𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓃#1~When Love Lasts
Chapter 11

I was right, I got little sleep last night. No, let me correct myself. I didn't sleep more than a few minutes at a time, when I dozed off while sitting on a barstool leaning over my kitchen counter.

I was beyond exhausted, but I just could not shut off my brain enough for me to even fall back asleep peacefully. I was too nervous that whoever it was would come back, that I pushed things up against both my front and back doors.

No matter what those cops said, I didn't make this up. I know what I heard. Someone came into my house last night. I don't know how. I don't know why. What I know, is that I wasn't alone when I called 911. Even if they didn't believe me, I believed myself.

I didn't have just one portion of my Grandma's Coffee-Toffee cake; I had two. Which isn't a good thing. The number of calories in just one slice is ridiculously high. I'll need to hit the gym soon.

I started working out at the local gym back in my hometown before I moved. It was all a part of my new me bullshit plan; it helped. I had lost five pounds. May not seem like a lot to some people, but for someone my height, it's extremely hard to lose even one pound of fat.

You have to basically starve yourself. The shorter you are, the fewer calories you can eat in a day. My total calorie intake, the one I should be following, but I don't, is 1200. That's it.

One meal from McDonald's would almost use it all up.

Eailer this morning, I had jumped in the shower. I don't typically shower in the mornings, I just don't normally have time. I take my shower at night and go about my morning routine that does not involve a shower, but this morning it did.

You can tell I didn't get much sleep last night, under my eyes were black and wrinkle looking. They looked horrible. I put on a bit of foundation to help cover it up. I still need to run to the grocery store this morning. If I had had coffee in this house last night, it would have been extremely helpful.

A part of me really didn't want to leave my house today at all. What if whoever broke into my home last night is watching me? It could have been a normal home invasion, someone looking for something to steal, but what if it's not?

Having watched too many crime documentaries, listened to too many crime podcasts and working in the line of work that I do could mess with my head. I could be making a lot more into this than it actually is.

It's hard to know which is which and what I should think.

Instead of allowing my fears to win against me, I had gotten dressed. I found this cute brown and white stripped sundress in my closet. I asked my Alexa what the temperature was, and she had said 79 degrees. That's perfect sundress weather.

It's now eight fifteen am, and I'm heading out my door. I'm dragging ass, walking slowly, half asleep when my next-door neighbor, Margie flagged me down as soon as I turned around from locking my door.

“Dear, is everything alright? The cop cars woke me up last night. What happened?” she asked, a look of concerns covering her face.

To be honest, I don't know how much I should share with this woman. I don't know her, she seems nice enough, but so did my ex and best friend.

See. Totally fucked with trust issues.

If that same person broke into her house and she wasn't prepared, and she got hurt, I would feel horrible.

I'd feel that deeply. It didn't matter whether I knew her that well or not.

“Yes and no. Someone broke into my house last night.” I informed her, tighten my arm around my purse hanging off my shoulder and headed to my car.

I really needed some coffee.

“Oh my god” She whispered loudly, her right hand flying up to cover her mouth as she stared at me, eyes wide is shock. “Are you certain?”

Was I certain?

Of course, I'm am!

Why doesn't anyone believe me?

"Yes ma'am I am sure." I huffed and opened my car door.

“Things like that don't happen in this neighborhood, honey.” She whispered.

Well, lady, I don't know what to tell you. It happened. It took place here in this neighborhood just last night.

I didn't tell her that though, didn't want to make waves with my new neighbor, this soon at least.

“It happened Margie. Be sure to keep your home locked, yeah?” I advised her before sliding into my car.

"But-"

"Margie, It happened." I told her, tone harder than it was before hoping to stress how important it is that she understands.

"I just don't believe-"

"Believe it. It happened around eleven twenty two this morning. Someone came into my home, knocked something over and that loud noise woke me up. Afterwards I heard foot steps. It happened." I again informed her.

She didn't believe me, she didn't believe me. Nothing I could do about that, but I have done my job as a friendly neighbor and told her what happened.

I didn't wait for her to say anything else. I quickly shut my car door and leaned my head on the steering wheel. This is a small town, just like my old one. I'm confident that the town gossips have already been on the phone with their friends about what about at the new woman in town's house.

That idea alone made me want to run back inside and hide myself away. I came here for a fresh start, not to have anyone look at me differently because of something that happened.

God forbid, Cedric would utter a word of what he suggested I did last night in faking that home invasion.

I'd be mortified. I'd probably pack up my shit and head to a new town.

Again.

Shaking my head, I press the button to start my car and dig out my cellphone from my purse. Some people don't like to listen to music while they drive, however I do. I can't drive even five minutes away without music playing.

This time I type in a song that I love by Kevin Gates called Plugs Daughter, shove my car into reverse and back out the driveway.

As I'm driving away, I see Vickie out of the corner of my eyes still standing in the same spot I left her in, eyes following my car.

Today's going to be a beautiful sunny day and I see parents loading up the kids to bring them to school. Some older ladies are walking their dogs, and some others are sipping coffee while sitting on their front porches.

A few minutes later, I'm pulling back into the grocery store I was just at yesterday.

The Corner Grocery.

That's the name.

When I had googled it yesterday, I had learned that it was locally, family owned. Been in that particular family for generations, and I would much rather spend my money at places like that than those enormous stores that are not hurting for money.

As I park my car, I noticed a lady straggling to wrangle in two little boys. They look to be twins. Bless her.

I had wanted to have kids, still do, but maybe just one. I was never one to be over fond of children. That doesn't make me a bad person, just so much crying and screaming I can take.

I kill my car, make sure I have my wallet and climb out of my car. I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering around, just to make sure I wasn't being stalked or stared at.

