Life is Hard

◇ Jan 2nd ◇

"Get up, he's almost here," I wake up hearing Joshua yelling and tapping on my window. Quickly, I unlock my window and doors, dang it, I can't wear this, I think because I notice that I'm just wearing a white t-shirt and black bike shorts. I grab a black skirt, a white polo shirt, a black tie, white tights, and black flats then put them on. After I fold my sleep clothes and put them in my dresser, I go outside of the apartment with Joshua and Joslin behind me.

The three of us stand there and wait for the black car to drive up. I notice Vence and so do Joshua and Joslin, "stay away from Harper," they both say growling. Vence shrugs and walks away just as the car pulls up. First Joshua, then me, and lastly Joslin; this is always our sitting order.

"Thank you, Benjamin," we all say and the man nods in response. Benjamin is a good friend of the three of us, he drives us all to work which is just one location. I remember when I had met them all.

I had just got beaten up by Vence and his friends a few years ago, Benjamin, Joshua, and Joslin had all saved me. I was new at the time and that was when I was fourteen then. Benjamin, Joshua, and Joslin were all fifteen; we were all born on July 7. Benjamin isn't related to any of us so Benjamin and I aren't related to the twins.

"And we're here," Benjamin says as we open the door and slide out of the left side, "have a good day at work." We wave, thank him and walk into the building, let the games begin.

Work is always like the Hunger Games because everyone is running and pushing people to get to the destination that they need to go to. If you stay still, you get trampled and if you move, you get pushed.

"Harper," the boss yells over everyone, "my office." I swallow and walk swiftly to my boss' office, am I going to be fired? I take a deep breath as I enter the office and sit down. "Miss Harper, would you like to be a teacher to my five-year-old daughter," he says with a smile.

I nodded enthusiastically, "when do I start?"

"Tomorrow morning at your apartment, I'll drop her off at 7:30," he says.

"My apartment doesn't have heat, sir," I say quietly and hope that the heat doesn't affect my new job. "I can give her blankets," my boss nods and says how much that I'll be paid. I smile, at least it's more than this job. "What about Joshua and Joslin," I ask, not wanting to be separated from my friends.

"They have teaching jobs too and all of you work in your apartment," my boss answers. "You can go home so you can prepare for tomorrow." I thank him then leave his office, Joshua and Joslin both hug me. Joshua calls Benjamin who arrives shortly and drives us to the apartments. I spent the rest of the day preparing for tomorrow with Joshua and Joslin.