the girl who lost things

part fifteen

-- jessie's pov

it was over; he dropped me off back at the alley. Tears erupt in my eyes. It's ok. He drives off like I was some hooker. A piece of trash. The train/walk back home was quiet.

 I open my door and lay on my bed. I hate my life. The smell of flowers hits my nose to my window, where Sergio laid a batch of flowers. I quickly grabbed him and ran to the corner of my room. Did he find out where I lived? Was he getting comfortable? Picking up the flowers, I see that they're not addressed to me. It was addressed to Emily and whoever Lauren was. the door begins to jingle. " mom?!"

" yes? I'm home!" she says from the entrance."Come in here." I walk out of my room into my doorway and hand her the flowers. "These were sitting in my room when I came home. It's addressed to you and whoever Lauren is." when I said that, it looked like she had just seen a ghost.

-- emily's pov

This can't be happening. I grab the roses and put them in the trash. " Jessie, tonight you are sleeping in my room. Ok? grab your stuff, your homework, and your laptop." I go into my gun safe and make sure all the windows are locked." Mom, what's wrong?"

" Nothing, stay in my room. Did you eat?" she nods and grabs some clothes, and walks into my room. She was closing the door behind her. I put the drawer in front of the front door, ensuring that I'll hear if anybody tries to enter. I grab my gun and turn off the lights. I bring a chair to the center of the room; sit, and cock my gun. I'm ready for him. for anybody.

Jessie opens the door."Mom, what's going on?" Jessie says in a fearful voice. Seeming like she's going to cry." Nothing, finish your homework and head to bed." my voice cracks as I say that, I don't want her to live in fear.

— jessie's pov

I wake up early; the alarm says 6:00 am. Emily still wasn't in bed yet. I run out of the room to see her asleep on the chair with a gun.

"Mom! I'm coming to you." She gets startled but quickly uncocks the gun. I run to hug her, with my eyes watery. She puts her forehead to mine; I could tell she was trying to hold back her tears. She was trying to stay healthy. She grabs my hand: brings it to her lips, and kisses it." I'm ok. We're ok!" we stay hugging until her phone rings.

 I exhale, Work. She grabs the phone, and I can hear someone speaking, but she's responding in French. So I was a little rusty. But I tried to translate some words.

Here in America? How do you know? Ok, bye.

That is all I could hear from it; she drops her phone and starts to change." That was a case; I'm so sorry." I nod and open my laptop. " I'm gonna drop you off at school early, ok?"Great! I guess it's for my own safety anyways. I head to my room to get ready.

When I'm done, I put some food for Sergio. "You ready?Jessie?" I nod, and we head out the door.