September 2, Wednesday

My dreams have consumed me the past days. Why was I having these dreams? Why was I becoming so connected with this animal? Even in my dreams, I wanted to protect it.

I've become more observant as well. Any where I go I feel as if Grayson is there. I turn a corner and I see him. But he's not there.

After work today Cara is taking me on a tour of the town. The only place I've went to since I've been here is my work place, Cherries and the nearest grocery store.

"Izzy, are you ok?" Becca says scaring the living crap out of me. I must have spaced out or something. A bowl of brownie mix is in my hands but I wasn't moving.

"Yeah sorry. Is there something you needed?" I say trying to pick myself up again. She gives me a confused look before talking.

"Some kids made a mess at the tables and I need you to clean them. I have a lot of customers out here." I nod my head putting the mixture down.

My day proceeds slowly as I make more treats and clean the tables. The other employee was coming to work luckily so I could just stay in the kitchen.

As it got later the sky became darker. I wiped some tables as the bell rang again.

"Hey." Becca said to the customer. I look up to see it's Cara. I give her a smile before cleaning the table completely.

"How's work been?" Cara says sitting down at a table. I went to the back to clean up quickly and take my apron off.

"Busy as always. I thought you were leaving this week?" Becca asks Cara. I hear Cara let out a loud sigh before standing up in her heels.

I come out of the kitchen after making sure everything was clean.

"I was but I decided Id stay maybe another week or two. I'm not ready to go home yet. And Im getting free food at my cousins house so it works out perfectly for me." Cara says and we laugh.

I tell Becca goodbye before I leave with Cara. I follow her to the truck Grayson was driving the first time I saw him. Is he in there?

I felt my stomach erupt in butterfly's at the thought. But as we got closer Cara took the drivers seat. I doubt Grayson was the man to want to sit in the back of his own truck.

I walk over to the passenger side and open the door. I climbed inside finding it a little difficult to get in. Was the truck tall or was I short? Who cares.

"So first I want to show you the shopping center. It very beautiful. There's tons of shops and boutiques I think you'll like."

I nod my head and turn to look out the window. Cara turns on a radio station as we drive to the mall. After both of us singing our hearts out we arrive to our destination.

The mall was still open for it only being 6pm. Cara takes my hand and drags me to the doors. Once inside I feel myself shiver. It was freezing but Cara didn't seem to mind.

"First lets go to my favorite." She said walking quickly away from me. I pick up my paste to catch up to her.

We walk into a store that smells like heaven. It sold candles with lotions and other incense. It wasn't bath and body though. I walk around by myself as it looks like Cara already knew where she wanted to go.

I picked up random candles, smelling them. I pick up random ones that smelt the best deciding I wanted them. I didn't have enough money to go on a shopping spree but it didn't matter.

I go to the counter to buy my candles as I look up to see Cara on a phone call. I could see her getting annoyed the more she talked. She looks over at me like she saw me staring. Cara smiles before turning around where I only see her back.

I wait outside the store for her to get done. As I'm waiting I get a message from Ethan.

"Who is Ethan?" Cara says spooking me. I didn't even know she was behind me.

"A friend from home. We still talk from time to time." I say putting my phone in my pocket. Cara nods slowly before walking away. I follow her around the mall as we go to shops that she thinks I'll like. Which so far I do.

After all of that we drive around town for a little. She points out the shops and good places to eat as we drive. By now it was 8:56pm. I was becoming very tired.

"Let's party this weekend. This might be my last and I wanna go hangout before I leave." Cara pleads with her eyes as we arrive back at the bakery. I wasn't much of a drinker but I loved to dance. I don't know how much I would want to dance in front of people but I needed to get out of my box.

"Sure just text me, Friday or Saturday night?" I ask getting out of the car.

"Probably Saturday. I know you'll be tired after work. Have a goodnight." Cara says. I say my goodbye before jumping into my car. Cara leaves and I follow after her. She was nice.

Exchange by Bryson Tiller