ȶɦɛ ֆɦǟɖօա ɮɛɦɨռɖ ʍɛ

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTᗴᖇ ᖴOᑌᖇ: ᗴᑭᕼᗴᗰᗴᖇᗩᒪ

ძคՐқՈ૯ઽઽ ८คՈ ც૯ ઽ૦ ԲՐɿ૭Һ੮૯ՈɿՈ૭, ც౮੮ ઽ૦ ८૦ɱԲ૦Ր੮ɿՈ૭ ค੮ ੮Һ૯ ઽคɱ૯ ੮ɿɱ૯.

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The birds were chirping loudly outside the window. The chirping of birds drew away as they flew to perform they're daily tasks. But Anais was already awake long before the noise. She woke at 5:00 am and was getting dressed. The shadow was confused by this behavior.

"Darling? Where could you possibly be going so early in the morning?" The shadow asked, peeking its head in the corner of my doorway. "Especially when it's a lovely Saturday."
I pull my shirt down my chest and turn around, "Well, I can't relax when I have no money." I put on a smug smile. Now, the entity fully stands in the doorway.

He titled his head, "Doesn't your father already send you money through the mail?"
I slip my pastel purple boot on and pull an open white wool sweater over my shoulders. "No, he was but I told him not to because I wanted to earn money on my own. Plus, he needs it more than me." I grab my dorm keys and head outside with the shadow following behind.

ʚ♡ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)

There's more plazas and stores on and near campus. More stores mean more jobs. For the rest of the week, I perform different work. The first one was at a restaurant where I had to wear a clown costume. The shadow tried to contain its laughter as I washed glitter out of my hair.

The second one was in a warehouse packing center. But unfortunately, the warehouse was swimming with thieves. Temporary workers or 'Temps' often came in and out to deliver the packages. But some started to steal the boxes or sell them online, or even trade the items inside to each other. I even got yelled at by one of the Temps because I refused to give one of the packages to her knowing what she'll do with it.

And later that day, I saw on the news that the same lady died in a fatal car crash with a semi-truck because her brakes were sliced off. I watched with a shock expression while the shadow didn't say anything and only appeared to be relaxed at what was showing on the screen.

The third job was being a Barista. My co-workers were nicer than the ones at my previous jobs. But the boss, however...let's just say he was very hands-on with his employees. His breath was occupied with strong alcohol. And on my shift, he experienced many 'accidents'; falling down stairs, being hung upside down on the building's sign, being electrocuted even though there was no thunder outside. At some point, one of the boss's fingers was chopped off and his hair was set on fire. All complete, undoubtedly, 'accidents'.

Though the workplaces weren't the best, they weren't terrible either. Mostly because of the shadow assistance with the workload. He would carry everything, as he said, "Your delicate hands shall not be tarnished by hard labor!" and, "You are a queen and deserve to be treated as such!"

When we arrived back home, the shadow would 'help' me with my studies. And by that I mean he would try to do each and every assignment that I had. Surprisingly, the shadow was excellent at every subject.

The fourth and final job was being a nanny for a rich family. The parents didn't seem to care a whole lot about their young children, mostly their teenage son, Theo. The couple showed me around their house and goalted about their designer clothes and furnishings. The shadow seems almost disgusted by the couple's attitudes, along with their presence.

The kids were much kinder than their parents. Since the only assignment the parents gave me was 'watch them', I decided to let them do what they wanted(safely, of course). As I made dinner, the shadow played with the twin toddler daughter and son, Maxwell and Matilda.

I called everyone in the dining room for dinner. But the older son didn't show up. I yelled for him once more but received no response in return.
"Watch the kids, I'll be right back." I told the shadow who looked curious but, frankly, enjoyed messing around with the children; so he didn't mind my absence too much.

Walking along the large, stainless white staircase, I began looking for the boy's bedroom.
"Theo! Theo, dinner's ready!" Still no response. I walked to the end of the hallway and heard whimpers and quiet sobs.

I crack open the door to find Theo on his bed crying. The room was dark with only one small lamp turned on. I peek my head in, "...Theo?"
Theo gasps and hides his face in his hands. "Theo, what's wrong?"
The boy doesn't speak or turn to face me.

I stand awkwardly at the door in silence. Theo was still sniffling and rubbing his eyes which lifted up his glasses. Though I was experienced with this kind of stuff because of my many cousins, I didn't know how to react. I barely know him but I feel compelled to comfort him. So, I walk in the room and sit next to him on the bed.

"So..., you want to talk about it?" At this point, I already want to vanish from existence. Theo glances up at me and looks away again. His brown hair was as ruffled as birdnest.
"I don't know what's wrong but just know that here if you need anything." I say, trying to reassure him. But Theo's face scrunches up upset instead and he mumbles under his breath, "That's what they all say..."

I want to ask what he means but I don't. If I was in his position, I wouldn't want someone who I barely know to invade my privacy. So, I get up from the bed, still in silence.
"Dinner's ready if you want any. I made some burgers." I say before going to close the door. But before I do, Theo, surprisingly, replies, "...Thanks."

I pause and smile a little, "You're welcome." I shut the door behind me.

𐂂✐𓁹𐂂✐𓁹𐂂✐𓁹𐂂✐𓁹𐂂✐𓁹

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𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 21, 2023 𝑎𝑡 5:35 𝑝𝑚

Ꮅ.Ꭶ. 𐒄ᏋᏒᏒᎽ ᏟᏲᏒᎥᎦᎿ𐒄ᎯᎦ!
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