The Town of Clarksville

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” he asked as we were walking. We passed by the pancake house.

“That is the third time I was asked today,” I said, chuckling a little. “Are the people here really know each and everyone living in here?” I asked him.

He grinned, “Of course." he said, nodding. Everyone in this town knows each other. If you are trying to find someone, you can always ask the first person you come across with. He or she will always point you to the right person you are looking for.” He explained. I nodded. I guess I picked the right town for me.

“I’m so happy that I moved to a friendly town,” I told him.

“Do you have relatives in here?” he asked. We were already far from the market. This place is where the houses are mostly.

“No. I moved in here alone.” I told him. We were close to my house so I got my key from my pocket. When we reached the porch of my house, he put the boxes he is carrying on the floor then he got the flowers and the box of the moon lamp in my hands.

“Thank you,” I told him. I inserted the key at the knob and I opened the door. “Come in,” I said and got the flowers and the box from his hands. He got the boxes from the floor. I went inside and he followed me. I went straight to the living room and put the flowers on the coffee table. I put the box of the moon lamp on the floor.

“You got a nice home.” He said. “I think this was Mrs. Clarkson’s house. Her husband got a job at the neighboring town so I suppose they moved in there.”

I smiled at him. “Please sit down and just put the things on the floor,” I told him. “I don’t know anything about this house because my Mom was the one who bought it for me. She also had this renovated before I moved in yesterday.” I said.

He nodded as he put the boxes down beside the coffee table. “Oh, I see.” He sat on the couch. “How old are you, by the way?” he asked.

“I’m 18,” I told him when I sat down beside him. “You?”

“I’m 18, too. Are you in your last year in high school?” he asked as he looks around the living area.

“Yeah, I’ll be enrolling next week,” I said.

He nodded. “You want to enroll with me?” he asked. “I’ll be enrolling next week, too.”

I nodded at him and smiled. Thank God I had a friend here. It will not be difficult to live in a neighborhood where you know no one.

The next day,  I went to the town again with Cayden. He toured me around the town’s market. After we got tired, he decided to take me to the lake.

When we were there, I realized that I’ll never regret living in this town. It is so peaceful, the people are friendly, and everything you need is already here.

I sat on the ground beside Cayden. He put a blanket like we were on a picnic when in reality, we just bought this earlier when we were walking around the town then he thought of bringing me here.

“Thank you, Cayden.” I turned to him and smiled. I saw him eating the banana we bought from the market, too.

He swallowed the food in his mouth first before answering. “My pleasure. I don’t have anything to do, so might as well use my time to tour my new friend in town.” He smiled then took a bit from the banana he is holding.

I looked at the lake again and sighed. this is the life that I have been dreaming of. I am just so happy that I could live normally in this town.

When it was getting dark, we went back to the center of the town to eat dinner. We just ate at a pizza parlor then we decided to go home already. Cayden walked me home.

“Here.” He said as he gave me the things I had bought from the market. “I won’t get inside. I have to go home now.” He said then he smiled at me.

I moved forward and hugged him. “Thank you for today,” I said and tightened the hug.

He hugged me back and tapped my back. “You are always welcome, my friend.” He said.

We let go of the hug before he stepped back while waving at me. I waved back then he turned around to walk home.

I inserted the key on the knob then turned it. I went inside my house,  turned on the lights, then closed the door behind me. I locked the door before I went to my room.

I removed the scarf from my neck. I also removed my coat leaving me with my knitted top and fitted pants. I also removed my black boots before I went to my closet to find my PJs.

I went to the bathroom to take a half bath. I also changed my clothes in the bathroom. When I was done, I went to bed. I opened my phone and opened my i********: account.

When I got tired of scrolling, I decided to sleep.

That was my routine for my first week in Clarksville. Sometimes, I would hang out with Cayden in the market, or the lake. There are also days where we only stay at my house and eat burgers and pizza while watching reality shows.

“You like watching reality shows, huh?” he pointed out after the whole week he was here, enduring watching reality shows with me.

I laughed, “Why? You don’t like watching it?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Actually, no,” he said, honestly.  “I like watching sci-fi movies and series, but not reality shows. “ he shrugged. “But I guess I can tolerate this.” He said, chuckling.

I smiled at him. “Aw, thank you!” I hugged him.

“Ew! Move away from me!” he joked, pushing me a little bit.

We laughed at each other. I am just so happy that I found a friend like him.