Chapter 7 Running out of time

"No money, no staying...I'm tired of you...your stupid excuses but now...I already rented it to another person and don't even think of begging me because she already moved in"I was hurt and the lady added to my misery. It was pointless to argue, even if I pleaded with my life Mrs Egan wouldn't let me stay. I was helpless as I watched her elegantly walk away. She had everything and didn't have to beg others for a place to stay. I stood there thinking about my next move. I could go somewhere and ask for a job, a stay at home helper but I already tried that and the outcome wasn't so good.

I was tired and just wanted to rest, I wanted to finally have a peaceful night and once I moved my things out of the building to an abandoned dark alley close to the building, I sat on my suitcase with my head leaning against the dirty wall filled with graffiti. I exhaled and inhaled as my eyes lifted to the sky, it was still orange from the setting sun. The building looked beautiful and intriguing. Peaceful and serene that I longed to be the sky. I had the right to do what I wanted without having to worry about anything. Soon the sky turned dark right before my eyes. I knew nights like this were long and miserable. I hated self-pity and regretting anything. I didn't do anything and regretted it later. That's why I didn't regret helping that man, yes I was greedy for money but I was just trying to be a human being

My head fell to the sides as I opened my eyes and hugged my cold body, I glanced at my leg and it was dirty, the bandage was soaked in the blood hence I had to change it if I wanted to avoid other complications

It didn't take long before I ripped one of my old clothes tearing it apart to form a single cloth and used it to bandage my foot. As if the night wasn't so cold, I heard a thunderstorm. Lightning flashed and I knew the rain was on the peak of falling. Sitting there I took out one of my old baggy sweaters and put it on so I couldn't feel cold but even so, the rains would come and soak me down which wasn't a problem as long as I survived the night and looked forward to another day full of new things.

***

Early the next morning, I was woken up by noises of little children screaming and running about outside. I groaned as I slammed my hand on the soft bed I was lying in. My eyes flickered open as I tried to take in where I was and yes I was at Mrs Smith's house.

Damn, I cursed as I crawled into a sitting position, my messy red hair fell over my face and I dramatically blew it off my face. My entire body was sore so I just wanted to sleep for a little while. How I found myself at the sweetest lady's house sleeping on a comfortable soft bed with clean linens that smelled like old people's homes which had that old rosewood scent with a pinch of some fruits, a patchouli smell mixed with various smells of baking. It smelled like cupcakes. I smiled recalling how the lady drove her old truck to the dark alley. I didn't know how she knew where I was but when I asked her. She said she saw me walking down the streets with bags and that's how she came to pick me up. Mrs Smith was a nice lady, I met her a few years back when I volunteered to help babysit her grandkids. I had to say, she was a nice woman who always offered me her place but I didn't want to burden her with her problems

"Good morning little Vi...I thought to bring you some biscuits" like she knew I'd be hungry so early in the morning the door pushed open getting my attention and I turned around to get out of bed and Mrs Smith smiled as she walked in with a tray of freshly baked biscuits. My eyes shone with delight as I rushed to help her out. Mrs Smith was so old but quite an energetic woman with white hair, a little short and medium fat. She had a round face with cut tiny dimples which showed on each cheek even those her skin was wrinkly

"Mrs Smith, this wasn't needed. please"I said, apologizing to her about my troubles. She smiled and smacked playfully on my shoulders and I grinned while taking the tray from her. The cookies looked delicious, so fresh and smelled wonderful. I smiled as I took one to taste it and immediately the crunch butternut biscuit crashed in my mouth, my eyes closed in pure delight loving the taste of it. If I had to choose a grandma I'd choose her she was the best lady that ever existed

"Wow Mrs Smith, this tastes great...I'll have more, "I said with cheers as I took the glass of milk and gulped half of it. She smiled at me and lovingly creased my hair. I stopped when I saw that sad expression I hated seeing on her. The poor lady lived alone in a three-bedroom house, she told me she had two sons and one was abroad while the other was married and lived in another city. They only visited her a few times in a month but even so, she was happy because her grandkids always came to visit

You are a good girl...a strong girl my dear...don't worry about anything...I'm certain very soon love will enter your life and fill it with colors"Mrs smith muttered as she creased my hair in a loving way and smiled warmly at me. I stopped moving and turned to face her, she always told me the same words each time I saw her. I knew she felt bad for me because I had no parents, no one to call my own but I didn't mind. I always believed not everyone got what they wanted or wished for and I was one of those unfortunate ones. I was a one girl army. I've learned to do everything by myself and I was happy. yes I got sad sometimes but I didn't complain

"Thank you Mrs Smith...but don't show me that face...you are beautiful with a great smile...I'm fine see...yesterday was just normal...I messed up and ended up in boiling soup but today is a beautiful day...I'll go out and reach for my stars"I said resting my hand beneath her chin and coaxing her to smile a little, I set the tray of biscuits down and twirled around just to show her, the bad day I had remained last night. I never cried over spilt milk and now it was another day full of surprises.

"I was on my way to Mrs Egan...a classmate of yours wanted to give you this...I took it because I thought Its important"Mrs smith said while handing me a brown envelope, I stopped twirling and turned to her not sure why the envelope gave me a sense of deja vu

"Thanks...I'll have a look" I muttered taking it from her and she smiled at me

"Get ready...if you need me I'll be downstairs" saying that she patted me on the head and walked out of the room and closed the door lightly. I stood there not sure if to open the envelope or not. If it came from school then it must be important. Today was a special day. I still recalled the doctor I met and the card he gave me. I needed to go there as early as possible but first I opened the envelope and flipped it open. It was a newsletter from school and the principal requested my presence. I sighed not sure what to do but before I went to the company I was told to go, I had to go to my school

It didn't take long before I got ready, I chatted a little with Mrs Smith before I stormed out dressed in a light blue strapped dress with white sneakers, my red hair was tied in a high ponytail and took an early bus to school

***

My arrival attracted a lot of attention, in the past they were of administration and envy but this time the gazes I got were of disdain. Hate and disappointment. I walked in with my head lowered holding my small purse close to me and went straight to the principal's office. I had to wait outside her office because when I arrived she was attending to someone.

I sat there anxiously not sure what awaited me inside. My heart raced at the thought of bad news from the school. I knew I messed up big time but it wasn't my fault that our school lost the game. I felt sad just hearing it from students. I sighed as I looked at my watch and it was nearly 8 AM. I was running out of time.