Choices: Chapter 1

Stepping out of her old gray pick-up, Scarlett made her way up to her old, run-down 1950's style home. Sighing heavily as she unlocked the front door and stepped inside. After she shut the door quietly, careful not to wake her friend John who was passed out on the couch, she crept into the kitchen setting her purse down on the oak table next to a stack of bills. Picking up the pieces of paper, she flipped through them. "Electric bill, cable bill, car insurance..." Shaking her head she tosses them back on the table, turning to see the stack of dishes in the sink. "This place is a mess..." She mumbled to herself as she made her way back into the tiny living room, the only light coming from the television. Going over to turn it off, she turned her head when hearing John's gruff voice, in a tired state. "You're back late...How's Justin? " John asked as he sat up against the arm of the black suede couch rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Same." Scarlett stated, her hands landing at her sides with a sigh as she continued to speak, "No change. How're the girls?" "Upstairs asleep," John replied. "I'm gonna go check on them. Be back in a minute." With that Scarlett headed up the stairs to the guest room to check on her nieces. Seeing they were both asleep when she cracked the door open, she then shut it quietly making her way back downstairs. "Thanks for watching them today, John," She said as she stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking at John. "I appreciate it. You can head home now, though." "Trying to get rid of me?" John spoke with a quiet chuckle as he stood up from the couch. Scarlett shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. Something John could always manage to get out of her even when she didn't feel like smiling. "No, no. Just a long day and I'm sure you'd like to get out of this mess," She said glancing around the living room at the laundry and dirty dishes scattered around. "What mess? You can still see the floor," John replied back with a grin as he walked towards her. "Always the joker..." Scarlett said with a grin watching as he moved towards her. "Who else would I be?" John said with a light chuckle before placing a quick peck to her cheek then continuing to speak. "Night, Scar. I'll see you later. Take care of yourself." He nodded towards her before turning and heading towards the front door, opening it and turning to look at her one more time before walking out and shutting the door behind him. "Night, John," Scar said as she watched him walk out the door.