Chapter 2 - Jam-Filled Buns

She then proceeded to introduce her homemade jam-filled buns to the man enthusiastically,

"I'm selling a homemade jam-filled buns Sir, my mom made it today, it's still hot and fresh" she said, while showing him the buns inside the basket. 

The man nodded his head and asked her, "what fillings do you have here?".

She told him the name of the fillings available. The man said to her "give me three of each fillings, my little grandson would like them".

She dropped her jaws and opened her eyes wide in shock, then she regained her senses and packed up the buns for him. The man saw this and laughed softly, finding her to be cute.

Later, Selena handed the packed jam-filled buns to the man " thank you so much Sir, you're the first to buy my homemade buns today". She said while giving him a big smile. 

"Hahaha, how much is it?" The man laughed and asked her the price.

"It's 1 Dollar each, 3 pieces of each fillings, a total of 9 Dollars." The man was surprised with the cheap price.

He gave her a banknote of 20 Dollars. Selena received the money and wanted to look for a change, but the man walked away.

"Sir! Wait, your change!" she yelled and started catching up with him. The man stopped, turned around and smiled "you're a hardworking girl, keep the change".

She stared at him in a daze, returning to her senses she said softly "thank you Sir, I hope you will be blessed with good fortune".

The man's smile turned wider before it broke into laughter "hahaha, thank you little girl" then he walked away.

Few hours later, all of the jam-filled buns were sold out, and she returned home with a happy heart.

"Mom, I'm home!" she shouted, when she arrived at the front door.

Her mother came out and said "it's been hard on you sweetie" , feeling heartache for her youngest daughter. 

"Not at all mom. Look, I've managed to sell our jam-filled buns!" she grinned as she showed her mother the empty basket.

Her mother chuckled and took the basket from her "let's go inside, it's hot here".

Selena agreed and dragged her mother into the house, a while later she give the money to her mother and said "Mom, take this, I need to wash up before going to school".

Her mother smiled and took the money, "alright, go and wash up, after that come and eat your lunch."

She nodded to her mother and rushed to get ready for school.

Half an hour later, she finished her lunch in a hurry, and wear her slippers and set off to school.

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No.3 Middle School

In the 8th Grade Class 1, a man in his 30s just finished his music lecture when the school bell rang.

"Alright, that's all for today. Starting the next classes, we'll conduct it at the music room", Mr. Antonino, the Music teacher informed his students.

The students answered 'yes' in unison. He nodded in satisfaction as he carried his stuffs and walked out of the classroom.

The students in the class slowly packed up, while Helena rushed to put her book inside her school bag.

"Helena, why the rush? Let's hang out at the cafe downstairs" her deskmate, Nina, called out to her.

"I'm sorry Nina, I can't. Need to be somewhere at this hour, see you tomorrow!". She said, waving at her deskmate and stormed out of the classroom in a hurry.

"You-", Nina sighed lightly and said "okay then, be careful".

After that, she continued packing her stuff before she proceeded to walk downstairs.

Many students can be seen walking to the school main gate direction. Helena rushed through the school gate.

She keep running until she arrived at the corner of the side road.

She stopped and panting while she walked slowly at the secluded place, near to the school she was studying.

She saw her younger sister, Selena, already waiting there. 

"What took you so long?" Selena pursed her lips while questioning her older sister.

"I'm sorry, I was delayed just now" she answered while gasping for air. She continued, "Hurry take this bag and shoes, or you'll be late for school".

She handed the school bag to her younger sister and started taking off her shoes. 

Selena took the bag from her sister, opened the bag and took out the stuff inside, replacing it with her stuff before zipping the bag.

"Here, don't forget to bring this home. We can't afford to lose it". She said while handing her sister's books.

Helena nodded "Okay, wear the shoes, I'm going home" she replied, wearing her younger sister's slippers, took the books and returned home.

Selena put on the shoes hurriedly before she set off to the school. Yes, they were poor. So poor that they need to share a school bag and a pair of shoes.

Their father died, mother was injured on the left leg. Walking is already a difficult task and she can't do heavy work. 

With little savings their family had, her mother only managed to buy 2 sets of school uniforms, and books as it is necessary since they did not study in the same grade.

It costs them a lot of money and they can't afford to buy another school bag and shoes. In order to make a living, Mrs. Willis decided to sell jam-filled buns.

To help ease the burdens, Selena will help her mother to sell buns in the morning since her school starts at noon.

While Helena will do her part in the evening after she returns home from school.