Beyond the Vine- NaNoWriMo

[Tuesday]

Grapevine is the name of this town, where if you blink you miss it. But really who would even want to stop, when the city with excellent shopping was at your fingertips. Sure the town was known for having world famous chili, but no one cares about that, it’s old news. However people of this town have some semblance of hope that one day, this city will be back in it’s prime. Shops line the main road of historic downtown, a place that connects every aspect of the town, and music blares from the intercom systems that lie all around the downtown district. A girl with a plain face moves along the sidewalk, riding atop a blue bicycle with a wicker basket on the handlebars. Her white dress floats along beside her, and her cowboy boots pump the pedals at her feet. Brown eyes whisk back and forth taking in the homeliness of Grapevine, a place that she only has ever left to go to Dallas, which is only some miles away.
Dodging people with an ease that shows she’s a pro, Sophia Medina makes her way to the family store. Here and there the townspeople call out hello’s and howdys, only to receive a swift nod of the head from the girl before she refocus’ on the task at hand. ‘I’m late, I’m late…for a very important date,’ Sophia thinks sarcastically in her mind. Oh how her mother will enjoy the idea of picking on how “unbecoming” it is for a lady to have tardiness. Screeching her brakes to an abrupt halt, she stills in front of the Magic Pen the family owned shop. Sophia eased the bike against the windows and walked in, welcoming the smell of paper.
“Sophia Elizabeth Medina!” A woman’s voice shouted from across the room.
“Somebody’s in trouble,” Laurie said from Sophia’s left.
“Shut up, slut!” She snarled.
Laurie’s face grew cold, but there was no denial. Laurie had been around more boys than Sophia had zits. “At least I’m not a dirty half breed,” Came the icy reply. Sophia’s face grew hot with embarrassment, and she looked away. She hated it when people called her that, which wasn’t often, but when it happened it hurt like a slap to the face. See her mother had been the typical house wife, prim and proper with nothing to worry about except how the lawn looked in comparison to everyone else’s. Except for one hot autumn day when Gracie Medina decided to invite the gardener inside for a glass of lemonade. Which then became a glass of adultery and impregnation, that then resulted in the birth of Sophia. Introducing the horrid name of “Half breed”.
“Sophia!”
“I’m coming, geez! Hold your horses,” Sophia called out, irritated. And began her trek towards the back of the shop. Walking into the closed off section, mainly reserved for birthday parties and other rendezvous, Sophia was immediately assaulted with the mass of paper scattered everywhere. “What on earth have you been up to?”
Gracie glanced around before whipping her attention back to her daughter, “Don’t distract me. I specifically told you to be here at 2 o’clock, and what time is it now? It’s almost 3! Sophia, you know punctuality plays a key role in any young lady’s life. Honestly, it’s like you don’t even want to be married.” Sophia rolled her eyes, because if she were honest with her mother then it would be known that the idea of falling in love repulsed her.
“Don’t roll your eyes. Now come here we just got in the new dress for the city hall cotillion,” her mother said in an excited tone. She reached under the table and brought out an enormous white box, that held the dress that was Sophia’s reminder of her upcoming doom. Sophia took a hold of the box reluctantly and slid it open. “Oh it’s absolutely stunning. It’ll fit your figure perfectly! And all we’ll have to really do is fix those horrible curls of yours, and then the night will be a complete success.”
Gracie held up the dress for her daughter, which she took into her hands with a strong desire to tear the thing to shreds. The dress was pink; no not just pink, it was like the designer had went out of their way to get every disgusting shade of pink possible, and then decided it needed to be even more obnoxious by adding so many sequins that everyone at the cotillion would need to have sunglasses.
“Ugh, Mom! I thought we had agreed to do a simple dress. It was our agreement!” Sophia exclaimed. It was like her Mom had purposely mislead her. She already despised the idea of the cotillion, and now it was made ten times worse.
“Oh honey, this isn’t just for the cotillion, we’re having a celebration for your graduation,” Gracie said as she smoothed out the dress.
“You don’t expect me to wear that, do you? And mom my graduation isn’t till Wednesday.” This years seniors had already been given their diploma’s at the school on their last day, which was Friday. This way family members could come in over the weekend, and during graduation there wouldn’t be an enormous line to get the actual diploma.
“Yes, you are going to wear this dress. And it’s so much more convenient to have the celebration before the actual graduation.”
‘That logic has far surpassed my understanding,’ Sophia couldn’t help but think in her head.
“Now just go into the bathroom and change into the dress so we can see how it fits. And do something with that hair!” Gracie said as she practically shoved Sophia into the hallway.

