The Soot Princess [Hiatus]

8-Bruised & Bugs

Eevon

I guess I eventually dozed off, because when I woke up the sun was just below the horizon. It had been dark the night before.

I propped myself up in bed using my fists. I winced as my left hand bends. It's the one I used to slug Mr. Guolse.

"Geez, that hasn't happened in a long time," I whispered to myself.

I looked at my left fist just to be sure. Yep, it's bruised up pretty well. I'll have to go to the sportswear store this morning.

I silently slid out of bed, moving so I avoid the creaky boards that made up the floor. Over at the closet I threw on a pair of athletic shorts, underwear, a sports bra, and a tee shirt, my normal attire.

Downstairs is silent, except the taping of fingers on a keyboard coming from Ms. Walker's office. I poked my head inside.

"Early morning?" she asked.

"You know I never sleep in," I replied.

"True enough."

"I was hoping I could head to the sportswear store this morning before everything gets moving for the day. May I go?" I asked.

"Sure, but make sure you have enough money for the trolley and everything you want to buy and be back before lunch."

"Okay... Do you need anything while I'm out?"

"Actually I was going to go to the store tomorrow, but since you volunteered I'll give you my list and the money,"she said and got up to get everything.

I should have just kept mouth shut and been on my way, but since when have I ever known better?

"Okay... I think this is everything we need." Ms. Walker hands me a list with about 20 items on it and a role of bills. "You should be able to find everything on the list at Martins. I expect the receipt back and any extra money. I've also included an extra 10 for lunch, because you will probably miss it. Make sure you take a cell and have it on at all times and be back by 3 pm."

"Great! I'll make sure I'm back," I say heading for the door. I grab a cell from the basket and say, "I'm taking cell number six with me!" I close the door behind me without an answer.

I decide not to take the trolley in to town. I jog on the sidewalk watching cars go by. I have two or three miles so I pace myself accordingly. I like to run, but I'd rather have a ball at my feet while I'm running.

Time flies when you are running, I guess, because it didn't feel like it took me as long as I had suspected it would. I check the phone for the time. It's just now seven-forty. I left around seven-ten. I'll have to wait a bit. They don't open until eight.

I've ran faster before, but today it didn't matter. I wasn't going for speed and if I were, I would have arrived even earlier than I already was. I could have walked here! I was that early.

I stood around for a while, or at least it seemed like it, before I checked the time again. Seven-forty-three, crap! Only, three minutes have gone by!

I paced, hoping to keep my mind off the time. To no avail, seven-forty-four.

I took off running. There was, no way, I was just going to stand around waiting. I get  impatient, as you can tell.

I took random turns, noting the street names in my head, as I went. There weren't many people out yet. At least three-fourths of the city was still slumbering along.

I check cell number six again. Seven-fifty-nine, finally! I headed back. I followed the street names back in my head, without taking a wrong turn. I arrived at the sportswear store slightly winded at eight-eleven. Faster coming back to the store.

I walked in. Check out to my right, healthy snacks like granolas and squeezy applesauce to the left. I headed to the back of the store.

"Miss, can I help you with something?" a man asked, who was finishing hanging up a shirt.

"Actually, yes. Can you help me find boxing hand wraps?"

"They are right this way miss." He led me to the back, right section, past the football and tennis gear.

"Thanks," I said and began picking through the different styles.

"Is there anything else that you need?" he asked.

"I don't think so," I responded.

I ran my fingers over the different materials. Some were course and some felt smoother.

"May I ask a question?" the person who had shown me the wraps asked.

"You already did, but I will permit another one."

"Why do you need boxing gear? You don't seem like that type of person to like punching someone's lights out."

I showed him my hand and explain, "Last night, I needed to protect myself and my hand is all bruised up. I hit him too hard. It hasn't happened in forever though. That's why I'm buying a better wrap than just some cotton bandages."

He took an exaggerated step backwards.

"Smart," I remarked callously. Fearful, too.

I grabbed a pair of black Ever-Lasts and took my leave. I payed for them at the register and left the store.

I ran past the palace on my way to the other side of town where Martins is. It would be nice not to have to do everything yourself, like royalty, but I would rather aim to just be adopted.

A man on one of the balconies waved at me. I waved back and moved on, but something about him bugged me.