Chain Reaction 3.14: Slice of Pi

Jarvis

      I stayed in my tent for three days, only leaving to take a piss or grab something to eat or drink. Not that I ate or drank much. It didn't matter. As soon as I came back here after walking away from that girl, I threw up the little bit of hamburger I'd eaten. My stomach didn't act interested in refilling what it had lost.

     I did a lot of sleeping. If it weren't for my phone, I'd not know what day it is. And I hate looking at my phone. The home screen is a picture of her.

     A few hours ago, I forced myself to get up and take a bath, eat some yogurt, stuff like that.

     I feel hollow. There's no point to anything anymore. When did she become such an important part of my life? I guess it would make sense. I was a scared kid who found a friend. Even as a young teen, I was still lonely, even though I'd never admit it, not even to myself.

     This isn't how it was supposed to be! Whatever happened to my dream of becoming self reliant? Most of my life has been all about survival, even when living in the 'lap of luxury' with my step-father. He never liked me, and I was probably a smart kid to fear for my life. I was the literal redheaded stepchild, unwanted. I was okay with that. I didn't need them.

     That's it. Maybe it was the fact that Lottie needed ME, even if at the start it was just to defeat boredom.

      Don't think her name! I've gotten really good lately at not thinking her name. Thinking it hurts too much.

      I don't need anyone. I can do this alone. I'm a self-sufficient sim, a party of one, a one-man show. I don't need her. I don't! She's just a weight on my shoulders. She'll hold me back. I need to do this on my own--if for nothing else than to prove I can do it. 

     My breath catches in my throat, and I fight off crying again. I'm sick of that. I've done way too much of that. There is no sense in crying like a child who has lost his favorite toy. It doesn't accomplish anything except making me feel miserable. And I don't have time for that. It's already bad enough that the flea market is tomorrow again and I have pretty much nothing to sell, certainly not enough to make renting a table worth it.

      I miss her.

     Ugh! Shut up, Jarvis! Get over it! It's better this way. 

     I get up to go see if I can find anything in the nearby parks. I don't catch as much unwanted attention at night.

     And so, for months, this is my life. I think about her every day whether I want to or not. To combat it, I throw myself into saving money. It's especially lucrative when I make some key trades at the flea market. I have places in the woods where I've stashed my buried jars of cash. No map. I remember.

     One day, I get a really crazy idea.

     I just wanted to see her. The way I approach the house has me showing up at the side, and I see a flash of red hair from the back of the house, so I carefully make my way back there, staying in the foliage.

     She's gotten herself a workbench, and she acts like she's pretty adept at working with it. I have to smile when I hear her muttering to herself. I'm too far away to hear it clearly, but that's her voice. That's her hair.

     Suddenly, I have no idea what to say should I walk up to her, and I fear I'm about to be sick in the bushes here just thinking about it. I hate my lame stomach. It's been so long since I've seen her. All I'd need would be a simple 'hi.' Oh, but then I'd probably get treated with a glare. Then she'd probably yell at me, accuse me of abandoning her, and tell me to get lost. It's pointless.

      Sighing quietly, I leave.

     I turn eighteen. I'm a legal adult. I open a real bank account and start slowly depositing my money into it. As I watch the number climb, I'm astounded at the amount.

     I buy a store.

     Wait. I didn't say that right.

     I BUY A STORE!!!

       My heart thumps in my chest as I walk up to it for the first time as the owner of the place. It's amazing that it's mine. The place is a real dump, but it's mine. It's over 100 years old. Plumbing for the building was an afterthought, and I'm pretty sure the electric is original, meaning it's a serious hazard that will have to be fixed, but it's mine!

     The first floor will be the store, and I'm going to live on the second floor. I have an apartment! No more living on my step-father's land! A home and a store all in one.

      Is this real? My breathing sounds loud in my ears.

      Before me is the front entrance. There's a back entrance that's right by the stairs that lead upstairs that only I will use.

      My hands shake as I unlock the door.

     Home. I quickly wipe under my eyes.

      I did it! I have arrived! I finally have my slice of the pie. I've been saving almost my entire life for this moment, cutting corners whenever possible, even if it means wearing girly-pink shoes. (no idea why they'd make mens sneakers in that color--that's why they went on clearance)

      It's beautiful. In my mind, I picture the large room full of trinkets and knickknacks, collectibles that people want to buy. And I can charge full price.

      The first thing I need will be some kind of shelf displays. I'll need some kind of tables and whatnot in the middle of the room. How can I get those for a good price? Maybe I can find a going-out-of business sale somewhere that will sell me their displays. Maybe I could buy direct from the manufacturer. 

      It hits me.

      I know someone who might be able to build me some shelves... Well, after she fusses at me and tries to say she won't do it. But I'll offer a good deal, especially since it's her. 

      And this means I have a real excuse. I smile. I smile all the way to her house, imagining showing her my new place and what she might say about certain aspects of it.

      However, my smile leaves me when I'm greeted by an unwelcome sight once I get to her house.

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I have Jarvis' House of Treasured Junk up for download in The Gallery. It's in a more-advanced-than-this-chapter state, though. I don't think it contains spoilers. Just some pics of Lottie, if those transfer.