Chapter 1 My daily life I

Today is the second day of my new school.

"Good morning Eclise."

My new friend, Eclise greets me back. "Good morning Sain."

"Good morning Dew."

"Gmornin."

"Thank you for the notes yesterday, Eclise. I haven't read much but it makes it easy to understand the topic."

"I'm glad it came to help."

"Pardon me but I'll be asking a lot of help from now on."

"You're too polite, Sain."

"Hehehe."

Our teacher comes into the classroom with the bell ringing. Miss Yana glances at me and asks. "Sain, are you settling well? You can come right to me if you face any problems."

I smile. "I appreciate it ma'am."

Our classes end and I head to the supermarket once it hits 5 pm. Like the employee said, I manage to meet the manager.

"You're a student, Sain Sinzer?"

"Yes."

"You live alone with your mother?"

"Yes."

"And your appearance…"

"Ye.. yes?" I'm anxious and awfully self conscious of my appearance. I look down in shame. "I'll be understanding if my appearance becomes a reason for not hiring me."

The manager twitches. He waves his hands in disagreement. "No. No. No. I didn't mean it that way. Err." He slightly coughs. "Ahem. Since you're insisting.. I might be willing to hire you."

I'm overjoyed. Now we don't have to worry about money.

"But there's a problem. According to our child labour act i can't engage you in work for more than four hours. Night time work is prohibited. Since we pay in accordance with work hour, your salary might be less."

"Its alright as long as I get paid. Doesn't matter how little it is."

"You're one fine kid, aren't you." The manager happily giggles. I politely add my chuckles with him.

"Alright. I'll see you for work tomorrow."

"Thank you very much!"

I couldn't ask for more.

I climb up the stairs to my apartment and pull out the keys. Unlike yesterday, today I get to see my neighbours.

She looks older than mom. Probably in her late 40s.

She stands upright from swiping the floor.

"You are the new tenant next door, right?"

"Yes."

"My." She smiles. "I wanted to visit you. My name is Eilin."

I smile. "Nice meeting you Mrs Eilin. I'm Sain. Were you swiping the corridor?"

"You're right. Lately there have been a lot of mice. I was just driving them away when you came up."

"Why don't you apply rat poison?"

"We did once. But these little ones are clever. They are now wrecking havoc on the corridor. You should be careful too."

I insert the keys while smiling at her. "I'll keep it in mind."

"Oh my. You live with your mother, yes? Why are you putting in the keys?"

"You see.. My mother is sickly. So I keep the doors locked just in case."

"What a responsible and humble child you are. I wish my sons were like that." She says. "They moved out not long ago. But will you look at their insolency. They don't even call me nowadays."

"That's truly sad. Do you live alone then Mrs Eilin?"

"No. My husband lives with me. Though he often goes out. What a lonely world we live in."

"Certainly."

She shakes her head sideways in dismay while making that noise of disappointment.

"Oh no. You must be tired, right. And here I'm occupying you. Go and rest well. Eat enough to build your lanky body, okay."

"I appreciate your concerns Mrs Eilin."

I see her off to her home and pull the door to my home.

"Mom! What were you doing clinging against the door? What if you fell?"

She glares into my eyes and leaves. I take off my shoes and follow after her.

"Mom. Do you know I met the auntie next door? She's a real softie. I hope you get along with her. Next time i should invite her home."

She throws a bowl at me.

"Oww. What's wrong?" I turn around. "Right. You must be hungry. I'll go cook for you right now. Why don't you go and take a bath?"

She leaves.

I take off my uniform and stare at my reflection on the mirror. Even after all the scars and bruises. I wonder when she'll start talking to me again.