Balloons (Wattys2017)

Chapter 5

"Then stay."

Sparrow struggled to find the right words to say without offending Scarlet or her parents. The looks they gave her were as if she was on her death bed and made her heart sink. She gulped as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I can't stay." Sparrow said. Scarlet's eyes flashed red for a brief second before turning to a light grey tone. Her eyes were soft and understanding.

"It's ok. I understand, you have a family too.." Scarlet said softly as she sat back against her seat.

Rachel and Charlie placed their hands on Scarlet's shoulders, their expressions saddened with Sparrow's reply. Scarlet's face was clear with disappointment but she was being polite about the whole thing. Sparrow bit her bottom lip before speaking.

"I-I'll visit you every night, I swear!" Sparrow announced. Scarlet looked up at Sparrow, her eyes full of joy. Rachel and Charlie shared the same shocked expression.

"R-really?" Scarlet asked. Sparrow nodded her head, flashing a small smile.

"Really. I promise." Sparrow said. Scarlet grinned before hugging Sparrow. Sparrow, surprised, slowly hugged back. Both parted from the hug and looked at the clock. It was nearly midnight and the moon was staring at them all from the window. Rachel turned to both girls.

"You should go to bed, both of you." Rachel said. Both yawned before making their way to their separate rooms. At the hall, Scarlet flashed a small smile to Sparrow.

"You promise you'll come back?" Scarlet asked, curious sadness in her voice.

"Yeah, I promise." Sparrow responded. Scarlet stuck her pinky out.

"Pinky promise?" Scarlet asked. Sparrow smiled slightly and locked her pinky into Scarlet's.

"Pinky promise." Sparrow says reassuringly. Scarlet smiled before going to her room.

"Night, Sparrow." Scarlet says happily.

"Night, Scarlet." Sparrow responds before she walked inside the guest room. She laid down on the bed and fell asleep.

The next day, Sparrow wakes up once again in her leaky room. She sighs, wishing she chose to stay. A knock on the door broke her thoughts and caused her to leap from her bed to answer the door. Standing there were Ivy and Violet.

"Laundry day." Both said cheerfully in unison.

"What now?" Sparrow was confused entirely. She just did laundry whenever she needed clothes.

"The day of laundering is today." Violet repeated.

"There are days for laundry?" Sparrow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"There are days for everything." Ivy replied nonchalantly.

"Ok, where's the laundry room?" Sparrow asked, sticking her head out the door to look at the hall for a door.

"There is no room. Only a laundry mat." Both replied.

"I have to go to the town?! I'll get lost!" Sparrow exclaimed. She had never been outside of the school (aside from going to Scarlet's home in the forest). Both shook their heads.

"It's not that big, you'll find it when you see it." Ivy said.

"No, you see it when you find it." Violet corrected.

"Ok..um, thanks?" Sparrow said unsure.

"Very much welcome." Both said before taking their leave. Sparrow sighed and gathered her dirty clothes (which was very few). She put everything in a bag, neatly folded and went door to door of each girl.