spoken word. (gxg)

six.

six.

The next day was the same as the last. I woke up, found my roommate dead asleep, clothes in a pile on the floor and illicit substance sitting out on his desk, washed my face, and got ready for the day. Embarrassingly enough, I found myself wanting to dress up a little-- put on makeup, wear something cute, so that June might find me attractive.

Cute. The word made my heart leap. I turned to the mirror, inspecting the expired mascara I had just brushed across my eyelashes. I liked my face, but I knew I was nowhere near as alluring as the red-haired beauty who (sometimes) sat behind me in English. My skin was dark, eyes dark, hair dark. I was in complete contrast to the genetic lottery June had won.

I ruffled through my drawers again, frowning when I couldn't find something I wanted to wear out of the backpack's worth of clothing I owned. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough, and I always felt terrible buying more. I settled on jeans and a t-shirt because I didn't have anything else.

School seemed to drag out, each period longer than the last. Normally, I did homework during lunch, but I was so antsy that I spent the half hour scrolling on my phone. After an eternity, 5th period English class came around.

I found my seat in the back, unsurprised but still a little disappointed when the seat behind me was left vacant.

My friend Tori texted me, asking if I could babysit her little siblings after school. Hurridly, I typed in my excuse.

I'm busy right after school, I told her, but if you still need it I can try to get there after 4.

That would be great, thx, she texted back. I felt a little bad prioritizing my time with June over the needs of my friend, but I couldn't help it. Glancing up, I shoved my phone in my backpack, realizing I was still in class and smiling guiltily at Mrs. Lee's amused expression. She walked past my desk.

"See me after class, hon," her voice was friendly. When she saw my face, presumably with panic written on it, she added, "Don't worry, you aren't in trouble. I know you don't usually text in class. I won't ask you to stay after school to speak with me-- I'll excuse you from your next class."

I didn't care about getting in trouble-- I was just glad she wasn't asking me to see her when I had sort-of-plans with June after school ended.

I stuck around after the bell rang, loitering near Mrs. Lee's desk. She didn't take her eyes off her monitor.

"Take a seat," she said, typing what I presumed to be an email to a colleague. I wrung my fingers nervously. After a few moments, she turned to me. "How are you?"

"I'm good," I said, an automatic response. And I was good. At least, I was excited to see June. She didn't seem to accept my response.

"You're a phenomenal student, Mia," she tried, "and I'm worried about something you said in one of your essays." I fisted my hands nervously, wracking my brain to try to remember what I could have possibly said. I always tip-toed around issues pertaining to home and family in all of my writing.

"Yeah?" Is all I could say, weakly.

"You wrote that you weren't interested in applying to college. Now, I don't know what your family thinks, or what you've been told, but I want you to rethink that decision."

"It's not that I don't want to go to college," I started, trailing off.

"Yes?" She said patiently.

"I can't afford it," I said truthfully. "And I can't figure out how the applications work, or FAFSA, or anything, and so I don't think I even can."

"What can't you figure out?" Mrs. Lee looked genuinely puzzled. Oh boy.

"Uh, well, the applications all require parental information," my voice wavered. Understanding dawned on Mrs. Lee.

"You can put the information for only one parent if you need, or a guardian," she suggested. I shook my head.

"I don't have any guardians," I told her, realizing that I would need to explain my circumstances. I let out a shaky breath. It was going to be a long conversation.

"Are your parents out of the picture?" She asked.

"I haven't really lived with them for a while, and I don't really contact them."

"Could you try to contact them?"

"God, no," I distressed, shivering. "We don't have a very... good relationship. But I'm sure they still claim me on their taxes, which is why filling out FAFSA is hard, and none of the college applications I've used so far let me skip putting in parent or guardian information."

"Do you live by yourself?" Her tone was gentle, comforting, which was good because I could feel a panic attack coming on.

"I live with a roommate. Um, in the apartments near the elementary school." She nodded.

"Okay. I think you might qualify as an unaccompanied homeless minor, which means that you would be able to fill out FAFSA and any other forms by yourself. I can try to contact the homeless liaison if you would like," she clicked her pen. I was shocked.

"The...I... what?"

"Since you don't live with any parents or guardians, you might be able to receive help from the government," she explained, "and on FAFSA you would be able to skip past the parental information section. We'd still have to figure out the college applications, but it's a start. And I can help you try to apply for scholarships-- there's a ton for students like you, and you'll probably be able to get a lot of merit scholarships, with your grades." It was all too much, I was overwhelmed. My head was swimming-- I blinked back tears.

"Right," I croaked. Mrs. Lee shot me a smile.

"We can figure it out, honey. I just think that you would thrive in college and I don't want you to pass up and opportunities if I can help you."

"Yeah, I... Thanks." Is all I could manage. She gave me an understanding pat on the shoulder.

"Go to class-- I'll see you later."

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A/N:

Double update! Happy Thanksgiving :) For this whole week, I'll post a chapter every day.

Thoughts about Mrs. Lee? Now that Mia can finally remember her name, she seems to be nice :P

Feel free to leave comments/suggestions/edits!

UPDATES EVERY MONDAY (except this week)