Big City, Small Girl

The second my sister got home, I told her all about how I got my new job. Of course, Maud had to get all skeptical about it.

“Are you sure that's a good place to work, Pinkie? He didn't even interview you.” She tilted her head.

“I'm sure, Maud. Besides, I've had a job before.” I sighed.

“That was with the Cakes. Ma and Pa knew them.”

“Still! I have experience. And honestly, what's the worst that could happen?” Maud simply stared at me, unamused.

“Right. Well anyways, you should get ready. We don't want the store to close.”

I almost forgot! We were going grocery shopping today. Maud would come with me this once, and after that, it'll be my responsibility.

Although I thought it was exciting, Maud obviously had to find a way to make it boring. She went over the list like a gazillion times, I can practically recite them by heart at this point. I tried not to fall asleep as my sister lectured me all about budgeting and only getting what we needed, not wanted. Sheesh, sometimes it's like she still thinks i'm a little kid.

At the grocery store, she puts me in charge of the cart. It's squeaking way too much. I wonder if they ever fix them, or if they just leave them like this forever.

Maud pays the cashier infront of me. That's the money Pa sends us each month. He said we were to only use it for what's necessary. Maud, once again, was in charge of that.

Back home, Maud tells me where to put everything. Exhausted from the long day, I fall onto the couch. I nestle up next to my sister, and steal some popcorn from her.
Finally, we got to watch the movie I've been begging us to, like she promised. I've been wanting to watch Power Ponies since it came out, but with everything going on, I completely forgot about it, to be honest.

I'm pretty sure I fell asleep half way through Power Ponies, since when I woke up, I was still on the couch, but with a blanket over me.

I glanced over at the clock, one of the only pieces of furniture in the living room so far. Oh gosh.

I quickly get up and get dressed, putting on the uniform Carl...Cheers...? Whatever his name was-handed me yesterday and clipped my hair into a high pony tail. The shirt was a little too big but it was alright. I really didn't have time to complain about it anyways.

Running out the door, I almost forget to lock it. If I kept up the jog, I'd be there only...fifteen minutes late.

Panting, I slow down in front of the entrance, wiping the sweat off my face. Made it.

I looked around when I entered, my eyes searching for the target. There he was.

In front of me, I saw him help out a little boy on the ground, tying his shoes for him, his tongue stuck out in focus.

He didn't notice me until I was right behind him, and he practically jumped up, startled. I held back a laugh.

That guy, Cheese (I glanced at his name tag), helped me out a lot. It's strange. He looks really familiar, I just can't tell how I recognize him.

Things here were a lot different than at Sugarcube Corner. The food here...definitely didn't look like it was made with love. Cheese taught me how to clock out, how to operate the arcade machines, where all the skating equipment was.

“I know that was a lot, but I'm sure it'll all be routine to you soon.” He said cheerfully, his hands on his hips.

“Thanks. I'm feeling pretty good about this.” I replied, smiling at him.

“Enjoy it while it lasts..” I heard him mutter, glaring at the office door.

“...What do you mean..?”

“Y'know Rigby? Don't ever try to suck up to him. Or get on his bad side. He's the worst. He'll take any excuse to get a cut out of your paycheck.”

I think he noticed my expression because he immediately switched up.

“...But I wouldn't worry. He rarely comes out of his office anyways.” He said with what I think was supposed to be a convincing smile.

“Yeah...heh...” I mumbled nervously.

We spoke for a while, and I told him all about how I got here. He told me a little about himself too, but he was mostly listening. He's been in the city for almost two years now. I wonder where he's from then.

At the end of the shift, he gave me the keys. I beamed at them.

“...Uh...hey, why don't we go out somewhere after work sometime? You said you were new here, so I thought I could show you a cool spot.” He spouted out suddenly.

I smiled brightly at him.

I waited outside the address she texted me patiently. Honestly, it felt like I was sweating up a storm.

