The first morning, in Shenoir, went well than expected. She knew that the morning rays of a new place will bring up bitter memories. She will be expected to behave differently, just because they were under new skies.
But, mother always forgot. Even though the sun shined differently, the moon brought back the same darkness; that Mannat so dearly relished. She will not behave in any different manner; due to the change in scenery. The porch, houses did not change the fact, that the little girl is still hiding in the closet. These residents also have closets, and Mannat could still hide in them. The man to give her the hand, and bring her out of the closet was long gone. And even though, Mark did an amazing job of doing so with her mother; he was not able to do the same with Mannat, and that was the truth of it; nothing more, nothing less.
The pink walls of the coffee parlor, with pictures of customers; she would assume, hung proudly on the walls in every corner. "My mum used to run this place." Hope started. Mannat brought her attention to Hope's reminiscing features. A faint smile adorning her brown-colored lips and her blue eyes that were in the shade of dancing skies; directed to an old photo frame. Hope's mother, was the only quick guess that rushed through Mannat's mind. The woman was as beautiful as her daughter sitting in front of her, she had the same vibrant smile, as she held mere 5-year-old Hope, Mannat knew it was hope. She had the same piercing eyes. The photo hung proudly among all the different photos, behind the counter. It was comparatively a large photo than the other photos in the parlor.
"She loved this place." Hope's smile a little sad.
"Okay" Mannat muttered looking down at the black coffee in hand, she hated the taste. But didn't comment. It was obviously, how people drank black coffee, but Mannat had always been a tea person.
"You must think, I am crazy talking about things too personal to a total stranger like I have known you since we were in nappies, but.." Hope smirked as she wiped her glassy eyes, to remove any hint of tears that had formed mere seconds ago.
"Well, I don't have many people to talk to. I usually talk to my customers, to spend time. And as you can see, not a lot of people come here, except for.."
As if on command, a group of young boys, walked into the parlor. The once quiet and comforting place was soon a mess. The boys howling in laughter at some personal discussion.
"You are late." Hope stood up, her hands now crossed over her chest. She tried to pull her chin up, trying to look taller to the boys, but to no avail.
"Really?" A boy with unruly blond hair stood walked up to the short girl. A smirk plastered across his face, as he sauntered towards the brunette with a calm aura. "I didn't know we have a test today, princess." The boy smirked as he easily towered the 'new hope of a friend' that Mannat had.
"Shut up! Smirky! I just said so, because you should have your breakfast on time." Hope narrowed her eyes, as Mannat slowly stood up from her seat.
The blond boy's mirth-filled, gray eyes slowly landed on the Indian. "And you are?" He drawled out looking at the new girl, with suspicion. Something about his attitude set the girl off. Leather jacket, Unruly hair, and lip piercing; the bad boy look just did not sit well with her.
"She is Mannat! New to the town." Hope jumped in as she introduced her new friend, easily linking their arms together as if they were best friends. The boy raised an eyebrow in confusion but, shrugged.
"This is Dylan. He goes to Shenoir High, with me. We are both in our last year." Hope introduced, happily.
Mannat just nodded at the boy, who continued to eye her suspiciously. His grey stormy eyes, ran down her body as if checking for some fault. Mannat shuddered under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Smirky?" Hope questioned, feeling Mannat's extreme discomfort.
"The regulars, please." He muttered as he turned around and walked towards his group of friends.
That was all being said, no Hi nothing. After finishing off her stupid Coffee, She walked over to Hope, who was just snapping at a chilled Dylan and the rest only laughed. But it was easily noted by Mannat, how a group of six boys and Hope's friendly banter had come to a stop, the moment Mannat stepped into a small bubble of happiness that they had created for themselves.
"Thank you, so much Hope!" Mannat smiled as she looked at the girl, who reciprocated smiling brighter. "No problem. I'll see you around?" Hope inquired, but Mannat knew that Dylan did not like that thought. The boy had suddenly gone rigid and found some pictures on the wall, extremely amusing. "Yeah, sure." She replied, even though it's not true.
Mannat was about to ask her how much to pay when Hope quickly ran inside. The room from which she was getting all the orders. It must have been the kitchen. Mannat shrugged, as she felt all eyes on her as if asking her to leave. Ignoring the different pair of eyes, she turned towards the counter. Pulling out a 20 dollar bill, she was about to put it on the counter and leave, when Dylan walked in behind the counter and collected the money. He paid her, the right change and moved towards his friends again.
So he really didn't want her to meet Hope, again.
Mannat turned around and was about to leave when Hope's loud voice called out from the kitchen.
"I have to click a picture. You will be on the wall of fame" Hope walked out carrying out a polaroid camera.
"Wall of fame?" Mannat asked, surprised as Hope threw the camera at a boy sitting right across the Blondie; who was rude.
"It's like the hall of fame, but Hope's style." The boy with the camera introduced as he stood up and walked towards the girls while inspecting the camera closely. Hope pulled a surprised Mannat into a tight hug and smiled brightly. Mannat's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth hung open in the surprise shrill that she let out. The boy with the Camera easily clicked the picture.
"Here, you go Hopey!" The boy smiled, dimples on showcase. His black eyes closing on reflex as he smiled.
"Thanks, Seth!"
Walking out of the parlor, Mannat thought of the weird girl, she just met. Maybe, she was the hope of friendship to Mannat. Now, for some odd reason, Mannat wanted this hope.