~2~

The early morning rising sun flooded the room as I opened my eyes slowly blinking softly. I ran my hand through my already rough hair as I checked the time on my phone. It was 9:30, my mom would have gone to work, she was a support worker and for the past few years everything as been really rough and tough but we managed to survive.

I stood up and walked to the bathroom, stared in the mirror for five minutes, yawning and running my hand through my hair. I picked up my brush and squeezed some toothpaste on it. I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth with water from the sink. I washed my face and used a dry white napkin to dry my face gently before applying my face moisturizer. I stepped out of the bathroom and packed my hair into a ponytail before laying my bed and replacing the pillows which were on the floor to the bed where they belong.

I stepped out of my room and headed downstairs and was greeted by a happy Bliss. My mom already gave her her breakfast so I didn't have to. I grabbed a plate, opened the cabinet and grabbed my cereal, I poured little inside my plate and went for the milk in the fridge. Luckily for me, the milk was okay for my cereal because it was the last milk in the house. I needed to go get some milk and some other things at the mini supermarket beside my dance class, that's where I get my groceries from.

I didn't have to wait for my mom to come give me money because I was working, at a coffee shop, even though it was a part time job atleast I get paid. I ate breakfast alone on the dining table and went back upstairs to freshen up because I was going to the park and then to the shop. Since I was on holiday I go on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for four hours though, then after that I'd have to come home to prepare for my dance class and then get something on my way back.

I freshened up and wore a simple white long sleeve dress with a brown braided belt. I brushed my long black hair and left it falling over my chest before wearing my brown sandal. I carried my brown bag which I had hanged with my basket, kept some money in it and walked out of my room. I scratched Bliss's body before leaving the house and locking it.

I played some songs on my phone as I listened to it through my earpiece. The park was a five minutes walk from my house so I didn't bother entering a bus or walking fast. I got some ice cream and enjoyed it with some music. I got to the park and sat on my favourite bench eating my ice cream and watching how children ran from one places to another.

I unlocked my phone, stopped the music and started playing candy crush. I was so into the game because in few minutes I had played a level three times. My head was down focusing on the game that I didn't notice two people were standing in front of me. I noticed when I couldn't feel the ray on light on my skin. I looked up only to see Jada and another girl staring at me. Jada was wearing a shaine corduroy jacket with a loose blue short skirt and a black sandal. She folded her arms holding her phone and staring at me. She and her friend were the same height. Her friend should be 5'8 inches while Jada was 5'8 inches if I'm not mistaken. Her friend wore a red palazzo, knee length and a white crop top that bare the midriff with a white sandal. Her hair was a rich shade of dark brown. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing skin. Her eyes were dark brown. A straight nose with raised eyebrows

"Hey" I said smiling "Do you live around her?"

"Yeah, what about you?" Jada asked

"Yeah" I smiled

"So you do come here alot uh?"

"No, not actually, only on Fridays"

"Oh! Me too. Meet my friend Becky, Becky meet Bianca"

"Hello" Becky waved

"Hello" I smiled

"You don't know me?" she asked

"Not at all" I stared at her confused

"I also attend the dance class"

"Oh my! I really had no idea, I'm so sorry"

"It's nothing, now that we know each other, it's good"

"Yeah"

"Can we sit?" Jada asked

"Oh I-I'm so sorry, please sit" I shifted to the right side of the brown wooden bench as they sat.

I haven't been like this in my life, I was so uncomfortable but I didn't want them to know. Jada started a conversation about her passion for modeling. She was a few inches taller than me though so I didn't say a thing but only nodded as I quickly finished my ice cream since it was melting already.

"What do you have passion for Bianca?" Jada asked

I didn't know what to say since the question came all of a sudden. I just said the first thing that popped up in my head

"Music I guess" I smiled

"Are you feeling uncomfortable that we're here?" Becky asked raising her eyebrow

I scoffed

"Me? Uncomfortable? Never" I tapped her shoulder as I laughed hysterically before cutting it off with sheepish grin

"We understand if you are uncomfortable, it happens atimes" Jada said trying to make me comfortable

"Maybe I'm uncomfortable because all this are kind of strange and new to me" I finally let the cat outta the bag

There was something about Jada, I always felt calm anytime she spoke and I didn't know why

"Don't worry, as long as we're friends, you won't have to be uncomfortable" Becky said as she smiled and touched my right arm

It was so quick like a flashback, I felt her hands on mine begging me to help her but the pain was so unbearable that I removed her hands from mine. Back to my recent life. I gasped breathing heavily as I removed my hands from her hands and looked at both Becky and Jada, they were so scared. I was sweating and shaking as I quickly stood up

"Are you okay?" Becky asked with full curiousity

"Yeah" I struggled to say

"Should we take a walk or something?" Jada suggested

"Yeah, yeah, I was about to say that" I lied as I started walking away

"Wait up" Becky said almost like yelling as they both ran beside me

I just wanted to go home, I was scared to death. I could feel the pain that I felt before. It was unbearable.

I stopped walking and turned to look at Becky and Jada

"I'm going to the mall to get some things and I'd be heading home from there, I'm sorry for my weird behaviour and I promise to make it up to you"

They looked at each other and smiled

"It's okay, we understand how you feel, we'd meet later in the day and talk things out" Becky said as she waved

"Take good care of yourself and don't be late today" Jada chuckled

I nodded and smiled as they turned and left holding hands. I turned around and started walking to the mall, I was supposed to go to the mini supermarket beside my dance class but I changed my mind.