Was the shirt too much? It was definitely too bright. I'm never wearing blue again. I mean, of all patterns, monkeys on see-saws? Really?

Picking up a girl. This was casual. Right? I mean, it's not like it's a date. It's not a date.

Keep telling yourself that.

It is not a date. I'm just taking her out to see the city. Just me and her. In my car. It's not like she's the girl I've liked since, I don't know, the sixth grade!

Dude, get over that.

I know, I know. I am over it.

Uh-huh. Clearly.

When I saw her up close at work I finally recognized her. How could I not?

Camp Everfree, 10 years ago. I couldn't take it anymore, and so I ran out the boys cabin and right into the woods. I didn't want to ever go back. The current foster parents I had thought it would be a good idea to throw me in here for the summer. So I wouldn't be their problem for a while.

Well I wasn't going to be their problem anymore after this. I was never coming back. Running away for good, I told myself. It's not like anyone's going to find me here. Maybe nobody would notice I left. Except for the boys who were teasing me. I wasn't stupid. I overheard them planning to prank me last night. They wanted to buzz my hair off when I fell asleep. Well I wasn't going to let them.

After a while, my lungs started burning. I could only run for so long. I might've been tall, but I was still scrawny.

I found a good spot to sit by near the lake and practically collapsed. I sat there for a while. It was kinda boring. I skipped stones. I cried a little. Well it was more than a little. I cried until my chest was hurting.
It was getting late. And cold.
I didn't really think this through.

I heard a crunch of leaves beside me and my heart sunk. I snapped my head towards the sound. Was it a raccoon? Or maybe a bear? I wasn't ready to die.

...It was a girl. She sat right next to me, a big smile on her face. She stared at me silently for a few seconds before she finally spoke up.

“What are you doing?” She asked, her shoulder touching mine. I don't think she's heard of personal space yet.

She had short hair, almost as short as mine, and just as curly. It looked like cotton candy, how pink it was.

"Nothing.” I mumbled out, turning to the other side to wipe my tears with my shirt.

“Why aren't you at the camp?” The way she said it didn't sound like a question. I looked back at her with a friend.
“Why aren't you?” I asked snarkily. Would she just leave me alone? Can't she see I'm trying to be grumpy in peace?

“I got lost.” She giggled. “I thought I saw something in the bushes and so I went to go see and it was just a butterfly so I wanted to go back to show my friends but they already left and so I tried to find my way back but then I saw the lake and there was a weird looking fish and then I looked up and I saw you looking all sad so I said maybe I should go talk to him because I think he's also lost. Also my name is Pinkie.”

I just stared at her before replying, “Okay”.

“Well what's your name?” She asked, rolling her eyes like I wasn't following a script she wrote in her head.

“Mmnot telling.” I said, crossing my arms together. She needs to go away.

“Why not? Atleast let me guess it!”

“No.”

“Is it something embarassing?” She suddenly got closer and cupped my ears.
“Is your name...buttface?"

“Buttface? No!” Did I look like a 'Buttface'? I don't look like a Buttface!

“Sprinklefart.” She giggled.

“Ew, no!”

“...Babysnot.” She cracked up.

“No, it's Cheese!” I groaned out, before realizing she was tricking me. I rolled my eyes and she stuck her tongue out at me.

“Whatever.” I grumbled. I wanted to cry again.

I was a little confused as to why she went silent too, but I didn't say anything. After a while, I finally heard her voice again.

“Well, I think you're kinda cool.” My eyes practically shot towards her, my head tilted.

“...What?”

“I said I think you're cool. And a little dumb too. We're not allowed to leave camp without a counselor. I got here by accident. You came here on purpose. You snuck out didn't you? Like a ninja.”

I stared at her for a moment before nodding silently. I could feel my cheeks reddening up at the idea of being ”cool”.

“It's getting cold.” I finally said.

“Yeah. Maybe we should head back.” She muttered, getting up. Suddenly, I feel her smack my back and I frown.

“Tag!” She squealed, running back into the woods.

