Chapter 1: Trouble Loves You.
"Skylar stop jumping around. You don't want my boss to be mad at me for coming late again, do you?" Go put on your shirt and blue sneakers! I've laid them out for you already.
"Okay, Sis!" The young lad skipped his way towards the only room in their shabby little apartment.
"Darn it! My boss will have my head again today. I still need this job." Lolly quickly packed Skylar's lunch in his superman themed lunch box which consists of a single bare toast with an apple tart.
Just yesterday, Elizabeth her best friend gave her some apples which she got from her grandpa's farm in Marysville, Ohio during her recent visit a couple of days back. They were still fresh. Lolly was lucky she had some measures of flour left from her last grocery purchase. With it, she had rustled up some tarts for their lunch today so they can have something slightly different from the usual. Feeding was becoming a great challenge for them since she just got this new job and haven't received her paycheck yet.
"Come on Skylar! Time to go!"
"Coming!" he yelled, rushing out from the room.
"Heh! Easy there, tiger. You don't want to break any limbs this morning." Lolly laughed, grabbing and tickling him a little.
"Sis! please stop. It tickles," he laughed, wiggling in her arms. Helping her little brother put on his one good jacket, she made a mental note to get him another pair as soon as she gets her paycheck. The temperature has dropped and it's getting colder in the mornings, late evenings and nights. Their heater wasn't working well presently. She doesn't want him catching anything that will worsen his health more than it was already.
She hugged him slightly, giving him a peck on both his cheeks before straightening up.
"Ewww, Sis! Gross! I told you to stop doing that. I'm not a baby anymore," he groaned, following her out the door.
Lolly laughed, ruffling his hair which she knows he also hated. "Well, Mr All-grown-up-man, deal with it. But you're still my baby brother forever." She made a funny face at him.
He gave a 'humph' and began to walk away. She locked their little apartment and ran after him. Taking their normal routes which will take them through Willow lane to StoneCreek where Skylar's school is located. She prayed she won't get punished for showing up late at work again. It wasn't as if she planned to come in late often, but Skylar's health has been a little unpredictable lately, acting up when she least expected it. He's her only family and darn it if she'll let anything happen to him.
Walking briskly, it wasn't long the small elementary school came into view.
"Okay, Sky. Look after yourself. I gotta run."
She came close to hug and give him another peck, but he backed a step, making a face and muttered under his breath, " Gee Sis! Don't embarrass me. My school mates are watching."
Lolly laughed and wave him off. "Bye Sky. Love you so much. I'll pick you up at Jamie's after work."
"Love you too, Sis," he grunted, walking towards the entrance of the school.
"Well, well, well. Isn't it the award-winning puker?" Jody, the school bully muttered, blocking Skylar's path. He stiffened, stopping in his tracks.
"Bet he's gonna puke his guts out at lunch again today," Luke, one of Jody's loyal minions, mocked him. Jody poked his chest as his group of four laughed at him.
"Let me pass. I don't want no trouble."
"Well, trouble loves you. It wants to give you a little fun." Jody raised his hand to smack him whilst Skylar closed his eyes, expecting the pain.
"What's going on here," a feminine voice cut in.
"Nothing." Jody calmly replied, putting down his hands. He turned and smiled at Ms Connor, their teacher, who had appeared out of the blue.
"Everybody, go to your classes this minute," Ms Connor instructed sternly. With that, the group dispersed, but not before Jody made a fist to his jaw. Raising three fingers to his eyes, he pointed it back at him mouthing, "I'm watching you."
Pheww! Skylar breathed out. Saved by chance! Again!
~~~~~
Lolly rushed into the Diner and stealthily made her way to the changing room at the back, hoping her boss hasn't seen her yet. Changing swiftly out of her signature three-quarter blue jeans pants and a red t-shirt, she donned her work attire - a white shirt tucked into a mini black skirt. She cringed at the sight of her exposed legs. What was her boss thinking getting this tutu he calls a uniform. She totally hates it!
"Lollypop!"
The voice of her nemesis broke her thoughts. Groaning, she turned and faced Stella.
"What Stella! I don't have time for your chit chat now. It's too early in the day and I've got work to do." Going around her, Lolly started to head to the counter.
Stella scoffed. "Who has time for trash like you. Mr Jenkins is calling for you, you nut-case." She walked towards Lolly, shoving her shoulders into Lolly's, she walked off smirking wickedly.
Lolly rolled her eyes behind her thick glasses. Huffing out a breath, she went to knock on her boss's office. She already guessed that Stella has ratted on her.
"Come in," her boss called out in his gruff voice.
Lolly opened the door and closed it softly behind her. She stood before Mr Jenkins desk who ignored her and kept studying the records in front of him.
Okay. So now they are playing the waiting game. She knows she's at fault but he will have to talk with her sometime, won't he?
Finally, he raised his eyes, glaring sternly at her. "Ms Lolita Jones, I find your lateness unbecoming. Your records of clocking in are irregular and don't look good. Do you think I run a freaking charity organization, huh?"
"I know sir. Please, I'm so sorry to be this much trouble. It's just that my little bro-"
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear it. You know what? I'm done with your excuses. It ends today!"
Tears filled Lolly's eyes. Is she going to get fired again - now? Please God, she can't lose this job. She needs this job for Skylar's sake. What is going to happen to her and her brother if she loses her job now? They can barely make ends meet.
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