CHAPTER TWO

Athena opened her door and sluggishly walked into her room. She made her way through the darkness and got into bed. She pulled the sheets over her head and clasped her hands together. She had dreams to leave Brazil. She always thought her life would get better if she left the people and place that ruined her life. Slowly, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

...

After a hurried bath, she rushed into her room and picked out her outfit. She put on some jeans and a turtleneck sweater and picked up her bag. She tied her hair into a high ponytail and headed out. She never got dressed with a mirror, so she couldn't see herself.

She got to the cafe quite early, so she went around setting up. The door opened up and she smiled at the newcomer.

" Hey. Morning Almeida "

" Morning Athena "

" How was the party ". Athena asked as she walked over to her.

" It was fun. Campos said you had a headache. Are you alright now? ". Almeida asked from behind the counter.

" I'm fine. I took some medicine "

" Morning ladies "

" Oi Campos I'm surprised you're not hungover ". Almeida said with a hearty laugh that brightened up her freckled face.

" I had just a few beers. I could've handled a few more ". Campos said and winked.

Campos walked over to Athena and crossed his arms over his chest.

" What? ". She asked as she stared up at the tall brown haired man.

" You didn't text me yesterday and you didn't take my calls either "

" Oh....I fell asleep right away "

" How is your headache? "

" It's gone now. I'm better "

Athena shivered when he held her face and lowered himself to her level. He ran his finger across the bruised flesh close to her lips.

" What happened to your face "

" Ah....I fell last night "

She said and moved his hand from her face. She couldn't afford to let Campos know. He cared for her a lot and would probably put himself in danger but most of all she had her pride to protect.

The weather had gotten really really hot and the fans in the cafe were doing nothing to help. It was really hot but looked like it was about to rain. The weather made it hard for the cafe to have any customers, so Athena and the others were playing cards to keep busy.

" Wow....Athena you're really good at this. Who taught you how to play? ". Almeida asked

" Oh uhmm....one of the uncles at the orphanage I grew up in ". Athena said while looking down. She hated remembering that place. She hated remembering the person who used her innocence against her.

" Athena....Athena! "

" Huh? "

" Are you okay? "

" Yeah I'm fine. Let put on the television "

She walked over and turned on the television that was placed carefully on the table.

* The sudden increase in ocean tides had caused a great flood that claimed hundreds of lives in São Paulo early this morning. Officials are currently still trying to retrieve bodies of the victims .

More casualties follow as a tsunami hit a small city in Paraguay in the late hours of yesterday*

Campos walked over to the window and stared out of it. I looked over at him and sighed.

" With all these things happening, one would think the world was ending ". Campos said and laughed

" Don't jinx us. You have a lot of bad luck ". Almeida said and slapped his shoulder before running away.

He ran after her as he yelled her name. I looked back outside and it was raining lightly.

" I wish the world would end ". I said under my breath.

...

Back at her apartment, Athena placed buckets under the leaks in her ceiling. The rain had gotten really heavy and there were lightening storms. She walked into her kitchen and poured the hot water from the kettle into a cup and made herself a cup of tea and jam sandwich.

She sat on her bed eating quietly when she got a notification on her phone. She picked it up and looked at the message.

*Hey Athena. We are having a reunion in two weeks. Are you gonna be there?*

She looked at the name of the sender and chills ran down her spine when she realised who it was.

" How the hell did she get my number? "

She stared blankly and tried to calm her trembling hands. She drew deep breaths and closed eyes. There was no way she would be able to face them.

She had a hard time falling asleep, so she pulled out some drugs from her drawer and swallowed them.