I need to just get my coffee and go back home. That's the plan.

As soon as I walk through the sliding doors, goosebumps coat my skin. I never think about this part. Grocery stores are always on the chilly side to keep the food fresh or whatever. It's something like that.

“Good morning” comes the voice of an older man sitting in a chair next to the door. He must be the greeter. I never understood what they are hired for. People will come shop for food regardless if they are greeted or not.

I won't complain though, it's a nice gesture, and he looks to be around 70 something years old and the jobs not a hard one.

“Good morning” I said, smiled and waved at the man as I passed him and headed towards the grocery area of the store.

Even though it's considered a grocery store, they sell other things here as well. This sundress I'm wearing right now, for instance, I found it yesterday. In the clothing department.

As I walked down the main aisle, I was searching over the signs and took a quick turn as soon as my eyes hit the word caffeine. I needed to be in and out of this store fast.

I'm dying for a cup of coffee.

And no, I'm not exaggerating. I really, like, really need a cup to wake myself up better.

I'm scanning over the difference selection of coffees. I have seen an ad where they have the new K cups for peppermint mocha. I had really wanted to try those, but I don't see them here. Maybe they are sold out.

I settled on the Carmel cappuccino, reached my hand up and as soon as my figures tightened around the box I heard a soft voice say, “Had a rough night?”

Huh?

I swung my gaze towards the sound and seen a woman around my age standing there. She had black straight hair, sunglasses hanging on the edge of her nose and she was wearing a sundress like me. It was yellow.

“What?” I demanded baffled.

What does she mean, rough night? I took a shower, put makeup on and even picked out a pretty dress. I definitely didn't look like I had a rough night.

“I asked if you had a rough night” The woman giggled.

“Rough night?” I questioned, staring at her, still looking just as confused as I was before she repeated herself.

“Yeah. You're here early for caffeine. Only people who had a rough night wake up and come straight here for coffee. That and your eyes look a bit dark.” She grinned and waved her box of coffee in front of her. “I stayed up all-night binge-watching a TV show and didn't sleep much. I definitely had a rough night.”

Ah. I understand now.

“I guess you could say that. I didn't sleep much last night.” I mumbled, feeling uncomfortable with this discussion. I didn't want the first person my age, the one person who's just having a conversation, just to have one to think I'm crazy.

“Why's that?” She demanded.

“What?” I asked.

“Why didn't you sleep last night?” She asked and grinned, probably at my expression.

I might as well just tell her. She's going to replace out eventually from someone, I just know it.

“Someone broke into my house last night.” I told her and winced because now I regret it.

I hope she believes me, unlike the cops and my neighbor.

“Oh god! Are you okay?” She rushed out, worry filled her beautiful green eyes.

“Yeah I'm fine. I locked myself in my bathroom and called the cops.” I informed her. A little touched and taken aback that she would be worried about someone she just met.

“My brothers, a cop. I could call and get an update on your case if you like.” She offered and bit her bottom lip, hand going to her purse, likely to do just as she said and called her brother.

“No.” I rushed out. “No need. The cops didn't believe me anyway, and probably didn't even file a police report.” I mumbled, a bit embarrassed.

“They didn't believe you? What kind of messed up shit is that?” She screeched and shook her head. “I'm definitely going to call my brother. He would believe you. He is a good cop. Trust me.” She rolled her eyes as she said that.

“No, really, it's fine. One cop that came is just a prick. If I need to call 911 again, I'll be asking for a different officer.” I said and smiled at her, letting her know it was okay and that I appreciated what she wanted to do for me.

“How was he a prick?” She asked, eyebrows raising as she waited for my answer.

“Huh?” I asked.

“The cop. How was he a prick?” She asked again.

Why is she even asking about the cops? Who cares about that bastard? Not me, and I would rather not even talk about him.

“My first day in town, he gave me a ticket. I tried explaining I didn't notice the speed reduced, but still, he gave me one.” I mumbled.

Now, I kind of feel like shit for calling him an asshole for doing his job, but it was so much more than that. He said and did a lot more than just give me a ticket. That, though, I didn't feel like sharing with someone I had just met.

“Yup, sounds like an asshole.” She grinned and held her fresh looking manicured hand out in front of her and towards me. “Names Anna”

“Nice to meet you. I'm Avery.” I smiled and shook her palm.

Maybe I just found my first friend.

“You're new to town, right?” She asked.

“Yeah. Just moved here, actually. It's a rough and busy couple of days, I can tell you that.” I giggled.

“What are you doing tonight?”

“I'm sorry?” I asked.

She's going to think I'm hard of hearing or something with how many times I keep asking her to basically repeat herself, but she keeps throwing me for a loop.

“It's taco night at my parents house. You could come over, have some good food and maybe afterward we could hit a bar around here called-”

“The Sleepy Sheep, right?” I cut her off and asked.

“Yup” She grinned.

“Um-”

“Oh come on. It will be fun. It will help you get introduced to new people and my parents are nice, I promise. My brother can be a dickhead sometimes, but I assure you he won't bother you.” She said, her eyes lighting up.

“Well. I guess I could-” I started to say, but her excited jumping stopped me in my tracks.

“Awesome.” She shouted playfully as she pulled her cell out her purse and looked back up towards me. “Number?"

I told her my number.

“I'll text you my parent's address. I'll be there around six pm. You're welcome to come anytime but be warned my momma likes for everyone to be seated at the kitchen table by six thirty".

“Sounds good.” I murmured.

“See you tonight Avery” Anna said, but before turning away I saw her grin, and when she grinned, she grinned hugely.

I stand there for a few moments, not knowing what to make of her just yet. She seemed super friendly. Almost too friendly. Who invites someone over to their parent's house that they just met?

Should I even go? I don't know.