𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒 ꨄ

𝟏 ꨄ

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐘𝐍'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :

I got out of my cab, pulling my small pink suitcase out with me and stood in front of the large house ahead of me. I moved out of my mother's house the week after I turned 18.
I had been working part time jobs ever since I was 15 to make enough money to leave my toxic mother as soon as possible.

I lived in Pennsylvania by myself ever since. But I struggled to pay rent as none of the jobs I could get were very well paying since I don't have a proper education.

My plan was never to move back into this house. But it was either this, or sleep on the street tonight so I'm going in.

Facing my mother was the hardest part about going back. Having to face her telling me , 'I told you shouldn't have left so young.' I hated that she was right.

I still had my old key from when I lived here. I put the key in the lock and turned it, taking a small step inside the house.

The smell of alcohol hit me immediately, burning my nose. The living room looked like it hand been cleaned in weeks with takeout bags and bottles lying around. The lights were off , which meant my mother was out.

I took my suitcase upstairs and dragged it to my old room. I grabbed the doorknob, turning it fast so I could see how my bedroom currently looked.

Nothing had changed. The room looked exactly how I had left it. Which was surprising, I would have thought Mom would have sold the bed and the desk to make some money, but I guess deep down she knew I would have to move back.

I pulled out my desk chair and sat on it, staring at myself in the mirror on my vanity. It was only 2:00pm, so I got out my makeup bag to touch up my makeup. I don't want to stay in this house for much longer, I need to go look for any available jobs.

I got up and changed into something nicer  and left the house. I completely forgot I would have to walk everywhere, I don't have a car or enough money to get another cab.

-

I got to the local mall, tired and sweaty after walking the entire way here, and immediately started looking around to see if anywhere was hiring.

It was Saturday so the mall was packed, full of teenagers wondering into different stores. I entered 5 different clothing stores but every single one wasn't hiring.

I walked over to the other side of the mall where the food court was and scanned the area for a coffee shop. The was an extremely small but very crowded store called "espresso express" to my right. I went in and immediately the strong scent of coffee hit me. I ordered my regular, and iced latte, and took a seat at one of the free tables while I waited for my name to be called out.

I looked around the small room, it was busy and loud, with so many different conversations going on in each area of the cafe. There was a red sign hung on the back wall, with the words 'hiring' in white block letters.

I rose up out of my seat and got closer to the sign. In smaller writing it said that they were looking for baristas, which was perfect. I turned around mindlessly, not looking where I was going, and walked straight into someone.

The girl was wearing sunglasses and a black covid mask. Her long brunette hair was tied back into two braids and she was wearing a back top with a small red mini skirt.

"I'm so so sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you. I should have looked where I was going I am really really sorry." I said in a panic.

"Don't worry about it, I get it, accidents happen." She said removing her sunglasses and putting them onto the top of her head.

Suddenly I recognised her, but I hadn't met her before, I had seen her all over the internet.

"No way! You're Olivia Rodrigo!! I love your music, can I have a picture?" I said excitedly.

"Of course you can!" She said while I pulled my phone out of my pocket. She got closer to me and posed for the camera as I took a couple pictures.

"Order for Evelyn!!!" The barista called out.

"I love the name Evelyn, it's so pretty." Olivia said as she pulled her sunglasses down covering her eyes up.

"Thank you! And thank you for the picture, bye!"
I said as she waved goodbye at me.

I walked over to the counter, still in shock, and picked up my drink. While I was there, I asked the current barista about the job position, and gave them my phone number so they could call me about it.

I walked out of the mall filled with happiness and made my way back to my house. I turned the key and stepped in the house and realised that I wasn't alone. My mom was home. I could hear the faint sound of voices coming from upstairs.

I slowly walked up the stairs, think about how I would explain to her I was going to live at home again.

"Where did all this shit come from" I heard my mom tell someone in an angry tone.

"I don't know, Alicia. This is the first time I'm seeing all of it." A man's voice replied.

I stood outside of my old bedroom door and listened in. They were talking about the stuff I left before I went to get coffee.

Hesitantly,I stepped into the room, locking eyes with my mother.

I saw a look of disgust creep onto her face.

"Evelyn? What are you doing back here?"

I couldn't get any words out. Instead of replying, I gave the man standing opposite my mother a hard stare. I recognised him, but I just couldn't remember where from.

"Who's that?" I asked my mother, still not looking back at her.

"My fiancé. I've answered your question, now tell me what the hell you're doing here."

"I can't afford to live by myself anymore mom. I need to stay here.

"I don't care. This isn't your room anymore. Me and Jeremy have our own life together, our own kids. A perfect life. And it doesn't include you."She said, picking up my suitcase and rolling it over to me. "Find somewhere else to stay. We don't want you here"

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I could cry in front of her. I wanted to show her I was strong, that I didn't need her.

I took my suitcase without saying a word and slowly made my way down the stairs.

As soon as I left the house hot tears began streaming down my cheeks. I had no where to go. I had nothing. No money, no shelter, no family, no friends. Nothing