Journey to Love

Chapter 9

"Did you want to get your lunch out Layla?" Mrs Williams asked her, as she brought her bag over towards Layla, "and then we can start to discuss our solar system" 

Layla felt her face flush with shame as she stumbled out her lie, "Um, I actually forgot to bring my lunch". 

Truth was, her foster mother had seen it fit that she had not been good enough. She wasn't good enough for breakfast this morning, let alone any lunch. Layla didn't think too much of it, as she'd normally didn't have any lunch on her. And breakfast had been withheld from her enough to know that it was a luxury for her. Layla absentmindedly watched Mrs Williams as she turned towards her slouched form, a frown settling along her features. 

"Oh Layla, that's not good, not good at all. That's the 3rd time this week, do your parents not pack lunch" 

"Um, they do sometimes" Layla tried to think of a lie, "They have just been really busy, and uh, I normally pack my lunch, I just left it on the table" 

"How else are we going to get you to grow missy when you don't fuel your body" Mrs Williams condescended the girl in front of her. Layla shrunk in on herself at Mrs Williams's firm voice. She had seen her use it on others but never her. It made Layla want to turn invisible "I hope you bring some food tomorrow".

Layla nodded her head feverously at Mrs Williams's tone. She would make sure she had lunch. 

Mrs Williams sat down beside Layla, pulling out a plastic container, she opened the lid. The aroma that left the box made Layla's stomach grumble at the food. She almost sighed in relief when Mrs Williams didn't react to her noisy hungry stomach. 

Layla watched from her peripheral vision as her teacher brought out a sandwich and just for a moment Layla wished that she could eat it. Just a bite, that was all she wanted, to quench that little bit of hunger. 

Layla was unsure what to do when Mrs William extended her arm in her direction with half of the sandwich sitting in her hand. Layla looked towards Mrs Williams unsure as to what she should do. Would Mrs Williams be like her foster parents? Would she offer the food out of kindness before taking it away just before she could take it? Or perhaps she would punish her for thinking she could actually eat the food, despite it being offered. 

Layla looked nervously at Mrs Williams's face, which held a small smile. "Take it, Layla, you're stomach needs something to eat" 

Layla's shaking hand enveloped the sandwich that Mrs Williams was holding. Layla was already prepared for Mrs Williams to take the sandwich away from her. Layla was not going to give up her hopes to having this sandwich, as she had been crushed before about food being freely given. She had to earn her food. 

Though instead of it being snatched away from her, Mrs Williams let go of the food. Layla's hand slowly brought the food to her chest, eyes watering, she glanced at Mrs Williams whose focus turned back to the container. 

"Are you sure? It's your's you should have it" Layla's voice trembled from her emotions. She didn't want to get in trouble, but she was so so hungry. 

"of course hunny, I'm not going to let you starve," Mrs Williams said nonchalantly. 

"Thank you" Layla whispered. 

Layla slowly brought the sandwich to her lips. She didn't even take a sniff of it as she bit into the food. It was the yummiest food she had ever eaten. Layla wasn't sure what was in the sandwich and she didn't care as she took another bite. Tears still brimming in the corner of her eyes. This was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for her. Layla knew then that she couldn't let Mrs Williams down. She'd bring lunch tomorrow, to show Mrs Williams that she was good. 

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Later on that evening

Layla sat on the floor of her bedroom, quietly leaning against her slightly ajar wooden door, listening to her foster parents. She had heard that they were going out tonight, and if that was, she could shoot her shot.

She heard the front door open before slamming shut. She could feel the shutter of the door closing in the timber she leaned on. Layla sat there waiting. She counted to 355 before opening the door further. She crawled out of her room, being sure to stay as remotely silent as possible. She didn't want to get another stinging cheek from her foster mother for being in places she wasn't supposed to be. 

Moving over to the rail banisters, she peaked her head through, noticing that the foyer was empty. She crawled over towards the stairs, making sure her glasses wouldn't slip off and give herself away.

Bringing her feet to the first steps, she slid down the steps one at a time. Stopping at each one to listen for any movements.

Once she reached the bottom, she peered through both sides and realised that they may have actually left the house.

Having a little more confidence, Layla grabbed onto the rail and stood up. She crept over towards the kitchen noticing that no one was inside it. Tiptoeing through the threshold, she went straight to the counter and towards the surprisingly full fruit bowl.

She grabbed a banana, opening it as fast as she could before devouring the entire thing.

Her stomach seemed to grumble in agreement. While Mrs Williams had given her the sandwich at lunch, that had been the first piece of food she had in 24 hours. 

She had also pissed off her foster mother this afternoon, causing her to be sent to her bedroom without dinner. 

 Not wanting to take another piece of fruit, less it be spotted by her foster parents, she made her way over to their dinner plates that rested on the sink.

Realising that there was some potato mash and some little bits of chicken left laying on them, Layla grabbed them and ate them before placing their dishes in the dishwasher.

At last, she grabbed a loaf of bread, stealing a piece, she ran back to her bedroom. Being sure to shut the door she raced over to her bed, instantly checking over her shoulder for her parents to beat her. Her fingers trembled with adrenaline as she opened her school bag and grabbed the zip lock bag from when her foster mother had been happy and given her two pieces of bread, placing the bread safely inside.

She smiled at how full her stomach felt. But she felt even better that she was able to do it successfully. She had been able to get away with it. It caused a small smile to grace her lips.

Hopefully, she would be allowed at school tomorrow, even with a red-tinted cheek. She already missed Mrs Williams and Nikola. Missed the peacefulness that the school provided and the kindness that Mrs Williams seem to give her. Mrs Williams never got upset with her, even when she got something wrong on the worksheet, she calmly went through the activity instead of getting mad at her. 

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Thank you so much for 588 reads! I hope you have been enjoying the book! 

Things are about to escalate hehe. 

Published: 18th May 2022

Words: 1242