♡︎ Frankie ♡︎
Her lip quivers as she continues to cry, "h-have n-no where to g-go" she manages to get out.
"Where are your parents, sweetheart?" I ask softly.
She just shrugs, rubbing her eyes as she continues to cry. I've been in a situation like this before I almost wish I would've just minded my business but if I would have I doubt anyone else would stop to help the small girl. She's a complete stranger to me but I can't leave her here. The least I could do is offer her a ride I suppose.
"Do you know where your parents live?"
"Mhm" she hums trying to calm her self.
Her cheeks and nose are all red and puffy, "come on I'll take you to them." I offer before my brain has a chance to register what was just said.
Never have I ever offered to bring a complete stranger into my car but she seems harmless so I guess it's ok.
I put out my hand for her to hold, she looks back and forth at my hand to my face probably debating whether or not she could trust me. She hesitantly grabs my hand and I almost melt. Her hands are so small and adorable.
I pick up her little book bag and she guide her to my car. I open the passenger door but she shakes her head.
"What's wrong?" I question.
"Dangerous" she mutters, her voice very child-like and immature. Odd.
"You'll be safe I swear, come on" she shrugs, climbing onto the seat.
Without thinking I pull the seatbelt over her, buckling her in. I place her bag in her lap before shutting the door and getting into the car myself.
Starting the car, I pull out of the lot and get onto the road.
"So what's your parents address?"
Such a great thing to ask a stranger. She's definitely gonna think you're weird now. Way to go Frankie.
She doesn't say anything but I see her doing something out of the corner of my eye. I halt at a red light, turning my attention to the girl.
She has a notebook and red crayon in her hands, I read the messy handwriting out loud.
"344 Pine Street?" I ask for confirmation earning a small nod in return.
I quickly put the address in my phone's gps before driving again. Her house is only 5 minutes away.
I pull onto her street and slow down the car a little, "is it the yellow house right there?" I ask pointing out of my window.
She nods, so I stop the car and unbuckle her seatbelt. She gathers her belongings, looking up at me once more before getting out of the car.
"You're welcome I guess" I mumble.
I watch her walk around the car and up to the front door. She knocks a few seconds later an older woman opens the door; most likely her mother.
The woman doesn't look to happy to see the girl though, she's got this disgusted look on her face. She utters something to the girl before slamming the door in her face.
What the hell is with the people here? My mother told me LA was filled with kind, loving people. Then again I should have known she was lying, her judgement in people is quite terrible.
I sigh rolling down my window, "come back in the car darling!"
She turns around towards me and runs to my car. I lean over the console opening the door for her, she jumps in slamming the door once she's in.
We make eye contact and she completely breaks down.
"Hey hey, sh sh sh. Don't cry love, is there anywhere else I can take you?" I coo.
She shakes her heading crying harder, her body shaking as sobs rip through her.
God I hope I don't regret this. "How about you come back to my house until we figure something out? Would that be alright?"
"O-ok-okay" she stammers.
"Everything is gonna be okay, darling" I place my hand on her shoulder, rubbing it the my thumb to comfort her a little.
****
We get back to my place and I manage to grab all of my grocery bags in one go before heading in side with the young girl following closely behind me.
My apartment isn't the greatest, I mean it's livable but not very nice. It's a one bedroom/studio-ish apartment. The floor creaks a lot, the ceilings have water damage spots, the walls were a weird shade of white that made it look kind of dirty. But it's not terrible for my first place on my own. It was the best I could do in short notice, I got offered a job I've wanted for a while. Well technically it's not my dream job but it's a few steps closer to it. Working in a publishing company has been my dream but being the top editor within said company is my dream job.
I drop the bags on the floor near the refrigerator, the small girl just stands there watching me.
"You can have a seat on the sofa, sweetheart" I huff, wiping the thin layer of sweat off my forehead. My curls falls back in place dangling just above my eyes.
She takes a seat in a wooden chair just next to the sofa, swinging her dangling legs back and forth.
"Or that works too" I grumble sarcastically.
Since I have nothing else to do I mind as well put away the groceries. I take the items out of the bags as I put them away. Putting away all the meats, plastic cups, forks, spoons, paper plates, juice, gallons of water, milk, eggs, cup of noddles (for the lazy days), fresh fruit, chips and cereal.
Once finished I head over to the girl, "what's your name, darling?"
"I-I Biwie" she murmurs.
"I'm Frankie, are you hungry or anything Billie?"
She just shakes her head no. Her behavior and speech is so much strange, i've never seen anyone act like this before.
"How old are you?" I can't help but ask.
She looks down at her fingers, I can hear her small voice as she quietly counts.
"Dis' many" she holds up three fingers.
"Three?" I ask, "Are you sure?"
She nods confidently.
How is that possible? I don't even- what?
