1// ~Tranquility~

^Whatever name is in the little picture up above shows whose pov the chapter is in, in case anybody didn't know. 😊

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⚠️TW: talks of death and abuse⚠️

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The weight of the basket is heavy in my hand, my feet pressing down on the cobblestone path below me, worn down from the years of nature... and me, I think giggling to myself.

Everyday without fail I walk down this path, through my backyard, no matter the weather. I mean who else would feed the duckies if I'm not here.

I know, I know, they can probably find food on their own, at least that's what gramma says.

"They live in the wild dear, it will be okay if you need to take a break for a day," she would say to me softly.

Well, that may be true but, as long as I'm here I would still like to feed them, to know that they are better off because of me. Plus, they are so fluffy and adorable!

I reach the end of the path, stepping onto the soft, and lush grass. As I place the basket down, I crane my head up and look out to the little pond in my vision, scouring for the sight of my friends.

I spot them quickly, to my right, and they waddle up to me, probably knowing that I'm here for them.

Opening the basket, I retrieve my 2 pieces of bread and proceed to rip them apart and sprinkle them around me, allowing the ducks to nibble on them as I do so.

Once I'm done I sit down on the grass on watch them grazing around. This is my favorite part of the day!

The sun warm on my face, wind blowing my brown hair ever so slightly.

You see, this is really the only time I'm allowed to be completely on my own. Grammy says that when I go out she should really go with me in case something happens.

I'm not really sure what she means but, Grammy is always right - usually - so I listen to her.

It's not like I've never gone out alone, I do sometimes, after much persuading from me, but that's usually a very rare occurrence.

She says I'm too innocent for this world, whatever that means. Personally, sometimes I think maybe she just loves me so much and gets lonely without me, so she wants to be with me all the time.

I don't mind though. I love my Grammy. She is always nice, and doesn't yell at me, even if I make a mistake or a mess.

He always did.

My father.

I don't really like to think about him all that much. It makes my heart sad sometimes.

After my mother passed way when I was 10 years old in a car crash, dad had to take care of me all by himself. Plus deal with the emotion of losing the love of his life.

He turned mean.

He would always drink this funny smelling liquid and then all of a sudden the way he talked sounded funny, and when he walked, he kinda swayed back and forth a little.

That's when I knew to stay away from him. That's when he didn't like me.

He would yell, a lot. Throw things, and get angry at me. Tell me that it was all my fault.

I thought for a long time that it was. I mean, I'm the one that had dance practice. She wouldn't have been in the car if not for me.

Ya, I was in the car when it happened. I broke my left knee, collarbone, and had a concussion. I'm okay now though!

Grammy took me in once she found out about how mean dad got. Usually he's careful not to make bruises cause then people would see. That's the one thing I'm grateful for, it never got to physical. I guess he forgot about that when he threw his beer bottle at my head.

He had run out. I told him I wasn't allowed to buy anymore for him cause I was only a kid but, he didn't like that answer.

Anyways, living here with Grammy is way better and so much fun! We bake together, sing songs, dance around, and watch movies. She is so so nice to me and I love her from the bottom of my heart.

Once the duckies are all day eating the bread I brought for them, the all flock around me and nuzzle into me, as if to say thank you, before waddling back into the pond together.

They look so happy, I love them so much. I have to get back soon though or Grammy will start to worry something happened, like maybe I fell in the pond by accident.

Even though it only happened once.

Okay, twice.

In my defense, I didn't realize I was going in it. I was just trying to chase after the ducks, and next thing you know, my dress is wet. Honest mistake. I'm sure it happens to a lot of people, right? Ya.

I begin my walk back to the house, skipping along as I go, basket still in hand, except now it's empty.

In just a few short minutes I make it back to the cottage. I've always loved the look of it. Vines branching along the sides, the light cream color almost gleaming in the sun. It brings a sense of safety to me, familiarity.

I swing open the back entrance door and step into the kitchen.

"Grammy, I've back from feeding the ducks," I shout out to her.

She slowly walks in, smile spread across her rosy face, "hi dear, how were they today, they eat up all the bread?"

"Yep, it's all gone. I just love them so much," I squeal.

Grammy comes around the side of the counter and stands next to me, leaning down to press a kiss on my freckled cheek.

I turn my head and smile back at her, shifting the conversation slightly. "Sooo.... what do you want to do tomorrow?" I ask.

"Oh you know I'm not fussy, whatever makes you happy. We can bake maybe, or we can watch a new movie, maybe have a movie marathon, huh?"

I thought for a second, and then responded, remembering the recipe from the cookbook I was looking at earlier in the living room.

"Oouu I would love to make this recipe I saw. I think it was called snickerdoodle cookies," I giggle at the name.

Grammy looks back at me, from gazing out the window, "of course, that sounds like a great idea, I'm not sure if we have any more flour though, I might have to run to the store tomorrow beforehand."

I jump up with enthusiasm, "I can go, don't even worry about it. I'll run to the store, get the ingredients, and be home before you know it, and then we can make the cookies together. Maybe even watch a movie while we eat them later?"

She looks back at me hesitantly, but eventually sighs and responds "okay you may go, but remember you need to be careful. Not everyone out there is as sweet and kind as you are," she smiles at me, "and don't be out to long, just get the ingredients you need and come straight home. I know how distracted you can get." She chuckles at me as she turns around to put away a few dishes left in the sink from dinner.

"You have my word, I promise, no getting distracted. There and back." I reply smiling. I hop off of the stool I had previously perched myself on and went over to the sink to help her put the dishes away.

Task all completed, I told Grammy I was turning in for the night. As I was walking up the stairs I couldn't help but be excited at the fact that I was getting to out tomorrow all by myself. I couldn't wait.

After showering, and putting on my pajamas, I played down in bed, getting comfy with my fluffy bunny, tootsie, and all my blankets. I picked up my book and continued where I left off, slowly succumbing to the inevitable sleep I can never fight. The book slowly dropping from my hands, resting calmly on my chest.

I fall asleep, dreaming of baking snickerdoodle cookies with Grammy tomorrow.

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This is her outfit of the day!

These are her pajamas and tootsie!

Again, you are free to imagine it however you want though! Also, I do not own any of these images, I found them on Pinterest.

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1501 words

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Hi! So, that was the first chapter of the book, and the first chapter I've ever written in my life. Hopefully it was good and you enjoyed it!

You guys can comment any recommendations for what you want to see or if I need to fix anything I'm always open to constructive criticism and opinions!

- lauren 💕