Oh-mah-goddess, I'm publishing a story. -collective gasp- The apocalypse begins! Haha, thanks for clicking. Hope you enjoy my story. Oh, by the way, take the poll on my profile! I need a lurve-interest for Angela, and I need your help choosing! Poll closes on 10/15/10. Read and Review, peoples!
Dear Angie,
How have you been lately? I really miss you! Oh, and so do Melody and Kasey. (No matter how much he denies it.)
Alright, I'll get to the point now. I know that you're having a hard time in the city ever since your photography shop
bombed. I'm your sister - how long did you think you were going to be able to hide it for? After a lot of begging,
pleading, and apple pies, Kasey and I have come to an agreement. If you're up to it, we can offer you a room at
the farm until you get back on your feet. Anyway, here's the catch - NO FREE RIDES. That being said, you have to
work if you want to live here. It's hard work, something I know you hate, but it'll be worth it in the end, I promise.
Oh, and you'll get paid.
I'll bet you grabbed a pen and paper just now.
Well, like I said, it'll be hard work, but I know you can handle it. Just act fast, because Kasey might change his mind -
I know you two don't get along too great.
Hope to see you soon!
~Molly
oOoOo
Angela leaned against the railing of the boat, gripping the letter tightly, focusing on the horizon. She did not like water - did not like being above it, or below it, and certainly not in it.
"Miss, are you alright?" The voice of the captain made her jump a bit, and her stomach flipped in protest.
"I'm fine...," she replied, looking sick.
"Are you afraid of the water?" Pascal asked, looking out towards the ocean.
"Actually, I...," She let out a nervous giggle. "... I can't swim...," Angie admitted, a lopsided smile plastered on her face.
Pascal chuckled. "Don't worry, missy. This boat is as safe as safe can be."
"Somehow, I doubt that," Angela muttered, focusing again on the still horizon.
"What was that?"
"Nothin'."
"Speaking of a safe trip," Pascal began, pointing to a small land mass a few miles away, "There's your destination."
oOoOo
Angela hit the ground running.
Her bag was flung over her shoulder, wide open and threatening to rip open, the way it was bulging. Her camera thumped against her neck as she ran, and her sneakers squeaked against the wet wood of the dock. She needed to get far away from that floating death-trap.
She made her way through the quiet town, her loud breaths and the clomping of her shoes disturbing the peaceful quiet. She made note of the small photography shop by the waterfall. When she saw a sign that said Farmland, pointing eastward, her pace increased.
Songbird Ranch was an adorable, quaint little place by the looks of it. A thatched red roof sat atop a white single-story house, with a red door and windowsills. To the right of the house were a chicken coop and a decent-sized barn, where neighing, mooing, and clucking could be heard from up the road. In front of the house, there was a small patch of plowed land where strawberries, turnips, and other spring crops could be seen sprouting from the ground. And bent over in the field, talking to her daughter, was-
"MOLLY!"
"What...?" Molly looked up from watering her crops and gasped, the watering can falling from her hand. "Angie!"
Angie raced across the field and embraced her sister in a tight hug. "Oh my gosh! I haven't seen you since Melody was born!"
"I missed you so much!"
"I missed you way more!"
"Liar!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Aunt Angie, Aunt Angie!" A girl with reddish-brunette hair in braids, wearing a jean-dress over a pink tee and cowgirl boots, jumped up and down with her arms outstretched. Angie pulled away from her sister and scooped her niece up into a hug, lightly tossing her into the air.
"Oh, Melody! You're so big now! And you are just adorable!" She set her back down on the ground and ruffled her hair. "You get your good looks from me, of course!" she beamed, using the little girl's head as an armrest. Melody giggled profusley and latched onto her aunt's arm, grinning a gap-toothed grin.
"Mmm... But you get your teeth from your father," Angela drawled, looking towards the house as Kasey came outside. Molly laughed.
"Hey, look! Aunt Moocher is finally here," he said with a smug grin. Angela punched him on the arm.
"At least you got Molly's kind attitude, as opposed to a certain snarky man's," Angela retorted, smiling at Melody. She pulled her bag off of her shoulder, swinging it back and forth. "So where's my presidential suite?"
"Ooh, let me show you to your room, auntie!" Melody grabbed Angela's hand and led her into the house.
"Oww...," Kasey muttered, rubbing his forearm as he and Molly followed them in. "That must've been her taxi-hailing hand."
