The life we had before

Part 1: the backstory

"Lily. Wake up... Lily. LILY!!!"

My eyes shot open and my head bumps into a large piece of cement.

"How did you sleep through all this noise?"

"I... don't know. I guess I'm just a hard sleeper." I mumble.

"Well come on. We gotta go job searchin' today."

"Why even bother. Anyone in their right mind would not hire a couple of homeless freaks like us, William... Why even bother doing anything anymore. We could just lay here and fade away. The world wouldn't miss us."

I pause for a moment and look up at my brother, who is only 5 years older than I and begin to have a flashback...

                  ...5 years earlier...

"I wish we could stay at this playground forever, Will!!!"

"Me too, sis. But we'll have to go back home soon."

"But I don't want to. I want to stay here, it's so quiet here. And aunt Emily and Uncle Olly is mean. And when is mommy and daddy coming home? I miss them."

"...They're gone, Lily. You know this. But always remember that you have me."

As I return to reality I realize a tear is slowly rolling down my left cheek. I can see that Will is confused but I wipe the tear off and I stand up carefully, not to hit my head on the cement again.

It's funny how one day you're living the dream, getting anything you could ever want with the perfect parents, and a stupid plane crash can change it all.

My parents thought they were doing the right thing by making sure we could go live with our aunt and uncle if anything would ever happen to them, but they are abusive and they only kept us for the enormous sum of money they left behind. We were worth millions.

Nowadays we live under a bridge begging people who pass by for money. I always feel guilty taking people's money but Will always says, " we need it more than they do."

I never agree with what he says. People should be able to keep the money they earn, but he has got a point. They would probably spend it on something they wouldn't use or didn't need. We do need it.

Will and I walk across the highway from the bridge that we slept under that night, and we walk for maybe about an hour. We were silent the entire walk.

"Well, were here." Will says without emotion.

I look up to read a sign that says, "Sam's gas and food."

"We're gonna work at a gas station?" I say, disguised.

"Hey! Beggars can't be choosers." He shouts.

I roll my eyes and drag my feet into the doorway.