INTERRUPT

obbed from crying, I felt dirty from my experience with Leonardo at the diner. Though

a distant mirage. I looked outside the window to watch the sun setting, casting

al etched into my memory. "We regret to inform you..." Those words e

that I would have to forfeit my education in the long run as I had no other options left to exp

riedly wiped my tears half expecting to see Serena but when I looked up, it was a stranger staring

he wanted without coming off as rude. I was already in a terrible mental place and I did not want to

sked, as she walked towa

something?" I asked, tryi

g for Serena, I'm Licia. What's

la for the weekend. She's expected to be back today or tomorrow.

s an indicator that something is wrong. What is go

dly. "I've grown weary of telling my problems to ever

u look like shit, your eyes are swollen, your hair is messed up and I like a good stor

ed with panic as I remembered Leonardo

of sweat formed on my forehead and my hands started shaking. I quickly grabbed

ts. They're faint, but they're there. Who

ine Licia. Trul

the school authorities involved cause clearly you've been abused and you're too scared to state your experience. I

s she walked towards the door. "Wai

ell you what's going on with me but you have to promise me that y

ut her little finger forward. "Pinky swear," She said and took my trembling hands in hers. "

e freely. "It's the school board. They rejected my application for financial aid. I don't

redibly tough. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you but you c

feels like all my hard work and dreams are being crushed. I'm going to return home to my Mamma, I don't know how to te

oftened, her v

not alone in this. We'll find a solution together. I'l

e thought and Licia lo

ly have enough money to feed. All I hav

back home. We're

clothes for that type of occasion." I replied

the room, opened it up and chuckled. "Elsa, darling. I mean no offense

No partying for me which is rather grea

able about your misfortunes. We're going shopping but first, we're going to revamp this wardrobe of yours. Your entire style n

py, insecure or inferior. I liked that she was thoughtful. I also liked that Licia had said something about my fashion choices.

so she scarcely sees me dress

throwing these out. Every si

ast

ening. Some of those were m

opriate pieces to pair them with as well. The rest have got to go. Giv

not all t

am around. Come on, let's get to sorting. Show me the ones you want to keep. As soon as we're done with that, we're going t

ything to my hair," I said

t all that rich red hair stacked on that head of yours a

hiding a

ntion to yourself. Now I'm here, you're

to you, milady. I know nothing about it af

d me about the finger

a beat do you?"

, they love me," She replied, a smile playing at the c

in hand, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead might be difficult, but I knew I had found a friendship of sorts in S