Pimentel Princess #wattys2018

Chapter 23 : the meeting

"Papa, it's cold," January cries as she swings her legs under the bench, her face scrunched up and her arms folded. Her breath creating puffs of smoke as she speaks.

"Just a minute. She's probably late," he says looking at his watch.
"Who papa?" January smiles.
"You'll see," "Come on, let's have a race as we wait, 3...2" and he's off before saying one.
He runs to the swing.

"You cheater!" January exclaims.
But the squealing gate catches their attention.

"January!" Hafsa says running to January, but January looks displeased and pushes Hafsa away.

I run to Hafsa, clearly hurt.
"Hafsa, you need to introduce yourself, she's just really uh, protective?" Praying she understood what I was saying. I mean she was quite clever.

"I'm Hafsa, I'm 6 I'm guessing we're going to be in the same year at school," Hafsa says all with her hand out.

The nurse looked uneasy, looking at both of them, knowing this was going to end well.

"Are you one of those... immigrants?" January asks, touching her jacket.
"January!" Joel shouts scaring January.
"What? They say it to that girl at school, Janah," January seemed so calm, yet her dad was fuming.

"Say sorry," Joel demands.
"No," January days with her arms crossed.
Then pushes Hafsa, leaving her in the mud.

January running, fearing for her dads reaction.

"JANUARY!" He exclaims. But she doesn't turn back.

I stay with Hafsa, and the nurse. I reveal a plaster from my small Just do it bag that I take everywhere I go. I fill it with just-in-cases because I'm a Klutz and I'm a mother of a 5 nearly 6 year old.

I hug her, kissing her cheek with her tears transferring to mine.

"No one likes me, this is why my parents committed suicide. To get away from me. I'm a monster," she whispers the last part. I was in awe at the words she used. 'Suicide,' she must have heard it all the time.

"Wait!" I shout, hoping to stop Hafsa and the nurse from leaving.
"I'm so so sorry, she's a beautiful girl really. Please. Don't go," I plead to the nurse, who looks at Hafsa for an answer.

She gives a slight nod. And walks back to me. I grab her holding her on my hip. She's surprisingly light for a 5 year old.

"Oh. Oh no," the tiny voice comes from Hafsa, as we walk to Joel and January.
"It's fine, she's not scary," I reassured her.
"No. Mia, nose bleed!" I put her down, hastily looking for tissues. As soon as I find them the nurse is already pinching Hafsa's nose.

"I'm sorry, we're going to have to go now," Nurse Mia says softly.

"Bye Hafsa! And come back please," she just waves, but the nurse nods. Hopefully meaning they'll be back.

"January, why did you do that?" I ask, tearing up. January realises, and instead of answering she hugs me.

"I'm sorry, I was jealous," tears escaping her eyes.
"Come on, let's go home and eat." I hold her hand and she gives the other to her father.

After we've eaten January runs upstairs, with Her fluffy turquoise monster book, Joel had brought as a present for her starting year 1, and some pens.

I notice Joel's eyes tearing up as he's deep in thought. My hands travels to his cheek, my thumb caressing his cheek.
"Whats wrong, mozzarella?" He lets out a little laugh as tears hit the table.
"Mozzarella? Really?" He cocks his head to the side. "It's your cheese," I pinch his cheek like a child's.

He sighs heavily.
"Hafsa. She's got... and she's strong? I mean January pushed her. She didn't retaliate. She's different. I feel a connection with her. She's an orphan, and if it wasn't for my aunt adopting me, I'd still be one. We need to save her don't we?" He smiles, squeezing my hand.

My heart starts to jump, when I realise what he's saying. We're adopting her! Though we need to talk to January, my smile beams and I just can't wipe it off.

I knock a rhythm on January's door.
"Come in," She in a singsong voice. She's in a good mood. This will make it easier.

I walk in and she quickly kicks the book under her bed, not wanting me to see. I motion for her to join me on the bed.

"Look, January. What do think about having a sister?" I say it slowly, finding courage to face her.
"It's a bit boring at home. I wanted to tell you I wanted one, like a twin sister. But it's too late," she chuckles.
Don't we all dream of having a twin sister?

"Well how about Hafsa? She's your age?" Her face emotionless, scaring me a little. Her small eyes, tearing up, just like Joel's were.
"Oh my God. Yes! My dream is to have a sister my age! I'm just scared what people are going to say to me,"
"Look," I turn her face so we're making direct eye contact.

"You're not called Warrior princess for no reason. Ok? Hafsa has cancer. Meaning she could die ok? That's a warrior! She can join the warrior family, she's got no parents. She's been through real battles. And you're going to help her face the biggest challenge which is school. You're going to be there when there's bullies, when she's sick. Okay do you promise?" I hold out my pinky for her to connect hers with. We bring a last hug before Joel starts to clap and the door.

"My warrior family," he joins the hug.

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This time we don't go to the hospital, and we drive to a big house. The house is painted grey. One of the bedroom windows in decorated in blue curtains and some rap music can be heard escaping that window.

Another bedroom window has a blonde girl sitting at the window, looking down with earphones in. She looks around 16.

Joel lifts up January to press the buzzer. A black woman with straightened crazy hair tucked into a messy bun, with tufts sticking out greets us with a wide toothed smile.
"Hello, I'm Keanna, welcome to Hurrington's. If you can step into the office, right this way,"

We walk through a narrow grey painted corridor to a windowed door. The corridor gives me chills, and we're greeted by a blast of heat from the Office. We sit on the sofa. And Keanna reveals a file.

"You want to adopt, Hafsa?" She looks up from the file with a questioning face.

"Yes," Joel squeezes my hand and brings January closer to him.
"You're aware she has Leukaemia, and is an orphan? She's been through a lot," Keanna places the file next to her.

"A lot as in a lot. She's nearly 6, it's not normal to go through that. There's also the possibility that she could," she looks at January who is listening attentively.
"I know," Joel saves Keanna.

"Do you promise you won't hurt her?" She says suddenly.

Ofcourse it's not even certain she'll definitely come to us. There's a lot of Council checks to see if it's appropriate for her to live with us. Her health bill. The possibility that she could die, but she wore her heart on her sleeve. It was worth it.

"Promise," We say in unison.
"Okay, we'll bring hafsa to you in a moment. She's just making a bracelet,"

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Authors note:

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