Empty Handed

Four

Hayley looked at the clock. She ignored her tired body and grabbed her small backpack and her phone and headphones. She quickly unlocked the door and looked behind her. Katie and Annie were still sound asleep. She looked at the hallway and closes the door lightly. She walks down to the elevators and hops in one.

She walks out of the lobby, obviously empty. Usually no one was out at four am in the morning. The woman at the desk watched her walk to the door before she spoke up.

"Darling, where are you going?" She asked gently. Hayley turned around.

"On a walk." She spoke softly and quietly. The young girl adjusted her backpack and give the woman a smile.

"You shouldn't be going out on your own. Espically around here." She sai, softly gazing at the curly haired girl standing in front of her. The girl shrugged.

"Everyone likes a little adventure. Amd danger does come with adventure." Hayley smiled cheekily. The woman shrugged, trying not to let the cheeky little girl convince her it was safe.

"Okay. I better not see your beautiful face in a missing child ad." She said seriously, looking at the girl with serious eyes. Hayley nodded.

"No one would care anyways..." Hayley mumbles before walking out of the building. She puts in her headphones and clicks a Playlist. Slowly the warm hug of music fills her ears as she walks down the street.

-

Hayley sat down on a bench on a public park and began to scratch lightly on her hand. She needed to out even more band aids on them, but she didn't want to. That would mean she would have to find another spot. Finally Hayley scratched he r hand too much and she yelped. It was bleeding more now, and she realized she had to cover it up before one, amy one saw it, and two before it starting hurting more. She let her hand fall beside her. She layed her head back onto the wood and closed her eyes.

The sun was starting to come up and her body was fully awake now. She opened her eyes again and threw her backpack on. She pulled out a granola bar form the pocket and opened it up. She ate it ad she walked to a nearby X
CVS to get some wrap for hand. As she saw it, Hayley pulled doubt her ear buds and stuck them in her jeans pocket as she walked in.

The door ringed as Hayley walked in. She head for first aid. After scanning the first aid supplies, she picked out bigger band aids that are square and some cleaning things to keep the wounds clean. Hayley also grabbed a minute made before walking up to the chashier. She sat the items down before getting her backpack off her shoulders and unzipping. She took out a twenty and waited until the boy was done checking her items out.

"The total is nine twenty four." She spoke, setting the bag on the counter. She handed him the twenty. He gave her the change as she finished checking out. She took back the change and took the bag.

"Thanks." Hayley spoke before walking out onto the getting busier streets. She sat down on a bench and put some cleaning alcohol on her wound and bit her lip as it stung. Once that was done she out the band aids on both hands and put everything away. She cracked open the juice and took a small sip before putting that in her bag aswell.

Hayley then began the walk back the place where she didn't belong.

-

When Hayley walked into the hotel with her own room key, she saw the bed were empty, but the two ladies were talking in the bathroom. Hayley quietly sat her bag down on one of the beds and walked into the bathroom. It still hurt her that there was not one call her text form he r mother or her sister wondering where she was. Hayley hated to admit it, but that was one of the reasons she wanted to walk out so early. She though maybe she was being delusional, maybe they did really care. But hell, now she knew they didn't really wonder about the small girl with soft curls.

"Mom?" Hayley asked softly, biting her lip. It never struck her that it noticeable that she felt a little uncomfortable around her own family. The need be with her father only got stronger when they both stopped fixing their hair and looked to the sensitive child standing just outside the bathroom.

"Hayley, you knew we had a shoot today. You were supposed to be getting ready." Katie, her mother, spoke a little bitterly than normal. Hayley looked down, undeserved shame crawling up her soft cheeks. Suddenly her white shoelaces became interesting.

"I-I'm s-sorry!" Hayley suddenly busted, tears starting push in her eyes. But the girl was determined not to cry as she continued to bite her lips harder.

"It won't happen again! I'm really sorry!" She said once more. Annie rolled her brown, hazel like eyes and returned to curling her hair. She decided this issue with her little sister was not her problem. The only thing on her mind was wondering about whay they were planning on eating after the shoot.

"Fine. But today you better be on your bets behavior or tonight you're going to bed as soon as we get home and without your phone. Now finish getting ready." Katie speaks a bit harshly, turning around.

Hayley nodded and but her lip. She quickly dressed into short overalls and a plain white t shirt. She did tow french braids and forced a smile onto her lips, taking a picture and posting it on Instagram.

hayley.leblanc
OOTD 😍 Time to have a fun day at Disney, can't wait! It is definitely the happiest place on earth! 💕💓😀

Hayley posted the photo and turned her phone off. She stuffed it in her pocket and stood there, holding back years with all she had.