BITING THE END OF MY black pen, I unconsciously watched Harry do his job for the past hour and a half. I watched him deal with almost every customer that had walked into the shop. He even smiled at some of them as he listened to what they needed help with. I had no idea he was even capable of smiling, honestly. He was staring at each customer so intently that it looked like he was really listening to them and really wanted to help them out.

And I would be, too, by next week. I would listen to the customers just like Harry was doing right now. Clare helped the customers purchase their items and that seemed to be the only thing she did around here. She occasionally went to go see what Harry was up to but other than that, she stayed sitting behind the desk with me sitting right beside her on a very uncomfortable chair. I had not really moved from my spot. I only stood up once and that was to go use the restroom in the back of the shop. I stayed back there for a while because I dreaded coming back and just sitting for the next couple of hours while Clare and Harry had all of the fun.

Lunch was in less than an hour and my stomach growled with every passing minute. It was practically eating me alive. If Clare had heard it growling, she kept her mouth shut and I appreciated it. My breakfast did not seem to fill me up and I knew I would have to bring a snack with me or something tomorrow. The door to the shop opened and the little bell above the door jingled. Harry stopped what he was doing to go greet the woman and she smiled when she saw him. They wrapped arms around each other and I was suddenly confused. What...was happening?

"Who's that?" I asked Clare.

"Who's who, darling?" she looked up from the paper she was scribbling on.

"Her," I did not want be rude and point and I sat on my hands to keep myself from doing so. "The woman with Harry."

"Oh, Jillian? She's close friends with Harry. She usually stops by a couple of times during the week to check up on him. She is just a sweetheart, I tell you. Even though she doesn't work here, she helps out around the shop. She doesn't even ask for anything in return. Isn't that the nicest thing you've ever heard?"

"And you allow that?" I was curious.

"She knows what she's doing. She does a damn good job at it, too."

"Hmm," I hummed.

Why did she hire me, then, instead of her?

This left an unsettling feeling in my stomach. I felt out of place here before but now...now I felt as if I stuck out even more. Everyone here knew what they were doing except for me. I had just been sitting here on this uncomfortable chair. I wanted to be out there doing what Harry and Jillian were doing. They were just putting bottles of herbs on the shelves. How hard could that possibly be? Clare was sitting beside me with a smile on her face. I adored her, but she could be teaching me some stuff so I could go ahead and get started.

"Do you have a close friend, Sydney?" It was her turn to ask me a question. "Anyone special I should know about?"

I shook my head, "No, not anymore."

"Ah, well, I'm sorry to hear that," she patted my back gently. "You're a very beautiful young lady."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you have a special friend?"

The older woman chuckled and showed me the ring on her finger, "I'm married, sweetheart. He's more than just a special friend."

I laughed along with her and looked back at Harry and Jillian. She was helping him put items on the shelves still and she seemed to know exactly what she was doing. I wondered how long she had been helping out around here. I looked down at my lap and sighed. What if Clare thought Jillian was better for the job and replaced me with her in the future? I really needed this job and I didn't want to get fired because someone knew how to do the job better. Hell, I did not even know how to do my job, yet. Would I be any good at it once I learned?

"Do you own this place?" I looked at Clare.

"I do," she sounded proud as she sat up straight on the chair and looked at me with pride in her eyes. "I've owned this shop for nearly thirty years."

"Really?"

She laughed and I assumed my facial expression was not how I thought it was, "Really. It's a beautiful thing, honestly, to watch the people come and go."

"How so?"

"People change throughout the years, sweetheart. As the years go by, people wear these changes on their faces. When they come into the shop, I can see how the world is changing just by how every person looks. It's a very interesting sight to see. You should try it if you decide to stay with us for some years."

"And...you've been watching their faces for nearly thirty years?"

"Well, don't say it like that. You make me sound like a stalker, sugar."

"Sorry," I snickered.

My stomach growled and it was much louder this time. I pretended not to hear it and I could practically feel Clare staring at me. I used to believe no one could hear my stomach growling but I was proved wrong a long time ago.

I glanced over at Clare and she smiled before saying, "Go."

"You want me to go?"

"Go get some lunch," she explained. "If I hear that stomach of yours growl one more time, I just might lose my head."

"Thank you," I quickly stood up from the chair and frowned at how uncomfortable my legs felt.

I shook them around a bit before walking to the back of the shop to retrieve my purse. I pulled my work apron over my head and hung it up on the wall before throwing my purse over my shoulder. As I walked back to the front, I made sure I had my keys and wallet. They were both still in my purse and I pulled out my keys. Clare smiled at me again when I passed by her and I returned the smile. Just as I walked out of the shop, a customer got out of his car. I decided to wait and hold the door for him. I stepped to the side and when he approached, he quietly thanked me. I simply nodded and let go of the door once he was inside of the shop.

