1 Chapter 1

||Kelsey||

I walked down the neighborhood which is eerily quiet, my old flip-flops bouncing on the pavement caressing the sand. Rubbing my hands on my ripped jeans, I stopped at an old building, the blue wall paints almost turning to white. A droplet of water from the creaked roof fell on my frizzy hair, covering my hair with the scarf wrapped around my neck I  placed my rough hands on the wooden handle, pushing it open I came face to face with my Aunt.

"Kelsey, where have you been," my Aunt asked with worry in her eyes.

"I went for a job interview" I  answered with a sigh today had been one of my bad days I though.

"Today might not be your lucky day, but tomorrow will be another day, you can try again," she held my rough hands. "Besides we have enough for your needs" she assured me.

"I'm going to bed goodnight" I  muttered taking off my scarf and went up to my room.

"Sure, you definitely need rest" my aunt shouted from behind.

The room is quietly dark, the only source of light is the one coming from the small lamp on my nightstand; I didn't bother to change my clothes, slouching on the small wooden bed I stared at the rusty ceiling. I missed my parent, how I wished they were alive. I held their picture frame, not knowing when I  slept off.

Living without my parents is hard but I still embrace whatever thing comes my way.

"Good morning Aunt Lillian," I greeted my Aunt taking a sit, not missing the glare tia is giving me. Tia is Aunt Lillian's daughter I don't know why she doesn't like me but that doesn't stop me from talking to her even though she ignores me at times.

"Good morning my dear".

Aunt Lillian spoke taking a fresh bowl of porridge and places it in front of me,  which is what we eat for breakfast almost every day.

"Mike called me, he said you were not picking up his call"

Tia spoke breaking the silence. Seriously I don't know why Mike is bothering me, can't he see Tia has a crush on him, Rolling my eyes I stood up.

"I'm leaving, I will come home late," I muttered almost to myself.

••

"Kelsey, you have no idea what I went through yesterday after you left," my friend Brenda said resting her hands on the counter. "The boss gave me a lot of headaches". She sigh.

"Hey you girls stop gossiping and get back to work!" the boss snapped at us. I rushed to the customers and took their orders.

I've been working in the restaurant for almost a year now, the pay is not that much, but I just couldn't sit and leave the burden to Aunt Lillian. Working at the restaurant is better than nothing, but I will still search around for  another job,

"Kelsey what are you thinking, get the food to Table 2" he shouted. Mr. Andrew my boss is not always a calm man, he doesn't care how hard we work, all he cares about is sitting in his office and receiving money.

Because it's Monday, a lot of customers visit the restaurant to eat especially students. So we have to work an extra shift.

"I'm very tired, today is one hectic day, let's chill out, you in? Brenda beamed.

"Sounds cool." It's been a long time since I went out for chilling.

"Oh my god, I remembered the  first time I started working at the restaurant when the boss shouted at me; I almost peed my pant." I boomed taking a sip of my cola.

"That's because you got on his bad side". A voice spoke.

"What are you doing here Mike?" I muttered irritated. His face broke into a smile, a very irritating one. Stuffing his hands in his ripped jeans pocket, he took a seat beside me close enough to make me move back a little.

"What do you mean, I'm here to meet my girlfriend" he lifted his shoulder in a shrug.

"And when did I become your girlfriend?"

I hissed folding my hands on my chest. Seriously I don't know why he's saying I'm his girlfriend, we don't even talk that much he's always annoying me.

"Since now"

He replied, an annoying smirk forms on his lips, I feel like smacking him. He's really something.

"There is no point in talking to you, I'm leaving first, I will pay the bill"

I took my bag off the table making my way to the counter, I paid the bill.

"Let me drop you off."

He called, urgh I need to get away from him as fast as possible.

"No need for that I can go by myself, bye Brenda."

I stated waving at Brenda and glared at Mike whose face broke into a smile. Why can't he understand that I don't like him, I need to tell him about Tia having a crush on him, maybe he will leave me alone.

My house is not that far from the restaurant so I walked back home. Taking off my sandals, I dropped my bag on the bed, taking my pajama from the tiny closet; my clothes are not that much. I made a mental note to go shopping if I get my end of month paycheck.

Tying my hair in a tight bun, I wore a cap to cover my hair I don't like sleeping with my hair open.

"Goodnight Mom".

"Goodnight Dad."

I kissed their picture frame, clutching the picture to my heart; I always sleep with the picture beside me.

••

No!

No!

Don't leave me, please

"Wake up Kelsey it's just a dream"

I heard a faint voice my eyes snapped open finding Aunt Lillian staring at me with worry in her eyes. Having a nightmare is not a new thing to me, I'm use to it.

"It's okay."

She said wiping the sweat off my forehead.

"What is the time now?" I asked trying to stand up but failed due to the sharp pain I felt in my body.

"Seven-thirty." She answered checking her phone. "Rest a little bit." I'm grateful to Aunt Lillian for taking care of me.

"No, I have a job interview by 8:30, I need to get there before time."

Aunt Lillian helped me up, the pain finally intensifies a bit, I trekked to the bathroom.

"I will keep some painkiller, make sure you take them before you leave" Aunt shouted from my room. After taking a quick shower, I wore one of my favorite white top with black jeans. I checked my wristwatch seeing 8:01 am dot. I have less than 30mins to reach the destination; I left taking the painkillers with me.

••

I stood in front of the company COLLINS PUBLISHING COMPANY written in bold at the top, the company is not that popular but I hope I will get the job. Inhaling a sharp breath, I walked towards the receptionist.

"Good morning, how may I help you." She uttered politely.

"Um..I'm here for a job interview."

"Okay, go that way on your left,  enter the second office." She stated calmly.

"Thank you." On my way, I encounter a few people, busy working on their laptops. I pushed the second door open, spotting a middle-aged man holding a book in his hand and sipping what I assumed is beer on the other.

"Good morning Sir." I greeted suddenly feeling nervous.

"Good morning young lady, have a sit." Taking the seat facing him, I dipped my hands inside my bag to take out my document but finds it empty. Oh my god!

"Excuse me sir.. I think I left my documents at home."

"What..?"

Oh my god, what Am I thinking, why would I forget such an important thing. I took a taxi and rushed home.

"Oh...you're back already?."

Aunt Lillian asked as I walked passed her to my room; I start by checking my drawer first, bookshelf, everywhere but I couldn't find the documents. What is this? I couldn't possiblymisplaced it somewhere, but I clearly kept it inside my bag last night.

I'm in deep trouble, the documents are my source of life, I can't lose them.