[Tuesday]

Do something with your hair,” Sophia mocked under her breath. Every year it was cotillion after cotillion. Dress after dress. It was torture for one who was always mocked for her looks. She was fed up with it all, the family, the forced job here at the family business, the name calling. Stress overload had been unraveled, and Sophia couldn’t wait till that lovely age of eighteen came around. Unfortunately that was a month away and she would have to suffer that month under the rule of the Medina family and friends. Sometimes she wished she could just make her escape, but fear always brought her back. The fear of being even more of a disappointment. She wasn’t the pretty glamour girl, and she wasn’t the machine etiquette type either. She was the dreamer of a grand adventure, a girl often lost within the pages of fantasy, a person who could intellectually insult a person without them even realizing it was being done. Sophia made her way towards the bathroom, when a gush of wind whipped through her curly brown hair. She spun around and looked towards the backdoor which was swinging shut. She made her way towards the door, discarding the vibrant dress on a chair. Pushing the door open, she stepped out into the bright sunlight that was raining down on Grapevine.
Sophia looked around and saw her brother tossing some trash into the dumpsters, before he began making his way back to the shop. From what all the ladies in town have said, the boy was “hot”. Sophia could only see the boy who had pretty much lived to make sure she was always annoyed.
“Hey, short stack,” he called out. She rolled her eyes, something that she does often.
“It takes one to know one, Bradley,” She quipped. He glared at her as he pushed past her and headed inside. Sophia sighed, and mentally counted the days till eighteen. She walked down the alley way a bit before she heard the unmistakable sound of a motorcycle coming around the corner. The engine of the metal contraption sputtered as the driver braked directly in front of her. They lifted off their helmet and a young man smiled at her, a smile that made her wary of him.
“Hey there, could you tell me where the old theater is? I’m not from here, so it get’s kinda confusing,” He said as he scratched the back of his head, “I’m Jason by the way.”
“Umm well,” she was slightly surprised, not many people traveled to this puny excuse of a town, “You wanna go the next street over, to the main road. Just follow it down and it’ll be on the left side, you can’t miss it.”
“Thanks… So, do I get a name,” He grinned.
This time she could hear the teasing coming from his voice, “Sophia” she murmured quietly.
“Sophia…That’s pretty. Well Sophie, I hope to catch you later. I’ll be here for the next day or two, we should hang out sometime,” He said as he began to start up his bike, “Come out with me to Tolbert’s tonight. I’ve heard the chili is the best.”
Sophia laughed, this was pretty much why anyone knew of the town. However, this wasn’t the main part of the conversation, the whole being spontaneously asked out on a date thing was.
“Come on, it’s just dinner,” He replied to the silence, obviously noticing her hesitancy.
“Well….okay I guess,” She said reluctantly, at least it would get her mother off her back about never having gone on a date before.
“Awesome! I’ll meet you in the front of this shop, say 7ish?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
He put his helmet on and gave her a wave, before stepping on the gas and zooming off. ‘What have I gotten myself into,’ Sophia thought.
“MOM! HALF BREEDS GOT A DATE!” A shout from the door screamed. Sophia turned and to her horror saw the one and only Laurie, grinning like a cat catching the canary. She was doomed.

[Monday]

((lol. awesome. i especially like the glass full of adultery part. ))

[Friday]

((Yes! That was probably my favorite line too! So epic Great Job Sara! you need to keep going! It's not too late to catch up ))

[Tuesday]

Chapter 2 maybe?

