7:05 a.m
February 22, 2023

This is certainly the worst day of my life for three reasons:

One, receiving a termination of appointment on your birthday, is certainly the worst of news.

Two. Getting kicked out of my apartment because I couldn't pay my rent on time. The landlady was a mean old hag, I had begged her to give me a couple of days to get my stuff together but she refused. My rent was always paid on or before my due date, that's why I wondered why she acted like I never pay rent.

8:00am

Three. Soon you'll see.

Gathering my most essentials into a duffel bag, I leave the other items where they were tossed, not caring if they'd get stolen.

I phoned my mother to tell her I was coming over because I lost my job, she told me to go to hell.

I mean, wow right?

Only last night I was home celebrating my elder sister, Cary's engagement to her lawyer boyfriend.

8:30am

Standing literally at a cross road, I take deep breaths, different people brushing past me.

Speaking of boyfriends.

Hayden told me he was in town at the moment. Well, he didn't tell me actually. I found out through Omar, his best friend with a big mouth.

Omar could never keep a secret.

So, I'll surprise him and maybe break the news to him later.

Hayden was a big star in the entertainment industry, always flying out of the state for one movie scene or the other.
.

I didn't mind.

Here I am.

His neighbour waves at me and I flash her one of my best smiles, wondering if Hayden is in.

Well, look here.

I've got a key. Hayden asked me to use his place whenever I wanted to.

Well, which is why I barged in, breathing in the same old scent I was used to.

His cologne.

He should be home.

A girlfriend shouldn't knock on any door, right?

Well, I regret my choice immediately.

Four. Seeing Hayden in bed screwing a white chick isn't something I ever expected.

He saw me. I saw him white Red-Riding-Fool saw me

I ran.

Ignored his calls.

I ran away.

11:00a.m

Three hours.

I've been sitting in my favourite café, Amaze, for  over two hours. Processing all my woes, drinking in my misery.

Well, I've got bad luck.

The world is against me.

I sigh, checking out all the  people seated in the café, many conversations flying around.

Amaze has always been my favourite place to come to after a long day at work but now it all sucks, I've got no job, no money, apart from the $100 sitting in my bank account, no boyfriend, no family to run to.

Amaze is less amazing at the moment.

Ping!

My Samsung android smartphone.

Well, a message from Cary.

Cary: mom told me what happened. you deserve that and more, tramp.

See, this could be a dream, a scene from any movies, but it isn't.

It's really happening.

I am ruined.

7:30 p.m

It's so cold outside the café. I forgot how cold it could by this time of the year.

I could freeze.

Sad, I wandered around town just to fit in. The other persons I encountered, I wondered what was going on in their lives.

At least they had a home to return to.

8:30p.m

Tired and hungry, I locate a bench in the city center. Maybe I could sleep here, and figure out what to do tomorrow.

I literally have no friends, except Hayden and now, he's out of the picture.

Last I checked, my stuff were still where I left them. It wasn't much anyways. Clothes, a couple of books and my art supplies.

Most of my paintings are still at my former workplace. They gave me thirty-six hours to remove them.

Fair  enough.

10:00p.m

Activities in the world around me drops to the minimal. Only a few stray cats and rats scurry past.

I listen to the music faintly playing from a bar.

Satin's Bar.

They threw the wildest parties. Hayden used to bring me there with his friends. Omar, Joey, Lee and Xavi.

I drift.

10.35p.m

I have always been a heavy sleeper but being out the open, my instincts were heightened and that's why I sense a second presence on th bench.

Well, he's not actually seated, the man.

He's bent over, checking me.

“Do you have a death wish?”He asks. I believe he's never seen a homeless person before.

Amira Hopkins is homeless.

“Mind your business, you creep.”I try to sit up but my limbs are frozen and I understand the gravity of my actions.

Hypothermia.

I've never had a first hand experience of hypothermia.

Here I am.

Without asking for my permission, the man scoops me into his arms and my senses are dulled to the extent that I couldn't struggle.

Que sera, sera.

Whatever will be, will be.

Eyes shut, I surrender to the darkness.

Author's note:

Two chapters left.

This is the shortest story I've ever written and I plan on writing more of these.

Thanks for reading. Please tell me what you think about this chapter so far?

Chapter Appreciation: Mallu2229, thanks for the follow   😊