Chasing Heaven

The Beginning

My name is Heaven my mother said that it was the only name she could think of when I was born. My childhood was pretty rough. My mother was very young when she had me her mind not yet matured enough to raise a baby. Even though I knew she loved me she didn't always make good or safe decisions for us. My dad died when I was two and it really took a toll on my mother. She became addicted to crack cocaine as a means of coping with the pain. So I was bounced around from place to place since the age of two. As I got older I dove into my school work maintaining a 4.0 GPA. It was the only way to get away from the circus that I called my life. It was nights that I contemplated ending it all but something always stopped me from actually going through with it. This is about the time I met my best friend's Larry and Laurent.
It was a very cold and rainy day. I was trying to speed walk to my apartment. I attempted to cover my head with my book bag as the rain poured down drenching me. I stopped at the cross walk waiting for the light to turn.
SPLASH
A car drove by drenching me with an oil and water mixture.
A black Lexus stopped. A tall guy got out holding an umbrella.
"Hey can us give you a ride somewhere Belle."
"No, I-I'm okay." I said trying to squeeze some of the water out of my sweater.
"Here then take this umbrella you going to get to sick " he said opening it placing it over my head.
"Thank you." I said finally looking up to see who the kind gesture was coming from.
He was beautiful he looked around 6'4, he had the complexion of caramel with warm brown eyes. His chiseled features made him look like something from the cover of a fashion magazine. His English was broken but adorable. He had an accent but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He offered again to give me a ride. I was shivering by now from the cold wind and my wet clothing.
"Okay." I agreed.
He opened the back door and helped me into the car.
"Hi, I Laurent he Larry. What's your name Belle?"
"My name is Heaven."
"Is such a pretty name. I see you in school sometimes yes?"
"I-I wouldn't know I don't really socialize a lot."
"Us know. Why you always by yourself."
"I prefer it that way." I muttered looking down at the ground.
"Well now you have two friends you non have to be alone anymore." Laurent said as he smiled.
I couldn't help but smile with him. It was the first time someone was nice to me and didn't want something in return.
"You have a beautiful smile." Larry complimented.
" Thank you." I said still staring at the floor.
"Us were going to get something to eat you wanna come?"
"Uhhh, no I don't have any money."
"No worry us got you."
I was about to protest but my stomach growled very loud.
"You say no but you stomach say something else."
"Okay I'll go under one condition you let me pay you back."
"Okay if that make you happy." Larry agreed.
We arrived at the restaurant minutes later. I walked in a soggy mess. We were seated and given menus. I ordered a salad and a Sprite. I ate half of the salad saving the other half for later. I was short on money this month because I helped pay my mother's rent so she wouldn't get thrown out of her place.  After dinner the guys took me to my apartment. "Can I use your bathroom?" Larry asked.
"Sure okay."
I lived in a pretty good neighborhood it cost me a little more but I was safe.
"You place is nice." Laurent said. as I opened the door the scent of vanilla came rushing out. If I learned one thing from my mother it was how to keep a clean house. My place was spotless nothing out of place. I went back into my bedroom changing out of my wet clothes. When I walked back to the living room the twins were both sitting on the couch.
"Can I offer you something to drink ?"
"Sure what you got?"
"Water, apple juice, and milk."
"Water." They both said in unison.
"You live here alone?"
"Yes."
"Your parents must be rich?"
I laughed at the thought.
"No I have a full scholarship for school and I work like crazy when I'm not in school to pay for my apartment.
"So what do you do for fun?"
"I dance."
"Really?" They both asked as their eyes lit up.
" I mean I'm no Ginger Rodgers but I can bust a move or two."
The twins laughed.
"You're funny." Laurent says .
I hadn't had this much fun in a long time. Time passed by quickly and it was time to say goodnight. I walked them back to the lobby.
"Thank you guys, you really brightened my day."
"Anytime Belle." Laurent said as he kissed my cheek.
I blushed. I went back to my apartment and took a shower. I finished my homework and then went to bed. It was three in the morning when I was awakened by a bang on the door.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
"OPEN THE DOOR HEAVEN I KNOW YOU IN THERE."
I knew the voice all too well it was my mother coming down off of one of her highs.
I scrambled to the door quickly letting her in before she awakened the whole building.
"Ma, what you doing here?" I asked already knowing the answer.
"I just need sleep Heaven can I crash here?"
"Of course Mommy."
I went to the bathroom and ran her a bath. I pulled my salad I was saving for lunch out so she could eat. Afterwards I helped her to the bathroom. I washed her from head to toe. I brushed all the kinks out of her hair and gave her clean underclothes and clothing.
I helped her to my bed pulling the blanket over her kissing her head.
"I love you Momma" I said as I walked out the room.
I layed on my couch and let tears fall from my eyes. Thinking of all the fairy tales I read when I was younger. Where was my Prince Charming and happy ending. Suddenly Laurent's face appeared in my mind. I drifted off to sleep thinking about the perfection that was him.