“Mom it’s not a date-date. I just met the guy, so of course it’s not gonna be a huge deal,” Sophia desperately tried to tell her mother. After hearing the news, Gracie had dashed out of the store and returned with several items of clothing. It was an all time record for Gracie. Sophia looked in horror at all the clothes laid out before her eyes, most of which were items that she would never desire to wear in her lifetime.
“Oh Sophia! I thought this day would never come! Wear this one, it’ll make you appear flirtatious and give you a figure,” Gracie announced rather loudly as she held up a frilly blouse and a semi long skirt.
Sophia groaned in annoyance, “I am perfectly capable of dressing myself. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with what I am wearing right now.” She absentmindedly picked at her white dress.
“Oh honey, he’s already seen this drab outfit. And honestly it makes you look a bit slutty,” Gracie said in a rather superior tone. Sophia gaped at her mother, the outfit was not in any way promiscuous! If anything it was more innocent than all the items the rest of the females in the family wore. And that was including Gracie.
“Um excuse me, ma’am? I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions?” A customer said to Gracie. Seeing her mother’s attention being taken away, Sophia made a mad dash for the back office. Throwing herself into the room, she immediately locked the door behind her and collapsed on one of the computer chair. Her fingers dug into her hair, and she glanced at the quietly ticking clock on the wall. It was already 6:30PM, Sophia let out an irritated sigh. There was absolutely no way she would be able to look presentable. ‘Maybe I should just call this off. It’s not like it matters anyway,’ She thought miserably to herself. Sophia leaned back into the chair and closed her eyes, if anything, her time would be much more productive by catching a nap. She was just beginning to relax, when a soft knock at the door startled her to full awareness. Sighing for patience, Sophia heaved herself off the chair and made her way to the door.
“Mom I swear if that’s you with another horrible outfit, you’ve got another thing coming,” She said as she clicked the lock and opened the door. Except it wasn’t her mother of all people, it was Briar. With her bright blue eyes and straight hair, little ten year old Briar stood directly in front of her.
“Briar, what are you up to?” Sophia questioned perplexed. Briar was the youngest at ten, with brown hair and blue eyes and freckles spattered all along her face. Next came Mitchell, a tall for his age boy with blonde hair and the same blue eyes, he would be fifteen come fall. The next one would be Sophia. Then Bradley, and then they ever terribly Laurie. Bradley, Laurie, and Sophia all worked in the shop to help their mother and the business. Although some were unwilling to have the job.
Briar smiled a mischievous smile before hurrying into the now open room. Sophia closed the door perplexed, before Briar began shoving something into her hands. And when Sophia looked down she saw to her amazement a floral skirt, a white tank top, and a navy blue cover up sweater. It was exactly her style of clothing. Something not too flashy and showy, and it was comfortable looking. Plus she could wear her cowboy boots with it.
“Briar! You are amazing!” Sophia exclaimed happily.
Briar grinned up at her sister, “Hurry up and get dressed! We have to make you super pretty for him.” Briar had always admired Sophia out of all her siblings, it was really no surprise that she helped out in her time of need. As quickly as possible she tossed the outfit on, from there Briar took things in her hands. She pushed Sophia down onto a chair and began to brush her long dark brown hair. Sophia winced as tangles from the day were removed, and she felt her little sisters hands doing something with her hair. When it seemed like it was all over Sophia received yet another surprise as Briar pulled out a bag of makeup.
“Oh no! You’re not putting that stuff on me! I don’t want to look like some bimbo like mom,” Sophia cried out desperately. Briar rolled her eyes, a habit she had picked up from Sophia, and forced her to sit back in the chair. She began to apply the dreaded makeup, it was terribly sad that her younger sister new more about appearances than she did herself.
“Ok now I’m done,” Briar said proudly. Sophia jumped up from the chair and walked to the mirror on the wall, and then stared in shock at her reflection

[Monday]

((i like briar, especially her name, it's awesome. lol))

[Tuesday]

