The Unwanted Runaway

The Gang

Anna’s POV

Carly hands me a shot glass and says, "You definitely need this, girl. After all that." I gratefully take the glass and throw my head back, downing the liquor. "Thanks, can I get another?" I ask, and Carly chuckles as she hands me another shot. I repeat the process and tell Carly, "That definitely helped." She offers me another shot, but I decline, saying, "No, I'm good."

Carly then invites me to hang out with her and a few others next Saturday. Apparently, it's a girls' night and her parents will be back to take over the Bar & Grill, giving Carly a break from work. She explains that every once in a while, the girls in the family get together for a fun night, taking turns hosting at their homes. This time, it's Evan’s wife Mia's turn and they plan to drink wine, watch movies, and cook something new and interesting. Carly mentions that they also sometimes vent about their spouses. "It's just a fun way for the family to bond and take a break from the kids and spouses," she says.

I thank Carly for the invitation but tell her, "I just don't know yet. Everything is so new and different. I'm still adjusting to this new atmosphere." When Carly asks where I'm from originally, I try not to give too much away and simply say I grew up in the suburbs and a coastal city. She laughs and says, "I kind of figured you were a city slicker." We both chuckle and I add, "It's like a completely different planet for me."

Just then, Carter returns and asks if I'm alright. He reassures me that I don't need to worry about the "Super Mario reject" bothering me anymore, causing us all to laugh. Carly tells me, "See, you'll fit right in. No worries, Anna." She smiles and adds, "Things will work out for you."As I gazed at both her and Carter, I couldn't help but offer a slight smile. However, my thoughts were heavy and serious. "I certainly hope so," I muttered to myself. Retrieving my old flip phone from my back pocket, I glanced down at it to check the time. To my disappointment, there were no voicemails or texts from my family back home. It's not really my home anymore, but the loneliness still stings. I left so abruptly, trading my plane ticket for a bus ticket. The only ones who know what happened to me and Joey are my stepmom and father. None of my cousins, not even my own brother, have reached out to see where I've been or how I'm doing. I haven't been active on social media either, except for yesterday when I used Carter's computer for about 30 minutes. It's been a whirlwind of changes and I can't help but feel lost in my own thoughts.

Carter notices my phone and remarks, "Dang, you talk about me being old, but look at what you're holding. It's practically a relic." Carly interjects, "Leave the girl alone," as she laughs. I retort, "Well, it's all I can afford and I've had it for years." It's clear that I struggle with change and adapting to my new surroundings. Carly reminds me that I've only been here for almost two days. Carter adds, "You can't expect everything to come together in a moment's notice. It takes time to adapt to new things." I nod in agreement, "You're right."

. Carter says let’s go over where that group is. Carter points his head in the direction and I look proceeded to look that way as I do I see Denton turn his head and makes eye contact with me For a brief moment. He then. point both James and a Young guy look in my direction. James chuckles, then gets back to playing pool. Scratching the pool stick and missing the ball now , Denton is chuckling at James mishap.

Carter and I walk over to the pool table that they’re all gathered by. Then Carter re-introduces me to James and Denton and to the two ladies and the guy. I learned that the woman hanging all over Denton is his fiancé Sarah I got to admit I kind of feel a little crushed she’s absolutely gorgeous Though I am quite taller than her, she’s definitely the shortest one here. She has short, bleached, blonde hair down to her ears, and green eyes She’s mostly all booobs seriously you can definitely tell they’re fake . She very thin I didn’t even know that possible to wear a lot of make up. But she is very classy. She looks like she just came from an clerks office she’s dressed all professional. Sarah is just everything I’m not by her appearance Here I am dressed in my blue Jean leggings folded just above my ankles with a pair of vans a black tank top with a pink button up opened dress shirt over my black tank. My hair is up in a ponytail with a few loose strands. I know guys like that don’t go for a girl like me, so my little crush on Denton definitely has to stop. The young girl in the scrubs name is Brooke and she is a nurse for one of the small clinics here in town. And Jason, is one of the ranch hands also their other cousin he definitely looks like he just got done working on the ranch . Jason is the one that I’ll be working with for the next few weeks or so. denton is dressed very similar to Jason with a dirty pair of blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a tight green T-shirt that shows off his muscular build. His hair brown goes just passed his ears and a beautiful Louis Green eyes oh” my… no stop it Anna”

I think to myself, but he’s so good looking even with that 5 o’clock shadow on his face, wow. I’m not usually like this what the hell is wrong with me. Why do I find this guy so attractive? He doesn’t even like me he keeps giving me disgusted looks like I did something to piss him off. I just hope his girlfriend or whatever she is fiancé I think “ doesn’t notice that I keep glancing at him. All the sudden I’m Interrupted by my inter thoughts about Denton by Jason. Hey there “ want to play some pool also, do you know how? With a raised eyebrow.

I could feel Denton’s eyes on me like the other day when he was irritated with me. Totally starting to feel uncomfortable and his fiancé. Sarah now keeps giving me a disgusted look nonstop like I am nothing but scum . Denton is whispering something in her ear . she just gives me the crazy Karen psycho bitsh vibes. Carter says their talking about playing for money which I really don’t have any money but I know one thing is that I’m really good at pool and a game of darts thanks to always going barhopping with colleagues after work. But that was my past, but I’m not gonna let them know how good I am.

James leaves us to get back to work helping out Carly back in the kitchen so they can rush out orders quicker. Which now leaves Denton , Sarah, Jason, Brooke, Carter, and Myself. Carter says he’ll play one game before he goes back and helps out as well for a little bit. Brooke comes over to me and says so you up for it . Yeah sure I ask how we’re gonna do this boys against girls or couples against couples. Brooke looks at me and says I like the whole boys against girls gives me the elementary school vibes . Jason looks at his girlfriend and shakes his head thinking what she said was just silly. Sarah says well I’d rather play with somebody who might know what they’re doing. She may not. Well let’s find out I said I’ll break Carter ballzzzz OK let’s see what you got. Denton not Ball zzzzz more like clumsy him and Sarah both laugh.

I’m sure he told her about what happened yesterday.

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