Chapter 5 New Life Cont...

Julia

“That girl must have been Mollie,” my mom said.

My head snapped up. Mollie.

Oh.

“The girl who washed up a couple weeks ago?” I asked. “She’s awake now?”

Mom nodded. “Yep. Felicia told me yesterday, and she accepted the farm. She had her first day training yesterday, so I guess today she’s on her own.”

That was good. Someone to finally buy animals. Maybe we could finally get fresh vegetables, and maybe fruit.

Then my eyes narrowed.

Elliot would see Mollie every day.

I already had Lanna, Lily, and Sabrina to worry about. I did not need another girl around him.

“What’s she like, Mom? Is she attractive?” I asked.

Mom shrugged. “I don’t know, honey. I haven’t met her. But Felicia said she’s odd, like her head’s in the clouds.”

Good. Hopefully she would not notice Elliot.

Mom continued, “I’m just happy she took over the farm. Terri said she seemed eager to start.”

“You still didn’t answer me,” I said. “Is she pretty?”

Mom glanced at me. “Julia, looks don’t matter.”

I folded my arms and huffed.

Mom sighed. “Felicia said she’s plain. Nothing special. But don’t judge her on her looks. She’s strong to take that farm on alone.”

I rolled my eyes. As long as she did not come after my Elliot, I did not care what she looked like.

Mollie

“I need animals,” I mumbled as I finished watering my last block of tomatoes. “Or more crops.”

I checked my watch. One o’clock.

Everyone should be awake now. I just hoped I did not run into that awful man again. He had a talent for ruining a mood. I also prayed he was not the only person who worked there.

Before I knew it, I was pushing open the big doors to the animal shop again.

“Hello?” I called, walking to the counter. Second time today. Please, God, let this go better.

“UM. One sec!” a young voice called back.

I nodded even though no one could see me, then leaned against the counter and waited.

“Oh! Hey!” a bubbly giggle came from behind me. I turned to see the blonde from the photos, absolutely beautiful. “You must be Mollie. I’m Julia. I’m the owner’s daughter.”

She was so happy it almost made me nervous.

I stared a second too long. She wore too much makeup. I could barely see the freckles on her nose. It was a shame. Freckles were cute.

Julia frowned.

“Oh, sorry,” I said quickly. “I space out a lot. Anyway, I’m Mollie.”

I stuck my hand out to shake. She stared at it like it offended her.

I pulled it back, feeling stupid. “Maybe that’s just a city thing.”

Her eyebrow lifted. She did not seem bubbly anymore.

I sighed inwardly. Making friends here might be harder than I thought.

“I’m here to buy a chicken,” I said.

She slipped on a dirty apron. “Sure. Come out back.”

She hurried out. I followed.

“Here are the chickens,” she said.

I looked at the big plump ones, but my eyes caught bright yellow fluff balls in another pen. Chicks.

I drifted toward them without thinking.

Julia planted her hands on her hips. “You’re better off getting a chicken. Chicks take forever to grow. You’ll profit quicker from a chicken.”

I barely heard her.

All I could focus on was the adorable chaos of fluff.

I hopped the little gate and dropped to my knees. The chicks scattered to the far corner.

I needed one.

How could anything be that cute?

I sat still for a long time until they stopped panicking and started exploring again. None were brave enough to approach me.

Julia stared down at me with raised eyebrows. Minutes passed.

“Um, what are you doing?” she huffed.

I shrugged without looking up. “Waiting.”

“Waiting for what?”

I shifted, resting my chin on my arms. “I’m waiting for one of them to choose me.”

I felt her stare boring into me. I ignored it.

Finally, a little black chick wandered over and pecked at my shoelace like it was a worm.

You’re the one.

I grinned and scooped it up.

“You do realize you’re sitting in feathers and poop, right?” Julia said.

“I got one,” I said, standing.

She was right. My knees were disgusting. But I was a farmer now. What did anyone expect?

Julia stared at the chick. “I don’t mean to intrude, but you picked the worst one. It’s smaller than the rest. It’s a runt.”