What she thought would be horrible results, turned out to make her look soft and delicate. Her hair went down from her shoulders in long waves, and her obnoxious curls seemed to disappear completely. And she didn’t look like her mom, with caked on makeup, no the makeup merely enhanced what she had never been able to see.
“Oh Briar,”
“You can think me later, I need a new bike,” Briar said with a wink. Sophia knew she was just joking, but she would find some way to make up to her dearest of all family members. “Now hurry up and get out front, I’m sure he’s here by now.”
Sophia gave her a smile and brushed her skirt down one more time before turning towards the door. She didn’t know why she was nervous, it wasn’t like it mattered. It wasn’t like this was her prince charming, she hadn’t believed it all her life and she wasn’t going to now. She felt a hand slip into hers, and looked down at Briar. They didn’t have to say anything, it was all there. Briar’s comforting look just said that it was alright to be nervous, but that no matter what everything was going to be alright. And it was true, Sophia knew how to handle herself. She had done so most of her life. So with a determined face she opened the office door and made the first step towards her first date.
She could feel the stares as she made her way through the store, she wasn’t sure if it was her family or the evening customers. Honestly, she didn’t know why anyone would ever want to come to the store, all they did was sell stationary and pens and little knick knacks that no one should ever want. But to each their own.
It was dark outside, she could see that the Main Street lights were already lit. The “nightlife” of Grapevine was waking up. She slid out the front door and gazed up and down the street, she didn’t see him anywhere. ‘Well,’ She thought, ‘it’s still early I guess.’ She moved over to the light post and leaned up against it. Really and truly Grapevine was a rather beautiful town, it was like a hidden emerald embedded in rocks. And the rocks were the cities that took away all the attraction that Grapevine had to give to the world. But she hated being honest to herself, because it would keep her in this town, in this place where dreams were seldom made true. She didn’t have a dream though, or she would think of one and it wouldn’t work out. Or she would decide, with the help of her family, that maybe she ought to stick with something else. A breeze sifted through her hair and she tugged her sweater a little closer. And just when she was about to lose hope and call it a night, there he was in his biker jacket and black jeans.
“Hey, you,” He said with that grin that she remembered from earlier. “You look beautiful.” She blushed at the compliment, having rarely heard it said to her, aside from when Briar said it on occasion.
“Thanks, and you are most certainly late kind sir,” She said with a smirk.
“Well I had to help a buddy at the theater. We can go down there if you want to later. But first,” He said as he took her hand, “Let’s get some food!” And off he dragged her, in the direction of Tolbert’s. They swerved around people, smiling at the families with their children and at the elderly couple that was taking a nightly stroll down Main Street. Bands could be heard inside some of the bars, and as they approached Tolbert’s music and laughter could be heard from within. Jason held the door open for her, something she had always quietly admired when men did this. Men were hitting on the ladies at the bar, and the next wannabe band was stepping up to the stage. All the bands were the same, always hoping to reach the big time, only to have the dreams crushed by reality.
Jason and Sophia made their way towards a table near the center of the restaurant, almost as soon as they sat a perky blonde waitress came over.
“Hey ya’ll, I hope your evenings going well. What can I get you two to drink?” She said in a valley girl style of voice. It was rather annoying, and Sophia cringed at the sound of it. The voice made it seem as though the girl never left middle school, and from the looks of it, she was way past being in her education career. Sophia watched as the girl leaned into Jason, her breasts all over the place. Sophia’s eyes shifted to her rather innocent outfit, and sighed at a certain part of her that was lacking.
“I’ll have a Schlicks,” Jason said in a casual voice. This surprised Sophia greatly, the guy was older than her, but from appearances he didn’t look as old as she thought. But there it was, an I.D. and everything. The girl glanced at Sophia with eyes that screamed, “I could easily have him.” Well of course she could, Sophia was not looking to fight for what would obviously be a long lost battle.
“Dr. Pepper for me, please,” Sophia said as courteously as possible. She then turned her attention to the shiny silverware that was placed neatly beside her.
“Alright, I’ll bring that out for ya’ll,” The waitress said in a sultry voice to Jason. It would figure that this girl would ignore Sophia, when they had never met before in her life. The girl walked away from them, swinging her hips back and forth. Jason stared. This made Sophia very wary of her date in front of her.
“So,” He began shifting his attention back to Sophia, “How is it living here in a tiny town like this?”
“It’s alright, I guess. It’s kinda like living the same day over and over again. With no real change except the weather and the tourists who want to see how a town like this can function. I guess the wineries bring in a lot of people also,” Sophia pondered in a quiet tone.
“I bet you’ve never had an adventure,” He said as he looked at the stage, “Like a real moment where you get up and just not care for a second where life is going to take you. That’s why I like New York. You can always find an adventure there.” A waiter came by with an abundance of drinks on his tray, with a talented skill he pulled down two and put them on our table. Jason reached over and grabbed the frosted glass of beer, and Sophia reached for her Dr. Pepper with ice. Both looked at the other, then raised their glasses and took a sip.
“Well some of us can’t just up and leave their homes,” She said as she settled her drink back onto the table.
“I think you could,” He said, “I really think you could, and I think it would be probably the best thing that has ever happened to you. I think you hate it here, and would sooner leave it.”
Sophia blinked.
“When I leave tomorrow, you should come with me.”
“No.”
“Why not? Afraid?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I can’t leave,” She said harshly, “And why would I go with you? A person who I just met today? I’ve got plans, and a life I’m tryin--”
“No you don’t. You don’t have any plans. You’re going to be stuck here, waiting for your adventure, that will never come,” He said around his glass which was half empty. Sophia looked on at him in shock. Was this what was going to happen to her? Was she going to die miserable from never having seen the world for all it was worth?
“So maybe I don’t have plans, but I do have a family,” She muttered.
“Do you get along?”
“What kind of question is that? We’re family. All families get along,” She said, but it was more like she was trying to convince herself.
“Do you get along?”
And suddenly Sophia wanted nothing more than to curl up in a dark corner, and weep. Because this stranger, this complete and utter stranger. Knew more about her and her personality, than her whole family did.
“I’ve made you sad,” Jason said.
“Only a little.”
Sophia heard a scrapping sound and suddenly Jason was beside her. He reached down and grabbed her hand, and lifted it up to his lips and kissed it. And it felt as if her heart skipped several beats. ‘Why am I feeling this way?’ And suddenly music filled the air, as the first band started to play.
“Let’s dance,” He said as he lifted her up to her feet. It was a country song, one of those cheesy heartfelt ones, that made all the girls swoon. But Sophia didn’t care. She rested her head against his chest as they danced around the dance floor. For once in her life, she just no longer cared.

