Surviving my Scholarship

Godmother

        "Lucas Oliver Galloway, are you threatening my guests at my birthday party," Mrs. Galloway firmly accused as she marched towards the two of us at the stairs. Pierce was a step behind her along with Jon. "You are grounded, mister!" "Lucas" turned around in annoyance at the disturbance.

                "On what grounds," he questioned more like a defensive child than a grown adult.

                "I warned you three times now; no work during my party, and you went and disobeyed my one wish. You told me you were done with the bounty hunting. It is dangerous. We rarely get out and it is such a treat to see Pierce with someone who doesn't fit into a straw," she started lecturing. Is that an insult to me? Are there really girls who can fit in straws? It would make that littlest worm song true. Oh no! Now it is stuck in my head. I looked up when Pierce cleared his throat. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?!"

                "I'm sorry. I didn't hear the question," Mrs. Galloway stepped back in shock. Mr. Galloway now stood by her side like a reprimanded child.

                "Grammy is waiting for you," she pointed towards the top of the stairs. "Didn't you tell her you wanted a ride home?" Sweet relief and rescue! Grammy's here to save the day. "Well, hustle up there! Don't keep her waiting." I hiked up my skirt and ran up the stairs finally breathing again.

                "But I'm...." started Mr. Galloway. He shut up at a swift smack on the back of his head.

                "Let's go. I have a table of presents with my name on it. I am so excited to see what Pierce bought me. He hasn't given me a present in ten years," she pulled the men towards the seated area surrounding a massive pile of presents.

                "Violet," Pierce called out as I slowly made my way up the stairs. I turned to face him. The sadness in his eyes made my feet want to turn and head back. "Don't forget your sunglasses." He winked before allowing his mother to drag him further.

                As I reached the top, a few perfect smiling faces bore down on me. They were still with her. I raised an eyebrow in confusion as she chuckled. She motioned towards the woman waiting at the coat check and I stepped in front of her. I handed her my ticket and she opened a locked door where massive amounts of things were waiting patiently for their owner. This was going to take a bit.

                "Pierce, that is so sweet," Mrs. Galloway yelled out as she hugged her son. I peeked around the corner to see what he had gotten her. In her left hand was a scented candle. I growled wanting nothing more than to go up and smack him. He said it was a stupid idea. "I love it! I always wondered if you enjoyed working with me in the bake shop and to think it was your most treasured memory. It smells just like those apple tarts we made."

                Mr. Galloway gave her a tissue as she sat back and Pierce beamed with pride. My fist clenched as I stared at their happy little moment. To think, I used to have that a long time ago. I didn't even realize until Mrs. Galloway, how much I missed it. I turned around snatching my bag from the coat check with a brisk thank you before heading out to the front doors. With a click of a button, I was out the doors and back into the flash of desperate lights slowly trying to find me. It felt wrong not having Pierce here beside me.

               One of the boys helped me to my seat inside Grammy's hovercar and I moved over to let him in as well. Grammy smiled over at me. Two of the men holding either hand as she sat. I looked over in confusion, but decided to stay quiet on their connection. 

                "I figured you may need a little help," Grammy explained winking at me. I smiled at her.

                "Thank you," I mumbled looking down at my hands. "So you know me?"

                "Of course dear, how could I not remember those eyes. I knew your father back when you were four maybe five," Grammy motioned with her hands. 

            "Did he scam you too," I forced myself to ask. 

        "Well, that is what comes with investments every now and then," Grammy reassured. "It's nothing to take out on you. Your father was a brilliant inventor. He just had a few demons he couldn't escape." I gave a pitiful smirk as I looked down at my hands again. "Yes, well, where am I taking you? Do you have a place or are you coming back to mine? I suppose I could loan you one of my boys." He motioned to Wes on the end and he seemed to beam at the mention. I shook my head. 

                "I have a place in mind," I countered. Wes frowned before turning his attention back to Grammy. "I'm sorry." 

                "I assumed you would have asked by now," Grammy started. "You know I have a lot of power in this town due to means and with that always comes admirers, my dear. If you would like I am sure I could get you a job in my office. You would have to work your own way up." I shook my head. It was pointless. I needed all my jobs to get enough to pay them off. She smiled again understanding. We continued talking about various things surrounding our lives before the car came to a stop.

                "Are you sure this is where you want me to stop," Grammy leaned over to look out the window. I nodded scooping up my bag. "Dear it says not to trespass."

                "I'm not trespassing. I am meeting a friend here it is fine," I lied. She kissed my cheek gently before sending me off on my own. I stood there watching the car pull away into the darkness. I clicked the button on my visor so I could see in the dark. The sunglasses made it impossible. Throwing my bag over the metal fencing, I followed suit and onto the once familiar grounds.

                "I'm home," I called out before walking up the long driveway to the house that was once my home. The darkness made it look eerie but it didn't stop me from heading in. This was my home once and it would be again if I spent the rest of my life fighting for it!