That's My Girl

.·。.·゜✭ My Lucky Numbers ·.·✫·゜·。.

ᴺᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ; [ Girls by Girl in Red ]

A week and five days. That's it. That's all the time I have to scrape up nine thousand dollars in order to keep a home for my brother and me. I have no idea how I'm going to tell him that we're probably going to end up on the streets.

I've been eyeing this goddamn clock for the past hour. Trying to muster up some courage to figure out what I'm going to say to him. He deserves to know. I'm going to tell him today. I just need to find the right words to say it. Nothing. I can't think of anything.

It's almost two-thirty, meaning that I have to be at his school in fifteen minutes. I drag myself off of the couch before going to put my shoes on. Where did they go? What the fuck?! I then realize that my shoes are still on my feet. I haven't taken them off since this morning. I shake my head and pull my jacket off of the arm of the couch. I slip it on quickly and go outside. I slip the key to the door into my pocket after locking it. I sigh and look at my phone, I have to hurry.

I begin to run down the stairs of my apartment until I've successfully made it outside. I begin to fast walk, trying to keep my head down as the fog begins to swallow the distance. I stop at the stop sign and I look around to check for cars. All clear. I step off of the sidewalk before continuing to walk across the road, listening carefully to any cars. The trees sway in the wind as I take a minute to try to be in the moment. I look up, seeing a house in front of me. The numbers read zero-six-two-three. I immediately relate that as the last four digits of my debit card. Odd, maybe money is coming my way. I shake my head. What are you thinking Drew? That's so stupid.

I fasten my pace to try to be there a little earlier. I inhale nervously. Why am I so scared to tell him? I know he'll be supportive and still love me. But, how on earth am I supposed to tell a ten-year-old that he's going to be losing his home in less than two weeks? It's just bullshit.

After a couple of minutes of speed walking, I'm face to face with his school. I walk to the wall where I always wait for Jax. I check my phone, one minute left. There are a couple of parents and some younger children playing on the tarmac. I slip my phone into my back pocket, lean on the wall and cross my right leg over my left one. I stare at my shoes as I kick around a few pebbles. Suddenly, I can feel someone standing next to me. I can't bring myself to look up. Then, the loud bell rings firmly once.

"Drew?" A familiar voice asks.

I immediately look up, it's Ainslee. "Ainslee," I state.

"We've really been seeing each other a lot lately."

I nod, "Yeah, we have. My brother won't stop talking about how much he wants to have a playdate with Theo."

Ainslee grins, "I've heard a lot about Jax too. He's always saying that he's the most amazing friend anyone could ask for."

I smile, "I can agree with that."

I hear the door swing open, followed by loud, excited screams. Both of the little boys run out, grinning ear to ear. "Auntie! Oh my gosh! I had the best day ever." Theo exclaims.

Ainslee's cheeks become slightly pinker, "That's so amazing!"

"Dee?" Jax whispers. I lean over slightly towards Jax. "Can we have a playdate today?"

My eyes dart to Ainslee. I wouldn't mind it at all. I just don't know what I would do if they become good friends and then he tells everyone about the home situation. I put my arm around Jax, "Why don't you give me a minute to talk with his aunt?"

He nods before I fix my posture. "Let's talk," I suggest.

Ainslee smiles, seeming somewhat nervous. "Why don't you go to the playground with Jax while we talk?"