*The Color Of Hunger* Begins 01

“I’ll call you with the results later this week.” he said from behind me. I looked back and he was staring into the folder again, walking back over to the cabinet where the sink was.

“Okay,” I said softly, opening the door and walking out.

That was the oddest experience I’ve ever encountered. I hope that I never have to seem him again. Sure, he’s nice to look at, but kind of moody. If he really didn’t want me there, it would have been nicer if he’d just told me so, not looking around the room impatiently.

I rubbed the bandage on my right arm, nervously picking at the tape edges as I walked back to the apartment. The sun was shining outside for the first time since we got here, and I was going through some serious sunlight deprivation. The air was too cold for me, and the wind was bitter but I refused to wear a coat, especially since every one else was still in shorts and spaghetti straps. I had to resist putting on long underwear and a wool sweater before leaving today.

It was colder here now, the beginning of September, then it was in Daytona beach during February. This was going to take some getting used to.

During the walk home I let my mind drift and calm down. Ever since I learned that I was moving, I hadn’t been the happiest person in the world and I gave Freddie a very, very hard time about it. But since we got here, my opinion changed slightly.

I had to admit that it was much quieter here then it was in Daytona, less racing around and more peaceful, and the colors were simply gorgeous. I’d never been anywhere close to a place where the leaves changed colors in the fall. I was surprised by just how wonderful it looked, everything golden, brown and red, contrasting with the still green grass and shinning sun.

If it wasn’t so cold, I might actually love it here more the Daytona, but there was no way I was telling any of this to Freddie. He be overjoyed at my declaration and the act of rubbing it in my face would never cease, never.

I smiled to myself, remembering that the guy at the lab said I smelled nice. It made me happy, even though I was upset with him, a person I didn’t know. Sure, he was rude when he wouldn’t look at me, his eyes continually escaping to the door and his hands in tight fist, but he did compliment me.

As odd as that sounds, it really made my day.

I smell nice.

I smell nice.

I smell nice. I repeated it in my head like a mantra, over and over again. I was still smiling as I sporadically decided to go into a Country Fair and practically buy out the store. Without looking, I randomly grabbed a variety which included three bags potato chips, different bags of candy and candy bars and a twelve pack of regular soda.

I was still smiling as I trudged up to the counter, all of what I deemed necessary to buy in my hands, and noticed the boy working at the register. He smiled back at me, nearly as widely as I was smiling.

He was tall and skinny, gangly almost, with really dark brown hair and giant brown eyes, a friendly face. What made me like him the most was he was clean cut and orderly. His red shirt had no obvious wrinkles on it and his hair was combed and short, very unlike the lab technician, and very much to my liking.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hello.” I said back, setting all of my things on the counter. It was a relief to drop them. My wallet was going to feel much lighter after this purchase.

“That’s a lot of food, are you having a party?” he asked, scanning a bag of chips.

“Nope, just having a good day I guess.” I shrugged and noticed that his shoulders dropped slightly. I guess he had been hoping it was a party, in case I randomly decided to invite him.

“Hmm, are you new around here?”

I nodded and tucked some of my light blond hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I just moved here two days ago.”

“How are you enjoying it so far?” he asked as he rung up another bag of chips. I could see that he was doing it slow on purpose, but its not like I cared. That lab technician, even though I was irritated at him, had put me in a seriously wonderful mood and I couldn’t get over it.

I smell good.

“Pretty much, it’s a little to cold for my taste.”

“Yeah, you just missed our heat wave. With fall setting in, the temperatures usually drop pretty fast.”

I scowled, “Gross.”

“I take it you don’t like the cold.” he smirked, not as dazzling as the last guy, but still nice, as he rung up the twelve pack of soda. The last item I had.

“Hate it.” I replied shortly.

“Where are you from originally?”

I sighed, trying to keep the mood light. I didn’t like being asked questions, even if it was just because he was trying to get to know me. I kept my happy mood firmly in place.

I smell good.

“Daytona Beach.” I said with a sad smile, missing the smell of salt and water in the air and the hot sun beating down on my skin.

“Wow, that’s cool.”

When I said nothing more he gave me my price and I paid with the last of my cash that I had saved from the job I had in Daytona. I guess its time to find a new one.

“Well, it was nice to meet you…” he started saying, waiting for me to fill in with my name. He extended his arm, which was very long and I shook his hand. It practically engulfed mine.

“Charlie.”

“Charlie,” he repeated with a huge smile, the kind of smile a child gave when they got candy. I couldn’t resist but smile back at him. It did take him a second or two too long for him to release my hand, but I let it pass. “I’m Troy.”

“Nice to meet you Troy.” I nodded, grabbing my bags and started for the door.

“I’ll catch you ‘round.” he said, still at the register and sending me an irreplaceable childish smile.

“Bye.” I chuckled, pushing the door open with my shoulder. Inside, I gloated. Freddie’d be happy to know that I was nice to two people, two! He’d never believe me, but I knew it was true and that’s all that mattered. I just had to get home with the pounds of junk food I just bought, for no other reason then I was happy, without falling over.

That was a feat in itself.