Chapter 1: Breakaway
Chapter 1 of A Brand New Life
Daisy the squirrel leaves her strict parents in search of independence, happiness and maybe even love?
The last few weeks had been a blur since one impulsive decision had made Daisy leave home. Squirrels, most rodents as a matter of fact, formed large, tight families and Daisy's family was no different. She'd been raised very sheltered by her traditional parents, but lately the wider world had been calling her. While she loved her parents, she had started to realize they were not ready to accept the fact that she was now an adult woman who wanted to make her own decisions.
Without her parents knowing, she had found an apartment to rent in a city near their family farm. Leaving the house without telling her parents where she was going was difficult, and she was a terrible liar. So she had picked a cheap apartment from the pictures alone, without actually going and seeing the place. She realized it was a big gamble, but the worst that could happen was having to move again.
The day she'd been given the key to the apartment was the day she'd packed some belongings and had taken the bus to the city. Her parents found out she'd left a few hours later, which had resulted in a very long, very stressful phone call as her parents alternated between pleading for her to come home and threatening to bring her home.
But that was a week ago. A lot had changed in the young squirrel woman's life. Even though the big city was still intimidating, she was starting to feel at home. After getting settled, she had spent a few days just exploring the city. Even if she still wasn't familiar with most of it, she could at least find her way home from the main roads. On top of that, she had made acquaintances with her neighbors. One was a kind, older gentleman who had been single all his life and was slightly hard of hearing, the others were a couple in their late 20's who were saving up for their first home. But most importantly, her parents had left her alone, although she didn't know why. Were they planning on finding her? Was she dead to them? No use worrying over something she couldn't predict or change.
Now that Daisy felt at least somewhat confident with her situation, it was time to start earning money. While she enjoyed the overwhelming amount of freedom, she was aware that wasn't permanent. Her savings only contained a small amount of money, maybe enough to last her through this month. She needed a job. But how did one get a job? She had always worked on her parents' farm, so she had no idea how to apply for one. Luckily the neighbors knew a place they had worked before and still had good connections with. They were happy to help Daisy reach out.
While Daisy was unsure if being a waitress was a fitting job for her, it was better than nothing. At least her boss, a jolly beagle, was kind and understanding. And it was only a part time job, so she still had plenty of spare time to figure herself out.
Even though it had been very stressful, Daisy was convinced she had made the right decision leaving home. Despite having a lot of new things to worry about, money being the biggest one, she felt truly free. She had problems, sure. But it were her problems, not her family's.
A month went by as Daisy settled into her independent life. Figuring out how adult life worked without any parental guidance was a tall order, probably too tall if she hadn't received help from her neighbors. Luckily both the old man and the young couple were friendly and happy to help.
There was just one final, major problem, she realized as she was looking over her finances one evening: she was currently spending more than her income. Which would be fine for a few months, until her small savings account dried up. She stretched her arms and legs, pushing the chair she was sitting on back. It was getting late, and looking at the bills and receipts on the table would not magically fix the problem. A quick warm shower and then she'd slip into her pyjamas and go to bed. Maybe a good night's rest would give her some new insights.
She turned on the warm tap and took off her clothes. If her mother could see these clothes, she would surely have some stern words to say. Daisy had only brought a few sets of clothes, so she had bought some new ones that went against her mother's dress code. The store clerk had complimented her slender figure and had recommended some more revealing clothes. She had managed to stave off the crop tops and mini skirts, but had sheepishly accepted a sleeveless top and some shorts. Back home she had always worn jeans and long sleeve shirts, very practical when doing farm work.
The water reached the perfect temperature as Daisy removed her underwear. She had never been a fan of showers. With 6 siblings, you had to shower as fast as possible. And someone always turned on the hot water elsewhere, meaning sudden blasts of cold water. Now that she lived on her own, she enjoyed taking her time in the shower. No hurry, no unpleasant surprises.
She soaped up her face. Then her arms. Then her breasts, making sure to really clean underneath them. She wasn't very well-endowed, unlike her older sister. But still, boob sweat built up under them and that required thorough cleaning. Then her legs and feet. Finally it was time for what had become her favourite part. She ran her fingers through the tufts of her pubic hair. After repeating the motion a few more times, she let her hand slide down, between her legs. Her mother had taught her how to wash that area as methodologically as possible. But standing under the warm water of her own shower, in her own apartment, she had discovered a more pleasant way of washing her private area. She slid two fingers between her labia, gently rubbing up and down. Every time she started this ritual she expected sudden banging on the bathroom door and the loud voices of her parents asking what in damnation she was doing. But the banging never came. Her parents were miles away.
After that wave of anxiety, she relaxed, and felt herself relax around her fingers. That was the signal to move up, and start massaging her clitoris. She didn't know what it was beyond knowing its name. But touching the area around it was very pleasant. Touching it directly was overwhelming to the point it was almost painful. Especially while she was in the middle of the ritual.
After circling her clit about a few times, speeding up and slowing down occasionally, she let her fingers find their way down again. Normally, she would rub her labia again until she felt the area was clean, and that was the end of the ritual. But tonight, she had an idea. Her parents had always told her a good woman should only be penetrated by her husband. Not by just any boy, and definitely not by herself. Those repeated lectures had only made her realize penetrating herself was apparently an option. An option she had never had the chance to try, because she had always shared her room with two of her sisters. But now that she lived on her own, nobody could see her and nobody could judge her. She let her fingers find her opening. By now, she was so relaxed that her index and middle fingers slid inside her vagina with almost no effort. She could not believe anything that felt this good ever could be that bad.
Once her fingers were in up to the second knuckle, another wave of panic hit her. What was she doing? If her parents said this was bad, they would've had good reasons for it, right? She quickly pulled her hand back, turned off the water, and put on her pyjamas. Red-faced and ashamed, she curled up in bed, her financial worries being dwarfed by the guilty feeling of not obeying her parents and being selfish, risking unknown consequences for a tiny bit of pleasure.