Lights On

Chapter III: The New Life

Elyssa.

Her name's Elyssa. She was quite tactless just like me, but she never seems to know when to stop talking. She told me that Jackie was so restless when she could not meet me because of an emergency and how she begged Elyssa to take me to their home in exchange of being able to borrow Jackie's only prized possession: Her camera.

They both live in an apartment, just a ride away from the town proper. Their parents died years ago during a strong earthquake, leaving them both orphaned at a young age. Jackie was so thrilled that I finally decided to run away after years of planning. When we finally arrived, Jackie gave me a big hug and checked me if I was okay while Elyssa brought in my stuff. They showed me my room. It was not too spacy but just the right size for me. There was a single bed, a desk and a cabinet for my clothes.

"I still don't have money right now..." I stuttered as I bow my head.

"Don't worry about the rent for the meantime. We'll talk about it some other time." She said, as she showed me around their apartment. It was clean and has this homey-scent. It was definitely something refreshing. I could feel their excitement as they tell me stories of their beloved city. They also wish to tour me around.

"You will love it here!" they both exclaimed happily.

I finally have a new life to live. I will live the life that no one chose for me.  

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Sunbeams were slowly filling up my whole room, as if asking me to finally wake up from the deep slumber I just had. I was about to cover my face with a pillow when Elyssa opened the door and yelled the happiest "good morning" I have ever heard.

I didn't move and just stared at her. "Rise and shine~ Wanna come with us to the grocery? We're ran out of tissue and bacon just now and that's certainly distressing." She asked, poking my arms incessantly.
"Yeah, I'll tag along. I might need to buy a few things too." I answered. And she left, leaving the door wide open.
This place will teach me to make use of my time well instead of indulging all day in bed, I thought.

Sleep was my only escape from the atrocious reality I live in. When I close my eyes and dream, I can never hear my mom crying or my dad storming in and out of the house.

I would never need to ask why my very own father can do something so horrid to the woman who would give up her life just to make him happy.

Men. I will never understand them.