Forgotten Memories

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Chapter 3

At Work

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W hen Chihiro walked towards the entrance of her house Haku called. "See you tomorrow?"

Chihiro nodded and that was the last time he saw her that day.

XXX

Chihiro sobbed, her back against the front door. She pressed her knees close to her chest and let the tears stroll down her cheek, knowing no one would come and wipe them away.

Chihiro sat there, re-playing Haku's simple but painful words. Chihiro felt a sudden emptiness in her heart, as if somebody took out the core, the whole reason to live and face life's challenges.

Chihiro wiped the tears impatiently and stood. She had to go to work soon.

The house was dark, only illuminated by the small windows that dotted the house's white walls. Chihiro's house was quite small. It had only: two bathroomS, THREE bedrooms (one for Chihiro, one for the dad, and one for coming guests.), ONE living room, ONE kitchen, ONE garage and ONE backyard which was about the same size of the house itself.

Chihiro sighed unevenly, going to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror. Chihiro had light pink eyes filled with hurt, tear streaks that trailed her skin and strands of her cocoa brown hair stuck to her cheek.

"I can't go to work like this.' Chihiro replied, self-pity staining her voice.

She turned on the water, making cold refreshing water come out of the silver faucet. Chihiro washed her face, wiping down the signs of any anguish that happened a moment ago but despite her tries to be happy, she couldn't hide the deep agony in her eyes.

When she was done, she dried her face with a towel, and went to her room to dress up.

Her uniform for work was nothing but casual clothes, an apron, and a visor, so it didn't take so long for Chihiro to dress up.

Chihiro put on a navy blue shirt that said 'Q TEE (and a picture of a hot steamy pie)' and jeans under a black apron with the McDonalds logo. Then she retied her hair in a ponytail and placed the black visor snug on her head.

"There." Chihiro smiled triumphantly.

She grabbed her purse and went to the garage where a cheap, old black Volvo was waiting.

She started the car, and drove away, leaving the cold, dark house to itself.

XXX

Chihiro clicked through the radio channels, trying to find one that would lighten up her mood. But all she could find were love songs. Stupid, dumb love songs Chihiro muttered.

All of the songs were about love; all of the songs reminded her of Haku.

With a frustrated sigh, Chihiro turned the whole radio off.

The muffled traffic and the light impatient tapping Chihiro's finger made were the only sounds that were heard.

XXX

"Chihiro! You're here!" Chihiro was greeted by a hug from her favorite workmate, Soyoko.

"Busy today?" Chihiro asked as she went behind the 'ORDER HERE' counter.

"Unfortunately not." Soyoko said. "I was beginning to think that you weren't going to come."

Chihiro listened to a mother and her two twins order before replying back to her Soyoko.

"Well, it's always busier at weekends." Chihiro said.

"True." Soyoko replied leaning on the wall, arms crossed, "But its always boring here. What took you so long?"

"Traffic" Chihiro replied shortly. The last thing she wanted was for Soyoko to be concerned.

"That's true." Soyoko confirmed, "There has been lots of traffic since the construction."

Chihiro took a man's order before Soyoko continued speaking.

"I forgot to mention." Soyoko said, "Did you know somebody tried to rob me this morning?"

Chihiro looked at Soyoko. "Really?"

"Yup." Soyoko grinned, "Well, that was before I gave him a piece of my mind." Soyoko went into fighting stance, with fists in the air.

Chihiro laughed. Soyoko was about in her 20's but acted like she was in her teens. She cared for Chihiro ever since she came to work here. Soyoko has always stood up for Chihiro when the manager yelled at her. Soyoko was almost like a mother to Chihiro, except the fact she's not married, only sees Chihiro at work, and lives by herself all the time.

"Well, somebody stole something from me too." Chihiro replied.

"Wah?" Soyoko exclaimed, hatred growing her eyes. "What did they steal? Oh no! Not the wallet! The keys? Your purse?"

Chihiro smiled, though sorrow was written all over her face. "My heart."

XXX

When Chihiro got home, a bowl of pork and beans and rice were placed on the table.

I guess father is home Chihiro thought, taking off her apron and visor and putting them in her room.

"Dad?" Chihiro called, echoing through the house.

"I'm here in my room." Chihiro's Dad answered.

Chihiro walked through the small hallway that connected the living room to the bedrooms and bathrooms, finding her dad sitting on the edge of his bed, taking his shoes off.

"How was work?" Chihiro asked, standing at the doorway.

"It was good, thanks." He looked at Chihiro. "How about you? How was work?"

"Nothing new." Chihiro replied. "Well Would love to stay and chat, but theres homework to do."

CHihiro's dad gave a knowing smile. "Alright, go on. Dinner's on the table when your done."

Chihiro grinned. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." She then went to her room and took out her homework. She glanced at her watch. She had about an hour to finish everything.

And there she sat on the floor, papers and books scattered across the carpet. It was going to be a long night.

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Wanna give a shout out to pinkmonkeybomber!

I couldn't continue this story without her. :gives a bunch of flowers:

You know what to do! review!