tomboy ▪ hemmings

5.

so, college sucks. 

after sending Adam off to school, Andrea returned home to grab her satchel for work. but before she could cycle her way to work, a luxurious car found its way in front of the warehouse. Andrea gulped at how she was going to explain herself. yikes.

an old man who seemed like he was in his forty's walked up to the warehouse, and greeted Andrea who was standing still next to her bicycle that was leaning against the front of the warehouse.

"Hello." the man had a slightly squeaky voice, quite not what Andrea was expecting.

"Yes, may I help you?" Andrea answered, unsure if she was supposed to stay or not.

"are you Mr. Turner's daughter?"

she gulped, "yeah, but he passed away, quite some time ago."

"we know, and that is why we came here. we have some matters to discuss about the warehouse."

she nodded, before gesturing for them to enter the warehouse.

but before the man could enter, the young woman standing next to him pulled him back. "I don't think we should come in, who knows how long it's been since you've had any germ inspection."

her face was enough for Andrea to know that she was disgusted with the place. ugh, if only she could slap her right there and then - but instead, she nodded and returned her eyes to the old man.

"yeah, alright. so, what's up?" Andrea said, most probably trying to make things done quickly.

"what's your name honey?" the old man asked her, while the woman just snickered next to him. she mentally rolled her eyes at the woman but she couldn't do it in front of the kind old man.

"just call me Andy." she said, while holding out her hand for him to shake. he happily shook it back, but the woman denied her hand with a roll of her eyes with her filthy fake eyelashes. god, Andrea wish she could pull them off.

"well, Andy, I'm Peter Robinson, and this is my wife Layla."

Andrea nodded, with a faint smile on her face. he was nice, so what was the harm in being nice to him - even if she hated his wife at first sight.

"look, I don't really know how to break this out for you - but this warehouse is mine. your father used to use it for several reasons since our father's were close friends. but I need it back, since it is already sold to a generous buyer." he said, eyes never leaving the warehouse.

Andrea stood still in her spot, her breath hitched in her throat and she wasn't really sure if she wanted to scream or to cry. she was dumbfounded really.

what was going to happen? where was Adam and her going to go? she didn't know how this could have happened, and according to her pay for every month - she was clueless of what she was supposed to do.

her thoughts were interrupted with the woman's voice, "so that means, you have to leave as soon as possible. most probably now since the buyer's coming tomorrow. so get up and leave, alright?" said the woman, clapping her hands, making her seem so happy and cheerful and Andrea didn't have the attitude to even treat her nicely.

she turned back to Peter, before trying to think of the words to say.

"b-but, where am I supposed to go? we're orphans, you can't just throw us out of here like that!"

"we don't care, all we know that tomorrow this warehouse belongs to someone else. got that?" the woman spoke before her husband could even blink.

arrogant and corrupted. that was the perfect words to describe this woman standing in front of her. god dammit, she was red with fury at the thought of it.

"n-no, you can't do this! you can't, just, p-please.." her tone was slightly fading, her breath stuck in her throat and tears were threatening to prickle down her cheeks. she took a deep breath before calming down so her tears wouldn't make a show in front of them.

"I'm sorry Andy, but can I know how old are you?" said Peter, pushing her wife slightly away before she could interrupt.

she gulped, before honestly answering. "I'm seventeen. but I turn eighteen next month, I swear."

"that means you aren't legal. you shouldn't be here on your own with your other sibling."

"I've been here for four years, and I'm fine with Adam. he goes to school, and we've been doing great before you came." she said through her gritted teeth.

"that's beside the point Andrea. how old is Adam anyway?" at this point, Layla had been complaining about the heat and decided to stay in the car - making Peter's job much easier.

"he's nine." she said faintly, trying to hide the fact that Peter was right.

"Andrea, we both know what that means. and the only option I can give you is the shelter."

Andrea's eyes widened at his words, and she quickly objected.

"No! I'm eighteen next month, I don't need the shelter!" she shouted, taking a step forward to Peter, but he wasn't scared of the timid yet independent girl in front of him.

"Andrea, I think we both know you've been holding on for too long. you need help, and I guessed you've stopped school some time ago and you're working? where do you see yourself next year? this warehouse isn't even yours, so you have no rights to fight me. I'm sorry."

Andrea stood there, obviously dumbfounded with how her life could change in a couple of minutes. what Peter said totally took her aback, and she couldn't even fight him on that. he was right, and she had no clue on what to do.

the next minute she took a glance at how his car drove out of the warehouse, and she watched at how the car's tires glided on the unruly tarred road. she felt a salty taste against her lips, and she knew that her bridge had been ruined, and her walls were slowly falling apart.

she couldn't do this anymore.

she hastily wiped her tears away, and thought about all the consequences that was bound to happen. how was she supposed to explain this to Adam? where were they going to stay? maybe she could ask help from Rosie or even George.

shit, George! she was late for work!

she grabbed her bicycle and cycled away, remembering the route to the city. her mind clouded with the many thoughts that made her think of Adam, and their soon to be home. she wished George could be kind hearted enough to lend her a place to stay. all she knew was she had herself to depend on, she had no other choice.

she would fight for their place on this world, that she was sure of.