Chapter 1

I glanced around me, this place seemed so strange. I was a bit fearful about going any but a block away from my grandmother's house. But I just needed fresh air and place to work on some art. Sketching sounds really nice, maybe if I could find a bench some where? In my right hand I carried a 9" x 12" Strathmore drawing pad and in my left a 7.0 dark purple mechanical pencil. My eyes then landed on a small park, there sat a lone srubby wooden bench. Perfect. I took my time over to it, drinking in every sight and sound and smell that Southern Boston had to offer. I kept the drawing pad close to my chest and I shoved the pencil in my left pocket, while looking around at the same time.

Visiting my grandmother seemed like the best idea I had come up with in a really long time. I needed this break, a break from my every day life and to get away from my home town was most lovely.

Finally I reached the bench, I gently sat my buttocks down. Thankfully the sun from earlier today had kept the sturdy wooden bench from getting too cold. I took in a deep breath of air, a soft smile wisping on my lips. Today couldn't get any better, I felt so alive. Nothing could go wrong or at least I hope. I pulled the cover of the Strathmore drawing notebook back. "What to draw... what to draw...?"

"Oooh, ye an artist?" I jumped a good 3 feet off the bench.

Sitting up and twirling around in one graceful motion I bumbled out, "Who? Where...?" There what stood before me were two men, they looked as though they were brothers. Probably were. They must be about in their late 20s at least, maybe a couple years older then me? I am only 24.

"Sorry fer scarin' ye, I'm Connor!" He put on a bright smile. I couldn't help but giving a thin smile myself.

"And I'm Murphy MacManus," Spoke the other.

"Oh," I murmered, "Well, my name is Mia Keena." I nervously looked aound, this felt really awkward, "I-I think I should go-get home. Leave."

"Awww, don't go yet!" Murphy whined, "We've only just met!"

"That's... that's okay," I tried to look some what cheerful, "I need to start cooking lunch anyway." Turning to leave, I froze, a thought crossed my mind, "Maybe I could bring both of you some of my home cooking? You two look like you need some meat on your bones."

"Sure, that would be fucking great!" Connor burst out happily. Okay, they must be homeless...

"But, I'll bring it to you guys, no need to follow!" I laughed nervously, "Just, wait here."

"Aye, what a good girl fer not trusting us," Murphy smirked, "I give ye credit fer giving us food. We might never leave you alone then!"

Oh, that's lovely. Sighing I started to walk away from them. If they followed, then they'd get some food. If they didn't, then I'd disapear and they'd never, hopefully, see me again. "Hay where ye going?" Connor asked me from my right.

"Home," I answered, "I'm visiting my grandmother, but I do all the cooking right now."

"Aye?" Murphy said, coming up to my left, "What a nice girl fer visiting her grandma."

"So..." My voice wandered off, "You guys going to follow me like lost puppies?"

"Ye got that right!" Connor spoke putting on a smirk. "Ye can tell yer grandmother that ye felt bad and decided to take us home and fatten us up." He nudged me lightly.

"Sure," I smiled softy and rolled my eyes at him. Why does it feel like I made friends with these... these people so fast? Usually it takes me forever to actually talk to some one and joke with them. Yet here I am taking them to my grandmother's house to feed them! What's wrong with me?! "It's just up here, my grandmother's home."

AN: sooo... what did you think of this chapter?-Kat