1: Finding Miss Clumsy (John Pearce/Justice Crew Fanfic)

Chapter 6

* Bailey’s POV *

It has been a week since I last seen John. He hasn’t been picking up Colin lately, which is why I’m wondering what could have happened.

Didn’t he enjoy our date last Saturday? Did he change his mind? Did he found out I lied about my living conditions?

Yeah, that must be it. He must have found out.

The truth is, I don’t live in that house. It was my friend’s house, one that I have known a few years ago, from a café I used to work at. She was a regular in that café, and well, we have kept in touch.

She has been my excuse whenever I went out and people seem to want to bring me home. Luckily, she didn’t mind. There was actually some point in time she offered me to stay at her house, and just chip in with the bills and grocery, minus the rent.

That was a great offer because then I would perhaps have more savings than compared to my lifestyle now.

But I had to turn it down because it makes me feel like a charity case to most people. Though I know Jillian was just plain nice.

Still, it wasn’t a good idea.

Yes, I’m actually one you could call poor, and it’s not that I’m ashamed of it, but it was more of driving people away. I guess they thought I’d take advantage of them once they let me into their lives, which is why it’s so hard for me to trust someone. Most people just don’t trust me enough, which would also be the reason why it’s hard to reciprocate that trust, even though I know people are different. I guess I end up with the same people, and every time I get a new friend, I categorize them the same.

I have been renting and living alone since I turned eighteen. At five years old, I was sent to an orphanage because both my parents were abusive and always high on drugs. Fortunately for me, I was able to get out of that family when a concerned neighbor told the police what she has witnessed, and since that day, I was taken away. No contact from my parents, whatsoever.

No one adopted me though, because couples that were visiting the orphanage adopted the younger ones, two years and below. They explained that they wanted the kid to not be reminded of their real parents when they grow up, but that was some just stupid excuse. We all know when a baby grows up; she would probably figure it out. They can’t keep that one a secret, no matter how much you try to hide them.

Since no one wanted me, I stayed in the orphanage center most of my life, until they kicked me out when I was eighteen. To be honest, that was the hardest part of my life – looking for an apartment, and getting a job, but mostly being independent.

The orphanage taught me how to be independent though. But the thing is, no matter how much I failed, I knew that they will be there supporting my back as long as I live under their roof, but now it isn’t the case anymore. I was alone, and I have to make it on my own.

It wasn’t easy. Juggling two to three jobs was demanding, but I had to do it because I need to pay rent, bills, and food to eat. The apartment I got was one of the cheapest one, and also the rowdiest, but I’ve got used to it. It’s not that I’m home most of the time. That will do.

“Missed me?” A familiar voice whispered behind me, shattering my thoughts away. The sound of his voice sent shivers throughout my body, waking up every little vein. I know it sounds weird, but it also feels weird.

He’s back. John is back.

* John’s POV *

It has been a week since I have last seen Bailey, and mind you, it feels like there was something missing in my life. But then, I can’t do anything about it because I had to work.