The Project •On Hold•

🚀 Chapter Six 🚀

Raquel played on her phone, bored. Her apartment was a mess and had been for the last three months, since her parents had left. She had discovered that Artemis lived right across the hall, so it was easy for them to hang out. The two had really hit it off, and had admitted a lot to each other, despite only knowing each other for a week. Neither were trusting people, but had found similarities between each other's lives. Of course, they didn't know full stories, but they knew some.

Raquel had found out that before Artemis was born, her family had a lot of money. They had a plane, and one time Artemis' dad flew it while drunk. Artemis, who was only a toddler was onboard, along with her mom and two older sisters. The plane had crashed. Everyone was fine all things considered, with just a few scrapes and broken bones, except for Artemis. That was what caused her legs to be so jacked up. Well, leg now. The other was amputated when she was five.

Raquel had been horrified by the story. Artemis' chance at a normal life had been ruined by her dad, who went on to hate his daughter because of the disability that he caused. What an asshat. No wonder Artemis disliked him so much.

It was Sunday, and the next day was school and a trip to Conner's house for the project. Raquel was not looking forward to it. There was a knock at the door. Raquel walked over with a groan and opened it.

Artemis stood there, looking annoyed. "Hey, Raquel. My mom told me to come ask you if you want to come for dinner."

"Do you want me to?"

"I don't care."

"Then sure."

The girls walked across the hall to Artemis' apartment. Paula opened the door. She gave Raquel a small smile, that seemed to be just out of politeness. Raquel walked over to the table, where Artemis was waiting. Raquel had quickly learned that her new friend was quick on her feet, no matter how messed up they were. "What's for dinner?"

"Pho. And let me tell you, my mom's pho is the BEST."

Paula rolled her eyes. "That is not the truth."

"Is so."

"Well, I don't care if it's the best or just good. I'm hungry," Raquel said.

Paula cracked a smile. It was tiny, but it was genuine. "You sound like Artemis. No wonder you get along so quickly."

Raquel smiled at the woman. She'd learned Paula had pretty severe depression, and Artemis was the only reason she even took meds. According to Artemis, it was a result of the time Paula spent in prison. Raquel still had no idea what Paula had been jailed for, and she honestly didn't care. Everyone had a right to have secrets.

After dinner, Raquel could only agree with Artemis' statement. That had to be the best pho she'd ever tasted. "Thanks, Paula."

"You are welcome."

Raquel loved how Paula either spoke formally or choppily. She knew it was because her English wasn't good. She'd never really needed to speak anything but Vietnamese, the English was just for basic communication. Raquel found it refreshing.

She and Artemis watched tv for a while, the lack of cable leaving them with the Laugh Channel. After watching a few bad sitcoms including "Hello Megan" (which Raquel's mom had once dubbed the ultimate white girl sitcom) they got bored. It was midnight, so Raquel had to head back to her apartment since it was a school night, and she had a science project that she hadn't finished due tomorrow.

She bid adieu to the Crocks before heading back home. She slipped in, and settled on her busted laptop to finish her chemistry essay before making up her conclusion and getting ready for bed. She brushed her teeth and headed to her room, moving back her sheets. She curled up on the creaky bed and fell asleep.