The crunch of the leaves under Rune's feet as she walked home took her mind off the event that happened in the forest. She made it home to an empty house hold once again. Alhough she was used to it, it didn't stop her from feeling forgotten by her parents. Her parents had their priorities messed up, their job was first and family was last. Va spent countless nights waiting for her parents to come home when she was younger. Sometimes they would never show up and she would fall asleep on the couch waiting for them. Just like any other child she wanted attention but she failed to get it, and this made her forget about the joy that could come from being close to someone. She closed herself off from everyone simply because she did not know how to let someone in, she never had the experience so she never knew what to do. Some people would feel pity for her to be alone at all times but she never knew what it was like to be sorrunded by other people.
Val walked into the house and dropped her backpack by the door and headed towards the kitchen for dinner, she pulled out some ingredients to make her favorite plate. She sat down at the table and pulled out her phone to wach some videos. After she finished eating she walked to the fron door, picked up her backpack and headed towards her room. Her room expressed her personality, the grey walls and the beige carpet were not dramatic at all. The only color in her room was her beedsheets which were multicolor; however, the colors weren't dramatic instead they were pastel. The bed was in the center of the room with a night stand on the left side. As soon as she walked in to her right was her desk, and some shelving above her desk. There was her closet and restroom next to each other. Val dropped her bag on her desk and sat on her bed. Val was not into social media, she didn't see the purpose of having a few hundred followers when in reality you dont know but about a fourth of the followers most people had. The only escape from her silent life was the forrest. Val wanted to go back but if she left and her parents showed up would they notice that she wasn't there? She let out a deep sigh before getting off her bed and heading out the door. She decided to go out and wander around the town eventhough it did not have much to offer. Val stumbled upon the town cafe, she walked in and looked at the menu of drinks. Val was very picky which is a reason why she always cooked for herself, she did not like the thought of someone else making her food. The thought of someone touching the food that she was going to eat sent shivers down her spine. She hesitated weather or not to get a drink or just head back home and make herself a drink. The barista was staring at her and she felt the burning senstion from his eyes. His dark eyes pierced her and she felt the strength they had, it made her want to leave the place. She was never good in social surroundings so why did she decide to leave her house, if she wanted to relax then she should have gone to her safe haven. Val was quickly earching for something simple on the menu, She walked up to the counter and ordered.
" One raspberry lemonade please."
"That would be $3.75."
Val took our her wallet and handed him her credit card,
"Would you like a recipt?" the barista asked.
Val shook her head no. The barista handed back her card and she walked to sit down at a nearby table to wait for her drink. When Val sat down she was fidgeting with the napkin that was left at the table she sat down. The napkin that was whole is now in teeny tiny pieces, all over the table. Val did not notice the pieces it almost felt normal for her. The barista soon brought over her drink.
"Here's your drink."
He handed her the drink.
"Thanks." She grabbed the drink from his hand and their hands slightly touched and in all honestly it felt nice to her. "Do you want me to pick up the trash?" He asked. Val felt embarrassed that she was seventeen years old and she was playing around with a napkin like a five year old. She mentally face palmed herself.
"Uhm....sorry. I'll pick it up don't worry about that." Val gave a slight smile to the barista before he returned back to the counter. The cafe was unexpectedly empty today, it was usually the spot for the students to come and gossip. "Why aren't you at the party like everyone else?" Val's head immediately popped up. She pointed to herself, which was uncalled for since she was the only one in the cafe. He nodded, " I didn't know that there was a party. Well I propbably wasn't invited too." "All of the students go, its the after exam party." " If all the students go why aren't you there." Val said with a sly smirk on her face. She never talked to anyone out in public, but talking with him felt nice to her it felt natural. "Well I had to work." "Right." Val said and quickly put her head down as she was embarrassed from the question she asked.
Val went back to ripping the napkin up. The mood in the cafe was now awkward and there wasn't really anything to come back from the vibe that was there a few seconds ago. Val gathered all the scraps together and put them in her palm. She carefully walked to the trash can and put them in there. She walked back to where she was sitting and grabbed her drink. Before she pushed on the door to let her out, he called out to her.
"You aren't bad, maybe if you talked and socialize with the rest of the grade the students wouldn't feel so awkward around you."
The moment that they had just shared together was now ruined with what he just told her. Val knew that she was awkward and she knew the other kids felt it around her. However she felt comfortable being by herself. It wasn't the first time she heard this but she did think by now that she wouldn't get as hurt as the first time. But each time was like a stab to her heart that was not a strong as everyone else's who had something to fill their heart up with. Maybe if she received the attention that others did when they were younger then maybe she would be different. But in the end it doesn't matter because she can't reverse time and she isn't quite sure if she would want to go back and have things change she liked how her life was right now.
"Thanks for the advise but I like who I am." And with a smile she left the cafe with the drink in her hand.