Chapter two - miserable

"Oh-Okay."

Her hand tightened on my jaw a bit before releasing me. Then, I turned to scamper off when a foot encased in a black shoe darted out beneath me. I tripped, smacking hard against the floor with a groan. The girls burst out laughing, and I looked behind me to see Nicole smirking down at me before walking away, her girls following her.

I got up and rushed to my room with tears. Collapsing onto the bed, I cry once again for the people that made my life miserable.

Moments later, when I knew I couldn't cry anymore, I got up and made my way to the bathroom to pee. After cleaning up, I washed my face and made my way out of the bathroom, avoiding the mirror. I sneakily and thankfully made my way up to the guest room, this time without being noticed. Once done with the place, I went down to my room and crashed on my bed. I fall asleep hoping that things will be better tomorrow.

The sound of an alarm blaring roused me from my sleep, and I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock to see it was seven o'clock in the morning. Sluggishly, I drag myself to the bathroom, brushing my teeth before pulling off my clothes and entering the shower. The cold water is pouring on me, and I sigh in satisfaction. I washed my hair and rinsed it off. Then I came out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around me. I grabbed some black jeans and an extra-large jumper and put them on. Combing through my sticky, wet hair, I groaned as my scalp hurt from the tangle. I let my hair down to cover the bruises on my face, even though it would heal some minutes later. I put on some trainers and grabbed my bag and phone before quietly making my way out of my room.

Today being a Saturday, the maids on breakfast duty were already awake. I passed and greeted some as I made my way to the kitchen. Two girls curiously looked at me, but I ignored them.

Although some of them have been here since I was young and knew what I went through. I just didn't want their pity.

Before my father passed away, he was their boss, and he treated them so well. Not until two years again, a deteriorating illness hit him—chronic cancer—and took him away.

Inhaling deeply, I walked to the fridge in a corner of the kitchen, pulled out a fruit juice and a sandwich I had made last night, and placed it inside a microwave to warm it up. I checked the time on my wrist to see it was six thirty-five. Which means I have about twenty-five minutes left to leave for work.

Grabbing my breakfast, I made my way out of the house and inhaled when the cool air hit my face, so I took a bite of my sandwich and made my way over to the bus terminal.

I walked to James tiredly and passed a card to him. He looked rather worried as he passed a tray of meals over to me in return.

"Camila, are you okay?“ he asked, studying me.

James was my co-worker and a close friend of mine. We went to the same high school, but we somehow ended up working together at the same food eatery. His aunt took him in when his parents passed away at age six. But by the time he finished high school, they couldn't afford the money to send him to college because they also had three children to take care of. So they only allowed him to live with them and put food on his table. James understood but insisted he needed to work too and save up some money to go to school.

He got a job at O'NEILL'S Food Eatery and has been working there for over three years now. He eventually got the position of manager, which he is pretty content with for now.

Anyways, when Dad died, he offered that I work here when he heard the news. I was so grateful and accepted it because it was quite difficult for me to get a job back then.

Not everyone wants to employ a high school graduate with no experience.

Remembering he asked a question, I smiled thinly and nodded at him.

I walked to table six and dropped the tray filled with hamburgers, chips, and yogurt on the table for them. Checking my time, I noticed I had 15 minutes left for my shift to end. I have somewhere to be after work.

"Your meal.“ I mumbled to them, then made my way to the next order.

I headed to the storeroom and pulled off my uniform and then put on my normal wear. After I grab my bag, I see James approach me.

"Camila, are you all set up to go?“ He responds, beaming with joy. I wondered why he was always so cheerful, even after a long day.

Returning the smile, "Yes, I am. I'll see you on Monday." I say.

He pouted his lips, and I chuckled, pulling at his nose with my fingers. His face changed, and he folded his arms, feeling offended. He always had funny reactions, and I laughed at him.

"Come here," I say, wrapping my arms around him in a hug.

He responded to it, and I heard him exhale a deep breath, relaxing in the comfort.

"You'll be fine." He mumbles before pulling me away to scan my face. "You are strong, Camila, and I know you are special. Don't let anyone tell you you're weak or do not deserve happiness; everyone does. You deserve happiness and will be fine. See, whenever you need someone to talk to or rant to, I'll be there. Okay? Just give me a call."

I blink back the tears that almost blurred my vision and nod at him.

James knows what I go through, and even when I don't tell him things, he still manages to understand me somehow.

"Thank you." I mouthed to him, and he grinned at me. I say my goodbye and walk to the exit door.

As soon as I stepped out, I shivered at the cold air wrapping my arms around me.

I should have worn a thicker top.