Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 2

Waking up in a shaggy shelter with only a cardboard as your mattress is not very comfortable. Saphira felt very cramped, it didn't help the bruises on her body were still present and very much letting her know they were there. She groaned and sat up slowly, her stomach growled angrily at her and her bladder ached as she really needed to go. At least she could use public restrooms when she needed to. She brushed off her clothes and stood up, picking up her bag, she walked away from the small shack to find the nearest restroom. She licked the roof of her mouth as it was dry and she really needed something to drink. She decided she would get a bottle of water, she would be able to at least reuse the bottle when she needed to. She had enough cash on her for that at least.

She made her way to the nearest gas station to use the bathroom to relieve herself and purchased a two-litre water bottle. It was all she was going to have as breakfast this morning, after all she had to wait for a response from the employers about whether she would get a job or not. She drank a bit of the water, filling her stomach and helping to ease off the hunger a little bit. She made her way to school, it would be mostly empty as the teachers were the only ones who would present. But it would give her the opportunity to charge her phone and continue working on homework.

As she arrived at the school, she spotted Jack arriving with a frown on his face. She was surprised to see him at the school early and ran over to him. "Morning Jack. You look a little...upset this morning."

Jack jumped when she spoke and looked at her with a relieved expression. "Oh, I thought you were someone else. You say that I might be a bit upset, but don't worry, it is nothing I can't handle." He raised an eyebrow at her curiously. "Why are you still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, Saphira?"

"Oh..." Saphira looked away from him as she felt a little embarrassed. "Let's just say good clothes are hard to come by."

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, I just am surprised." Jack glanced around for a moment. "Though I know you saw the start of what happened yesterday. Just so you know, forget that it ever happened. Please."

She studied him curiously and shrugged. "Sure, I suppose I can. I guess that is what is getting you down. If anything, I would say it must have been unbelievable."

"Oh, you have no idea. I'd rather forget about it." Jack walked past her towards the stairs. "I'm heading to the library to do some homework."

"That is where I am heading too." Saphira caught up to him to walk by him. "I have to say...it's a little strange."

"Strange how?" He looked at her with a frown.

She shrugged a little. "Usually, nobody really cares to talk to me. People just look through me, not at me."

"You are not the only one, Saphira. You might think it is strange, but people generally don't talk to me either. It is nice to talk to you too." He smiled at her and opened the door for her. "I guess since we could be co-workers, it would be incredibly rude to ignore you."

"Yeah...I have to wait for a call." Saphira was not sure if she was confident about getting a job, though she needed one. "I hope I do. I really need a job."

She looked down sadly, Jack saw her expression. Her whole body language told him she was incredibly sad, and likely has not been happy for a long time. He did not know what the reason was for it, though he wished her well. He wasn't going to pry into her business since they both had just met each other.

"Listen, I will talk to my boss about you, Saphira," Jack said to her gently. "I will tell him how hard of a worker you are, and that you need a job because you are in a financial pickle." She looked at him with smiled slightly. "I promise you will get a job. I admit, there are better jobs out there. But you get something from it."