I slipped onto the driver's seat of my car and tossed my purse on the passenger's seat. Turning the key in the ignition, I looked behind me to make sure I would not hit anything. When I did not see anything, I started backing out slowly. I kept checking to make sure I was not about to hit anything and when I was finally out of the parking space, I took my car out of reverse. I turned the volume up on the radio and hummed quietly to whatever was playing on the radio. I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel lightly as I pulled into the fast food restaurant's parking lot. I parked the car and did not care that the car was not straight in the provided space given.

The building was practically empty when I walked inside and I decided on ordering a nice burger with a side of fries. I stepped up to the counter and the cashier took my order. She told me my total and I paid in cash. When she handed me my change, I thanked her and stepped to the side to let the person behind me order. I pulled my phone out of my purse and noticed I had a missed call from my mother. I dialed her number and put the phone next to my ear. It rang three times before she answered.

"Hello?"

"Gwen?"

"It's Sydney, Mother."

"I'm not alone, Gwen. I can't call you that."

"All right. What do you want? Is everything all right?"

I was handed my bag of food and an empty cup for me to fill with the drink my heart truly desired. I walked over to the drink machine and filled the cup with a mixture of different sodas. I found the lids and carefully put one on my cup, making sure not to spill any. I forced my straw into the lid and took a couple of sips.

"I've called you twice, Gwen! Twice! Why haven't you answered your phone? We're supposed to talk or text everyday, remember? Or did you suddenly forget the promise we made each other the day you told me you were moving away to Seattle?"

"Mother," I groaned. "I've been working."

"Working?" she sounded surprised. "You got a job?"

"Yes," I walked out of the building and made my way back to my car. "I work at an herb shop. It's not big and it's quiet there. It isn't far from where I live. Mother, it's literally perfect."

"It sounds like Seattle is treating you well, I assume?"

"Yes," I unlocked the doors to the car and got inside.

I sat my cup in the cup holder and the bag of food on my lap. I put a fry into my mouth and chewed on it slowly. I would finish my lunch here and go back to work afterwards. I found it to be awkward sitting in the parking lot of the herb shop with my lunch. Besides, the people inside the shop would be able to see me and I did not want to experience the awkwardness. Not on my first day, anyway.

"How long do you plan on working at this herb shop?" she paused. "You're supposed to be keeping a low profile. What if they find—"

"I don't know," I shrugged even though she was not able to see me. "I don't plan on quitting anytime soon, if that's what you mean. The job looks pretty easy and I should be on board in no time. I guess I plan on working there until they no longer need me. Enough about myself, though. How's Jett?"

"Oh! He's wonderful. If you want to talk to him, he's right here."

"Mother, that's fine. He probably doesn't want to talk to—"

"Jett! I have your sister on the phone. Get your behind over here and talk to her before she has to go! Don't stick your tongue out at me. I can still call Andy's mother and tell her you can't make it to the movies with them tomorrow! Try me if you want to, young man! I dare you!" she yelled and I laughed quietly, putting another fry into my mouth.

Jett was my twelve-year-old brother and he was the sweetest boy I had ever come across. He looked like a typical boy with messy, brown hair, brown eyes to match, rosy cheeks and freckles that covered his entire face. Our mother had gotten him braces last year and I knew he was going to be extremely handsome once he got them off. When our father left, he believed he had to become the man of the house and he made sure we were happy. If we were ever sad, he would find a way to make us happy again. He was little but he had the biggest heart in the world.

"Gwen?" his voice forced me to smile.

"Hey, Jett," my voice did not sound as excited as I had wanted to and I hated it.

"How are ya?" he asked and I heard movement in the background. I assumed he was going to his room or someplace else. "I didn't get to talk to you yesterday. When you talked to Mom, I was outside with Cinnamon. She almost ran a mile! A whole mile! I'm kind of glad we got a dog instead of a cat now."

"I'm well. And you just have to give her a chance!"

"Eh, whatever. I think she's beginning to warm up to me. She really liked you better, though. Whenever you came over, she would forget all about me...the only one who actually fed her. Damn dog."

"Language," I frowned.

"Sorry," he apologized, his voice softening a bit.

"What about you, bud? How are things going? I believe I heard Mother saying something about you going to the movies with Andy? If I'm not mistaking? He's your best friend, right?"

"Yeah!" he yelled. "His mom invited me to go with them tomorrow at three. I'm so excited! I heard you can refill your popcorn bucket as many times as you want! Do you know how much popcorn that is, Gwen? It's a ton!"