Chapter 3

The motorcycle echoed down the street as Jason turned it off. They were stopped in front of Sophia’s house. It was late at night, and the house looked gloomy and foreboding. The silence made the hair on the back of Sophia’s head stand out straight. She snuggled closer to Jason and the warmth he provided on this surprisingly cool night.
“I’ll be by to pick you up at 6ish, in the morning,” Jason whispered to her, “Just grab a backpack, and stuff some clothes in there.”
“Alright,” She whispered just as quietly. She was going through with it. After spending the whole evening with Jason, she knew she wanted to have her adventure with him. It wouldn’t work right without him.

[Monday]

((is the cheesy part you were talking about the dancing to the country song? lol. and this guy could be an ax murderer for all she knows! lol))

[Tuesday]

((lol no it was the whole grabbing her hand and kissing it part when he makes her sad lol and HOW DID YOU KNOW?! He totally is an axe murderer rawr!!! JK FALSE!))

[Tuesday]

He started up the motorcycle and stared at her, his piercing blue eyes almost looking into her soul.
“You’re not gonna kill me are you?” Sophia asked only half joking.
Jason laughed, “Of course not. Murder is too messy, plus I don’t want to wind up on the death penalty.” He smiled at her, and rubbed his thumb against her hand, “I promise, everything will be alright.”
Sophia smiled in relief, their hands separated and Jason revved the engine. Sophia stood on the curb as she watched him drive down the street and turn the corner. She stood there for a while and just thought. Could she really leave her family like this? Would they even miss her? Sophia sighed deeply and began the walk up to the door, passing the flower beds that looked dead given the darkness of the night sky. She got up to the door, but she couldn’t bring herself to open it and go inside to pack. She walked across the patio and sat on the porch swing. Sophia tilted her head back, as she gently swung back and forth, and stared up at the moon. As she swung she began to sing softly underneath her breath, “A Lost Family, And wondering if it's all my fault, For all the problems, that came. A family that argues and fights. In truth, not a family.” She hummed quietly into the night. It was her secret hobby that no one knew about. Her love to write poems and songs, she had started this little hobby back when she had first entered her preteen years. Helping her through the difficult times, back when times were even harder than they are now.