Spades and Angels

Stones and Glass Houses

Lolita

I don't speak to Mads after what I heard that afternoon in the library. I'm too angry and I know if he was to ask me about anything I'd just reveal I'd been spying on him and his friends. Plus whoever that Crimson girl is. Someone I can't help but think I know ever since I got that sliver of a profile. The dark hair, hazel eyes and height seem to stick with me even when I can't figure out why for the life of me. Just that same niggling doubt in the back of my mind. One I can't shake no matter how hard I try.

"Lo?" Cora's voice next to me in class snaps me out of my head enough that I can look back at her. An action that caused my friend to whistle once with a worried expression. "Shit, sorry, didn't know you were so touchy." I sigh, trying to let go of my anger. The problem was, that the source of my current mixed feelings was across the room a few rows down. "You ok Lo? Or did someone do something again to piss you off?" I let out an aggravated sigh when I noticed Mads trying to catch my eye but saying nothing. "Is it Connor again? He been more of an asshole than before?"

"No, well not that I know of since he's barely spoken to me in weeks. Well besides criticising me every time he can." I sigh, grumbling the words to myself where Mads is still trying to get me to look at him. Although when I do he seems surprised at my angry glower. As if he couldn't understand my anger at him. Though granted he hadn't seen me so maybe...maybe he didn't. Although regardless of that knowing a little of what he'd been doing. Why he'd been doing it. That didn't make it better.

Cora looks sympathetic then, "Sorry about that hermosa," She sighs, lacing our fingers together where our arms lay side by side on the desk. I sigh but say little else, resting my head on her shoulder since I am still tired. "You need to stop working so much Lo. you'll either fall behind in school or burn out and be no use to anyone. Can't Luc help?"

"He already is Cor," I mumble, eyes half closed and sighing. "We're both doing all we can but with mom's problems and dad able to come back whenever he chooses, we have no choice. I've barely seen him in weeks. He's working so much. But what other choice do we have? Let us both relax and lose the house? Lose Ky if someone calls DCFS again? Cor, they'd take him. Put him in foster care, we'd never see him again." I let out another sigh but said nothing more. Knowing she understands a little since she'd grown up with me. Friends since kindergarten. Even if I didn't tell her the older we got. "He can't work more than he does Cor and without the wages and tips I bring in we'd sink. Faster than before."

"Can't you ask someone for help? Like a-a loan or some shit?" Cora asks, her voice softer as the class moves on, both of us working on the sheets in front of us. "Can't you ask someone for help?"

"I wish," I sigh, eyes dropping to the desk, pen tapping on the side. "I-I looked into it years ago. Luc did too. Cor, we can't go to the bank since our parent's credit is shit and I have none being sixteen. Luc's is ok but they said with the good credit in the family solely being his alone it...it's not enough for a loan the size we'd need. Plus my parents are shitty at remembering to pay people like the card company. Or keeping up on the house. We sunk all the money we had and use what we earn to keep food in the house and shit like the power and heating on given we're getting into winter." I let out another sigh, dropping my pen where I'd given up working for now. Seeing how Cora watches me with a steady frown. "I have no one else I can ask. It's not fair. And I probably can't pay them back either. We're stuck."

Cora sighs again but says little else given my phone goes off then. I pull it out once I've checked it's not going to be seen, scowling a little with a sigh when I see who it is.

M: Hey, what's wrong? You looked angry earlier? Did I do something wrong, you haven't spoken to me in days. Lo, what happened, please whatever it is I'm sorry. Just talk to me. Let me know if you're ok.