Chapter 7 TURN A BLIND EYE

Vera's POV:

Lilly sat on the couch in front of us, her fingers pressed against her brow. She stared at us, breathed, and then looked down. Lisa and I were kneeling on the floor because we were too scared to sit on the couch with her. Marisa was lying down on the ground.

We didn't say anything after Lisa told Lilly about her abusive ex-husband. She didn't want Marisa to grow up in that kind of atmosphere, so she placed Marisa temporarily in my care, which was completely irresponsible, while she faced him.

Marisa began rolling around on the floor, laughing as she raised her legs. She nibbles on her socks with her toothless mouth open. The sight makes us all happy.

"We got two beds and a couch, but we need to get a crib for Marisa since it isn't safe for her to sleep beside us," Lilly went on to say.

I leapt to my feet and embraced her. "Why is your heart so big?"

"Hey! Where is my pricey ramen? You messaged me that you got the job!" she beams.

Lisa cupped her hand over her mouth, a few tears falling down her cheeks. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Thank you so much. Thank you very much. "Thank you," she chanted again, her head bowed low. Lisa began to curl into a ball, as if it were her safe haven. "Thank you." Lilly and I exchange glances before joining her on the floor. We kneel and pat her on the back. "Thank you...Thank you."

It took Lisa almost two hours to settle down, only because she fell asleep on the carpet. Lilly spreads a blanket over her and I support her head with a pillow underneath.

Lilly sighs, sliding her fingers through Lisa's hair, showing more of the marks on Lisa's body. "She looks like she hasn't slept for days."

I grin as I run my thumb across Marisa's plump face. "I'm sorry...I told myself not to do it."

Lilly crosses her legs and wraps her arms over her. "It would be worse if you decided to turn a blind eye."

"Can we do it, though?" I inquire, knowing that we can barely care for ourselves. Lilly has a strained connection with her parents, who send her just enough money for college and living needs. I might get a paid internship, but that doesn't mean I'll make a lot of money.

Lilly stood up and entered the bed. She returned with two blankets and pillows after some ruffling. She gives me one of each before tossing hers to the ground. "We'll manage," Lilly says. We always do."

I sat there, my head resting on the pillow. "I can call my parents." That would be the most convenient option right now.

"What happened to wanting to make your parents proud?" Lilly asked, smiling. "What happened to giving yourself one more chance before you crawl back into the toilet with your pride?"

I take a peek at Lisa and Marisa. "Am I too quick to cave?"

"A little bit, yes." I threw myself down, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. "But, at the same time, no." She turns to her back. "You got nearly 400 job rejections, but you still fought and bit your tongue, you applied, knowing that you could be rejected again. So, don't assume you're insignificant and need to be spoiled by your parents."

"Says the girl who's parents paid her college fee and living expenses."

She tossed me, and I cringed. "You ungrateful brat." I laughed, "That small amount of money is what got us living."

"I know." I sigh.

"Plus, if you go back, your parents will make you get married." "I don't understand why parents think their daughters need to marry to be happy, to be looked after by someone else." she says as she turns to face me.

I sigh, knowing Lilly is in the same boat as I am. Lilly has two options in real life. One, barely survives on the funds sent to her by her parents while attending college. Two, return home and marry the person her parents chose for her.

My parents suggest that instead of pursuing a job, I should get married. Yes, they love me. That is, however, what they believe is best for me. They believe I should marry a respectable man and start a family. Who else is best for me than my ex-husband? Even if it is arranged, at least I was able to marry someone I love.

I exhale, "I don't understand either." I bent my body towards her.

She pats my head once and says, "Let's talk about it tomorrow." Probably after breakfast."

Furthermore, that is exactly what we did. That night, I believed we slept soundly. I had a dream about someone while the moon was high in the sky. Someone I don't want to see again.

*** "Sam."

I kneel on the floor and look up, seeing his normal blank expression. When I examined it, I noticed a rather cheeky guy with wondrous features, yet still baby-like; he was sweet, but addictive like a piece of candy.

"Pardon?" I asked.

"My name is Sam," he introduced himself. "Now, can you show me the location of this class?" When I look down, I notice a slip of paper in his palm.

I lift a finger and point to my left. "Down the hall, turn right, and it's the third door to the left."

Sam smiles and nods. "Thank you." Before proceeding along the corridor, he slightly bends his head.

My gaze is drawn to my bloodied knees from the previous shove by the other kids. It wasn't their fault; I wasn't moving quickly enough out of their way, and they were too eager to go to their classroom.

I sighed and began gathering up the papers that were scattered across the floor. I stack the papers one by one till another is dragged in front of me. Sam's chocolate browns met mine as we looked up. "Here."

"Thank you," I said, taking the paper from his grasp. Sam squatted and set his books down before assisting me in gathering the documents.

I didn't dare to look him in the eyes. "I-I never saw you around here."

"Transfer student."

"Where are you from?"

"UK."

I peek up to see how close we are, which causes my heart to race. As his minty breath brushed my face, my cheeks scorched. With a trembling breath, I inhale the aroma of sweet green apple and lemonade. That has to be my new favorite scent.

Sam straightened up, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a few bandages. He offers it to me and says, "Be more careful from now on." I reach for the bandages. Sam walks away while I look at his back, which is narrow but muscular.

Sam comes to a halt and turns around. "The next time someone bumps into you, don't take it silently. At least, say something."