CHAPTER 4 - TOWN OF FORKS

Hedley – On My Own

And now I gotta be
On My Own
And living in a world alone
Gets better every day
That I don't have to say I'm sorry I'm coming home
I'm gonna make it on my own
I'll always take the harder road
Gets better every day
That I don't have to say I'm sorry I'm coming home

A/N: Thanks for giving my story a chance.

The town of Forks was quiet.

I was in the main part of Forks but there was another road that led to several streets - all comparable, occupied by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and tomorrow but none complained.

Tight-knit shops trailed on the picturesque street appearing to be slightly worn down which I presumed to have been here for a while with the almost traditional appearance closely similar to the Victorian era. Most people would prefer the modern buildings of the city but I preferred these.

It was quiet and practically isolated and I loved it.

The main reason I had torn myself away from the cabin was because my stomach had growled again reminding me that I had to eat but I also figured that while I was still here, I'd have the chance to purchase a few tools and maybe some paint although I don't think I'd be paying for anything yet.

Thinking of my new home brought another small smile to my face and I bit on my lip at the strangeness of it all.

I was actually here.

It was real.

I caught sight of a small diner with a sign that read Carver Café – just the mere sight of it made my stomach growl yet again. I had no money and would have to result to compelling but I would find a way to pay them back.

As I stepped closer I could hear the sounds of knives and forks scraping across plates and the tantalizing smell of the cooking grew stronger making me salivate as the hunger grew more prominent that I practically raced to the door.

Once I opened the door, a tinkling rang as the door closed and I snapped my head around to the sound, sighing in relief when finding a small bell that was hanging on the door.

"Well hello there" a cheery voice startled me and I quickly snapped back around to be met with a young woman, hair in a bun with a yellow pencil tucked behind her ear and had a notebook tucked into the pocket of the apron. She had a name tag on her polo shirt uniform that read Cora. Snapping my eyes back to her face, I was met with nothing but kindness in her eyes.

Not sure how to respond, I decided to remain polite, "Good afternoon" I replied holding out my hand to which her expression fell slightly with confusion etched in her eyes and an amused smile rose as she reached out and took my hand.

"Would you like a table?" she asked still amused but there was nothing malicious in her features. I could sense no wickedness from her. A certain warmth radiated from her so I drew up that she could be trusted. When I nodded in response, she began to walk indicating that I should follow her. She found me a booth at the back and I slipped off the duffel placing it next to me. "Our soup of the day is Chicken and Mushroom" she then announced using her pencil to point behind her at the sign before passing me a menu as she added, "and these are today's specials". I took the menu from her was a grateful smile. "Would you like to start with a drink?" she questioned, her happiness never faltering.

"Water would be fine" I muttered quietly, locking my fingers together before resting them on the table.

"Okay" she scribbled down my order on the notepad, "I'll be back to take your order" she grinned, slipping her pencil back behind her ear.

Before she could leave, I called back to stop her, "Do you mind me asking a question?"

"Sure thing, darling" her answering grin encouraged me further.

"What day is it?"

"It's Thursday" she answered, confusion clouding her features. I hadn't really kept track of time but I think that I had left Italy on Monday or Tuesday. Time hadn't really mattered to me there so I just fleeted through the days in a daze. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Cora pulled me away from the past and I blinked up at her before sighing, "Not really". I was far from anything they were but I would try.

She watched me for a moment, a small crease on her forehead, before crossing her arms and asking, "Are you visiting?"

Shaking my head, I answered truthfully, "Actually I'm thinking about staying". Saying the words out loud seemed to finalise my decision.

She seemed to come to some sort of decision herself as she grinned at me, "Well, the city of Forks welcomes you"

She didn't know how powerful the words were to me or how they shook me to the core, knowing that I was welcome somewhere. "Thank you", my voice cracked as I continued to blink back the threatening tears.

Her eyes grew wide but she didn't question me further to which I was grateful. Instead she gave an even sweeter smile before walking away.

Shaking my head, I internally laughed at my silly behaviour before looking down to flicker through the menu she had handed me. Following her orders, I found the Chef specials and the only one standing out to me was the chicken fillet salad. Each special came with Friday's special dessert which was apple pie with cream and coffee.

After Cora checked her last table, she returned and took my order before she walked towards the kitchen.

Without her presence, I waited for the food and scanned the diner, catching a few curious stares so I dropped my eyes back to my entwined fingers.

The newspaper on the table next me caught my eye so I picked it up and skipped over the news and gossip, to the end where vacancies were listed. There were a few substitute teaching jobs and a couple of cashier jobs and many cleaning jobs. One that did stand out was $6 per hour when doing 12 hours in the weekend at a place named Newton Outfitters. If I was to go to school then I could take that job.

The smell of my arrived food had the job listings forgotten and I all bit threw it back onto the table as I grabbed at my fork and knife.

"Someone's eager" Cora joked with a chuckle and I felt myself flush with embarrassment.

"It was a long drive. I didn't get a chance to eat anything" it was only half a lie.

I was wrong to think she would leave alone because she slipped into the seat of the booth opposite me. In other circumstances, I would've felt self-conscious about her watching me eat but the smell was so tantalizing that I didn't really care.

The first bite of the marinated chicken awoke my once deadened taste buds causing me to moan a bit too loudly and grab the attention of some of the customers. Cora simply chuckled and I didn't need a mirror to tell me how red my cheeks were now.

Instead of dwelling on the judgemental looks, I focused on my food as I savoured each delicious bite. Each taste was new to me and I felt myself grow stronger with each bite. The headache was now subduing and my senses were gaining their original strength filling me with life.

"Looking for work?" her voice interrupted my trance-like state.

I blinked and for a moment, I sat there, confused by where I was until settling my eyes n Cora who was looking down at the newspaper. Her question replayed in my mind and I answered with a nod as I still had food in my mouth.

She looked up to meet my eyes before asking, "How old are you?"

Crap!

This would mean whatever age I gave to her now - I'd have to stick to it while I lived here. "Um…I just turned 18" I answered, the uncertainty rang clear in my tone but Cora either heard it and ignored it or had missed the wavering in my tone.

She nodded like she had been expecting that answer, "So you're looking for something part-time?" wanting to confirm her suspicions and I nodded again in reply still indulging in the simple lunch. "You know we could always use one more waitress" she offered at me and I froze with her generous offer, staring up at the stranger with disbelief. She ignored my surprise and continued explaining, "Weekends from 9 till 5. Pay you $7.50 per hour and that includes tips"

Before I could protest, she got up from the table and went to wait at another table.

"Guess its back to school" I sighed but that didn't stop the wide smile that pulled at my lips as I took another bite of my chicken salad.

Things were definitely looking up.

A/N: Reviews are my inspiration.