Her next check would barely cover rent, and whatever was left would be a few days worth of groceries at best. There were few apartments in New York she could afford.
Even then, the neighborhoods they were located in were less than ideal. She was a single girl, living alone. Pair that with her late work hours, and the risks became increasingly alarming. Sitting in her bathtub, bubbles floated around as she pondered her lack of options.
Her hair was tied up, in a funny-looking bun, and her face was covered in a green cucumber and seaweed mask. The bathroom was dimly lit by a few candles, the flames growing smaller and smaller the longer she sat in the bathtub.
Laura has the exact same face mask, I stole it once, and she sliced my thumb off.
She hummed to herself, playing with the bubbles as she scrolled through her phone, looking for apartment listings online.
Most were out of her price range, and the few she could afford were sketchy at best.
Huffing to herself, she exited the tub, wrapping herself in a fuzzy towel as she drained the water.
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Emma was at Wade's place, yet again.
She sat in the living room with Laura, who had painted her nails per Emma's request. Wades' newly orphaned neighbor had been staying at his place, sharing a room with Laura who was more than happy to have another girl in the home, but only for a short while.
CPS wanted to put Emma in foster care, but her maternal aunt had access to some very good lawyers and would be arriving in a few days to become her official guardian.
Wade was out, probably somewhere committing heinous crimes and Logan had ventured to a local bar. Leaving Emma in Laura's care, seeing as the teenage girl was more than capable of looking after herself.
The two girls were watching Jaws, which in hindsight, probably wasn't the best movie for a child Emma's age to be watching. The small child hid half her face behind a blanket as her wide eyes stared at the television.
Laura merely sitting back, chewing on popcorn as the great white shark tore into human flesh.
Emma turned to the girl suddenly, staring at her for a moment before speaking, "Where's Wade?" She asked, seeing as Wade had left before Emma came over.
"He's working." Was all Laura said. "Oh."
"Where's Logan?" Emma asked, poking Laura's arm. "He's out." Laura smiled, gently grabbing Emma's index finger in an attempt to stop the poking.
Emma's eyes narrowed, "Out where?" She asked, "Just out." Laura said vaguely, wondering how a child as young as Emma was so self-aware.
"With a girl?" She asked, frowning as she crossed her little arms.
"No, why?" Laura asked, raising a brow as she hid her smile. "Cause' if he's with a girl, I'm gonna- I'm, I'll tell Estrella." She stuttered out, huffing.
At this, Laura's eyebrows shot up. "And who's Estrella?" She knew who Estrella was, hell, the whole friend group knew who she was. She hadn't met her yet, but if Colossus liked her, then she approved.
They had conspired to set up Estrella and her dad, but Emma was unaware of that.
"She's my friend." Emma started, looking down before she added, "And I see the way he looks at her." She paused, "It was the same way my dad looked at Tina," Emma stated.
Furrowing her brows, Laura was left confused. "Who's Tina?" She asked, turning to the small child as she set the popcorn bowl down on the coffee table.
"My dad's secretary." At this, Laura couldn't contain the laugh that escaped her.
That trauma is still a bit fresh, but hey? Her aunt's coming over. Any guesses on who it might be? (Heads up, kiddos, it rhymes with Shwyneth Caltrow.)
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