Call me Ade

5. Southkeep High

I woke up to the sound of dogs barking and people yelling, that was when I realized that I had left my window open again, allowing all the beautiful sounds and noises of Southkeep into my apartment, what a gift... As I was laying there on the dirty madras on the floor, thankfully with some sheets that Amy had given to me (after some good argumentation from my side), it hit me that today was the day. My first day at Southkeep High, my first day in public school, my first day as a junior, my first day of school without my mother.. A lot of firsts had been accomplished this summer, that was for sure. I checked my wristwatch, 6:45 AM, that meant I had the time to walk Franky before having to get ready for school. Thankfully Jeffrey didn't hate me, nor did he fire me that night, to my big surprise.

It was weird, when I went up to him the following morning, figuring I had some explaining to do, he simply told me thanks for walking Franky and bringing her home safely. I didn't get it at first, he was all smiles and laughs, the worst part was that I hadn't been the one to bring her home, it had been Zay. And she was brought back like 4 hours past curfew. It wasn't until he admitted to me, in his rambling in the hallway, that he would fall asleep around 8 or 9 PM and therefore it had been a struggle for him to give Franky her night walks, which of course was understandable, I mean the guy was in his seventies.

Suddenly it all made sense, I understood why he hadn't called, he had fallen asleep, and Amy had been working her nightshift at Tails, so she had no idea either. The only thing that didn't make sense to me, was how Zay had gotten Franky inside his apartment, which was solved, when Jeffrey told me about the extra key under his doormat and that he was glad that Amy had told me about it, because he had forgotten to inform me. Well Amy hadn't told me anything at all, but at least now I knew. My question however was still, how in the world did Zay know?
More importantly, how did he know I lived in the same building as Jeffrey if he never really spoke to him that night?

Anyway, I got to keep my job, which meant free rent, nothing else really mattered. The only thing that was missing now, was earning money for furniture in some way.. Piece of cake.. I hope...

*******

''Thank you so much Ade, she's been so much happier ever since she has gotten her walks back.''

''I'm glad Jeffrey, I love walking her so it's a win-win situation.'' I told the kind man in front of me, even though Franky was a pain to walk, dragging me through the streets every damn time.

''Great! I'll see you again this afternoon then?''

''You bet, maybe I'll be a little late though, school's starting today''

Jeffrey clapped his big ol' wrinkly hands together ''Ohh yees that's right, Southkeep High right? How are you feeling?''

His question took me by surprise, I had kinda gotten used to Amy leaving me to myself, talking to Jeffrey reminded me that somebody actually still cared, amazingly enough.

I thought about it for a second, the well-known pain striking my heart ever so softly, my hands lightly starting to shake. I plastered a fake smile on my face, and buried my hands in the pockets of my jean jacket, where after I looked up at Jeffrey,

''You know what, I think I'll be okay. It has been kind of a rough start you know, because everything is so different, but I'll manage, I have so far..'' - to everyone's surprise.

Jeffrey sent me a warm smile and reached for my hand, the shaking hadn't worn off yet, but I couldn't refuse when he looked at me like that. I gave him my hand, and he closed his big old wrinkly one's around it, ''Ade, for everything you lose, you will gain something else. Without pain we cannot learn. Quite the contrary, pain and darkness gives us opportunity, it strengthens our eyes and helps us navigate our way back to true happiness and light.''