The Girl Dressed In Stars

Chapter II

Florence

By the time I reach the flat, I am shivering and sneezing.

After Theodore had made us fall into that pond, I had got absolutely drenched and destroyed my only dress.

Not that I am complaining about ruining the wretched thing.

Due to the fact that I don't have a car, and the buses didn't run this late, I have to walk the 7 mile walk back to the flat in the dark by myself, because my parents are no doubt drunk and passed out somewhere.

I walk up all the steps to the top 57th floor of the block of flats. It's late and I'm not risking taking the lift that smells of pee. With my hands shaking because of the cold, I quickly and quietly unlock the door and step into the darkness.

Spinning around, I see both my parents passed out on the sofa in their dinner outfits next to a empty bottle of vodka. I pick up my dress and walk on the floorboards in the areas that don't creak and head to my room, trying not to wake either one of them up.

I let out a sigh of relief when I've closed my bedroom door. Shivering again, I quickly step out of my dress and toss it (along with my heals) in a heap on the floor. I put my damp hair up into a messy bun and got dressed into my long jogging bottoms and thick jumper, which both drown me and clings to my wet frame awkwardly. It was winter and my room didn't have heating.

I dive in under the covers and snuggle up in the blankets. Setting my alarm for 6am, I lay back on my bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

My alarm blaring wakes me up.

Instantly, I slam my hand over the machine to shut it up. Sitting up, I listen to see wether I woke up my parents or not. When I hear nothing, I slowly get out of bed and glance at my reflection.

My hairs a naturally orange curly mess and is falling out of the bun. My skin is unusually pale and my nose is red with the cold I now have. As if on cue, I sneeze.

Sighing, I begin to get dressed.

Despite it being Christmas morning, I still get up and get ready to head off to work. The Little Café is about a 30 minute walk from my flat. It's in the middle of a busy high street in the more run down area of my city, which is perfect for me as I don't have to see those snobs that I go to school with regularly, just at school.

I tuck all my hair into a woolly hat and grab my keys. Dressed in my work uniform that consisted of black jeans and a bright pink t-shirt that read 'STAFF' (not my choice I know) I quietly open my bedroom door. Tucking my keys into my coat pocket, I peep my head out the door and look for my parents. They, as usual, are still passed out on the sofa so I sneak past them and head out the door.

As its early on Christmas, and most people are at home with their friends and family, it's pretty quiet as I walk to work. The air is cold and my feet crunch in the frozen snow. Even those I'm constantly sniffing and sneezing, the crisp cold feeling on my cheek and nose makes me smile slightly.

I love winter.

I walk along the high street and reach the café. Unlocking the door, I then step inside and start setting up for the customers. I turn on the heater and unwrap the pre made cakes. Even though I don't run this place, I've been working here for so many years now that Martha, the owner and my boss, gave me a key and trusts me enough to lock up and open up when she's not here.