The Prophecy

Stopping a short distance behind them, I watched in fascination as Mom smiled, looked at Billy Jo through under her eyelashes, and gave off the perfect impression of a helpless female. I could almost feel the testosterone level in Billy Jo building up. She had him wrapped around her little finger.

She laid her hand gently on Billy Jo's forearm. “Is this safe?”

He scratched his head while looking at the SUV in question. “Well ma'am, that there is a Chevy Equinox. It's got four wheel drive, which is good for when it gets snowy and the like. Plus, there's plenty of airbags and the brakes on it are top of the line.”

“That sounds wonderful. You must know a lot about cars.” I swore if his chest puffed up anymore it would pop. Manly pride was a killer. “Star, darling, why don't you come over here and look at this nice vehicle.” I was so focused on watching mom work Billy Jo over that I failed to pay attention to the car they were talking about. I headed over, dreading what she had picked out. It was perfect. Smooth lines swept along the length of it, giving it a feeling of beauty as well as dependability. The deep metallic black practically gleamed in the sunlight.

“Wow.” I couldn't help but stare. I walked forward and placed my hands gently on the driver side window, looking into the interior.

“Now, if ya want a different color, I'm sure we can order one for ya. Maybe a nice blue or silver. Something light that y’all girly types like.”

I paused, mentally calculating how much he must know about fashion and figured he was a complete idiot. My ensemble was anything but girly. I didn't even own anything girly. Today I wore tight black acid washed jeans, a hot pink tank top with an off the shoulder black half tee on top and my knee high boots. It was not girly. I rolled my eyes and composed my face into a serious mask. “I like black. It's dark, just like my soul.”

Mom stared at me in disbelief. I smirked and turned back to the vehicle. It wasn't my fault that hillbilly had no sense of humor. I ignored Mom's airy laugh as she tried to make up for my sarcasm.

“Now, how much does this beauty cost?”

“Well.... The base price for it is eighteen thousand...” Billy Jo started to say.

I looked over my shoulder at the sound of Mom's gasp. She was standing with her hand over her heart. Her wide eyes looking like weeping pools of amethyst.

“That's just the asking price!” he sputtered out quickly. “Since this isn't the latest edition, and we've been needin' to get it off the lot since the best sellers are trucks and the like. And since y’all are so nice and just moved here and everything, I can offer it to ya at… Twelve thousand!”

I was shocked, even with the best arguments, I didn't think they'd be able to get the price down below sixteen, but Mom went and dropped it by six grand just by looking like a wounded deer. I definitely needed to learn that. I shook my head, hoping to snap my mind out of its stupor.

“That's perfect! Paul, you can take it over from here.” She smiled in triumph as she walked over to me. My eyes moved between her and Billy Jo, amused at his stunned reaction.

“Mom, you're my hero.”

“I'll teach you the tricks of the trade later. Oh, and Billy Jo?” She called over her shoulder, cranking up the volume of her smile again, “Would you be a dear and get the keys for Starlette? She'll be walking around this lovely town while my husband and I fill out all the necessary paperwork. I don't want her to have to wait around for us when there are plenty of other activities that she could be enjoying.”

I watched as he jumped to do her bidding, quickly walking over to the key box, unlocked it and dug around for the SUV's keys and grabbed a temporary plate. He barely paid me a second glance as he handed them over, his attention once again focused on Mom as he was attaching the plate to the SUV. The sound of Dad clearing his throat jerked him back to the present. With a sheepish smile he began herding Dad into the office. Staring after them, I watched as Dad turned around and gave me a knowing wink.

 With a quick hug, Mom trailed after her husband and the smitten car dealer. “Be home by dinner!” she called over her shoulder. Staring after my parents, I couldn't quite comprehend the scene she was just privy too. I shook my head and smiled brightly as I turned toward my new car. I couldn't believe it was mine! I let out a happy sigh as I started it up, sending a happy beep of goodbye as I drove away. I was determined to keep the day as upbeat as possible.

Chapter Five

Heading toward the historic downtown area, I breathed the new car smell deeply into my lungs. I couldn't erase the large, cheesy smile that continued to stay plastered on my face. Looking for a parking spot, I smoothly parallel parked in front of a hunting store. Jumping out of the car, I quickly hit the power locks, and made my way down the bricked sidewalk. Glancing over my shoulder to look at my car, I prayed no one would be stupid enough to either bump into it or scratch it. That's all I needed, having something happen to it on the day of purchase. Mom and Dad would love me for that.

With my head held high, I walked down the street, looking from shop to shop for something that would peak my interest. 'Hunting... fishing... general store... shoe repair... seriously, doesn't this town have something worthwhile?' At the end of the block, I noticed The Nook was still bustling with people. Curious, I dashed across the street and stepped inside the store. My eyes widened as I took in shelf after shelf of books.

The Nook was filled with natural light from the wall of windows. Against the left side was a little cafe selling different types of coffee concoctions as well as pastries. I took in a healthy sniff of the caffeine flavored air, still catching the musty scent of old and new books underneath the pleasing aroma from the little cafe.

Walking slowly around, I scoped out the book section. Little reading nooks were scattered throughout the store, offering a comfy place to relax and read. Must be where the name came from. Toward the back, a spiral staircase led up to the second floor. Before I could proceed further, a girl about my age stepped in front of me.

“Can I help you?” She asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms across her chest while cocking her hip to the side. My anger started to slowly rise at her small act of hostility.

I looked her over. She was pretty, with chin length black hair that had sweeping bangs that covered one of her finely arched eyebrows. Hot pink strips ran throughout it, giving it a chic punk look. Her wide, slightly tilted, emerald green eyes were burning with resentment. Her face was all soft angles, giving her an elven air. While being at least four inches shorter than my own petite 5'6'' frame, I was slightly impressed that the girl could give off such a powerful presence.

She wore tight black pants with an equally tight black t-shirt tucked into them. A hot pink logo on her left breast pocket stated the stores name, along with the girls' name. Rosemary, what a bad choice in name for this chick. She should have been named something harder, like Bertha. “I was just looking around.”

“Well, if you're not going to buy anything, feel free to leave.” She stated simply, gesturing toward the door.

Startled, I placed my hands on my hips and leaned slightly toward her. “Dude, what is your problem?”

“I don't like your types just wondering around, disturbing the customers.”

“My type? What, do I have bank robber stamped across my forehead or something?”

“Try out of town spoiled rich girl, just looking for some trouble to mess with the local hillbilly’s.”

“Excuse me?” Yes, my family may have been better off than others, but we were nowhere near rich. The only reason they were even able to buy the house and the car was because of what we got when we sold the house in LA. I knew that until my mother finished her new book that money would be pretty tight.

She rolled her eyes and started walking toward the cafe. “You heard me, now leave.” I felt thoroughly dismissed which pissed me off.

I stalked after her, anger flushing my face. She was already behind the counter of the cafe, whipping up a