I've never been to Nevada.

It was hot, here, and, despite being in the middle of the desert, Death City was crowded with people. I found it hard to believe that Father would ever extend a branch out here until I actually landed. The shoe industry must really be blooming in a place where you have to drive to get to everywhere. The streets were surprisingly paved. I don't know what I was expecting- dirt roads? I mean, it makes sense for the desert. I sighed to myself, I'm not a very well-seasons traveler.

The apartment Father had sent me to was big, and probably what he stayed in on his business trips to this part of the company. There was a view, a beautiful view. It over looked the whole shopping district of the city. I could see buildings 'pon buildings, and billboards and people walking. Don't even get me started on the skyline...

"Why would Father give me such a nice place?" I thought out-loud. He very much so could have sent me to fend for myself in the streets, or make me live in basement of the Death City branch of Evans Shoe Enterprises. It was a nice feeling to be away from them... but, I couldn't keep something off my mind.

There began an ache in my chest.

How could Wes tell them? We were going to leave together...

Wes was my older brother. My best friend. The only person in our family that treated me like I had a purpose in life- the only person who could make me believe it. Now, though, I only felt betrayal. If only I could ask him, I thought, but father told me I wasn't allowed to contact them anymore. He'd cut me off from the network and gave me a new phone. Blocked my number and said that if I needed them at all, to direct any and all statements to the CEO of the Death City branch,

I could try to ignore it, but I don't think I'll ever stop wondering why he ratted me out.

The thought hung in my throat like I had just swallowed a toad.

My phone buzzed, and I quickly buried my feelings.

New message from: Kidd Death

Hello, Mr. Evans, I am supposed to let you know we have a meeting at 1:00pm to discuss your duties and roles in your father's company. When you arrive, tell the secretary who you are and she will direct you to my office. Dress accordingly.

Looking at the clock, I noted that it was only ten-o clock and I had a solid couple of hours to explore before I needed to be there- so after a quick shower and a trip to my father's closet, I threw on a suit and gave little attention to how acceptable I looked.

...

The streets were less packed now, and cars zipped by as the atmosphere of the city sunk into me.

I guess I could get used to this.

Trying not to feel guilty, which didn't work at all, I slid my credit card through the scanner of a local coffee shop. It was just across the street from my apartment and was relatively cheep, so I figured why not. I didn't want to blow through all the money Mother and Father had paid me to come here, though I know they would never cut me off in fear I would "ruin the family name" if they didn't keep me away.

There it was again. The contrite feeling that grew in my chest.

'You should be grateful' his words rang in my head. Over and over and over again- all I could hear was the disdain he had for me. 'Disappointment', 'Waste of time', 'Useless'. My vision grew blurry and, in my distraught state of mind, I ran into someone on the street.

"Watch where you're going, asshole." they huffed. I turned to apologize but the face that greeted me was Father. I blinked a few times. God, did my head hurt.

"Jesus, are you okay?" The man asked, looking at me with the same eyes my father did. They read- "Freak. Look where you're going next time." And with that, the stranger darted away from me.

I gripped my head and steadied myself against the brick siding of the coffee shop. I hadn't even made it outside before I had an episode... not cool. Embarrassment lingered in my cheeks until it dissolved into loathing. Not for the stranger, but for myself. This is why they hate me so much, was all I could think.

The melancholy stuck with me the rest of the way down the street- once I was finally able to calm myself down- and eventually I found myself inside a library browsing through the Jazz records. Art Tatum, Fats Waller- you name 'em. The little bookstore was small for it's selection. The books were barely on the shelves, and were piled up on tables through out the aisles. It seemed that whoever ran this place had quite the collection.

Quietly, I picked up a few of the records I favored most and placed them in the record player. The headphones were quite uncomfortable and messed with my hair, but it's not like I did my hair to begin with. It was hard to believe that such a small place had such a fancy, advanced record player for customers to view albums with. I lost myself, for a while, in the music. The smooth beat of the tunes healed me and washed away my distress- for now anyway... Good things didn't last forever.

I felt a tapping on my shoulder.

"Excuse me, Sir?" a quiet voice spoke. I removed the headphones and turned to her, a tall woman with long black hair. She wore a gray sweater vest and dawned a name tag. It read 'Tsubaki'.

"U-uh yes?" I responded, unsure if I had done something wrong. I glanced back at the record player for a sign that said whether or not I was supposed to pay to use. I looked back at Tsubaki, she was smiling brightly. "Did I do something wrong?"

She shook her head. "Oh, no! Of course not, I was just looking to welcome you to town."

"Huh?" I quirked my eyebrows. Does she know who I am?

Giggling, she must have seen the confusion. "Well, I've just never seen you around before, so I assumed you were new! My apologies if for my assumpt-"

I cut her off unintentionally, "No, you were right. Sorry I just, uh, it's no problem."

Once again I felt myself embarrassed. 'Geez, get yourself together, Soul, you're acting so uncool right now.'

Still, the librarian seemed not to mind. Her whole presence radiated kindness, and she only looked pleased to see a new face.

"Well, in that case, my name is Tsubaki, it's very nice to meet you." She extended her hand and I shook it.

I couldn't help but note how soft and gentle she was; I also couldn't help but note that this is probably the first time I've ever shook a woman's hand. Were they all this soft?

"I'm Soul Eater, it's nice to meet you too. Are you the owner?" I ask, looking around at the messily organized contents of the store. Tsubaki shakes her head and steps back.

"Me? Oh, no, I just work here. Our owner is out right now, it's just us two running the place so we switch off most days." She speaks as she lifts a small pile of books from a nearby display and dusts the surface, setting each book down one by one. I nodded, not knowing what to say. The time was ticking down to where I would have to be at the office and I dreaded each second that passed. I could only imagine the type of people my father would hire and put in charge of me...

It took a moment for me to snap out of my daze and realize that I had been ignoring Tsubaki this whole time.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry," I said, "I got distracted."

"It's no worry! You look like you have somewhere important to be anyhow," she smiled, nodding at my attire.

I grabbed my un-tied tie and coughed. 'Y-yeah, I do. I should probably get going. Thanks." I threw her my most try-hard smile, but I'm sure it ended up looking more like dog being trained by it's owner to smile. Not cool. Regardless, Tsubaki bowed and continued her business dusting off the store, giving me a short wave.

The office was still halfway across town. I still had at least an hour and a half to get there and I've exhausted myself already. Not to mention how much of a fool I keep making myself out to be to everyone I interact with. Shutting my eyes, I tried to breath.

I can't keep doing this to myself.

And with that, I stuffed my hands in my pockets and decided I didn't care anymore, or at least I wouldn't let anyone think I cared.

...

Welp, another chapter. It's probs a little lack-luster at this point, but I honestly just have so much I want to do with this story I don't want to throw it all at ya'll at once. Leave a note for me to improve on.

I'm going to try and do updates once a week after this. maybe. I start college next week so honestly we'll see how that goes.

-Penny