NYC Bus Depot
14/01/2016 09:54am

Abbie POV

The bus jolted and I was jarred awake. I was here. I was in New York City. The place I had only ever dreamed of since I was a little girl. The place where I would hope to start my new career. First I needed to gain my bearings. Yeah, I would start small. I stood and reached into the overhead compartment, feeling around for my duffel bag, then pulling it down.

I slung it over my shoulder, grabbing my guitar bag too and walked down the narrow aisle and towards the driver. He was reclining in his seat, filling out a crossword puzzle, but glanced over when I paused in front of him. I offered my best smile like Mama always told me. It was the key to a good first impression with folks. He didn't look impressed and sent me a withering look.

"How can I help you?" He asked, in a tone that meant he wasn't too interested in me.

"Do you know where there any decent hotels?" I smiled.

"There's a Hilton down the road." He replied, staring me down.

"I was thinking something a little less flashy." I murmured.

"Well, there's also a motel just off of 45th street." He shuffled the paper and I knew it was my cue to leave.

I clambered off the bus and the doors snapped shut behind me. I pouted in annoyance. That hadn't gone quite how I planned. I was left standing on the street, watching as other buses pulled up and left. Crowds of people got off and on. I started walking, making my way up the street.

I crossed the street, narrowly avoiding the famed yellow taxi's as they sped down the intersection. Once on the opposite side of the road I had to avoid bumping into people. New York was busier than Rainbow ever had been. We had about 220 people living in that small town and this was so weird.

The signs for the streets weren't too far ahead and I eventually found 45th and was so pleased to get out of the throngs of people. There were less people around and according to the signs I was in a place known as Hell's Kitchen. I found a small motel and was uncertain that this was the place. Nevertheless, I pushed open the door and was greeted by a small foyer.

Across the way was a desk and a guy was sat in a chair, deeply involved in a book. He hadn't really noticed me. I stepped closer and cleared my throat. His eyes shot up and he smiled. He had a sweet and very genuine smile that made his entire face light up.

"Welcome to The Two Swans. How may I help you?" He said, setting his book down.

"I'll be needin' a room if you have any available." I replied.

"You're in luck. We have two rooms available," He said, and his gaze travelled to the guitar bag and he smiled. "So, you're not from round here?"

"No, I'm from Rainbow, Texas," I said. His brows knotted together and I couldn't blame him. Rainbow was a tiny town compared to this bustling metropolis. "It's kinda in the middle of nowhere."

"Ah, right. So, you're a musician?" He grinned.

"No, how'd you guess." I laughed, and he chuckled.

He showed me both the rooms, letting me choose which one I wanted. I picked the largest of the two, dropping my bag on the bed and turning to face him.

"I'm Vic, by the way," He said, as though suddenly remembering. "My partner and I own this motel."

"So, how much do I owe you?" I murmured.

Truthfully, I only had about eighty dollars and that wouldn't buy me more than one night even in small motel like this. I'd have to find a gig fairly quickly or I'd be on the streets. And I didn't want to go back home and face the fury of my parents.

I was supposed to stay in Rainbow and marry Archie. He lived down the dusty road from us and we were apparently meant to be together. But I was nineteen and determined to escape that chosen destiny.

"How about a song?" Vic smiled. Was he serious?

"You're joking right?" I whispered, in shock.

"Nah, you probably don't have much money and it wouldn't be right of me to take advantage," He smiled that adorable smile again. "You do, however, owe Kellin and I a song."

I laughed and he tossed me the key and left the room. I sat on the bed, emptying my duffel bag out and digging around for my journal. I would need to work hard and attend some auditions.

************************

GreenView Heights
14/01/2016 10:26am

Kacee POV

"Your father will have the rest of the goods delivered to you." Mum said.

She had come along with me, helping me to move in as she put it. All she had done so far was barked orders at myself and her PA, Rochelle. I got along great with Rochelle and we joked as we bought in boxes. She knew all about my situation with my Dad and was very understanding. Mum had been insistent that everything was done early and conviniently.

My furniture had been delivered at eight thirty this morning. I only needed a sofa, which Dad would provide. I was certainly a lucky girl, if you could call it that. All the things I'd been bought were expensive, but as the saying goes, you can't buy someone's love and I definitely didn't feel like I loved my Dad that much right now.

Mum stayed for a bit, chatting away and discussing how my rent would be paid and how all the bills would be covered. I sat and listened patiently. Dad was paying for everything, but I was determined to be the one paying for it all in the end. I would get a job and save my money. I would work two jobs if it got me out of my Dad's control.

"Look at you, growing up." Mum gushed.

She'd purchased an expensive bottle of Champagne and insisted we have some. Mum never did well with alcohol and neither did I. I hardly ever drank it, preferring root beer and milkshakes. I guess I'll never know what I was missing when I was holed up in my bedroom with no friends. There were perks to having a Dad like mine, I guess.

Rochell had politely refused the champagne and settled on a cup of coffee. she was such a patient woman for putting up with Mum. I would definitely miss Mum and Rochelle. I was near tears when it got to half eleven and they had to leave.