I looked down at it. It was smaller.

So what?

I grinned. “Big things come in small packages.”

Julia hesitated, confused, then followed me back to the register and took my money.

“Can I get one hundred bags of chicken feed too, please?”

Her blonde eyebrow rose. “One hundred? Really? That’s a lot for your first chicken.”

I stared at her. “What’s the lifespan of a chicken?”

“About seven years, if you take care of it.”

“Oh.” I blinked. “Well, technically I’ll need more than one hundred, but that would be crazy in one purchase.”

She stared at me like I was an unsolved problem.

“Fine,” she said sharply. “But you’ll be the one to deal with my angry cousin when he hears he has to bring one hundred bags to your farm.”

“Your cousin?” I asked, immediately picturing the rude cowboy. “Why would he bring it? I’m the one buying it.”

“Full service,” she said, pointing at a handwritten sign. “Just go. Expect your feed this evening. And expect a very angry cowboy.”

I walked out, carrying my chick home.

“Do you like your new home, my little chicky poo poo?” I whispered as I set it inside the coop. It looked tiny in that big space. I hated the thought of it being alone, but I was not ready for more animals yet. I had to learn with one first.

My stomach growled.

“I haven’t eaten since ten this morning,” I muttered, realizing how hungry I was. I got so busy I forgot basic human needs. Life would be easier if I were a robot.

I locked the coop and wandered toward town. Tonight I would try to eat at one of the restaurants. The cobblestone path distracted me again. Every stone had a different pattern. It was beautiful.

I finally found the place. Windows open. Laughter spilling out.

My nerves kicked up. First time I would run into the young adults here, the people my age.

I inhaled and pushed the door open.

Everything went silent.

Nine adults looked me up and down.

I glanced at myself. Cutoff jeans stained with dirt and chicken mess. A tank top ripped across the stomach. My hair was a tangled nightmare.

“Crap,” I muttered. First impressions really were brutal.

I looked up again.

I recognized Natalie and Elliot right away, their scarlet hair and pale skin.

Next to Natalie sat another pale girl with raven-black hair that fell perfectly behind her shoulders. A long purple dress buttoned neatly from collar to knees. Glasses. Pretty, meek, and the kind of quiet that looked like it could snap.

On the other side of Elliot sat an Asian girl, and the boy beside her, both too busy talking to notice me. She wore something like a kimono with a bold twist, hair pinned up with shiny barrettes. Her eyes were bright and hungry for challenge.

The boy beside her looked polished, white shirt, white slacks, pale blond hair winging out at the sides. His hair was the messiest thing about him, and it was actually cute.

Next to him sat a young man who looked nine, except he could not be. Terri told me there were only two children here and I had already met them. This guy had a tiny frame, a soft face, shaggy yellow-blond hair under a purple top hat, and a purple suit. He was sneaking bites from everyone’s plates.

Then I saw a dark-skinned fisherman type, curly black hair under a bandana, cutoff pants and a rough vest, rubber boots on his feet.

And then my breath caught.

Lanna.

The girl the record company dropped.

She had spent nights at the club watching me perform. Innocent. Too clean for that world. Her producer wanted her to learn from me, but she never could.

She did not recognize me. She had only ever seen the weave, the contacts, the tan.

She looked the same, just with shorter blond hair, a green headband, and a modest green dress.

Someone else caught my eye.

A guy with sun-kissed blond hair under a blue baseball cap. A huge bright smile. Emerald eyes lit up as he talked to the quiet dark-haired girl.

Wow. He was handsome.

“YO!” a man shouted from behind the counter. “Close the door! You’re lettin’ the bugs in!”

That was when I realized I was still standing in the doorway, staring at everyone like a creep.

I groaned. They must think I was a freak.

I dragged my tired feet to a table on the opposite side of the restaurant. It was obvious I was not welcome at their table. When I passed, they tightened together, and Natalie slapped a backpack onto the only empty chair.

I figured that seat belonged to Julia, since she was not there.

Welcome to your new life, Mollie.

Some things never change.