The following Monday came faster than expected for me. The weather storm that came through last week blew over just as fast as it had come and nobody spoke of it since then. Even the weather channel was quiet about it.

             During that same time I had managed to finishall my projects that needed doing and got an A- in the pop quiz today. It wasn’t what I wanted but I didn’t let it bother me; I didn’t need another big blow out again. Explaining the different robotic AI’s in Mr. Bit’s class wasn’t that hard, either. The class loved my explanation and the he gave me a high grade for it. What it was though I didn’t know as grades for that are posted once a week, so I’d have to wait till Friday. But he had a big smile on his face as he marked down my results.

Cocoa also had a good weekend, managing to score a job at the hot chocolate shop, unpaid of course. She was lucky she asked at an opportune time. The owner was just about to approve a vacation for one of the employees for a week and he’d be short during that week, so he took Cocoa on to fill the spot without question.

             Other good news was that between her, Jasmine and Avery they finally got that water powered engine up and running, on paper and the computer, of course. With visual effects and some editing it looked too good to be true. But when you’re working with someone who’s head of the video editing class and someone skilled at Photoshop, it’s not impossible. I personally think coming up with the benefits and functionality of it was going to be harder, which is what Cocoa had to handle, but it’s not my specialty. Because of her temporary job, her homework in other classes was slipping a little, so I offered to help out when I could.

 

“Working hard, Cocoa?” I call over to her, trying to stifle a chuckle.

 

Cocoa was busy walking back and forth in a green apron handing out an order of 4 dark, hot chocolates and some chicken Panini’s.  Before that she had a smaller order of 2 ham Panini’s and 3 hot chocolate mints. Even with how busy they were, I could tell she was happy and enjoying it. It was her dream place to work after all.

 

Since Cocoa started working here I’ve felt like I’m really seeing this place again for the first time, like I’ve been looking at it through a dusty spy glass for ages.
The outside really stood out with a giant, neon sign of a man drinking a cup of hot chocolate and a sign that read “Hottest Chocolate Around”.

When you step through the glass front door and the little bell rings indicating someone has entered or left, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the line of people stretching down the metal bars that keep them in an orderly fashion, moving from right to left till the end where it stretched in two opposite directions.

 

It usually always consisted of 8 to 12 people. The line led to the front counter, which consisted of two cash registers on opposite sides where the lines end;8 stools were situated between them for convenient seating after placing an order. Once the order was placed, people would generally go off to either side and wait so the next person in line could order or sit at the stools. On one side of the shop you could see a line of booths on opposite sides all along the brown, blue diamond wall. Across from them were small café style tables with umbrellas above them and small rose bushes in the corners. Because the sun rose from the direction of the blue diamond wall, it looked like they sparkled all day long.

 

Ceiling fans lined the top of the shop for adequate cooling while customers enjoyed their hot chocolates and Panini’s. It was the ideal spot to chill out. It was also built near one of the busiest intersections in town, giving it a lot of business for those getting off of work or for people who are just passing through.

 

“When do you get off today?”

 

“Not for another 2 hours.”

 

“All right, I’m going to look at some parts at the junkyard. Stop by after you’re done.”

 

Jumping out of my seat I head toward the door, turning around to wave to Cocoa before I head over to the junkyard. I needed a few new panels and some wires, and I couldn’t think of anything else to do today. Looking up at the sky I try to imagine how such a strong storm could have passed through here not too long ago. “At least it’s sunny,” I comment as the bell jingles on the door.

 

Upon reaching the junkyard, I wave my junkyard pass to Mr. Smit.

 

“Howdy Random, how’re you doing today?”

 

Mr. Smit was a very laid back man in his mid-40’s. He had a masculine build and an air of mystery about him. His dark brown hair, beard and mustache gave him the appearance of a tough guy, although being rather sweet. This is shown whenever I may have misplaced my pass; he’d let me in without complaint.

 

“I’m doing very well. I’m just looking for some paneling and wires for a class project.”

 

“Well, good luck. “

 

Waving goodbye, Mr. Smit pushes some buttons on the control panel and the electric fence slides open, allowing me inside.

