Note: right now my character might look all over the place but I that only because I am terrible with character design.
Not Edited
Learning the ins and outs of this small workforce station was all I allowed myself to stay focused on for the first week on the job. I soon found myself a nice rhythm to follow while at work, fixing up the archives and uploading some reports into the new and approved online system. So far there hasn't been any field work or patrolling for me, and I am rather fine with that. In fact I would prefer to keep to myself than meet anyone else who isn't a coworker, I'm not sure we're the sense of wanting to be alone came from but it might be something related to back home.
"No locals for now then, I can't imagine what I would do if anything not human occurred."
Desk duty might be boring on a regular basis but for me it was a god send. It was a pretty simple job to do, arrange files in proper order, write up reports to any easily handled incidents called in, and upload cases, evidence, etc. onto the new program on the computer.
"Apparently the last one had some disastrous glitches."
Yes, I could do this all day and eventually waste away under stacks of paper. But I guess that day isn't today, oh no, just like Mystic Falls here in Forks we have the type of people who like to get others to unknowingly help them meddle. The poor sucker designated to get me to go somewhere public for lunch so most of the folks living here can meet the new guy is none other than my boss, Chief Swan.
As a way to help me integrate better with the community, my boss has invited me to a local diner not that far from the station. Poor guy didn't even know he wasn't supposed to tell me that it was because the locals kept asking when they would be meeting the new Sheriff. With the added reasoning of not being able to hide away forever, be it at work behind a desk in the office or at home doing whatever it is I do he says.
"Ah man, and after all that work I put into convincing the Chief to let me get used to the new setting, without any vampire tricks either. I mean it's not too late to do so, but I don't want to take advantage of the man's genuine kindness and concern. Damn."
Only week two and I'm already failing at keeping others at a distance, guess lunch with the Chief it is. So here I am dreading having to eat out in a diner most likely filled with nosey folk just like back home.
"Or not home anymore, not after that yelling match with Ty. I shouldn't have let things get so out of hand, I should have.."
"Here we are, I'm telling you they have the best steak and potatoes you've ever eaten."
"Is that a fact," I snorted, "guess I'll have to try it out if you're vouching for it."
Not even five minutes of entering and sitting down within The Lodge, I kid you not, everyone made it their business once we have ordered. People coming up one by one or a couple at a time, just constantly interrupting one another as they hurry to meet me and introduce themselves. I can not tell you how many times I've answered the same questions over and over again, while listening to them greet me and subconsciously picking up any gossip about me once someone else takes their place. I swear Mystic Falls wasn't this enthusiastic about meeting new people.
"Then again, Forks doesn't have the same history as we do. Spirits help me." I sigh.
All the attention and whispers was really starting to grate on my nerves, with every passing second the irritation I felt must have somehow made its way to either my face or body language. Because not a second later the Chief was taking over, asking everyone who would listen to go back to their own lunches and how we are here for a quick bite before getting back to work. Of course almost everyone listens, but those who don't are soon herded away by the waitress bring out our order.
"Here ya are Sheriffs. Sorry for the wait and enjoy your meal."
"Thank you, Nora!" "Thanks." We both spoke in unison.
Without the badgering of everyone around us, we could both eat our food as peacefully as it can get. I could still hear them always and their never ending judgment. The entire atmosphere was different from the Mystic Grill, where the restaurant/bar gave the sense of privacy, here in this open interior café diner there was none.
"So Lockwood,"
"Adrian's fine Chief. We aren't on duty at the moment."
"Alright Adrian, then it's just Charlie to you too."
"Okay just Charlie." We shared a quick laugh and I loosen my shoulders which I haven't even noticed till now how tense I really was.
"Are you settling in just fine? I know it can't be easy moving from one side of the country to the other at such a young age all by your lonesome."
His concern was heartwarming, "Is this how a father was supposed to act?" I couldn't hide the small smile from growing.
"I'm doing alright, just a couple of renovations that need to be done."
"That's good, good for you." He coughs in his fist to clear his throat, the poor man is trying his best at small talk. It's nice having such a genuine person wanting to speak with me for being me and not because of everything that usually comes attached with my last name.
"Maybe I can move forward, after all nobody knows all the horrors of my past concerning Mystic. No one will ever have to know either."
"Is Fork's to your liking?"
"It's nice, certainly quieter than back home, oh, and rainier that's for sure. Definitely growing on me though, you know."
He smiles as we finish up, Nora the waitress comes back over to remove our empty dishes and leaves behind dessert, a peach cobbler and ice cream for me and more coffee for Charlie.
"Sorry, I should have asked but I ordered dessert for you. It's uh… It's my daughter's favorite."
"Oh, I don't mind, I love peach cobbler."
"Great, good. Glad you like it." Taking a quick sip of his coffee, I snicker softly with each bite. "So, you like sports?"
"I guess, I used to be on different teams all throughout high school."
"That's nice. Good for you," he nodded. "Well, I'm having a small get-together this Saturday. We'll be watching the game that evening. If you want to come over and watch with us."
"I don't know, I have those renovations to get done, and I wouldn't want to intrude on your already made plans."
"Nonsense, what's one more. 'Side, it looks like you could use a break. Your house will still be there once the games are done."
"You know what, ya sure, why not?"
