The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

Chapter 5

Penelope's relationship with her mom fluctuated between tolerance and verbal abuse. She liked to spit out bullshit about how Penelope will die without anyone to love or anyone to love her.

Frankly, her mother hadn't said anything that could hurt her anymore. Penelope was numb to her mother's insults and slurred declarations of hatred.

As long as the bills were paid, and they had a roof over their heads, Penelope never argued back.

Which is the point they were standing in at this moment.

She scrolled through her phone, mindlessly going through social media. She ate her cereal, making sure not to make too much noise.

Her mother claimed she was working the night before but had come home drunk and with needle bruises in her forearms.

Ash had texted her that morning, making her forget about every single problem she was having. She preferred talking to him face to face, but she'll take all of Ash she can possibly get.

She heard a slam against the front door, making her jump and stand up from the dining table.

She looked through the peep hole, not seeing anyone there, except the corner of a piece of paper hanging on the door.

She opened the door, seeing "EVICTION NOTICE," in red letters.

Her eyes blurred, tears threatening to fall. The notice said they hadn't paid rent in 6 months. She grabbed the notice in her hand, slamming the door loudly and walking over to her mother's room.

Her mother had said Penelope had to sleep in the living room because her mom was the one who paid the rent, so she got to keep a room.

Ha, what a joke that was.

"Mom? Mom!" Penelope opened the door, seeing her mother waking up slowly to her screaming.

"Why are we getting an eviction notice?" Penelope demanded, her face was red and she felt hot.

Her mother sat up on the bed, pursing her lips and shrugging.

"It's too fucking early to be asking me all types of questions, just go to fucking school and let me rest, okay?" her mother tried to brush her off.

"Well, I'm just wondering if by the time I'll be back, if we're even gonna have a place to live in anymore." She sassed.

Her mother stood up, full force, as if someone had poured a bucket of water on her.

She pushed Penelope against the wall, slapping her in the face, causing her tears to finally fall, wide eyed and scared.

"Don't be so fucking disrespectful, you little bitch. Mind your own fucking business." Her mother was so close, she could smell the rancid smell of liquor and something sour.

Her mother let go of her, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door closed before yelling from the other side, "I didn't even fucking want you. FUCK, nobody fucking wants you."

Penelope slid down on the wall, her breaths shallow and her eyes glued to nothing in particular.

She got up, dusted her yellow dress she had on today, grabbing her book bag and her phone, before walking out.

She felt her phone buzz in her hand, seeing Ash text her.

Ash: How's your morning going?

She replied: it's going great. On my way to school.

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Penelope didn't always think she was a talented person. She thought she was pretty average in everything she did. There wasn't much she did anyway.