Blue

One

My brother, Cam and I were on our own from the time we were 12 and 17. He was older than I. Our parents overdosed together in our home. Because he had graduated high school already, they allowed him to keep me. He chose to and told me he would've fought for me.

He met Megan around his 18th birthday and she was bad news. I was still only 12 at the time. I had unfortunately turned 12 the day our parents died. Megan got Cam into drugs and it didn't take long for him to get hooked. I watched the same drugs kill my brother slowly. He and Megan welcomed twin boys together, Camden and Kaden.

She was pregnant when they both overdosed in the same house as our parents. I was sixteen. I came home from high school and police were every where. The neighbor called it in. She heard Camden and Kaden crying to no avail. Her husband phoned Megan's parents and they came and took the twins away.

I watched them carry my brother and his girlfriend away in body bags. I was coming from taking my GED. I was set to graduate valedictorian, but I didn't like high school. The officers were going to take me in, but I told them I was considered an emancipated minor, having passed the GED test.

They looked into it and discovered I was telling the truth. Once they collected everything they needed to rule their deaths self inflicted, the house was cleared out. The neighbors asked if I wanted to come over so I wouldn't have to be in the house that claimed the lives of my parents and brother. I declined.

Just like with mom and dad, I cleaned away the mess they made. I spent all night crying and cleaning. But morning, the remnants of their last moments were gone. The house was a stale quiet. Our parents were poor, so we were poor. Cam and I did odd end jobs to make ends meet. I tutored to make sure our bills could stay on. Some months even that wasn't enough.

My name is Xora Blue. Yes like the color. Kids made fun of it, a lot. I rested for four hours and then I got up to go and put in applications. Rent was due and it was $2700. Pricey if you ask me, but normal here in New York. I put on my best clothes and shoes. I pulled my curls into a ponytail on top of my head. I loved my natural face and never poisoned it by wearing make up.

I walked the strip going place to place, looking for employment. Everyone said I was too young, inexperienced. I was going to call it a day as the sun set. My walk back to our apartment would be gruesome. It would be dark by the time I got there. I started on my way, lost in my thoughts. I stepped out to cross the street, passing an alley. A car horn pulled me from my thoughts and scared me into almost pissing on myself.

I looked up to a driver of a black SUV and apologized. He wore a stern look. I could see the suit's jacket of his boss, but the tint on the windows made the interior of the car appear dark as well. I stepped back into the sidewalk and let them pass. However the driver turned to his boss and then back to me. He waited for me to cross and then he continued on.

They passed me slowly and I got nervous. I had wanted to buy me a phone, but it was too expensive. We needed to eat more than me getting a phone. I passed all the restaurants who were in full swing. The aromas were heavenly. My stomach grumbled as I passed them. I looked around to make sure I wasn't being followed. I continued on my way home.

I reached my apartment right as the street lights came on. Mr and Mrs Pelt greeted me. "We thought you were staying out tonight. We're glad you made it back home." I smiled and let myself in. The mail had been deposited through the mail slot. I picked it all up. I started opening the letters as I rounded the kitchen for something to eat. The cabinets were empty and so was the fridge.

I turned on the faucet and let my glass fill with water. It was all I had to get me through the night. This was one of the reasons I stayed in high school so long, the meals. By default, I received free meals. Because I had left and gotten my GED, I no longer was able to get free meals. I sighed in frustrations. I sat at the table and opened the letters.