The Attic

Chapter Nine

  "Hey! my phone...give it back". Sophie yelled at me while I just stuck my tongue at her.

Well, we're on our way to Miss Paige's house: a counsellor whole lives far down the street. Yes! today is Wednesday and you might be wondering why we aren't in school. I simply didn't feel like it. So I stayed back and so did Sophie. I remember going early this morning to tell her. I could've just called her with my phone, but I decided on walking over to her house. I got there and she was putting on her shoes, bags on her shoulder and an apple in her mouth.

  "Hey Soph", I greeted, my hands in the pocket of my orange hoodie.

  "Becky?", She said, "what are you doing here? you're supposed to be in school"

  "Well here I am. Clearly not in the mood of studying today". I smiled.

  "Your mom, is she cool with this?"

  "As always. Normally, if the school calls she's just gonna say I'm sick or whatever"

  "But she should be at work today"

We were sitting on the couch now. "Yeah, she took a day off today"

  "No offense but, you guys need all the money you can get so your mom shouldn't be taking a day off because you want to chill out today"

  "Well about that...we don't have any problem with money for now"

  "What do you mean? did you guys win a lottery? we could use some here as well"

  "Not really, no. We just got money from someone, a stranger actually"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "What I mean is someone just mailed some huge amount of money to us and we have no idea who the person is"

  "And you're just gonna take it? what if it's a mistake? a big misunderstanding maybe"

  "I don't see a mistake here when it happens twice"

  "OMG...it's the second time?"

  "Yep. The person also made it clear that we shouldn't try to find him or her but should just take care of ourselves with the money".

  "You guys are damned lucky"

I shrugged, "I guess so". I tried to convince myself about this too without thinking about my father.

  "So where are you heading to after you leave here?"

  "Miss Paige's house."

  "The cute counsellor...advisor... whatever. Her?"

  "Yeah. I need some word of advice like ASAP"

  "About yesterday?"

How on earth did she know? "Certainly. Yes"

  "So what's your issue now?"

  "That I'm a great singer, my school is in for a singing competition, they want me to compete for our school, I can't and that's because I'm too much of a chicken to let my talent show"

  "Oookay, hold on sec..."

She scurried off to her room and in a few minute she was back, this time around with her brother. She had changed into some cute Jean shorts and t-shirt.

  "Why did you change?", I asked.
She just smiled and turned to her brother.

  "I'm coming with you", she said. 

  "But you have to be in school", I said.

  "Oh! and so do you..." She chuckled after saying this, "and my brother will answer any call from school".

  "If there will be one". Micheal said. "Hey Becky"

  "Hey Mike". I went to give him a hug.

Micheal is like a brother to me and we have a pretty amazing relationship with each other. He knows how to defend Sophie and I a lot when it comes to matters we can't handle on our own and we need some 'boy power'.

  "You guys be careful wherever it is you're going to". He said and ruffled Sophie's perfectly and combed ponytail.

She widened her eyes in horror and began punching him as hard as she could on his arm which was totally useless because Micheal is well built and she could end up spraining her wrists.

  "Alright, that's enough. Let's go".

  "But he messed with my hair", she complained like a child who just had her doll ripped apart.
    Micheal is almost done with college. But when when he's around his sister, Soph, they could behave like little kids.

  "See you later sis." He called out to her who is obviously still mad at him as we were already it of the house. And that's when I snatched her phone to look at whatever it is that got her so engrossed in that she didn't hear when I called her name. Thrice.

I should've known. It's always Freddy. I sigh, "seriously?"

  "What?", She pouts and snatch her phone back from me. "he's cute. I can't help it"

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. Oh! we're here".

Miss Paige's house is a modern one. She helps people who come to her in her house, and it's known to be very comfortable; the contemporary designs focus on open floor plans and prominently feature expansive windows, making them perfect for using natural light to illuminate as well as for taking in a good view. Or so I heard.

  "Yipee", Sophie shrieked excitedly. "Let's go, let's go, let's go".

We got into the house. A warm and cozy feeling invited us in like a trance or a magnet thingy.

With everything going on, I don't even know what to do anymore or who I should turn to. I know I've got my mom, my sister, and Sophie. I just need someone who doesn't know me that well, who wouldn't judge me - to advice me and tell me what I should do and how to overcome this problem.

I've been to Miss Paige's house once before, without Sophie. I don't think she'll remember me though. But all over the city, she's known to have the ability to listen to, empathise with, encourage and help to empower individuals.

I need one right away.

I won't stop writing for you guys, just vote and comment. That's all.

Much love from Sparkle 💖
Do you think Miss Paige will be able to help Becky?