STATUS: OPEN TO ANYONE ( @charmingstarterâ )
Itâs been about 152 daysâŚ
Not that Mariel was keeping count. A lie. Truthfully, the only reason why she was even keeping count is to see how long sheâd actually last. For the first time in like a long time, she had her doubts. After all, she couldnât pull the whole Simple Life ĂĄ la Hilton and Richie-esque kind of escapade in her life. And yet, here she was out in the open in a small town that thrived off of biker culture. Who would have thought? Anyways, looking on the bright side of things. Sheâs been well on her way in losing that pregnancy bod and she had to admit, she was quite proud of her progress. She stuck with her usual fitness routine even after moving to Charming and the good thing that came out of it was the open space. In New York you either had the gym or the streets, but here? Nature ainât so bad.Â
Slowing down her pace, she lightly jogged and kept her breathing in tact as she glanced down at her smartwatch to see the progress sheâd made along with her heartbeat. âSo far, so good.â Noticing her one of her laces untying, Mariel pulled up to a bench and used it to assist with typing the lace. She felt a presence of someone next to her and of course with the close proximity, it was a given that strucking up a conversation was a must. Whether the other wanted it or not didnât matter to Mariel, she decided to speak up. âNice day out huh?â she asked out loud. âDare I say it, this town is slowly warming up to meâŚNo pun intended.â It was a little warm out as she wiped some beads of sweat with the back of her arm. Stepping off of the bench, she began to stretch and ask, âIâm curious though, whatâs one thing you like about this place? Iâve been here for a few months and Iâm still figuring it out.âÂ
âYou should go on a hike. Youâll love this trail. Youâll see what makes Charming so....charming.â That was how this whole adventure had began. And for the record, that opening line had no been a hook line and seeker. It had been a lost bet somewhere in between three beers and a shot.Â
However, her hiking partner had been gone for twenty minutes, as they had decided to finish the hike to the top of the hill. Esme graciously offered to stay behind with her gray hound. At her place at the bench, a woman began to come into view. Esmeâs eyes focused on her her long fingers; However, Rex decided the interaction would be different. He sprang out from beneath the bench, standing straight as a statue and wagging his skinny, rat tail.Â
Esme lifted her head to the stranger, offering a small closed lip smile. âRex, has it ever occurred to you that not everyone likes a dog as company. Lay back down.â Reluctantly, the dog laid down. But his tail was still wagging and his eyes still begged to be pet. âitâs....definitely warm out. I think my lungs have an inch coating of pollen in them, and the bees are mistaking me for a flower because of it.âÂ
Esme moved over on the bench to give her room. The woman was cute, she had to admit, but Esme was not use to strangers or even familiar people, wanting to talk to her. âNothing.â Her answer to what she liked about the place. Esme, give a real fucking answer. She lectured to herself. âThe bars good. Strip club is alright if youâre into it. Sometimes I think the cafe sells mop water for coffee.â Her brows rose. âIâve been here 10 years too long though. How about you?â