𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁

c h a p t e r 2

solivagant -
someone who wanders and travels without company

i got out and quietly closed my window. i took a deep breath of the fresh air. i felt good. i started on a walk around the town, not knowing where i would end up. 

i found multiple interesting places. there was a diner named the dingo, a drive-in movie place which was empty at the moment, and then there was a small park.

i decided to go up on the jungle gym and just sit on top. i brought one of my favorite books with me that i have read at least fifty times, gone with the wind. 

i don't know, i guess i just never got sick of it. the only noise around me was the little breeze, me flipping the pages of the book, and leaves rustling.

out of nowhere, i heard footsteps. i ignored it at first, but then someone started climbing up the jungle gym to sit next to me. he looked like a greaser. jeans, a blue mickey mouse shirt, with a black leather jacket on top.

"hey darlin. how are you doing this fine evening?" he asked as alcohol reeked off of his breath. i kind of just laughed at him. 

"i am doing alright. and how are you doing?" i asked politely back. "i am doing so well. thank you for-" he was cut off by someone yelling at him.

"two-bit! what in the hell are you doing here? it's almost 3:30!" this man said becoming annoyed at the guy sitting next to me, whose name i guess was two-bit. 

"but this really nice and pretty lady was talking to me and-" he was cut off once again. "c'mon. let's get you home. you can stay at my place for the night. i am so sorry about this. he gets drunk too much," this man said with a stern voice.

i jumped down from the jungle gym. "oh don't worry. he wasn't a bother to me. sorry for not introducing myself properly. my name is bella frey. i moved here about a month ago from california," i told the man holding out my hand. 

"i am darry curtis. this is one of my buddies, two-bit. it's really nice meeting you bella." he shook my hand back and smiled at me.

"well we both better get going. maybe i will see you again some time," i told him while i started walking away. 

"yes, please do. we don't like people getting jumped at this hour, especially a girl," he told me. i smiled at his words. it seemed as if he cared.

"alright well just remember, i live right down this street, the fourth house on the left." i gave him a thumbs up and went on my way back home.

i was going to remember that just in case of an emergency. when i got home i changed back into my night clothes and decided to just read until i fall asleep.

i looked at the clock to see it was almost 4. i set down the book but before i fell asleep i kept repeating the names, two-bit and darry, until i finally dozed off.

i woke up from my alarm going off. i always liked waking up early because it made me feel productive. i walked to the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal.

i was eating peacefully when out of nowhere my mom came from her room. "good morning bella!" i nearly fell off my chair from her loud voice.

"woah, morning mom. why are you in such a good mood?" i asked sipping the milk from the bowl. "well today i have no work and i think we should do something together!" she squealed excitedly.

why was she deciding to do this now? well, now i was happy she wanted to have some mother daughter bonding time.

"what do you have in mind?" i asked while putting my dish away. "i was thinking we could go to this diner. it's called the dingo. so many people have recommended it and i thought it would be nice for a mother daughter time!" she told me, joy laced in her voice.

"sounds like a plan!"