pretty baby // h.s

04 | papa's house.

a.

"i'll see you on monday, okay?" i said to joey, opening the front door in the process.

i walked out and he followed right behind me. i had my back face towards him as i knew he'd be upset. i heard him sit on one of the porch benches and fumble with something.

"i wish you could come back to school," i admitted, frowning slightly. i turned around to face him.

he had a cigarette in his mouth. he looked up at me with a sad glint in his eye. he quickly looked away and shrugged. he made a motion with his fingers and thumb and rubbed them together, indicating money and the need for it.

sighing, i nodded my head, "yes. i suppose. well, i better get going. don't work too hard."

i walked down the steps, luggage in one hand and my books in the other. i turned back to look at him but he only held up his hand to say goodbye. i wanted to wave back but my hands were full. so i turned around and walked to the direction of the school.

it was somewhat early in the morning, so it was cooler than it would've been. and the walk wasn't very long, only around fifteen mintutes. it was really pretty in the mornings, too. the air is fresher than in the city, and nature could be found everywhere. the farm animals, and wild animals were abundant.

i was wearing my school clothes, a white collared shirt tucked into a simple black skirt, my dark navy sweater, and my black mary jane shoes with knee high white socks. just plain old school clothes.

i quite liked the walk to school. i loved the cool air as it lightly blew through my hair and on my face. the way the sky looks as the sun rises higher and higher, and the weather becomes warmer. there was something about being so free and open that was different from the city. a lot of people i know would love to escape to the city—but not me.

i wanted to live away from the noise and the poverty. i wanted to better myself but i knew if i wanted to do that i would have to leave. and i couldn't bear the thought of being away from my family, so i stopped thinking of it.

my lunch was packed with my little luggage and i thought about eating it. momma made some buns the other night, so i had one of those, apple slices with some peanut butter, and a small container of vegetable stew from last night. of course i also brought two oranges to share with my friends—joey gave me his and i was extremely greatful. the stew was absolutely delicious and i cannot wait to eat it again.

-

"what have you got, sophie?" asked violet.

"i packed a chicken sandwich, a banana, some crackers and baby carrots," she responded, pulling out each item out of her knapsack.

i unbuckled my little luggage and took out my lunch.

"here, i brought some oranges to share," i said, placing them on the ground in front of us.

we all ate outside in the shade of the school house in a circle. it was somewhat crowded inside and although it was cooler in there than out here, there was too many people in such a small room that it wasn't much of a difference between inside or out.

"oh, i love oranges," alexandra said, picking up a slice and popping it in her mouth, only the rind of the orange showed in her mouth. we all gigled.

"what are you guys doing for spring break?" i asked, stirring my soup around with my spoon.

"i'm helping to look after my siblings," sophie rolled her eyes.

"yeah, me too. my brothers are going to the city for work, and i hope they'll bring something nice back," alexandra chipped in once she was done with her orange.