa so it was one heck of a drive. It was getting really dark but we got there just in time to take a rest. John was in my arms, his eyes were so sleepy and he was just about to knock out any second. "Rock a bye baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, And down will come baby, cradle and all..."
I sang to him as we pulled into grandma's driveway. My mother stopped the car and opened the door for me to get out. I carefully handed John to her and she walked to the front door while I grabbed the bags from the trunk. I looked toward the door and I could see my grandma's eyes light up as she hugged my mother and urged her to enter. I walked in and took my bags upstairs. I went back downstairs to greet granny.

"Grandma...I missed you so much!" I said as I hugged her tight.

"I missed you too Melanie. How are you? Your mother told me what happened..."

"Im ok...I guess." I said looking down.

"Melanie your grandmother and I need to talk go upstairs, unpack and get some rest. It's been a long day for all of us, I think we could all use a goodnights rest. Goodnight, I love you." My mother said as she handed me John.

"I love you too..." I said as I went upstairs carrying John to his crib in Mother's old room. I laided him inside and sang to him once more. I watched over him until he fell asleep. I went to grandma's guest room which was now my room and I unpacked my things. I hung up my clothes, put my decorations on the shelves and on the dresser. Then I came across one picture of when I was little, a family picture with my mother, my father and I. I took the picture and ripped my father out of it. He made me sick so I changed into my pajamas and I tried falling asleep. Finally I was able to sleep peacefully without worrying about the man who called himself my father.
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I was walking in complete darkness and I had no idea were I was going. I looked back and fourth and I was just encompassed in complete darkness. I started to cough, someone grabbed me around the neck and was choking me. I was gasping for air and before I stopped breathing I could see the outline of a man in a worn out clowns suit but that's all I could see. I couldn't see anything else...

I woke up gasping for air and I shot up from my bed holding my chest. I took a deep breaths trying to calm myself down. I got up and looked out the window and I could have sworn I saw a shadow that looked like what was in my dream. I locked the window and shut the curtains quickly. I jumped back in bed and after that I wasn't able to easily fall asleep. My eyes fell heavy and I slept soundly once again.
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Now that our home is in Jupiter that means a new high school and new people, good thing I don't have to worry about that right now. I can't believe I didn't even get to say goodbye to my friends. At least I have the neighbor next door, she was also my age and we grew to be best friends the more I came to visit granny as a kid but with time we grew distant. I got dressed in high waisted blue jeans and a baby blue v-neck. I rushed down stairs and I was welcomed by the smell of eggs and potatoes. Grandma's cooking was always the best. I grabbed the newspaper from the dining table and sat down.

"Good morning everyone and thank you grandma for breakfast it's good as always." I said as I took a scoop of eggs and I turned the pages of the paper till I saw the job opening section.

"Your welcome sweetie. I know Jenny next door works down at Flo's diner maybe she can help you out with your job hunt." She suggested as she fed John his bottle. I smiled and said, "I'll definitely look into it. I'm gonna go to Jenny's! See you in a bit grandma, tell mother I said good morning when she wakes's up." I said as I walked to the front door and put on my white flats.

"Will do honey, have fun!"

I skipped down the front steps and walked over to Jenny's house. Her house didn't seem much different just a different paint job to a bright light yellow than the light brown it used to be. I rang the doorbell and she greeted me at the door.

"Oh my lord Melanie! I can't believe it's you! Come in please." She said urging me to enter.

"Oh my god Jenny you look so different! I can't wait to catch up, it's been way to long. So how are you?"

"Oh Melanie, I'm great and thank you but I should be asking you that. What brings you down the Jupiter, did something happen?"

"Umm... not exactly. My mother decided to move in with granny, I guess we are staying here for awhile. Grandma told me you work at Flo's, do they need an extra hand down there?"

"Yes ofcousre! The more help the better I've been working there for a while and I'll put in a good word with Flo for ya. You can swing by with me today, my shift is actually gonna start in a bit. I can't believe your gonna be staying! I'm so excited, you have always been a great friend and we are going to have so much fun this summer!"

"I can't wait!" I said in excitement.

"Excuse me, I'm gonna get dressed for work I'll be back in a jiffy and then we can walk there it isn't too far from here. Oh and make yourself at home please have a seat." She said as she walked upstairs to her room leaving me in the living room.

I took a seat and looked around for a bit. She also lived with her mother and her older brother but I guess he went to college because I saw a picture of him at graduation. Soon after she was walking down with her blonde hair in a cute ponytail and she wore a pink dress with a small white apron with her name stitched in black on the right hand side of the dress.

"Let's go shall we?" She said as she urged me to go through the door first.

It wasn't too far from our houses and it was so nice to talk and catch up with Jenny, she was just like me, we were like twins. It just sucked that we lived so far away because when we were kids we were the bestest of friends. Finally we arrived at the Flo's. It's really nice and colorful. Jenny greets everyone and I smile while saying hello to all of the regulars.

"Melanie, just sit at the counter I'm gonna talk to Flo and get you that job." she said as she winked at me while walking into the kitchen.

I took a seat at the counter and I ordered a coffee, I glance over to the boy next to me. He has mittens on but it's summer? I barely noticed that I was staring at his mittens, like I didn't mean too I just kinda drifted off.

"So your name's Melanie? Pretty name, now if you don't mind you can stop staring now." he said.

"What? Oh my! I'm so sorry I wasn't trying to stare I kinda drifted off and thank you." I said blushing that he called my name pretty. He was wearing a leather jacket but you could see that he was little muscly too. I couldn't get a good look at his hair because he was wearing a leather cap but he was really and I mean really cute.

"It's ok darling. See you around, hope you get that job." He said as he got up and left waving back at me.

"Thanks, see you arou-." He left before I could finish and I tried waving back but it looked like he was too far away to see anymore. I saw Jenny come up to me jumping with joy.

"Melanie you got the job, and guess who's training you? This girl! Now let's get to work!" She shouted with enthusiasm.

"Oh my god, thank you so much Jenny!" I walked behind the counter and gave her a hug. I followed her and she started to teach me routine things at the counter. I was so happy that I got the job but I was more focused on that boy more than my new job.