Broken

Chapter One

I was awoken by the screeching of my alarm clock. I slowly rose from my bed to start the process of getting ready for school. As I slinked to the bathroom and my mother knocked on the wooden door.

“Alice are you still going to the hotel with Nanna after school? She questioned as she opened the door.

I looked in the mirror and sighed, leaning closer to apply my thin, black eyeliner. I leaned back to looked at her.

“What did she need help with again?” I closed one eye and scrunched my nose trying to recall the past conversation between my mother and I.

“She really needs help cleaning rooms, they have a big event this week and they are short staff. I think it would be really sweet of you to help, considering you are starting summer break tomorrow it won’t be too stressful.” She replied also looking into the mirror fixing a stray hair.

“I guess I’ll go and help.” I shrugged it off and continued on with painting my lips with a light pink lip gloss.

When I was finished I threw on my old Bayside tee, I continued to wiggle one leg at time into my black skinny jeans with my black on black converse. I put on a small pendant  necklace and went downstairs. I made a slice of toast and drank some orange juice. 

“Mom I’m leaving I’ll see you after Nana’s!” I yelled up the stairs and left, putting in my earbuds and listening to music to make my walk less boring.

***

After school I made my way to my Nana’s hotel, I am dreading going but, she needs help and she’s old so it’s whatever. I walked up to the Marriot looking at the large busy entrance; it was crazy to think my little grandmother was running the whole thing. I dropped my backpack off behind the front desk and went to the back offices searching for the familiar grey hair that I loved. 

“Al! You look so beautiful” I heard a familiar voice call the nickname she had given me when I was young. I spun around with a smile plastered on my features.

“Nana! How have you been?” I walked over and was pulled into a warm hug, her perfume invading my senses. I pulled back to look her face to face.

“I’m great, and we are busy. I have to go check in a ton of families.” She swiftly walked down the hall to a maintenance closet rolling me a cart filled with cleaning sprays, a broom, and a mop.

I carted it out and headed to the first few rooms wiping down all the surfaces, washing the linens, and other mandatory actions. This is going to be a long summer.