The next week was spent similarly. Unceremoniously, and very regular. You wished there was some magical way to spice the day up or switch bodies with someone interesting, but alas, it was the middle of winter. And it got dark before you'd even make it home from work. So it was all wake, eat, work and sleep. The winter months were almost a pain in the mundanity. Thankfully at the end of the month, you'll be 4/5ths at your monetary goal to move out. Just the thought warmed your cheeks up and made you smile, even as you were brushing your hair for work.

God, you couldn't believe it. Your own apartment...! Far away from here! God, it was wonderful. To celebrate, you picked a lipstick to compliment your features, pairing it with shoes of the same colors. You couldn't do much with this uniform, but at-least this breath of fresh air made all the difference.

With February showing it's skin in nearly two weeks, you were hoping it would finally warm up a little bit. This chill outside was like permanent, and each instance that your stockinged leg met it for the first time, you wanted to retract back inside.

" I'm going to work! " You called to your parents. You had no idea whether they were home or not, anyway, it didn't matter much. Just one happy thought had turned your entire morning around, and you walked with a pep in your step. Not only that, but you recognize ld that long golden hair anywhere, walking up to her house.

" Lorelei! " You waved. She looked up from where she was in the door way, and visibly recoiled, sulking back into her house like she saw a ghost. Confused, you made an actual effort to look around incase there was something you didn't see. But it was nothing.

After checking the time, you decided that it wouldn't hurt to see the jif. Maybe it was a part of a game or some of those dramatics she liked to pull on the occasion.

Cutting through the snow and coming up to her, bits and snowflakes clung to the sides of your pumps and wet the ankle of your stocking. There was an effort made to swipe some of it off before climbing up the stone walkway. Holding in a sigh, you used their knocker and waited patiently, looking around. It took something like 5 minutes, but her father answered the door, keeping it cracked quite small.

" Hello, Mr. Powers. May I talk to Lorelei, please? "

" I'm afraid she's busy right now. Maybe tomorrow? " " Oh. " You furrowed your eyebrows on command, but really,

She has never been busy! Ever! She's taken you with her to the dentist, to the beauty salon, invited you to just about every party, a few first dates, and used to call your house like her life depended on it. What was this 'busy' he spoke of? " Okay. Thank you. "

You stepped back from the porch and went back to walking to work. When you peeked over through his place at the door, Lori was right there - staring, just over his shoulder.

This jacket had pockets made specifically for your hands, they cradled them in warmth instantaneously every time you put them in. You couldn't stop thinking about the look Lore gave you. Just, why? And the whole hiding behind her father thing? Was she in trouble? She was an adult woman... and if she were to be in trouble for something, she'd be in trouble for the things she did in high school... but her parents were never quite the punishing type.

The general meaning of it was too not yet decided. You hadn't spoken to her in maybe 4 or 5 days, that's longer than you'd normally go without seeing each-other. She had called, had a nice, long conversation with you.. Laughed, joked, said Hello and Goodbye and the works. Didn't hang up until you did.

Your good mood was nearly squashed immediately. However, you didn't want to jump to conclusions and completely trash her. Maybe she was really going through something? But when had she been the kind of person to withhold relaying her tribulations from you?

The last time you hung out, it was to spill some tea over skates, but that was nearly two weeks ago by now. Once you got to work, instead of clocking in immediately you took some of the lined paper used for clients and wrote a short letter to your good friend. Then, you punched in. Two minutes early, like usual.

Ms. Marlon was not present as far as the eye could see, so the shop was all yours for rhe time being.

It had begun to snow again outside, this time in segregated, partial fragments. No blizzard, just the infrequent speck every few.

There were only two pre-ordered things needing processed today, and unless someone came in requesting something on the fly.. there would be nothing else. You got another peice of paper and began scribbling - this one is your formal two weeks notice. Where you were headed off too was away from this place. And though it was distinctly pleasnt here, you didn't need it following you off into your new life.

It was so quiet inside that you had plenty time to daydream, sitting on the counter in the side room, hidden from the front of the store. Most of the time you didn't slack like this, but there really wasn't anything TO do. Until the bells on the front door called, you weren't goin to force anything onto the plate. If Marlon was here, it'd be all 'dust this, sweep that' until it the sun came back up. Just unnecessary.

