CHAPTER 7 Something new

　　Early the next morning, I was woken up by noises of little children screaming and running about outside. I groaned as I slammed my hand on the soft bed I was lying in. My eyes flickered open as I tried to take in where I was and yes I was at Mrs. Smith's house.

　　Damn, I cursed as I crawled into a sitting position, my messy red hair fell over my face and I dramatically blew it off my face. My entire body was sore I just wanted to sleep for a little while. How I found myself at the sweetest lady's house sleeping on a comfortable soft bed with clean linens that smelled like old people's homes which had that old rosewood scent with a pinch of some fruits, a patchouli smell mixed with various smells of baking. It smelled like cupcakes. I smiled recalling how the lady drove her old truck to the dark alley. I didn't know how she knew where I was but when I asked her. She said she saw me walking down the streets with bags and that's how she came to pick me up. Mrs. Smith was a nice lady, I met her a few years back when I volunteered to help babysit her grandkids. I had to say, she was a nice woman who always offered me her place but I didn't want to burden her with her problems

　　"Good morning little Vi...I thought to bring you some biscuits" like she knew I'd be hungry so early in the morning the door pushed open getting my attention and I turned around to get out of bed and Mrs. Smith smiled as she walked in with a tray of freshly baked biscuits. My eyes shone with delight as I rushed to help her out. Mrs. Smith was so old but quite an energetic woman with white hair, a little short, and medium fat. She had a round face with cut tiny dimples which showed on each cheek even those her skin was wrinkly

　　"Mrs. Smith, this wasn't needed. please"I said apologizing to her for my troubles. She smiled and smacked playfully on my shoulders and I grinned taking the tray from her. The cookies looked delicious, so fresh, and smelled wonderful. I smiled as I took one to taste it and immediately the crunch butternut biscuit crashed in my mouth, my eyes closed in pure delight loving the taste of it. If I had to choose a grandma I'd choose her she was the best lady that ever existed

　　"Wow Mrs. Smith, this tastes great...I'll have more, "I said with cheers as I took the glass of milk and gulped half of it. She smiled at me and lovingly creased my hair. I stopped when I saw that sad expression I hated seeing on her. The poor lady lived alone in a three-bedroom house, she told me she had two sons and one was abroad while the other was married and lived in another city. They only visited her a few times a month but even so, she was happy because her grandkids always came to visit?

　　You are a good girl...a strong girl my dear...don't worry about anything...I'm certain very soon love will enter your life and fill it with colors "Mrs smith muttered as she lovingly creased my hair and smiled warmly at me. I stopped moving and turned to face her, she always told me the same words each time I saw her. I knew she felt bad for me because I had no parents, no one to call my own but I didn't mind. I always believed not everyone got what they wanted or wished for and I was one of those unfortunate ones. I was a one-girl army. I've learned to do everything by myself and I was happy. yes I got sad sometimes but I didn't complain

　　"Thank you Mrs. Smith...but don't show me that face...you are beautiful with a great smile...I'm fine see...yesterday was just normal...I messed up and ended up in boiling soup but today is a beautiful day...I'll go out and reach for my stars" I said resting my hand beneath her chin and coaxing her to smile a little, I set the tray of biscuits down and twirled around just to show her, the bad day I had remained last night. I never cried over spilled milk and now it was another day full of surprises.

　　"I was on my way to Mrs. Egan...a classmate of yours wanted to give you this...I took it because I thought It's important" Mrs smith said while handing me a brown envelope, I stopped twirling and turned to her not sure why the envelope gave me a sense of deja vu

　　"Thanks...I'll have a look" I muttered taking it from her and she smiled at me

　　"Get ready...if you need me I'll be downstairs" saying that she patted me on the head and walked out of the room and closed the door lightly. I stood there not sure if to open the envelope or not. If it came from school then it must be important. Today was a special day. I still recalled the doctor I met and the card he gave me. I needed to go there as early as possible but first I opened the envelope and flipped it open. It was a newsletter from school and the principal requested my presence. I sighed not sure what to do but before I went to the company I was told to go, I had to go to my school

　　It didn't take long before I got ready, I chatted a little with Mrs. Smith before I stormed out dressed in a light blue strapped dress with white sneakers, my red hair was tied in a high ponytail, and took an early bus to school

　　My arrival attracted a lot of attention, in the past they were of administration and envy but this time the gazes I got were of disdain. Hate and disappointment. I walked in with my head lowered holding my small purse close to me and went straight to the principal's office. I had to wait outside her office because when I arrived she was attending to someone.?

　　I sat there anxiously not sure what awaited me inside. My heart raced at the thought of bad news from the school. I knew I messed up big time but it wasn't my fault that our school lost the game. I felt sad just hearing it from students. I sighed as I looked at my watch and it was nearly 8 AM. I was running out of time

　　"Ms. Payton...the principal is calling for you" after what seemed like forever, I was called in and without wasting time I entered the principal's office. I was so nervous that I could collapse any time soon

　　"Take a seat Ms. Payton"our cold icy queen principal as we called her said without looking at me and gestured for the wooden chair opposite her table I slowly walked to the chair and carefully sat down. I was anxious to know what she was going to tell me. She was busy signing some papers hence I had to wait for her to finish

　　After a while, she was done, shoved her files aside, adjusted her specs, and looked at me. She was as cold as ice. With no smile on her face. She was a little mean, which she musked up just being strict as someone who managed the biggest school in the city. She always said I was lucky to be at such a prestigious school getting a good education. She never ceased to remind me that I was poor without a good bank balance

　　I paid my fees in installments and sometimes not at all. I knew what was coming next, I failed to keep the end of the deal when she handed me a white A4 paper. With trembling hands, I took it from her not sure if to read it or not

　　"Ms. Payton I had a word with the accountant...our school board of directions and we came to a final agreement"the lady started saying as she put her hands together with her elbows resting on the wooden table. I swallowed hard as I fixed my eyes on the amount of money I owed the school. I felt my heart twisting, my chest tightened knowing full well I owned a lot of money

　　"I'm sorry dear but you failed to live up to our expectations...we gave you a way out of this but...you failed"She added when she noticed how heartbroken I was. It wasn't my fault, I was ready for this to perform to my great best unfortunately my ankle made it impossible. I was devastated as sweat dripped down my face. I could imagine getting kicked out of school all because I couldn't pay the fees.?

　　"P...please...it wasn't my fault...I got hurt and I…''I tried to say defensively, I'm sure they knew and saw what happened. I was attacked and got hurt

　　"Ms. Payton I'm sorry you owe our school so much money please leave...we can't have you here... other students pay to learn here...if we decide to let you learn for free then would it be fair"just like that I have shattered again. Everything was falling apart just when I thought things were getting better.?

　　I dragged myself out of her office, keeping my head down not sure what went wrong. What happened for everything to fall apart. I had so many expectations and plans but I watched all of them come crashing down before my eyes. I had nothing left

　　I took the things I left the previous day, including my phone. I was tired once more but I decided to go and interview for a surrogate. I was a little late but I was certain they would pardon me

　　I took a taxi to the address I was given, to my surprise, it wasn't far from where I was. But I didn't imagine being late by 10 minutes would cost a lot

　　"I'm so sorry miss...your appointment was canceled...our boss is busy".