I opened my sapphire blue eyes and looked around the dimly lit room, the smoke detector blinking its green and red lights at me. I took note of a new crack on the wall but shrugged it off this house is falling apart anyways. I sighed and got up from my uncomfortably firm bed and threw the dingy blankets off of me. I guess those'll be needing a wash too. I stood up onto the creaky floorboard that I wanted to fix so bad. I walked downstairs and took a deep breath and put on my obedient façade and smiled. Good morning Mom, Dad. I said. Morning. My mom grumbled through a sip of coffee. Eh. My dad said with a shake of his head. Do you have my list ready? I asked. No but go wash that shitload of dishes you forgot last night. My mom said coldly. Ok. I said. Wait. My dad protested. I flinched and looked him in the eyes. Yes Dad? I asked sweetly. I think you need scolding so you won't conveniently forget to do the dishes again. He said taking out his belt. Please Dad I really won't forget to do them again. He hit me on the arm and tears rushed to my eyes. Shut up. He whipped me on the ribs ten times. Do the dishes and get the fuck out of my house. I nodded and ran to the kitchen and washed the few dishes at lightning speed. I ran up the stairs and packed my bags almost happy to be kicked out of the house. I ran back downstairs and stopped at the base of the stairs. Anything else? I asked. Yeah get out within ten seconds or you stay. My father said sadistically. I bolted and my hand was on the doorknob when he counted down five…four. I swung open the door and slammed it shut and ran into the street and breathed a sigh of relief. I walked down to the lot and placed my bags on the ground and sat down on a smooth rock. The old yellow paint from the old parking spaces was still visible. I guess this is my life now. I thought. I patted my pocket which had two hundred dollars in it that I have been saving for three years now. I felt a grumble in my stomach and frowned. I should've grabbed an apple before I left. Tears streamed down my face and I faced reality, winter was coming quickly and I had no choice but to stay here in this lot, my newly acquired home but at least I can count the stars that hung over Tulsa at night. It sucked that I didn't have a home to go to when it got chilly and I didn't have a mom to greet me with a warm hug and a hot homemade dinner but then again I never had that. Now that I have nothing I won't have to be beaten anymore I can be free and able to breathe and walk around my house and do whatever the hell I wanted to. I ran a hand through my long golden blonde hair. If only I wasn't born and then I wouldn't have had to done anything, felt anything, or lost anything. I jumped at the sound of tires squealing against the tarred road. I looked at the old beat up car and the driver yelling at the boy crossing the road. You watch yourself boy or else you'll be like that opossum I just ran over the other day! He yelled. I stifled a giggle but stopped short. The people around here look out for each other and actually care something I had never encountered. I played with my fingers and let out a sigh of boredom. Come on Tulsa give me something to work with. I said. I stood up and hid my bags in a stray bush and walked onto the sidewalk. I kicked a pebble on the sidewalk and watched as it skidded against the ground. I found a small diner named the Dingo and walked in a little bell chiming when the door swung open. The people in the diner looked at me and then went back to what they were doing. I sat down in a small booth and I heard a glass bang down on the table. I looked over and saw a boy with dark brown hair get up and leave a girl all alone. He stormed out of the diner and slammed the door. Damn. I thought. A waitress came over to me. Hello my name is Melanie how may I serve you? Can I get a plain salad with raspberry vinaigrette and a chocolate shake? I asked. Absolutely. She said talking the order down and walking away. I tapped my nails on the table and waited. A few minutes later the waitress came back with my food. Here you go do you want your total? She asked. Yeah please. Ok it is two forty nine. She said. I handed her three dollars. Keep the change. I said. I drank my shake and ate some salad but then put the plastic cover back on the salad and hoped it would be enough for dinner tonight. I walked out of the diner and spotted a gas station a few buildings away. Maybe I could buy some shampoo and soap and toothpaste and a toothbrush. I don't know where I'm going to wash but I'll figure it out. I opened the door greeted by yet another chiming bell. Fuck. I muttered under my breath. Can I help you? A boy around my age who was a lot closer then I thought asked. Um no I think I can handle it. I said with a smile. Ok. He said rolling his greenish-blue eyes. I walked over to a small isle and found everything I needed and brought it to the front counter. Can you ring these up? I asked. Yeah sure. He said. Soda! I heard a girl call him. Oh hey baby. He said winking at her. When do you get off? She asked sitting down on a lone stool. Soon. He said. He packed my stuff in a little bag. Here you go your total is five dollars and sixty cents. I handed him the money. Thanks. I said. Hey I haven't seen you around town, you new? He asked. No I'm not. I said coldly. Oh damn here comes Dally, I'd split if I were you. He said. I laughed. All right I'm out. I said walking out of the store and back to the lot.
Soda's P.O.V…
I watched as the girl walked out of the store. She seemed different but in a good way. I didn't know who she was but had a feeling I was going to see her again. I smiled at Ali, my girlfriend of three months but I have always liked her but I was afraid that her brother Dallas would kill me. Dallas opened the door watching as the girl walked across the street with his mouth open. She was hot. He said grabbing a coke off of the shelf and opening it. You going to pay for that? I asked. No, give me a pack of smokes. He said holding out his hand. I handed him his favorite kools and he nodded. Hey my whore pull your shirt up. Dallas said pulling Ali's shirt up so it didn't show anything. She sighed and pulled it back down. Hey Tim went back in the cooler today and her didn't even get a chance to fight me for slashing his tires again. He said letting out a loud laugh. Ali laughed and I nodded. Aren't you ever going to grow up Dallas you have been fucking with Tim for years and somehow you always get caught? Ali said. Aren't you ever going to stop being a whore? Dallas mirrored her attitude. She just rolled her eyes.