Noone had come in for the rest of your shift.

~

By the actual beginning of February, which is the first day, only 4 people had come into the store. What a treat for you -- you were paid hourly, anyway. It was check time. And here marked the end of all your sorrows. Surprisingly, Marlon had thrown you a small go-away party.

" I hate to see you go, little girl. " Marlon cooed, signing your last piece of paper.

" I'll make sure to come and visit! " Excited, you took the paper and bent over to give her a little hug. She patted you on the arms.

" Oh, and one more thing. I'd like for you to meet my son. He'll be coming with some cupcakes. "

" Dessert? " You gasped. " Miss, you didn't have to. Thank you. "

You and a few of your coworkers chattered away until the main even showed up. Taking in Marlon's ways, he had a distinctly Italian look. Light, brown hair, deep eyebrows. You stepped back and allowed him to come in.

" Good afternoon, Ma, Ladies. " " Thank you for bringing the cakes, Honey. "

She gave him a loud, embarrassing smeck on the cheek. He just took it, not even giving her trouble like most men would. " Where's your sister? "

" She's having a little thing with her husband. " Deciding you didn't want to divulge in their conversation, you looked down at the cupcakes. Homemade. You were going to take one, but couldn't find any napkins or plates.

You looked up and waited patiently for them to notice. Her son casted eyes your way and froze.

" Oh! Here you are. I'm sorry. " He reached into the pocket of his black jacket and placed a stack of brown napkins down. " You must be the girl that's leaving, huh. "

" Why, Yes. I've worked with your mother for quite some time. " you gave him a polite smile. He smiled back - a real sweet, goofy kind of smile.

" [Name] is one of my more better seamstresses. Everything comes out perfect. " The man next to her nodded, and you blushed.

" If it's not too much to ask- [Name] is it? " You nodded. " Is there any way you could, uh.. patch up my work pants? "

You nodded, holding open your palm. " How bad are they? " " Not too bad. Here, they're in this bag. I'm a real dunce when it comes to sewing. "

He handed you a tan shopping bag. Inside, a pair of beat up blue jeans lay. On top of it was a piece of paper. You'd have to get to his when you got home. Speaking of home, it was less than 24-hours 'til your lease signing.

After talking with them briefly - and snagging a cupcake - you bid your goodbyes and shimmied out into the cold night.

You walked all the way home with a genuine grin on your face. It didn't even drop when your obstacle - I mean, boyfriend came back into view in his normal spot.

Being extra nice today (and tucking the check into your pocket) you gave him a big, wide smile. " Hi, Lee. "

" Hello. You're looking radiant today, aren't you. What's the up? Good news? "

" Good news. " You swiped a bit of hair from your face. " What about your day? " " Good. " He concluded. " Picked these for you. " Three lillies were wrapped together by a rubber band, all blushing and beautiful. You took them graciously.

" How nice. Thank you. " Taking them and placing them in your bag, you looked at him expectantly.

" Would you like to come to bible study tonight? It will be a small ceremony. I'm not preaching, but it's to celebrate the new year. "

" I would love to, really. But I'll be busy with family matters. It's my father's birthday soon. "

He nodded, the awkwardness of a post-fight intensity still lingering upon him. At-least those 'girlfriends' of yours had really heeded his warning and left you alone, now you were much more chipper and polite.

" Okay. Goodnight then, love. Do call. " " I'll try. " You creeped your way up the stairs. He watched you go, then turned to make his way home.

Lorelei never did call again. Not after the note, or the polite knock on the door you did before taking off the next day. As much as it hurt, she could be left in the past, if she wanted. Friends come and go even in the most important parts of your life..

After signing your lease, you could let her find you again if she wanted. That note did have your new number and everything.

After you got the most of your items dropped off at your new flat, which was pointedly a 30 minute drive from your old place, you breathed a deep sigh. It was just you now. You had yet to purchase any furniture, but there was a bed you could set back up immediately.

You swept the floors, decorated everything as you saw fit with the limited items you had. And at the very least, you were free of those Locals and their incessant will-bending. And most of all, you were free from Lee.

Hopefully.