I hugged Mum and near enough refused to let go. Rochelle stood on the sidelines, looking on. She'd have to get mum sobered up before Dad got home.

"Please take care, Mum." I pleaded.

"Don't worry, darling. I have Rochelle here to help me." She chuckled.

"Look after her, please." I begged Rochelle.

"I will." She hugged me too.

And then they were gone. I was left in the appartment on my own and i was very aware of how alone I was now. I was an eighteen year old girl in Manhattan without anyone. Without anything left to do, I decided to go shopping for food.

The hallway outside was quiet and I listened for the faint sound of a television or people with kids, but I was met with dead silence. A door across the way opened and a woman appeared. She was pulling a mobile shopper behind her. Her hair was frizzy and she was fumbling a bit with the keys.

"Um...Hi." I called, and she squeaked, dropping the keys.

She seemed to forget them and whirled round to face me. I was caught off guard when she approached me. She pulled out something from the inside of her rain jacket and I realised it was a black camera. She lifted it and snapped my picture, then grabbed her shopper and keys, disappearing into her appartment, leaving me in stunned silence.

"She's always like that." A voice said.

I turned to see an elderly gentleman walking down the hall, two shopping bags on either arm. He chuckled but seemed to be struggling. I rushed over and he seemed grateful of the help. He lived three doors down from me.

"I'm Terrance, by the way." He said, as he set the bag onto the kitchen counter.

"Kacee Hanley." I smiled.

"Well, Kacee, I take it that you're new here, given Jodie's reaction a moment ago." He set down a glass of juice for me.

"D-did she really take my photo?" I asked, barely believing it.

"Yeah, she sure did. Jodie takes everyone's picture on this floor. If you make too much noise or are a pain in the ass, she reports you. Yeah, she ain't shy 'bout it." Terrance shook his head.

"So, who else lives on this floor?" I asked.

He seemed to stop thinking about Jodie and then he smiled.

"Well, there's me, you've met Jodie. There's a couple next door to you. I don't know everyone, mind you. Diagonally opposite you is a young man." He said, and my eyes shot up.

A chance for meeting someone my age would be great. I would have preferred a girl as boys made me a little flustered, but it was ok.

"That got your interest, didn't it?" Terrance laughed.

"Is he a nice guy?" I asked.

"Seems it. Very quiet. Don't say too much. I hear he has a smart mouth though according to Eileen next door." He replied.

I nodded and made a note to keep my eye out for this smart mouthed guy. I thanked Terrance for the water and left him. I loitered in the hall for a few minutes, waiting to see if anyone would appear. Thankfully, Jodie didn't make a reapperance, but neither did mystery guy.

*************************

Mickey's Diner, 9th Avenue
14/01/2016 12:38pm

"These things are damn strange." Annaliese said, glancing at CC and Ringo.

The three of them were sat in a booth at Mickey's diner. She was eating donut and trying to wander at the flavour of the thing.

"Have you ever asked Mickey the flavour?" CC grinned, glancing at Mickey.

Mickey was a towering man, who spoke no English. The only words he seemed to know were words like Fuck and Shit. Annaliese guessed he'd taken the time to only learn the neccessities at this point. He mainly spoke in his native Greek. His wife, Alma spoke really good English and would often translate.

"Since he's such an agreeable person." Ringo grinned too.

Mickey wasn't agreeable at all. He hated all his customers equally. Annaliese took another bite and chewed, trying to guess the flavour.

"Any luck with the congressman's daughter?" She asked.

"We won't be able to find her," Ringo replied, shrugging. "This city is huge. She could be anywhere."

"Good point, dude." Annaliese sighed, shifting in her seat.

A few more people walked through the door and were greeted by Mickey. Whether they were hungry or too scared to leave, they came and hastily sat in a booth. This was seriously annoying.

"Mickey?" Annaliese called, and the Greek man stormed over. "What's in these donuts?"

He glared at them, taking in their facial expressions then he spoke in Greek, quickly and with fury evident on his features. There were a lot of hand gestures and Annaliese just stared blankly, arching her eyebrow a little.

With his tirade done, Mickey stormed off. Well, that had been a pleasant experience. The three of them stayed still for moment until CC started snickering.

"My god, he looked like he was going to explode," Ringo laughed, setting his head on the table, and allowing his fringe to brush in front of his blue eyes.

"He was going purple." CC sputtered.

Annaliese rolled her eyes and sighed loudly. So much for that. She could have asked Alma, but the older woman looked very busy today.

"He probably wipes his arse with 'em." A voice said and Annaliese turned to see John leaning against the edge of the seat.

"Shut up." She laughed.

Mickey seemed to spot his arch nemesis from a mile away and he straightened up, glaring at John.

"You. Out." He snarled.

"He remembers the time you wrote rude things in the toilet, you see." Ringo said.

"All right, I'm going." John chuckled, before disappearing.

"He's such a trainwreck." Annaliese smirked.

"Nah, he's cool." CC defended. Ringo shrugged, but didn't bother denying it.

All four of the assassins were a trainwreck. They had the highest body count of any of the mafia's assassins.

"Total trainwreck." She said again.

Mickey was eyeing them now so they paid and left.

Notes