Her Hope

Chapter 3

The screams of children and the sound of the plates that constantly sees to shatter suddenly disappeared as Mr. Smith came to a halt in front of me. The girl, whose name I still don't know, went back to her position behind the cashier while Mr. Smith, who would hopefully take pity on me and hire me,  just stood there and stared at me as if he was trying to look deep inside my soul which is ridiculous in my opinion, for I'm here to work as a waitress not as a psychiatrist or something.

"So, what's your name? And, how old are you?" He asked while still staring at me deeply.

"My name is Leila and I'm 18 years old, sir." I answered

"Why are you here trying to get a job when you could be in a university somewhere studying?"

"Well, I thought I could take a gap year to try and save up money to go study in a university next year." This was my answer while I looked him straight into the eyes so that he wouldn't know I'm lying.

I didn't want to get a job through lying, but I couldn't exactly tell him that I'm a homeless girl who doesn't even have money to buy her next meal because I'm sure that is not the kind of girl anyone would want to hire in their restaurant. And, I guess my answer is somewhat truthful as I'm also trying to save up money to study, though the chances of me going next year are next to nothing.

"Did you ever work in a restaurant before as a waitress?"

"Yes, I worked one summer in 'Sunshine Restaurant', but I quit when school started again." At least I was being honest now.

Working in Sunshine restaurant might have been one of the best things that I've ever done because I felt normal for once in my whole life when I was chatting with customers or talking to little children. However, when school started again, my foster parents in the orphanage gave me no other option than to quit to and I quote ' focus on school work during my senior year.'

"Okay, leave your phone number and we'll contact you in two days to inform you if you'll work here with us." Mr Smith said and turned away to go back to his office?

"But, I don't have a phone. Can't I just come here in two days to know instead." I asked hopefully.

I used to have a phone that I bought with my first paycheck from the restaurant where I worked that summer, but as soon as my foster parents found out about it, they immediately confiscated it because they were afraid the other kids would want one too. And, when you're living under someone's roof, you don't exactly have the luxury of objecting. The punishment definitely outweighs the benefits of having a phone.

"If you get hired, how will you contact us if you can't come in one day?"

I could tell me not having a phone just lowered my chances of getting this job, but I was ready to try and convince Mr. Smith even if it took all day.

"I was planning on buying a phone as soon as I receive my first paycheck, and as for taking days off work, I would never do that, for I'm trying to earn as much money as I can to save up for college as I said before." I lied again.

Buying a new phone is definitely not my first priority, as renting a room is, but I guess I now have to buy the cheapest phone I can if I get this job.

"Fine, drop by in two days at the same time, and we'll tell you if you've been accepted in this job or not."

And, as soon the last word came out of his mouth, Mr Smith turned around and disappeared into the back room leaving me to my never ending mostly negative thoughts. I really dreaded those two long days of waiting without knowing if I'll be accepted or not, so I guess I have no other option but to try my luck in another place.

That's why I started making my way out of the restaurant to the clothes store, Heaven, to apply for the vacant position there just like I decided last night. The walk from the restaurant to the store was long allowing me to think about my interview with Mr Smith. He wasn't exactly the most welcoming person I've met in my life, in fact he really reminded me of my foster father in the orphanage, as they both have the same cold personalities. But, I have to remind myself that Mr Smith's personality is none of my business. Instead I have to think of more important things like adding 'searching for a room to rent' and 'going to the mobile shop to buy the cheapest phone they have' to my to-do-list if I get this job at the restaurant.

However, I quickly emerged from my thoughts when a sudden wave of coldness started surrounding my whole body making me look up at the sky. I immediately regretted doing this when I saw the heavy grey clouds covering most of the sky and giving the sun a fuzzy appearance before submerging it completely leaving behind a dark and cold feeling.

This unexpected change in weather managed to turn my mood around badly. I can't deny that I love rain, but when you have no place to dry up in after enjoying the raindrops as they pelt down against your skin, you can't help but dread the rainy days.

But, I guess I'm somewhat lucky, for the rain didn't decide to fall while I was making my way to 'The Heaven'. And, as soon as I came to a stop in front of the store's door, I felt the first drop of rain fall onto my skin, and for the first time in my life, I looked up and made a wish before opening the door and stepping into a store that could help in deciding my fate.