"Ann,could you take over the register?I'm going to clean up back there.There's not many people so it should be easy."Ann nodded and walked over to the register as Doug thanked her and walked into the kitchen.
"Ann!Another drink over here!"Duke yelled.Ann sighed and brought another glass of wine over to Duke.It was a Friday night and usually Ann wouldn't be at the Inn.Usually she'd be the beach,but no one would know.Or maybe she'd be a the peak of Mother's Hill.On most Friday nights,actually,mostly all nights,she was stuck in the Inn.Serving people and cleaning up for those same people when they got drunk and threw up all over the floor.She was sick of it.
"Ann!Didn't you hear me?Another one!"Duke raised his glass high and Ann poured more wine just as her dad came out.He ruffled her hair and pushed her gently away from the register.
"Take a break."Ann thanked him as she walked out the door breathing in the fresh air of a cool summer night.It was the first day of fall tomorrow.She walked slowly down to the beach,taking in her surroundings.Mineral Town was a very nice town.Anyone who visited would say so.But for the people who lived there,it was kind of boring.Well at least for Ann it was.You saw the same people everyday.The same routines and even if it rains,you have a routine for that too.
"See you next year Kai."Ann walked faster as she recognized Zack's voice.She peeked around and saw Kai standing on the dock,bags in hand.She didn't know Kai well,but she did know he was lucky.He got to leave here and stay away for a whole year.She didn't think she'd be able to do that.It would be hard to leave her dad,her friends,even the Inn.She'd love to go with him.A nice break would be just what she needed.
"Yeah.Tell everyone goodbye for me."Zack nodded as Kai lifted his foot to step onto the ferry.Ann ran from her hiding spot and grabbed Kai's arm before he could get on.He turned around abruptly and seemed startled that it was Ann stopping him.
"Could you..take me with you?"she asked.Kai looked above her head and over at Zack who shrugged.
"Do you really want to come with me?I don't get back here until next summer you know."Ann nodded.That was the reason she wanted to go in the first place.
"I love this town but it's just so.."she stopped at a loss for words.
"Boring?"Ann smiled sadly as Kai finished her sentence.
"Exactly.Everyone has the same routine day after day.It gets boring,y'know?"Kai nodded.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"Ann turned around to face Zack so she could answer his question.
"Yes.I've never been so sure of something in my life."she smiled.Kai held out his hand and she grabbed it.He smiled as he helped her on.He followed after her and they sat down on one of the benches.
"Tell everyone goodbye and tell my dad I love him and I'll see him next summer!"Ann waved goodbye as the ferry sailed away from the Mineral Town dock.Kai turned to her and she smiled at him.
"You know,I never thought that you'd be the first person to escape that town."
"Me either.There's more to life than just Mineral Town and tonight,at the Inn,I really realized how much I wanted to make sure of that."Kai gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as the moon rose over them casting it's beams and giving the water a luminescent glow.