Between Love & Family

Chapter 1

This is my first story guys so I will admit it starts off a bit slow but please hang in there, I promise it gets better <3

"Sir, Are you ready to settle your tab? It's almost closing time." 

I look at the man in front of me, his disheveled suit and 5 o'clock shadow. His eyes were rimmed red like he hadn't slept in days. I look over at Bo, the bar's bouncer to make sure he is watching in case a situation ensues. 

"I am not done drinking, hit me again" he responds. I nod to Bo who slowly walks up behind the man. "Sir the bar is closing, settle your tab and leave or I will escort you out." 

The man looks up at Bo and I can see his mind whirling, debating if he should press his luck. With a sigh he pulls out his wallet, admitting defeat as he hands me his card to settle the tab. I process his payment and Bo sees him out, I then turn my attention to closing up the bar.

My name Is Alana Alvarez, I am a student by day and working at this dead-end job by night to put myself through school. I know very glamorous right? My mother passed when I was 5 and as I had no other known family I grew up in the system, I never quite fit in at any of the homes they tried to place me in. 

I was either too quiet or too loud, not as outgoing as they may have wanted or my goals didn't line up with the family needs..or so they would say. I think they expected me to be turned into a bright bubbly 'normal' child but unfortunately, the loss of my mother had a lasting impact on me and I just couldn't BE that normal happy child they wanted me to be. 

By the time I was 14 they had given up on finding me a placement and honestly I was fine with it. From that point on I didn't have to worry about impressing anyone or plastering a fake smile on my face. I spent the next four years in a group home for girls as I finished high school and graduated with honors. As soon as I turned 18 I hightailed it as far away as I could and never looked back.

Putting up the last chair on the table, I hit the lights and walk out on the dark streets questioning the course of my life for the thousandth time, once again coming up with no better ideas than the path that I am currently on. I get in my crappy 99 Corolla and make my way the few blocks to my small apartment. 

I walk through the dim hallways, well aware of the looks and whispers that follow me. I live on the "the bad side" of Boston, attending the University of Massachusetts majoring in Business Administration. I always wanted something of my own and I worked my ass off in High School to qualify for a full academic scholarship. I still have to cover the cost of books and of course basic needs.

I had tried to live on campus at the dorms, but after a single semester, it became quite clear that it would be financially easier to find a small apartment. Boston being a larger city, affordable apartments were hard to come by. Even though anyone could see this was not the ideal part of town and the apartment left plenty to be desired...the rent was cheap and it wasn't far from the campus. Being brought in the system it wasn't like I was used to the finer things in life so I had no problem making the best of it.

Not long after that, I found I found my position at the bar, it again was not ideal but the tips were good and the owner was decent. As I have learned to do all my life... I made the best of it. I had made it to my last semester and would be graduating soon as long as I kept my GPA high and stayed focused. I had saved everything I could spare to start my life after I receive my degree and I couldn't wait to build a life for myself.

As I make my way into my apartment I make sure to lock the deadbolt and hook the chain. Kicking off my shoes at the door I head into my bathroom to take a quick shower, washing the smell of alcohol and cigarettes off me from my shift. Letting the hot water relax my muscles and unwind from the day's events. Getting out I dry off before lotioning my body and pulling on my favorite pair of fluffy sleep pants and a tank top, throwing my hair up in a bun on top of my head.

Heading back out into the kitchen, I heat up some ramen in the microwave and seat myself at my small kitchen table that I also used as my desk. Powering up my laptop I pull up the paper due tomorrow to revise and make any last-minute edits. I wouldn't say I'm the most organized person in the world but I have my own system and it's gotten me this far.

If I am not at the bar or at school I am here, I have to stay at the top of my class or I lose my scholarship and honestly that is just not an option for me. Satisfied with my paper and finished with my ramen I ready my bag for tomorrow and head into my room. Bedtime is definitely my favorite part of the day, I let out a sigh as I wrap myself up in my fluffy blanket.

Relaxing into the bed I steal a glance at the photo of my mother sitting on the bedside table. She was such a beautiful woman, I have very few memories of her but the ones I do are all happy and I like to believe that even today she is looking down on me. As I drift off I dream of her, imagining she is still with me and what my life would have been like if she were.