The Missing Dragon

“I’m doing it, I’m really doing it! Ahhh!!”. Sofia couldn’t believe that she was actually leaving Alabama and going as far as her money could take her. California! Sofia is a 19 years old brunette with an athletic body with some generous curves. She has bright green eyes and tanned skin from all the sports she’s played outside. She doesn’t know her dad and loves her mom and brother, but nobody comes close to how she is with her sister. Even though they are 4 years apart they are so close. She found a government job in Sacramento, CA so not palm trees and beaches. More like, city with a farm flair. It sounded perfect though so she applied and now they shipped her car and paid for her transportation. It sounded to good to be true but, here she is, boarding a flight. After landing around 6 hours later she gets her bags and goes to the apartment she’s going to rent while in Sacramento. It’s a modest 1 bed 1 bath but that’s all she needs, especially since she doesn’t make a lot working as a receptionist in a clinic. The benefits as a government employee made it worth it though. Oh my goodness, I forgot call my sister! Sofia promised her sister Anne that she would call as soon as she landed. Welp. Messed that up! “Well, you suck. I was so worried sis! You landed like 3 hours ago and no call! It takes like two seconds!” Anne said after the first ring. “I know! I know! You know how I am with my phone” Sofia felt bad about it, she’s her sisters person. “I know I’ve said this before, but I’m scared this is going to change us. We’re so close and now there’s all this distance between us. It’s not ever going to be the same.” Sofia could tell Anne was trying to hold it together. “Listen Anne, this is so good for us. I’m going to kick ass here and make enough money where if you wanted to finish high school here I could support you. Im going to call so much you are going to get sick of me! Haha” Anne sniffled. “You promise?” Anne spoke so quietly she almost didn’t catch it. With more conviction then she’s felt in a long time she said “I promise.”. The next morning her 2019 Toyota Camry got delivered so she decided to go get necessary things for the house. Things like a cup or a trash can. She doesn’t have a-lot of money but enough to at least get a blow up mattress and a comforter set. Eventually she wants a TV but right now her old laptop will have to do. She went to Walmart which to her dismay was busier then she expected but she found everything she needed and even things she didn’t need. She splurged and got little twinkly lights and stuff to hang it up around the top of the room with. It reminds her of Anne. Which speaking of Anne, I should FaceTime her while I set up. “Look what I bought!” Sofia was so proud of her lights, Anne laughed. “I love those, that’s what I would’ve done! You just need an excessive amount of pictures of cows and that’s perfect!” Anne really meant it, the girl loves cows. “Not really my thing, you know that. I don’t really know how to decorate but I will figure it out. Can I show you my outfits I have for tomorrow and you can help me pick?” Anne could tell Sofia was nervous about her first day. “Sure! But I have to go soon and make dinner. My older sister abandoned the family and now I have to carry this team on my back.” Anne pretended to faint which made Sofia laugh. Secretly, Sofia hated when Anne made jokes about her abandoning them. What if she really felt that way? “I did not! What are you cooking?! Im about to make a sandwich with some chips.” Sofia all of a sudden felt so lonely, this empty apartment felt so cold. “Mawmaw’s chili! No recipe, just throw whatever in. I have to fold some laundry to so I’m going to go. I’ll talk to you later, bye sis! Love you!” Anne waited to hear Sofia’s “Love you!”, then hung up. The apartment was even colder then before. I’m going to love it here though, I need to explore the area. After eating a sandwich and chips and finishing the lights she grabbed her stuff and walked outside. I didn’t expect it to be so cold in February here. A lady at the airport even said there’s snow just an hour away which is crazy! Sofia went to a massive outdoor shopping mall and spent most the day just seeing what was around. When she was done there she drove to the Forest Grove Medical Facility so she knew exactly where to go tomorrow. She went home and barely slept that night before waking up 3 hours before she needed to be at work. She showered and fussed over her hair more then she should’ve. They had strict requirements though being that they were the clinic who supported the Wilderness First Responders, Wilderness Rescue teams and all other jobs who service the parks in that region. Finally she did light makeup and wore the the a suite jacket with matching pencil skit with small heels. She felt it made her look good but serious. She pulled up at 7:00 which is 30 minutes before when she was supposed to be here. Finally after parking she reminded herself she’s a badass and walked inside like she owned it. She looked at a map of all the departments for the clinic the night before so she knew exactly where to go. This facility was nice. You could tell they just revamped everything just by the way you needed a key card to get into any door or make any elevator start. Which led her back to the information desk at 7:15 asking the receptionist where to go. “Oh! We’ve been expecting you! 15 minutes early? Not bad. I’ll walk you to Ms.Irene. She’s in charge of all new hires and kind of the mom of the Clinic. She’s pretty strict but will love you like your own. All the guys are scared of her so if you have any rude patients just say you will talk to Irene and they will fall in line. Here the door you need, just knock and she will come get you.” Sofia thought she was nice but wasn’t able to get a word in through that whole walk over. She knocked then tried to smile as relaxed and sweet as possible. Nervous wasn’t the look she was going for. “Oh child! You must be Sofia, look at you.” A woman she assumed was Irene was scrutinizing her. She was older with grey hair but seemed to be fit as a fiddle. She was lean and had a button up flowery shirt tucked into jeans with cowgirl boots. This woman was something out of a book. “I wouldn’t recommend dressing up unless you’re looking for a husband here. If you are, that’s how you get one! Come in and get some coffee and let’s get to know each other.” Sofia realized she was so nervous this morning she forgot to eat and have coffee. That sounded so good right now, that and a warm conversation with somebody.