Friends Turned Lovers | Short Story | COMPLETE

10. Broken Promises 💚

A week later ....

It had been days since Toya had seen her sister or her mother and it was starting to make her sad. She felt as if they left her, like they didn't love her anymore. Tori had been asking around the neighborhood about the two women but no one had seen them in days. She wasn't familiar with any of the spots either of them spent time at so she was left to figure out how to explain to a four year old that she would be staying with complete strangers until someone came for her.

Calling child services was the last thing on her mind, Toya was too sweet of a little girl to be put into the system. "Toya are you hungry?" Kiari asked her as they sat on one of the beds and watched The Little Mermaid.

"No" Toya answered as she stuck her thumb back in her mouth and starred at the tv. Today she had been to herself, there was no laughing, playing, or talking, She hadn't said a word all day. For the past two nights she hadn't gotten any sleep because she was so worried about her sister. Toya didn't know how many days her sister had been gone but she knew it was longer than the last time.

Kiari ran to tell her mother that Toya wasn't hungry yet then came back into the room. "Toya, are you okay?' she asked with concern as Toya cried silently.

"Where's mommy? Where's sissy?" she asked as she cried uncontrollably.

Tori ran into the room after hearing her cries, "what's wrong baby girl?' she asked as she picked her up and held her tightly.

"I miss my mommy and sister" she cried as snot ran from her nose.

"I know, I know" Tori comforted her while taking her to clean her face. "Im trying to find them baby girl. I'm doing everything I can." she said as she sat her on the bathroom counter.

Toya nodded and wiped her eyes. "Will I have to leave if they don't come back? I don't know anyone else." she asked.

Tori's heart broke. She couldn't believe that a four year old could be as articulate as Toya. "I'd never make you leave. You can stay as long as you need to." she replied and kissed her cheek. "I need you to eat some food ma ma so you won't get sick okay?"

"Yes ma'am" Toya responded. Tori carried her into the living room and sat her at the table across from Isaiah. He looked up from his from his Nintendo DS and mugged her. She returned the mug and stuck her tongue out at him.

For some reason the two had been butting heads the entire week that she had been at their house. Every chance Isaiah got he wasted no time messing with her, throwing her toys, pulling her hair, pushing her around, you name it, he did it.

What he didn't expect was for her to mess with him back. Toya had never been around a kid in her age group. Although he was one year older than her it was fun for her to interact with him. She soon realized that he loved his toy cars and Nerf guns so she took it upon herself to hide them around the house. It amused her to watch him wreck the house looking for his toys.

Tori brought plates out and sat them down in front of everyone, they grabbed hands and said grace. Toya dug into her dinner, stuffing her mouth with the dressing. "It's sssooo good" she cheesed. Kiari and Tori both laughed at her, food always made her happy.

"I'm glad you like it!" Tori replied with a smile.

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