I got to the mall and walked in. I pushed the trolley and grabbed some milk, cereals, drinks, chocolates and snacks before heading to the counter. I was the third on the line, the woman behind the counter was so slow and it got me irritated. I sighed and stared at what I had picked pouting. The man the woman was attending had already left with his carrier bag. Now we were two on the line, the man in front of me, he was young, he should be twenty if I'm not mistaken, he's just older than me with a year. I could only see his back since he was taller than me I had to peep to see what was taking so long

"It's £50" the woman behind the counter said

The young man brought out this wallet and said

"I have £45 here" he said

His voice was so nice, not like a man but like a young boy

"I'm sorry but you have to drop something or go with nothing" she said politely

"I don't want to do any of those" he said

That was rude and because of his rudeness I was been delayed. I didn't want to be late for work today and if this continues I would be late for sure.

"I'd pay" I said out of frustration

Then he turned to look at me, I glanced up quickly to see who was staring at me. He was handsome, dark brown eyes with dark brown hair. There was an odd lightness about his eyes, though, and a small curve to his lips, as if there was something terribly funny only he knew the answer to, and it was that brief, wicked glance I caught that said maybe he hadn't broken it, but he knew what it looked like and he liked that. The hint of danger made him seem more like something he wasn't

"You'd pay?" he asked

That voice made it worst. I couldn't talk or look up and that very moment I regretted ever talking. Sometimes I just blame myself for acting bold atimes.

"Ma'am" the woman said

"Yes, yes I'd pay" I quickly ran my hand through my bag, brought out £5 and handed it to the woman

She started arranging what he bought in his carrier bag and handed it to him with a thank you. He smiled and I pushed my trolley to the counter and and the monitor started beeping as it calculated everything I took.

"£70"

I dipped my hand in my bag and brought out the money, handed it to her as she arranged my things into my carrier bag and handed it to me with a thank you. I smiled and started heading to the door. I opened it and started heading home. I checked the time and it was 10:45. I had to go to work by 11:00 so I started walking briskly. My house wasn't far but recently I've been late to anywhere I'm going. I was trying my best not to run when I had a voice

"Hey"

I turned and saw the same guy I saw earlier at the supermarket running to meet me

"Hey" he said again

"Hey" I said shyly

"I just wanted to say thank you"

"It's nothing though"

"Liam, you?"

"Bianca"

"Nice name, so where are you headed?"

"Uhm home, you?"

"Home too"

"Okay then, nice meeting you, I really need to go" I said and left him standing as I walked away shyly.

Liam's POV

"I'd pay"

A girl's honey-sweet voice came from behind me. I turned leisurely and there she was standing after me was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. She wore a simple white dress with a brown braided belt. Her hair was long, wavy and black, falling brilliantly over her chest. The girl's face was pale, with dark brown eyes and full soft pink lips.

"You'd pay?" I asked

She didn't say a word, I guess she was a shy person.

"Ma'am" the lady behind the counter said

"Yes, yes I'd pay" she quickly said as she dipped her hand in her bag and handed the money over to her

I was surprised. No one ever did that for me, why would she want to pay for me. Or perhaps she knows who I am. All this was on my mind as I headed to the exit door. I glanced at her before walking out of the store.

My friend, Adam approached me

"I thought you didn't have any cash on you" he said

I and Adam grew up together. He was the only guy I knew as a playboy, he has brown hair and brown eyes and claims to be the hottest guy in the world.

"Yeah" I said

"So who paid?"

"A girl" I said and he burst out into laughter

"It's not funny idiot, she's really pretty"

"Oh really" he said rubbing his palm together

"What?" I looked at him to realize what he meant by that "No, no, no, don't even think about it"

"You barely know her"

"Who cares?"

"I know she can't last, just like every other girl"

"Atleast I get to date her for a while" I said and turned to look my side only to see her leaving

"Do me a favour" I said not looking at Adam

"What?"

"Stay here"

And with that I started running to catch up with her

"Hey" I waved still running

Hey" I said again after reaching her side

"Hey" she said shyly

I knew she was a shy person

"I just wanted to say thank you"

"It's nothing though" she smiled showing her dimple

Oh my this girl is gorgeous when she smiles

"Liam, you?" I wanted to know her name

"Bianca"

"Nice name, so where are you headed?"

"Uhm home, you?"

"Home too" I said

"Okay then, nice meeting you, I really need to go" she said and left me

Even when she walks, she's perfect. I was so happy and wanted to jump but I'm a cool guy, I don't do that.

"She's got nice ass" Adam said from behind me

"Fuck off" I said and left him standing alone

Bianca's POV

I got home and dropped the carrier bag on the counter before emptying the bag. I placed everything I bought to where it stays in the house as I quickly ran upstairs to get my black bag where my work clothes were. I waved at Bliss before leaving and started running immediately I left the house. I only stopped running when I got to the coffee shop.

I dashed in and greeted the workers who had been working since morning and were about to go home. I went to the dressing room and removed my dress before unzipping my black bag and bringing out my uniform. I wore my long sleeve shirt, my white short apron with black contrast trim, a pair of causal pants and my sneakers before putting my dress, belt and sandal in the bag. I opened an empty locker and kept it in after I had zipped the bag.

I stood behind the counter waiting for anyone to walk in at anytime. Everyone working by 11 a.m to 4 p.m were already around. Two were with me standing behind the counter while others were inside the kitchen. People started coming and going and I only attended to eight so far. Immediately it was 4 p.m we were paid and I quickly rushed into the dressing room and changed to my dress before leaving. This time I didn't run but walk home quietly as I glanced at a shop to my right only to see a familiar face outside.

I stopped and turned to look at the person in front of the shop only to see Liam with a guy. I stood and admired him and then he looked up. We made eye contact as I faced another direction and raised my bag up to my face before walking away.