Chapter 2: Life At City

1467 Words
Chapter 2: Life at City (Original) "Daisy, you need to be careful in the city, okay?" Benedict, her father, said with a look of worry. "We believe in you, our precious," Grace, her mother, sobbed softly. Daisy kissed them both goodbye, a bittersweet smile on her face, and climbed into Mr. Joe's truck. It was still dark, the early morning chill in the air. Daisy knew Mr. Joe was always up early, delivering fresh fruits to the train station. He imported goods to the city, and it was a one-hour drive from Brakenwood Town to the station. "Thank you, Mr. Joe," Daisy said gratefully as he finished his business. "Take care of yourself, Daisy," Mr. Joe reminded her kindly, before heading off on his own way. As Daisy stood at the train station waiting for her ride, a sense of sadness washed over her. It was her first time leaving Brakenwood. But this time, she had to take a risk for her parents. The night before, after the Farells left, they had discussed it. They didn't want her to leave, but Daisy knew she had to go. Leaving with only a small amount of money wasn’t going to be easy. She had brought every last penny of her savings. Mr. Joe had also given her the address of an old friend in the city where she could stay. It was a three-hour journey from Brakenwood to Idallon City. Daisy listed everything she needed to do once she arrived. As the train neared the city, she felt a mix of fear and uncertainty grip her heart. The closer she got, the weaker and more terrified she felt. As she stepped off the train, the bustling noise of the city hit her immediately. The streets were alive with the chaos of the city—cars honking, motorbikes weaving through traffic, and buses stopping at crowded intersections. People moved in all directions, their footsteps blending into a loud hum of conversation. Daisy stood still for a moment, unsure of where to go. Looking around, she spotted a taxi pulling up. She quickly made her way to it, just as Mr. Joe had instructed her. The driver asked, “Are you going somewhere, ma’am?” She handed him the address Mr. Joe had given her and climbed into the car. Inside, she couldn’t help but stare out the window, mesmerized by the towering buildings that seemed to scrape the sky. It was already dark by the time they reached her destination, and the traffic was still heavy. The driver stopped in front of the apartment building and helped her out. He rang the doorbell, and an elderly woman opened the door. "Good evening, ma’am. I’m a friend of Mr. Joe Crawford from Brakenwood Town," Daisy said with a warm smile. The woman’s face brightened. "Ah, Joe’s little friend!" she exclaimed, ushering Daisy inside. "Come in, dear, come in." Inside, Daisy saw luggage piled up in the corner, and she thought the woman was preparing to leave. "That’s mine, dear," the woman said with a chuckle. "Have a seat. Are you hungry?" "I can cook if you like," Daisy offered politely. "No, no, dear. You’re my guest. Please, sit down and eat. I know Brakenwood is far from here," she replied warmly, serving Daisy a plate of food. Daisy glanced around, noticing the sparse, clean furniture. "Why is the house so empty?" Daisy asked, noticing the bare walls. "Are you moving?" she asked curiously. The woman smiled gently. "Yes, dear. I’m Olivia, Joe’s older—well, step—sister. I’m about to sell this place because I’m going to Slavania with my daughter." Olivia replied with a soft giggle. "I trust you to take care of it." she added. "Are you letting me stay here, ma’am? You trust me to take care of your house?" Daisy asked, her voice filled with surprise and gratitude. "Of course, dear. Joe wouldn’t send anyone untrustworthy. I can tell you’re a good person," Olivia reassured her with a smile. "Thank you, ma’am," Daisy said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. .. It was 5 AM when Daisy woke up the next morning. Olivia had left her a spare key and given her instructions for the apartment. Daisy was ready to start fresh in the city. She wore a plain white blouse and black jeans, simple yet neat, preparing herself for a long day. She spent the day applying for jobs everywhere she could find, from small coffee shops to upscale restaurants. But no one wanted to hire her. It seemed like her high school diploma wasn’t enough for the city. By 8 p.m, Daisy was exhausted and decided to head back to the apartment. As she finished her dinner on a bench by the street, she couldn’t help but miss home. A wave of regret, fear, and doubt washed over her. But she quickly shook her head, brushing those thoughts aside. The day wasn’t over yet, and she still had a lot to prove. As she stood up, preparing to call a taxi, she noticed a just opened club nearby. At first, the bouncer wouldn’t let her in, assuming she was a minor. But when she finally got in, the place was massive—filled with people dancing, drinking, and having fun. Daisy made her way to the counter and asked about a job. Fortunately, someone directed her to the stairs leading to the manager's office. Daisy followed the manager through the quiet bar, taking in the worn leather stools and scratched countertops. With only a few customers around, it felt more like a practice run than the real thing. “This is the place,” the manager said, stopping at the counter. “You’ll get used to it soon enough. Oh, and one more thing—tips are all yours. No splitting with anyone.” Daisy is overwhelmed as she heard the salary—60 zenns a day, plus tips—she couldn’t believe it. It was more than she could ever make back home in a week. And she felt even happier knowing she would be starting the next day. Outside the bar, more cars pulled up, and more people began to gather. Daisy felt out of place, noticing the revealing outfits the women were wearing. She couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable, comparing her plain clothes to theirs. .. "Are you lost, country girl?" a woman in a pink, backless dress sneered, strutting toward Daisy with two others trailing behind her. The smug grin on her face was mirrored by her friends as they closed in. "Wait... are you a time traveler?" she added mockingly, her gaze sweeping over Daisy’s plain clothes. The girl in a red top scoffed, crossing her arms. "You look like you stepped out of a history book," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. Daisy glanced down at her clothes, confused. What was so wrong with them? Why were they laughing at her? "Maybe she’s attending some seminar?" the third girl teased, barely suppressing her laughter. The jab made Daisy’s cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Girls!" A man’s voice broke through their mockery, drawing their attention. A group of five men approached, their confident grins lighting up the scene. One of them, wearing a varsity jacket, looked amused as he asked, "What’s going on here?" "Nothing much," one of the girls giggled, tossing her hair. "Just meeting our little time-traveling guest." The man beside him chuckled. "She’s obviously from some backwoods town." Daisy swallowed hard, her voice trembling but steady. "I’m from Brakenwood. I came here to find a job, not to party." Her response only drew louder laughter from the group. "No wonder she looks so cheap," one of the men sneered. The girl in pink smirked, clutching the arm of a clean-cut guy. "A country girl like her doesn’t belong here." "Hey, that’s enough," another guy interjected, his tone proud. He stepped closer to Daisy, offering a hand. "I’m Harold. Don’t mind them." But Daisy ignored his hand, her eyes darting away. Harold let out a sigh, shoving his hand back into his pocket. "Alright. Not friendly, I get it." The girl in pink rolled her eyes. "Let’s go. She’s not worth our time." With that, she led the group away, their mocking laughter trailing behind them. Daisy stood frozen, the sting of their words cutting deep. This was her first taste of the city, and it was far harsher than she’d ever imagined. Brakenwood suddenly felt like a distant, safer world. When a taxi pulled up, she climbed inside, her chest heavy. As the car drove off, she stared out at the city lights, realizing this new chapter wasn’t just about chasing dreams—it was about surviving the cruelty of life in the city.
Free reading for new users
Scan code to download app
Facebookexpand_more
  • author-avatar
    Writer
  • chap_listContents
  • likeADD