"Don't eat too much." I warned him. "You know how your stomach gets."

"I'm a man of steel." I imagined him smiling. "I don't get sick!"

"Uh huh," I giggled. "Tell that to someone who hasn't lived with you."

"Speaking of living situations, when can I come see you?" he asked, changing the subject entirely. "I wasn't home when you got on the plane to Seattle. Mom made me go to school, remember? But...But she keeps saying we're going to see you soon. Is that true?"

"I don't think it would be wise for the two of you to come see me right now, bud."

He sounded disappointed, "Why?"

"I still have some unpacking to do." I lied. "My house is covered with boxes."

"We can help!"

"Jett," I sighed.

"I just really miss you."

"I've only been gone for a day, you know."

"I know," he whined. "But it's not the same without you here. You used to live only half an hour away and now you live so far! Gosh, I can't walk to see you. I mean, I could but it would take so long to get there!"

"I thought you'd be happy I left." I smirked.

"No!" he shrieked. "I want you to come back."

My smile turned into a frown, "Oh, you know I can't do that."

"Yes, you can," he argued. "You just don't want to."

"Now, that's not fair."

"How is it not fair?" he challenged. "You can't just pack up your bags and decide to move hours away! You didn't even tell Mom and I until a few days before you left. What gives? That was barely enough time for us to spend any time with you because you were so busy packing."

"Jett—"

"You know what? Forget it. I think Mom is calling me. I have to go."

"Come on, now. Don't be like that." I pouted. "Who knows when we'll be able to talk on the phone again? We both know Mom isn't calling you for anything."

"Love you."

"Jett, wait—"

The phone clicked.

I sighed, "Love you, too."

I closed my eyes and sat back in my seat, my bottom lip trembling. This was not fair to him and he had a right to know why I left. Mom thought it was best if he thought I wanted a change in scenery. I wanted to tell him the truth but he was only twelve. He would not understand and it would be hard for me to help him understand. I hoped that since he was not able to find out now, he would never find out what I was involved in. He was still an angel and I did not want my past to rotten his precious soul. He did not even know I changed my name when I left.

I was a new person.

I blinked away the tears and closed my bag of food. I had lost my appetite and the smell of the food was making me sick to my stomach. I took deep breaths to try to calm myself down. It hurt me that Jett thought I was here in Seattle because I hated Portland. I was only about three hours away from my family and it was not far at all. To Jett; however, it was.

I backed out of the parking spot and kept my focus on getting back to work. My lunch break was not over yet but I needed to get back. Being there distracted me from everything else and as of right now, I needed a distraction. I needed to watch the customers come and go with Clare on our uncomfortable chairs. I needed to listen to her tell me stories about her personal life and her life with the shop. I liked this woman for being able to distract me. Not only was this job going to help me with my bills, it was also going to help me focus on things other than my past.

When I pulled back into the parking lot of the herb shop, I decided to stay in the car for the remainder of my lunch break. I took off my seat belt and just looked at the shop. There were a few customers inside and Clare was talking with one of them. Harry was nowhere in sight and I wondered if he already left for lunch. Jillian was still inside of the building and she was also helping out. I watched her carefully, taking in everything she did. I noticed she did everything with a smile on her face. I wished I was able to do that. If I smiled for too long, my face would begin to hurt. I frowned a bit. Was her face hurting right now? Was she smiling through the pain?

Harry reappeared from the back and he was wearing his apron. His lips moved in a way that made me believe he was chewing on something. Did he bring his lunch to work? He probably did. Either that or he picked up something and brought it back—the complete opposite of what I did. I took a sip of my soda and swallowed hard. Harry joined Jillian and a smile formed on his lips. It was nice to see him smiling. Whenever he was around me, all he ever wore was a frown. I still did not know why he strongly disliked me. He was not the owner of this place. He had no control over who Clare did and did not hire. More hands were needed, as Clare told me earlier.

Why was he making such a big deal about it?

I kept my straw in my mouth and constantly took sips as I watched what was going on inside. Clare was still socializing with the same customer and they were both laughing about something. I wished I knew. I could use a good laugh right about now. Jillian moved away from Harry and she started helping one of the other customers. Harry's smile soon enough disappeared and he started fixing the herbs on the shelves, making sure the labels were facing the right way. I furrowed my eyebrows as I stared harder. He fixed each bottle quickly and when he turned around, he stopped. His eyes were looking in my direction and I looked behind me to see what he was looking at. Nothing stood out to me and when I looked back, his arms were across his chest.

He was staring right at me.