Eva Lee is a 17 year-old girl who just escaped her abusive mother. However, her life still doesn't get any better since going to live with her father, who resents her. As she tries to heal from trauma and navigates her place in the world, she meets...
As we get our lunch, we sit at a round table by a window where sunlight is coming through. I enjoy the warmth of it on my skin.
"What's your story anyways, Eva?" Astrid asks me.
"What do you mean?" I ask back.
"You said you lived with your mom? How come you didn't come to live in this town earlier? Did something happen?" She asks, nonchalantly.
I swallow my sandwich down and decide what to tell them. I start to feel uncomfortable. I never really had anyone, friend or not, ask me strictly about my life before. Maybe Heather but she only knows what I tell her.
"I'm not sure," is all I say. I divert my eyes from her gaze to my sandwich but they flicker back up.
Damien is laughing at me, "What the hell do you mean you're not sure?"
I just smile politely and ignore that fact that he's laughing at me.
Astrid senses my tense demeanor and switches the subject, "Okay, Okay. We'll start with easy questions. Like what's your favorite color? When's your birthday? Do you have a boyfriend? Blah blah."
Damien groans, "Girl talk, right now?"
"It's not girl talk. We're getting to know our friend, Eva." She gives Damien a 'Duh' look.
I chuckle and speak with them listening intently, "I just turned 18 this morning, I don't have a favorite color, and no I do not have a boyfriend."
"Oh my gosh! Happy birthday!" Astrid screams happily as my head backs up from her. The whole cafeteria turn their heads toward our table, looking at the commotion.
"Ash! Sh! what are you so loud for?!" Damien looks around us and tries to duck as if that will help.
"Oops," She chuckles, "I can't believe your birthday is today! You should have told us! Let's go shopping after school's out." Astrid states.
She waves her hand in Damien's face, "Okay Day, Are you listening? We'll ask your brother."
I start to say, "What? I already have homework and I don't think-"
"Nonsense! It's a Birthday present! From us to you!"She waves me off.
Astrid can tell I'm hesitant and says, "You'll have time to do your work. I promise it won't take long. Just agree to come and I'll leave you alone."
I sigh as a joke, "Okay."
Astrid beams and asks Damien, "Text your brother to pick us up after school, please?"
He winks at her, "Of course."
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I get a message from my baby brother asking if I can get him and his friends after class. It takes everything in me to not tell him that they can walk their asses to the store.
