PART 2

Uriel POV

"Wake up sweetie," mom places a soft kiss on my cheek. I let my eyes flutter open. What time is it?

The red numbers show that it is a little after noon.

A groan escapes my mouth as cold air makes contact with my newly exposed skin.

"Come on honey, you have to get up or you will be late," mom tosses my blanket at the foot of my bed before turning and leaving my room.

My eyes flutter shut as I relish in the few seconds I have before I have to tackle the trials of the day.

"Get up Uriel," my brother, G, pulls my deadweight off my bed and onto the freezing hardwood floor.

I sigh pushing myself off of the ground.

"Must everyone around here be a morning person," Niv just ignores my wines and gently ushers me into my bathroom.

"Poor you, having to wake up and be productive," sarcasm laces his voice.

I glare at the back of his head as he leaves the bathroom shutting the door behind him. Groggily I walk over to the sink and splash some cold water on my face. I step into the shower letting the warm water cleanse the dirt and grime from the previous day off of my body. I finish washing every inch of my body slowly before stepping out. I turn the water off and walk over to the sink with a towel wrapped around my body.

I admire myself as I brush my teeth. My loose curls cascade down past my shoulders. The natural light purple shimmers through my naturally gray hair. My amethyst eyes shimmer from underneath my long eyelashes as I turn my head to reach different angles of my mouth. Smile lines and dimples become prominent as I place my teeth together to brush the front. My caramel skin is clear free of any unwanted blemishes. I rinse my mouth out and get ready for my first day in my new town.

After countless outfit changes, I settle on white blue jeans a white shirt with a light brown jacket with matching knee-high boots. I put my hair in a high bun before leaving my room. Our house now is smaller than the mansion we lived in before mom and dad divorced. I walk past the great window in the living room looking out at the trees that replaced the concrete view the mansion provided. I have to admit that I much rather live out here than in the large city. Everything is so much more alive here. I pull the window open letting in the fresh air.

"It really is amazing here,"Niv stands beside me with two mugs in his hands.

He hands me one and moves to sit down in the recliner facing the window. I press the warm clay mug against my lips as I admire the dancing birds in the trees. I feel my mother come and hug me from behind placing her head on my shoulder.

"It sure is lovely," we all stay where we are not wanting the scene before us to disappear.

"Come along now Uriel the shop won't open itself," she takes my now empty mug from my hands and places it in the sink.

I hear the front door open and close completely bringing me out of my trance. I turn around to face my loving brother letting a deep sigh pass my lips.

"I wish it did," I mumble causing Niv to laugh at my actions.

It was always nice to see him happy. His caramel eyes always lit up with the most enchanting light. His low cut curls accent his sharp facial features perfectly. If he cut his hair a little shorter he would be a carbon copy of our father. Niv never did like the similarity between him and dad, but now he has a reason not to like being compared to him. A loud beep comes from the garage causing both of us to shake our heads.

"Better get going before she drags you out of here," Niv walks over giving me a hug and a kiss on the head.

I quickly slide into the car before mom could leave me behind. I stare out of the window at the passing trees. I am so glad we moved here.

"We are open for business," mom yells with a cheesy grin on her face as she turns over the open sign.

This is the first time in months that she has been truly happy. Dad really did a number on our family.

"Put this on," mom hands me a maroon apron that I wrap around my waist.

Mom walks over to a group of middle age ladies who walk in. Her honey brown eyes glow as she talked to them. Her mocha skin glows as she glides through the shop picking up books and trinkets to show to the ladies. The smile on my face grew as I watched her. I make my way to the coffee bar.

My head snaps in the direction of the door when I hear the tiny bell rings.

Niv walks in dressed in ripped jeans and a plain white shirt and matching hightops. I turn my attention back to the group of women following my mom to see that they are pointing at Niv and talking to my very amused mother.

"Excuse me miss, I would like a blueberry muffin to please," Niv fakes a British accent as he recites his order to me.

I move over to the glass case and place his muffin on top of the display. Niv pays for his muffin before taking a seat at the closest table. A few minutes after finishing his muffin Niv decided to go to visit his college campus. He bid mom and me farewell which caused the woman that were now eating sweets and drinking coffee to gush over how charming he is. I rolled my eyes in secret not, if only they lived with him. customers started to show up as the time neared noon. I took my time to observe every person who entered the shop. Most were middle age and elderly women. They all seemed to be fascinated with the books more than anything else. Every person that entered the shop left with at least one book in their hand. I would expect nothing less from my mom though. She was very persuasive when she wanted to be and very passionate about books. SHe is the reason I was able to have my 2 bachelors degrees at the age of 19.

"Sweetie you can leave early, Samantha just showed up for her shift,"I look to my right and see a slightly younger girl with short brown hair and dark blue eyes stands beside me at the counter.

We exchange greetings before I hand her my apron. I kiss my mom on the cheek before leaving to explore the town. The streets weren't nearly as busy as the ones in the city were. The roads were clear of any trash and plants littered the area. Nearly every storefront had at least two perched in front to greet shoppers.

I make my way towards our house.

I text mom that I am going to explore the forest near our home before heading in that direction. I walk little ways into the forest before stumbling upon a little stream. I bend down placing my hand in the cold flowing liquid. I spot a group of along the deer prancing on the opposite side of the stream. Hopefully, they will give me inspiration. I take my leather notebook out and continue onto my previous poem, well attempt to. The words don't come as easily as they use to. I let my hair free from the bun I placed it in this morning and lay my head against my bag. The sweet sounds of nature flood my ears as my eyelashes brush my cheeks.

I love this place, is the last thought I have before drifting off into a peaceful slumber.