Molly giggled and wrapped an arm around her husband, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
oOoOo
The house was even cuter on the inside. The walls resembled that of a log cabin, and sunlight streamed in through the windows. There was a sitting area to the right, with green couch and armchair, a small television, and a brick fireplace. Along the left of the back wall was a large kitchen, with white cabinets and fancy stainless-steel appliances. A round white table sat a few feet away, where three comfy-looking chairs sat. To the left there was also a hallway with four doors, two on each side, which Melody led them down. She opened the last door. "Here's your room, Aunt Angie!"
Angela looked around. The tiny, rectangle-shaped, cream-colored room glistened in the sunlight, and the off-white carpet showed signs of recent vacuuming. A small bed, barley big enough for one, sat in the corner. There was a dresser made from shiny cherry wood and a large window. A ceiling fan lazily spun around overhead, and two chains dangled down.
Angie threw her bag down by the dresser and turned towards her sister's family. "Okay, so who wants to take me on a tour of the town?"
"We can go right after lunch," Molly answered, smiling over her shoulder as she led everyone back towards the kitchen. "We have so much to catch up on!" Kasey opened the fridge for Molly, and she bent down and dug through bowls and bottles. "Now, who's up for PB and J?"
"Me!" Angela and Melody shouted, in unison, then grinned at each other. Kasey chuckled and began helping his wife with the sandwiches.
When they were ready, Melody skipped over to the table, humming, and took a seat. Everyone followed her example, asking questions about the city as Angela talked with her mouth full of peanut-butter and jelly.
"What's the big city like, auntie?" Melody asked. "Is it as big as mom says?"
Angela shrugged and took another bite of her sandwich. "Probably bigger than that."
"Wow! Mom, daddy, can we go visit the city someday?"
"I don't know...," Molly objected, crossing her arms. She pursed her lips. "The city is a big, dangerous place. You've been living in the country forever... Imagine the culture shock."
"Ah, don' worry 'bout it so much, Molls. The city is great! Bright lights, tall buildings, so many people..." Angela clapped her hands together and sighed dreamily. "And it's even better at night."
"Yeah, because all of the drunks and muggers must make for real great company," Kasey shot with a snicker. For the second time that day, he got a nice smack on the arm. "Ow! Good goddess, woman!"
"Goddess...? The hell?" Angela mumbled. "Someone's been skipping Sundays."
As they finished their lunches, Molly brought over a huge glass bowl of homemade chocolate pudding, to the amazement of Angela. ("Jeez, how many Jell-O cups were sacrificed to make this thing?)
"Delicious!" Angela cried, suprised. "Where'd you learn to make this?"
"Chase," Molly and Kasey replied simultaneously, though Kasey's voice was filled with contempt. Angela raised an eyebrow, but decided it best not to comment. They all ate in silence. When they were done, the quiet was broken by Molly.
"Alright, Ange. Tour time!"
"Yes!" Angela jumped right out of her seat, nearly knocking it to the floor.
"Don't get too excited, Angie," Kasey warned. "You might throw up."
"Up yours."
"Angela!" Molly scoffed, clapping her hands over a confused Melody's ears. Angela laughed.
"Time to introduce the world to the Amazing Angie!"
oOoOo
The rest of the day went by in a slow blur. Molly ran Angela around town, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Everyone was nice enough, she supposed. Hopefully, she didn't offend the purple-haired man when she'd asked about his gender. Or the peach-head, either. I hope Melody doesn't grow up to be a cross-dresser like them... And speaking of peach head, Kasey'd glared at him like he'd caused the plague and taxes.
Angela rolled over in bed and stared out the window. The full moon shone down on her face, and stars shone brightly. Much brighter than in the city. And you could actually take a deep breath without coughing out smoke... That was nice. People didn't shove you as you walked down the street, and there were no cars to run you over with. Hell, this place wasn't even big enough for a one-lane road! Hopefully that was a good thing.
She rolled onto her stomach and hugged the pillow close to her head. Without all the shouting, beeping car horns, alarms going off, and loud music, falling asleep was no longer a chore, a struggle. She closed her tired eyes and sighed, letting peace take over.
Her last thought, however fleeting, was clear.
This is the life.
Awright, man! -fist-pump- Chapter one is IN THE BAG. -does victory dance with sock monkey-
Mwahahaha, I've been blowing off my reading project for this. I hope it was worth it. xD I can't make any guarentees or promises regarding story length, chapter length, or update intervals, because my life is random like that. D:
Oh, and while I'm at it - go ahead and click the shiny blue button on the bottom of the page. You know which one I mean ;] I'd like opinions on all of the characters, specifically Angela - she is the protagonist, after all!
Thanks so much for your time + support! :D