“Hey!” I yelled at her, getting up and running towards her. It was getting too dark to be playing these games. Dark enough for me not to realize I was about to trip over a tree root.

With an "oof" I toppled onto the ground, my knee scraping against a rock. I hissed and sat up, biting my cheek.

It took her only a few seconds to notice. I heard a pitter patter of footsteps come towards me. Wordlessly, she reached down and pulled me up. I took the chance to push her down, falling beside her as well.

“You're it.” I giggled. She sat up, giving me a frown, before laughing. This time, I got up and took her hand. She didn't let go. The laughter slowly died out.

The next few minutes we walked in silence, hand in hand. It was almost pitch black outside, and I could barely see what was in front of me. I could feel my heart racing. Every sound coming from the trees was causing my body to twitch.

Something started to rustle from the bushes in front of us. We both stepped back quietly, my hands completely sweaty.

“Cheese..?” She spoke up quietly.

“Yeah?”

“...I'm scared.” Her voice sounded choked up. I turned around to see her face, tears flowing down. I looked away immediately, knowing if I looked at her again I'd cry too.

“It's...okay. We're almost there.” My voice was shaky and I hoped she didn't notice. I was a boy. I had to be brave.

I clutched her hand tighter, holding onto her like a lifeline, just like she did to me. I'm never rebelling again.

A light suddenly blinds me and I yelp, closing my eyes. I hear Pinkie scream before we both go quiet. Opening up one eye hesitantly, I look up to see a camp counselor looming over us.

“Do you know how much trouble you're in?”

I didn’t drive for too long, but somehow we managed to play about fifteen different car games. I was mainly explaining things we saw along the way she absolutely geeked over. Whatever town she was from must’ve been pretty small.

Breaking a little too hard, I let out a nervous shrug before parking. We got out of the car and I quickly took out a case from the trunk.
I held her arm confidently with my free hand, leading her towards the back of a building.

“We're almost there, trust me." I tried to convince her, my attempt weak.

“What is this place?” She asked, doubtful of my statement.

“You'll see.”

Ignoring the door, we walk up a creaky stairwell, and I can see her start to hesitate, so I pick up the pace.

“Two more flights of stairs, I promise that's it.”

Up at the top, I let her walk around the roof herself. I can her try to look for something that she was supposed to notice, before she finally walks to the edge and gasps.

“This is beautiful, Cheese! You can see the whole city from here and, oh the sunset!”

“You said you liked the accordion?” I asked, a little quieter than usual.

She turns around and looks at the instrument in my hands. Smiling even wider than before, she looked like she was about to burst.

“Play something!” She yelled, almost demanding me to.

I started a slow tune before adding another melody. It was a melancholic one. She sat down at the edge, dangling her feet, and I sat down beside her.

When I was done, she clapped enthusiastically, a grin plastered on her face. I tried not to let out a laugh at her goofy expression.

“You wanna try?” I asked, removing the strap off my shoulders.

“DO I!” She exclaimed, taking it gladly. She hit a few notes, the cacophony making my eye twitch a little. With a nervous giggle, she handed the instrument back to me.

“Maybe I'll stick to winds.”

We made our way back down when the sun set. The ride back to her place wasn't as talkative, but something I couldn't describe filled the car. Pinkie looked like she was more than just happy to be here.

I dart my head back in front of me and make a sharp turn on her street. I had to stop getting distracted and focus on the road.

Before she stepped out of the car, I grabbed her arm, cringing internally.

"HEY- Hey. Uh...you said you liked parties right? There's one one I'm going to on Friday and, well, you can come if you want.”

“You can come if you want”? Great job in making her feel welcome, Cheese.

Now is really not the time, Me.

“Ill be there! Just text me the details, my sister says she has something really urgent to talk to me about. Bye, Cheese!” She waved, jumping out of the car.

“Good-” The car door slammed shut and my eyes followed her as she ran to the apartment building's door.

“-bye, Pinkie.”