[4] Breakeven

3 - First Day In

3 - First Day In

The very next day, I woke up early from the shelter for poor I had slept in. It was embarrassing, I know that. I was not only taking someone’s place in here, someone who truly needed it, but I was also getting to the lowest point I possibly could.

I had nowhere else to go; it was the best I could think of. I wanted to start fresh, and it had its consequences and downsides. I kept on telling myself it was worth it because the image of my sister smiling fondly at me, the image of Niall holding my hand and the image of my parents and brother finally not worried about me, all of those things did nothing but push me forward.

I made my way to Lassie’s place since early in the morning, waiting outside of her store with the small backpack where I had all of my stuff in. I did not want to stay in the shelter any longer. I was more than eager to start a new day, a new adventure. I just hope I could soon find a place to stay.

I was seriously debating on whether I should ask Lassie for an early payment. I was embarrassed to ask for it, and unsure as well, though. I had not even begun to work and I was already asking for money. Another solution should have to come along, because I had to keep my pride somehow. She had to know she could trust me.

“Can I help you?” someone questioned roughly from aside.

I blinked a couple of times and brought myself back to reality. I turned around with raised eyebrows to find a big girl staring me down with a suspicious look. “I’m waiting for someone,” I replied while keeping my distance, not getting a good vibe from her. She seemed sarcastic and mean, the least I needed right now.

“Well, do you mind waiting somewhere else? You kinda stink and my boss will kill me if she sees you here. You’ll scare clients,” she grunted as she took a step forward and I took one backwards, afraid that she might beat me up. She looked like she could. I did nothing but gape at her, though. Had no one taught her manners?!

“The person I am waiting for works here,” I dryly rebutted, already having enough of her and her attitude.

“Is that so?” the girl frowned, faking interest as she took a menacing step forward and I gulped nervously, regretting having used a dry tone on her. I had all to lose here. She was taller and bigger than I was. She could take me down with one hand and with her eyes closed.

“What’s wrong?” someone asked and I relaxed right away, recognizing Lassie’s chirpy voice from behind me. I let a relieved sigh escape my lips as I turned around and smiled brightly at her, happy to not have to deal with the rude and obnoxious girl anymore.

Lassie walked up to us and stood in between us as she searched for something in her purse. The dark colored girl that was in front of me readjusted her black leather skirt and stared me down before walking up to meet Lassie and then kissing her cheek. “Just a hobo bothering us. I’ll call the cops right away,” she shrugged and I gaped at her yet once again.

“No, she is not a hobo, Edna,” Lassie laughed as she shot me an apologetic look. She finally found what she was searching for in her purse, which where some keys, which I supposed belonged to the boutique’s entrance. The blonde young woman opened the door to the boutique and invited me in as a way of compensating me for her rude and obnoxious employee. If that girl kept acting like that towards me, I was sure Lassie would run out of ways to compensate me.  

“Good morning,” I chirped happily, deciding it was best to ignore that Edna girl.

“Good morning,” Lassie chirped back as she placed a hand on my shoulder in a gentle way. “I see you already met Edna,” she mumbled next and I saw her muster a knowing smirk before walking inside. So she knew how Edna was! Here came my first challenge in this new life I wanted to forge for myself…

I walked quickly after her, not wanting to be left next to Edna. “Yup, I have,” I piped, trying to sound cheery about it but miserably failing.

“I’m really excited to have met you as well,” Edna wailed from behind me. I turned around to frown at her as she just flipped me the bird. I gasped but shook my head, refusing to let her get to my head any further.

“Get yourself comfortable. Do you need to take a shower?” Lassie intervened before I could even think of a proper comeback. I know I had said I would not let her get to my head any further, but one last witty comeback would not hurt anyone, right?

“See? I told you, you smell!” Edna accused with a giddy laugh and I shot her a glare.

“The shower is on the second door to the right on the second floor,” Lassie hurried to say, sensing the friction between us two.

I nodded and sent her my best smile, glared once more at Edna and made my way up. As I walked away I could hear Lassie scolding Edna already on how rude she was being and I could hear Edna’s laugh resounding on the walls of the boutique as her response. A smile tugged at my lips, because this seemed like the perfect niche, putting aside its shortcomings.