Floating In The Sky

Chapter 1

I slowly open my eyes and move my hands and legs which are completely sore from last night.

I walk into the washroom to take a shower. The warm water prickles my back, I don't gasp as I am used to this kind of pain.

After changing in my white shirt and jeans I look at myself in the mirror. My oval face is pale, it isn't as fair as it used to be. My small, tear-filled blue eyes are a bit red with a purplish eye and my rosebud lips are now cut. I braid my long, chocolate brown, wavy at the tips. I am skinny due to the lack of food I have. I applied concealer so no one could see the purple eye.

I walk downstairs hoping that my father would be asleep so I could have food, unfortunately he is up. "Bye," I said taking my handbag and making for the door.

"Be here at five!" He shouted as I slammed the door and went to the restaurant.

+++

I reached the 'Howdy' Diner in a few minutes. I entered through the back door to see Caroline wearing her apron with a strawberry milkshake. Her round, green eyes look at me sympathetically. Her lips were puckered towards me in her round face. Her short, curly black hair was tied in a neat ponytail. Her chubby body leaned against the wall.

She walked up to me and touched my lip and eye. I flinched when she touched my eyes as it hurts like hell. "Did he did this to you?"

"Yeah, it was worst last night. How did you know I had a black eye?" I said smiling and removing her hand.

"Because, the concealer can't hide it. I feel so bad for you, Willow" she said touching my shoulder.

"It's fine, really and it is not even that painful."

"Take this," she hands me the milkshake as we go inside.

"I am not hungry, I ate an Apple this morning." I placed the milkshake in the counter.

"No games around me now drink it." She widened her eyes at me. Ugh why?

"Fine." I took a sip. "Are you happy now?"

"Glad, now drink the whole thing and get back to work." She said. I did not finish the drink and threw it in the waste bin. My life has taught me to live without food. I wore my apron and went outside the kitchen to take orders.

One by one, I took orders and delivered it to the the customers everything went like my usual routine but it was disturbed by one person.

I stood at the window looking around as there was no more orders. Johanna took the order of a boy, he had a chiseled face with tanned skin. His almond-shaped, hazel eyes stared at me, curiously. His thin lips pouted at me. His ash-blond hair was tucked neatly under his black cap. He had a broad shoulder figure. I think I should stop staring back as I think it makes him feel that I am interested in him. No way!

Soon, I got frustrated at him for staring at me. I hate people staring at me for no reason. I went into the kitchen, took the matchbox, went at the back of the restaurant, lit it, extinguished it and touched it to my arm's skin. It gave out a burning sensation on my skin I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth in pain. It felt relaxing.

Then, someone pulled the matchstick out from my hand. I opened my eyes Caroline was standing with an upset face, "What's the matter with you? It's the third time in this week and fourteenth time in this whole month." I do not reply. She grabbed my hand and said, "You have to stop harming yourself. This will not give you anything." Yes it does. It gives me relief. I wanted to say but I stood with embarrassment. "Now go in and do your job." Caroline, is my boss but she needs to stop caring about me. I am not her child.

I went inside and this time I had to serve the order to the boy who was staring at me earlier. I picked up the tray and gently placed it on his table although I wanted to slam it at his face.

"What happened to your hand?" He said pointing at the dark purple burn marks.

"None of your concern," I replied rudely and went to Caroline's office to take my things and start my journey to my home.

+++

He was not at home, a relief. I went inside the kitchen and grabbed an orange, rushed upstairs to my room's balcony and began to eat it.

"Willow!" Came a yell from the living room.

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Author's Note:
This is just the beginning. Who do you think must have called Willow and why?