#theaterfish

The wheels of the beaver express bus screeched to a halt “LAST STOP OF THE NIGHT. PINE POINT” the bus intercom announced as the doors swung open “Alright, Kid. Get off” The driver demanded adjusting the mirror to look at a teenage girl who was the only one other than him on the bus

The girl sighed before getting up and getting off the bus. She could hear the gravel of the road crunching beneath her worn-out boots. She looked at her phone while it buzzed with texts from her social worker

She looked at the text, it was her new home’s address. So with a tired sigh, She began the walk with nothing but that duffel bag slung across her back as she walked the dirt path that was supposed to lead her to town based off the signs

Then she came across a larger sign that read “WELCOME TO PINE POINT! POPULATION: 1,200” Small town, She took one step into the town lines and was instantly greeted by two older men

“Veronica Gore?”

She tensed up slightly at the use of her full name “Ronnie” She corrected, narrowing her eyes at the two men while the shorter one of the pair rushed over to shake her hand “Oh, it is so lovely to meet you! I'm Frankie and this is my husband, Sawyer!” He exclaimed

Ronnie pulled her hand away slightly “Uh-huh… Nice to meet you too” She muttered “We’ve already got you enrolled in school and we cleaned up our storage room for you!” Frankie replied “Darling- Your crowding her…” Sawyer spoke up

He carefully pulled Frankie away from the girl with a sigh “I'm sorry, Ronnie… He- we are just excited, It's our first time fostering” Sawyer explained “Do either of you know how to even take care of yourselves?” Ronnie scoffed

Sawyer glared at her slightly “We uh- read your background, So we’ll let the attitude slide for the first few days since your adjusting” Sawyer said “Let's show you around! You start school tomorrow since its currently Spring break” Frankie smiled

“You are going to love it here! Its such a lovely town-” “A town with less people than a newly built graveyard” Ronnie replied as she stared at the ground and began walking away from the two causing them to speed up their pace to catch up

“She’ll be a handful…” Sawyer sighed “Kids are like plants, right? With enough love and care, They’ll blossom!” Frankie reassured him

“Im going out” Ronnie announced as she took an old coat off of the rack then put it on “Be back before ten!” Frankie told her but Ronnie ignored him, She pulled the hood over her head before stepping outside feeling the cold breeze on her face

She sat down on the porch stairs and then took off she shoes, replacing them for an old pair of purple rollerblades with dark pink wheels and tons of stickers all over it. She stumbled up before getting her balance

She bent her knees slightly then pushed off with one foot while using the other to glue through the streets, Soon forming a steady rhythm as She traversed the ancient roads of Pine Point and eventually screeching to a halt in front of a movie theater with the posters looking as if they havent been changed in several years

She slowly took a few small steps, slightly sliding as she entered the theater through its automatic doors “Uh- Hello?” She called out looking around “Welcome to the pine point theater. Do you have tickets or want to buy some?” A tired voice asked from the counter

“Neither? You have a hiring sign outside” Ronnie replied “Oh- I forgot to take that down” The person behind the counter said reading a magazine with their feet up on the counter before they looked Ronnie up and down

“You're new. People around here know that the sign there has been up for over four years”

“But, Lucky for you. I'm firing somebody today since they decided it would be great to-… Allow things to happen during movies” They added “Names Ace. Before you ask, It isn't my birth name because guess what? Non-binary”

Ronnie just looked between Ace and the door “I… don't care? I just want a job?” Ronnie mumbled “You're hired. Manager by the way” Ace replied then shooed Ronnie away “HEY GIN! YOUR FIRED!!” Ace shouted

“THANK FUCKING GOD!” A girl groaned as she came out of one of the empty theater rooms “CAN YOU NOT SWEAR?! WE HAVE FUCKING CUSTOMERS!” Ace yelled as Gin narrowed her eyes at Ronnie

“Veronica?” “Ginger?”

Ace blinked “Get the fuck out of here now” They demanded looking back down at their magazine while the two girls left “Ronnie, God i- what are doing here!?” Gin asked “I could ask you the same thing…” Ronnie shrugged

“Well after Grandad died, We inherited his old house which turned out to be here. Apparently, he worked in those old mines” Gin explained “You?” She tilted her head “Foster care…” Ronnie sighed

“Aren't you eighteen-” “Seventeen… Just gotta wait until these guys are done with me or my birthday…” Ronnie interrupted “Wow-… Well, Let's make up for old times! We used to be best friends, right?” Gin grinned

“Wha-” “Yeah, C’mon! Gin and Ron! You can cheer with me, go on double dates or even have a girls night!” Gin exclaimed “Uhm- Id rather not… do that, It doesn't really sound… Fun to me” Ronnie admitted

Gin’s smile faltered for a moment as she glared for just a few seconds “…” “Gin?” Ronnie asked “… It's fine! Dont worry about it, We can do something you'd wanna do!” Gin told her “Gin-… I'd rather just spend time alone for the first few days” Ronnie said