 

I always feel so happy being here, surrounded by broken blenders, car parts, radios and anything else people will throw away or have hauled off here. You name it and it was here. Looking around you could tell there was just so much untapped talent just waiting for someone to take the bite.

The long, 7 foot high electric fence topped with barb wire kept out those wanting to enter and take what they wanted. A small stand outside was the guard post where you needed to pay or buy a pass to enter. Mr. Smit was a cool guy though, and I had bought my pass 3 years ago, right around when I was working on Tipsy.

It was like any old run of the mill junkyard stacked miles high with miscellaneous stuff just waiting for any eager beaver to get their hands dirty. I didn’t mind it really; getting my hands dirty was nothing new. Occasionally you’d see some pelicans picking through the piles looking for leftover food scarps. They weren’t native this area, but the allure of it is what bought them over.

 

“Now where do I begin?” I needed a few panels for some upcoming projects in Mrs. Natsume’s class and I needed some wires for another off school project.

 

“That looks like it was recently thrown out.”

 

I walked toward the nearest junk pile to me over the dirt ground, carefully treading over various broken pieces of glass equal to the size of a baseball. Things usually fell in the middle of the walkway and for the most part I was used to it. But they’d usually have someone come out and move it every now and again, but I guess no one had done it today yet.

 

Walking around the junk pile, I noticed some light that was glaring off of some steel paneling from what I guessed to be from a failed robot midway up the pile and I was thinking it’d look nice if I used it.

             Not wanting to climb that high, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small, pen shaped object and clicked the button on the end, causing a metallic hand to form. When I clicked it again, it extended toward the panel and grabbed it, bringing it back to me. “Everything is much easier with technology.”

 

After circling the pile a few more times, I manage to find a few more panels and extract them the same way I did with the other. Once I confirmed there was nothing more to be had, I took off the bag I’d been carrying and stuffed the panels into it. I then swing it back over my shoulder and continue to scour the other piles for any signs of wiring, deciding I have enough panels to work with.

Stepping past more piles of glass and broken machines, I begin to think about my room and how messy it is.

 

“Maybe Cocoa was right; I should clean up a little.”

 

I finally come across some decent condition wires sticking out from some broken computers and more failed robots and begin to extract them. It was a shame to as they looked like they were brand new. But brand new or not, I wound up and wrapped a rubber band around each one to keep them together and tossed them into my bag. One after the other I continue to repeat the process as the weight of my bag gets heavier and heavier. My shoulder was going to be a little sore, but I didn’t mind.

 

Once I was finished gathering what I need, I began heading back toward the entrance. On my way there, I spot someone else digging two junk piles over from me.  From what I could make out, it was a girl with dark blue hair with what appeared to be pink streaks. Letting my curiosity get the better of me, I decided to stand in hiding; watching to see what she takes. With how popular I was around town, it was rare for me to see someone I didn’t recognize.

 

After several minutes, she began taking wires like me from a broken TV and tying them up. She then tossed them into a small bag that hung on her side. Unlike me however, she was paying close detail to each wire, like as to make sure there were no nicks or tears. She tossed back wires that weren’t up to expectations, like they were worthless, and only took what she treasured above the others. She continued this for another ten minutes.

 

Once she had finally finished, she started heading for the entrance as well. Not wanting to be seen, I slowly circle the junk pile as she walks over, matching her step for step, hoping she doesn’t catch me out the corner of her eye. But when she stops and turns around halfway from the entrance, I quickly duck around an old refrigerator, trying to conceal my presence.

 

For what seemed like forever she stood there, staring down the refrigerator as if waiting for something to jump out. But after another minute, she finally turned back around and continued walking toward the entrance.

 

Once she passed through the gate and faded into the distance, I finally came out from hiding. Putting my bag down, I sit down on an old arm chair and try to figure out who she was.

She didn’t go to school, as I’ve never seen her in the restroom or wondering the halls or in the lunchroom. I don’t believe I’ve seen her around town, either. Besides, if someone new was here, Cocoa would know.

The sun was beginning to set before I finally picked up my bag and left the junkyard. My curiosity was still peaked, but I had other things I wanted to get to before the night was done, so I decided to head home.