Take me to San Francisco

Chapter 1: Rainy Day

Today was a rainy day, cold and dark as usual for this time of year. I had opened my eyes blue eyes to a new day full of hope that I can actually do something good in my life. I looked at my phone on my bedside table to check the time. Turns out I overslept, again. I got up and raced to the bathroom brushing my long brown hair into a pony tail, brushed my teeth, and washed my fair skin with a small rag before putting it in the hamper and racing to my closet to get my uniform but I couldn’t find it. I quickly threw clothing behind me trying to find it before finding it under a large pile of unwashed clothes. I then grabbed my keys and phone and rushed out the door into the dewy New York City streets. I decided it would be best if I went into a run because I am not getting yelled at by the manager again. I work at centeral Park as one of the many people who picked up trash around the park trying to maintain it’s beautiful grounds. I like working at the park because I get to see other people and meet new people but whenever I meet someone they are always just visiting and I never see them again. I do have one friend though that works with me and look at that he is calling me right now. I could feel the soft buzzing in my right pocket as I ran around a street corner that marked halfway to Centeral Park.

“What do you want Mark” I wheezed into the phone out of breath.

“Amanda, your going to be late again seriously, I just want to get this done before it really starts to rain” Mark yelled impatiently.

“I know I know I’m sorry I just got up late and I will be there in... 5 minutes” I wheezed after checking the time on my phone.

“Fine, see you then. I won’t tell the manager this time but I will next time” Mark said jokingly into the phone.

“Well I hope there will be no next time. Goodbye Mark” I said after hanging up the phone then turning around a corner just one street away from the park. I could spot the small building where Mark and I meet everyday before we begin cleaning the park. I approached the door quickly and opened it with a loud bang. No one else was in there beside a Mark thankfully.

“I thought the manager would show up before you and bust you for being late” Mark chuckled loudly as I stepped through the doorway. Today I noticed he looked calm and collected with his messy dark brown hair and blue eyes. It seems he was late also.

“Hey, don’t jinx me” I joked while running to the closet to get my supplies. I looked at the shelf with my name on it and grabbed my gloves, trash bag, and trash picker upper claws.

“Let’s get going then. I want to finish quick cause I heard there is an exclusive party downtown and I really want you to go with me.” Mark grinned as he watched me arrange my supplies in my hands and look at today’s map to see were we will be assigned today.

“ I will go with you but you owe me a movie night because that was what I was planning to do tonight but first let’s get started, seems we have the upper left side today, seems easy enough” I chittered as I opened the door to let us out of the small building. Mark and I stepped out and headed along the long winding path towards the upper left part of the park. As we walked I looked at all the beautiful trees and flowers covered in small delicate rain drops. I watched the children in there small rain coats play on the playground with there friends laughing and smiling through the gloom. I watched as a couple grabbed a small ice cream cone together and when the girl went to taste a little the guy put a little dot on her nose which was absolutely adorable. Even though I come here everyday and I have seen everything I still notice new things around me and I still find the beauty in all of this no matter if it’s rainy or sunny. As I watched a few kids playing tag on a large grassy field I noticed Mark staring at me. He wasn’t just staring at me just for a second. He was looking at me with such admiration that I couldn’t help but blush. He kept staring although and as we approached the upper left part he grabbed my arm and halted me to a stop in the middle of the path. He didn’t say anything he just stared which caused me to blush even more. Eventually I shrugged his hand off of me and kept walking.

“Last one to the light pole has to carry the trash bag back” I yelled as I started running towards the light pole.

“No fair you got a head start” he yelled after me while running to catch up. I was almost there when I slipped and fell hard into a large muddy spot on the path.

“Are you okay? Did you break anything?” Mark said quickly as he helped me up.

“I’m fine” I laughed as I headed toward the light pole and touched it. “I win” I said to him knowing he let me win.

“Maybe next time I will win” he said smiling his normal charming smile.

“We better get to work then” I said as I opened my trash bag and grabbed my first piece of trash of the day. He nodded and headed over to the opposite side of were I was working. Doing this gives me a lot of free time to think. I wonder why Mark was looking at me like that. It was really weird and out of character for someone like him. As I kept thinking about it I realized Mark had finished before me.

“I’m done Amanda. Meet me at my apartment when you are finished and we can discuss the party” he said shyly as he started to walk away.

“See you then” I yelled. As I finished up it started to pour. I sighed deeply and started heading back to the small building. As I was walking I realized all the children on the playground went home and no one was in sight. It left me feeling really weird since so many people usually were here. It was really awful having to walk in this weather but it was necessary for me to be able to get back to the small building. I didnt feel alone anymore when I spotted someone in a suit running towards me. He looked very alarmed and was screaming something. He was to far away for me to hear but as he got closer I could hear him screaming for help and I could see someone chasing him with a knife.