Chapter 9 Evie

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER NINE

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"mom is that you?" I stood up walking deep down into the abyss. a dead end. the image was a bit blurred. couldn't actually tell who was at the end of the tunnel. I was slowly loosing my vision.

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"Hi" she whispered. sounding so much in pain. I couldn't even see her face clearly. I tried walking closer but it seems like the more I walked, the more she moved farther away from me.

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"Who are you?" I finally managed to ask. she sniffed and started walking away.

"No don't go... please wait" I yelled running after her. she walked at a quicker pace before disappearing into thin air.

"WAIT!!!" I yelled and woke up.

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I was holding onto my necklace pretty tight. my bed was soaked with my sweat. I was breathing heavily like someone who just completed a marathon. I closed my eyes whispering to myself again and again that it was only a dream.

I stood up from the bed and went to the table to grab some water. the wind blew through the orphanage walls, rustling of leaves could be heard if you were paying attention.

someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder, I almost jumped right out of my skin. I choked on the water as I turned to see Mom Claire standing behind me.

"Hey calm down. I'm not a ghost" she mocked

"Mom Claire"

"I heard screaming. had a nightmare or imagining things" she sat down and gestured me to sit too which I did.

"Care to talk about it" she asked staring at me

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I narrated the dream and she just saw it as a mere dream.

"It's nothing Astral"

"it is something" I shot back

"every kid in this orphanage has gone through the phase of missing someone and then dreaming of them." she said

"I don't know what's happening to me."

"it'll pass trust me." she held my hand in hers and squeezed gently.

"you need to rest ok" she smiled and let go of my hands. I went to my room and tried to sleep again and this time around, no nightmare.

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I woke up, had my bath and got dressed up for school. I wore my necklace. I never go anywhere without it. something tells me, it's my good luck charm now.

I walked to school with Kristen. I told her about the dream but she still insisted it was nothing.

"you just miss your parents too much that's why" she said and I concluded it was just a dream like everyone calls it.

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we arrived at school and all through the lessons, I was trying my very best to avoid Carl. I never said a word to him and neither did he.

Although I was sorry for calling him an arrogant bastard but he mentioned my parents first.

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During lunch, I went to the cafeteria. I bought some snacks and sat down with Kristen. She saw the necklace on my neck and couldn't stop admiring it.

"where did you get it?" she asked

"it was given to me by Mom Theresa. she said I was wearing it when I came to the orphanage so I figured my birth parents made it for me" I smiled knowing at least my parents cared for me.

"whoa... it's beautiful. can I see it?" she asked. I took it off and gave it to her.

"this is real gold. I guess your parents had a lot of money"

"I thought so too. this must have cost a fortune" she gasped feeling the jewel on her palm.

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"where did you steal that?"

I looked up to see Natalie staring at us. we were so engrossed in our topic that I didn't see her walk up to us.

I took the necklace from Kristen and wore it "she didn't steal. it belongs to me"

"That's quite expensive and I know you can't afford something like that. it's made of pure gold" she hissed.

"it just happens to be mine" I said defensively "guess you're not the only person to brag about what she has now right"

her eyes turned red.

"please... at least everyone knows that what I have belongs to me. I'm quite rich so I could get a million of these if I wanted to" she said pointing at my necklace "unlike you. cause I know you've got yourself some hot sugar daddy or probably someone's husband who's probably a rich guy to spend on you. everyone knows all high school girls are looking for love from older men with cash" she mocked

"I'm not a slut Natalie. I can't bring myself that low to do that but are you sure the guy who you say is your father isn't your sugar daddy cause kids like you who aren't content with what they have usually go to extreme measures to get them.... you know like... " I paused and looked at her. she looked like she was about to slap me any moment from now

"I'd rather not say. come in Kris let's leave the loser to her category" i said and Kristen giggled.

we were about to exit the cafeteria when I saw Carl. we exchanged glances and I walked out.

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After some hours of lessons, finally school was over. I grabbed my bag. I have to go to that Bakery today. I told Kristen about and she gave her consent that I could work there on the condition that I quit one which I agreed.

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I arrived at the Bakery. gosh it was huge. maybe it just got opened recently.

"WELCOME TO FOR GOODNESS CAKES"

I still think the name is weird.

I opened the door and walked in.

I looked around admiring the beautiful designs.

I saw, the menu on the table.

Strawberry cake

Chocolate cake

Queen cakes

Cookies

Scones

truffles...

Hmm yum.... I read on and on. the names listed here were already making me hungry. I was drooling already.

"Hi can I help you?"

A lady probably in her early thirties spoke to me. by the way she dressed, I could tell she was the owner of the bakery.

"are you here to order something?" she asked

I shook my head no

"Hello" I stretched my hands and she shook it

"the name's Astral. I called yesterday and I was told to come today" I explained

"oh my. you're here for the job right?" she asked and I nodded

"come with me" she walked inside a room and I followed. she gestured me to sit. I guess it was her office

"have some tea" she said pouring some into my cup

"thank you"

"so" she started "do you have any experience on baking?"

"No. I'm actually a high school student. but I'm willing to learn and I can try"

"you attend woodland?"

I shook my head yes.

"wait... you're that girl from the Market yesterday. the one who helped me when that boy tried to steal from me"

I gasped

"it is you." I smiled

"I couldn't thank you yesterday cause you ran off in a hurry. my name is Evie. I'm the owner of the Bakery. thanks for helping me" she said smiling

"you're welcome"

"so how come you wanna work? where are your parents?"

"um it's a bit personal ma'am Evie but all I can say is that I need the money"

"alright. family problems I guess. you can work for me. I see you as an honest person and I would like to work with you. I could teach you to bake"

"thank you. I'd like that" I smiled

she decided to pay me twice the salary I got from ma'am Collette so I agreed.

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Someone ordered a packet of chocolate cookies and I stayed behind to help. she taught me how to make one. I didn't go to work with ma'am Collette. I'd go there tomorrow to collect my remaining payment. Evie seemed nice. she understands me and tried to make me feel comfortable around her.

for once, I think I've finally found the place for me.