What Do We Do Now?

1

I'm standing outside in the freezing cold. Why you may ask... well I'm homeless, as of recently. It's my fault actually so I really shouldn't be complaining, since I did this to myself. Basically, I got into an argument with my mom—as usual—but this time I got really upset. Like I was PISSED. I closed my eyes to take a breath and next thing I know my mom is laying there. Like completely still, slumped against the wall that was behind her. I froze, not knowing what to do, I assumed she got thrown into the wall.

I had experienced something like this before, moving things when I was angry or sad. But I had never actually done this before, like thrown a person. I slowly walked over to her and checked her pulse, it was faint but there. She was still breathing but it was very shallow and I wondered how hard she hit the wall. I decided it'd be best to call 911 but I didn't exactly know how to explain it. So I thought it best to just say she got into a fight with her boyfriend. I gave his name to them and said that he had left in a hurry.

Then that's exactly what I did myself, as I was still on the phone with them. I began frantically packing a suitcase and duffel bag. Once I hung up the phone with them, I quickly made my way downstairs and out the door. I ran as fast as I could with the heavy bags in tow. I made sure to leave the door unlocked so they could get in. I had no idea where I was going but I knew I had to get away from there. As soon as I was a few blocks away, I stopped to take a breath because I was tired.

I'm not used to such vigorous activity, I'm quite out of shape, though you wouldn't know it. I heard sirens coming in my direction and I quickly threw my bags into some bushes. I walked as if I was just taking a casual stroll which seemed appropriate given my attire. I was in leggings and a baggy t-shirt with sneakers on so I thought it'd look normal. They soon passed me and once I heard the sounds dying down a bit I walked back and grabbed my bags.

I started walking again towards town so I could get to a shop or something and sit. I had only walked a short distance and I was already exhausted. I finally came upon a little cafe that I used to go to frequently and I entered. I set my bags down and waited for a waitress to come take my order. I saw a familiar face approaching me and I offered a small smile in return. "The usual?" She asked sweetly and I nodded, I saw her eyes dart to my bags and back up to me. "Finally decided to run away" she joked, I giggled lightly.

Veronica and I weren't exactly 'friends' but we did talk every now and then. She was always there for me and she knew pretty much everything going on between me and my mom. Honestly, I would consider her as my best friend but I'd never say it. I don't like to get too attached to people. Thanks abandonment issues. "Guess you could say that" I said shyly and she dropped it, fortunately. I think she realized I didn't want to talk about it and just wanted my coffee.

After a few minutes she came back, setting the things down on the table. I reached into my purse to grab some money to pay her and she waved her hand dismissively. "It's on me" she said putting her hand to her chest and I shook my head. She just smiled and walked away before I could say anything else. I rolled my eyes playfully as she looked back at me and I heard her chuckle. I sipped my coffee and slowly savoured my pastry while I thought. That's when I saw it, a big white building on the tv in the corner.

Something made me zone in on it and I just knew I had to go there. As if it was involuntary I stood up out my seat, placed a ten on the table for Veronica, and grabbed my bags. I exited the cafe, discarding my empty pastry bag in the trash and taking my coffee to go. I realized that I had no idea where this building was, but I just walked. I closed my eyes to take a deep breath and contemplated going back to ask someone. My impatience finally got the best of me, I thought to myself.

I pictured what the place looked like in my mind and somehow when I opened them I was there. It was surreal, I was just standing in a parking lot; now I was in front of big black iron gates. I shook my head and pinched myself to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. It was in fact real and I pushed my nerves away and pushed a gate open so I could enter. It creaked a bit and my nerves shot through me all over again. I had no idea what I was doing here and no clue why I even came.

Yet I still knocked on the door and waited like an idiot. I felt like a kid that got offered candy at the back of a van or something. When a tall blonde with hair to her shoulders and black pants with a pink shirt opened the door, I froze. She was easily the most beautiful woman my eyes were ever fortunate enough to gaze upon. She smiled softly at me and reached her hand out for me to shake. I stared at it for a moment, I wanted to touch her, her skin looked so soft.

But I reminded myself that she was a stranger and though I didn't think she was a threat; I didn't entirely know whether or not she would hurt me. "I don't bite" she said as if she could read my mind and I just tilted my head at her. "I'm Cordelia. Cordelia Goode. Headmistress and... a teacher at this academy" she said nervously. I could tell she was going to say something and hesitated. It intrigued me but didn't necessarily scare me that she may have left something important out.

"I'm y/n y/l/n" I replied quietly and she invited me inside.