Loving Leighton ✔

02

LEIGHTON SCOTT WAS TIRED. "Leighton!" called Mrs. Umbridge while knocking on her door. She put her feet on the floor and dragged it to the door. She opened it and saw Mrs. Umbridge in her favorite floral skirt and her mahogany brown blouse. Her short curly hair, as usual, was clipped on both sides of her face to keep stray brown strands from covering her face. Mrs. Umbridge was organized like that.

Mrs. Umbridge wasn't cruel, nor was she mean. She was just very, very strict on very, very small things. Per say, her hair. She was also strict when it comes to the rent payment. But to Leighton's advantage, she's always had a soft spot for the girl. Her life had been rough, and Mrs. Umbridge knew that. For everyone else who rented, they paid rent on the first Sunday of the month. As for Leighton, she had until the first Thursday to pay. She was always late in paying.

As a student, she could've applied for a dorm, or even a student loan. Thing is, she wanted her personal space. She didn't want to be friends with those prissy girls who did nothing but whisper in the night about how ugly their roommate's clothes are, or how hot the guys in their chemistry classes were. She preferred her own space, thus her decision of renting an apartment near the school.

Mrs. Umbridge stretched her hand out, meaning she was asking for the payment. Leighton knew this, so she quickly went to get some money from her stash to pay this month's rent. Mrs. Umbridge counted the money Leighton gave her and walked away, right after nodding in approval.

She had two jobs to support her needs like payment for the rent, for food, and for clothes. One was at the diner down the street. She worked as a cleaner there. The other is in the local pub. Close to her first job, she washes and wipes the utensils they use. Other times, she filled in for the bartender when needed. The pay as a cleaner was decent, but to support her needs she had to take another job and the only available one there was was the one in the local pub.

She dragged her feet once more and laid on her bed, thinking about the same things she thinks about every second of the day. That was the other reason why she took those jobs. She wanted to get her mind off some things.

Which reminded her that she had a shift at the pub, and begins in an hour. Being a cleaner, it was okay for her to not wear skimpy outfits. She felt quite lucky. She went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. She changed into an old black shirt, dark washed jeans, and her worn down Converse. Most of her things are quite old.

Stepping out of her apartment, she locked the door. She breathed in the chilly September air and went on her way. If she was given the chance and the choice, she would've wanted to stay at home and lay on her bed. Maybe she would've painted or wrote poems, too.

She arrived the pub quite too soon. Too soon that Lola, the girl who took the shift before her, is still there. She never hated Lola, nor did Lola ever irritate her. Lola was just a bit too chatty, a bit too happy. Happy is not in Leighton Scott's vocabulary. Not anymore.

"Hey, Leighton!" chirped Lola. Nonetheless, she tries sometimes. "Hey Lola." she greeted with a tight smile. This small smile of hers seems to please Lola. Not that she was supposed to please Lola, but it lessens the nagging. It's like Lola's habit to see everyone smile at her, and Leighton found it a weird habit.

"Want to come to my house later?" asked Lola hopefully. "Homework." she replied, not looking at Lola. She felt quite bad, but she had to do it. She vowed to never let anyone break her walls, no matter who or what it was. She planned on never letting any light pass through even if there are cracks. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle it if ever she let a person in, and the same person would leave her just like everyone else did.

"Oh, okay." said Lola. She looked a bit hurt because of the rejection, but she's used to. She must be. Leighton has been declining too many times, and Lola is bound to not ask anytime soon. She's waiting for that day.

Lola left, much to her relief. Her shift starts in ten, and she couldn't wait. She wanted it to be over as soon as possible, so that she could go back to her apartment. Not home. She never had a place to call home since her only family died, and honestly at this point, it didn't matter. It didn't matter because she didn't feel anymore, as much as she wanted to...needed to.

And for now, she had to focus on earning money if she wanted to keep herself alive. Well, for now.