February 2005...
The ride home was quiet. Everyone in their own world but Amanda kept thinking the same thing, 'How will we manage?'
After all the research she made of the schools , Amanda could only come up with one conclusion, Saints Academy was the most expensive on the list. Amanda knew it was a good school but what could she do. If only a godsend could help her in this situation.
Amanda saw the apartment ahead so she drove into the building and parked her car where she parked it before.
The three of them got out of the car and made their way into the building. After climbing a few steps, they reached their flat. Amanda pulled the key out from her purse before using it to open the door.
Savannah and Adam both rushed inside but Amanda stayed still, standing by the door frame. Her thoughts were all over the place. Even if she wanted to, her brain couldn't relax. All these responsibilities felt a bit too overwhelming, she wanted to just cry. Amanda took a deep breath before closing the door behind her and making her way to her room.
Upon seeing her and Savannah's box weren't unpacked, Amanda decided to put their clothes in the wardrobe since they were going to be staying there for a while before things settled down.
Amanda walked into the room and brought her box down before slowly opening it. She picked a random blouse from the box and folded it before placing it in the wardrobe. She thought of separating her clothes from Savannah's clothes by dividing the wardrobe. While Savannah's clothes would be hung, Amanda's clothes would be folded at the bottom of the wardrobe.
While Amanda was arranging her clothes in the wardrobe, she was still so lost in thoughts. While she was busy folding the clothes, her thoughts were elsewhere. All this made a tear drop slowly fall down her cheeks, and at that moment , Amanda heard a knock on the door, without second thoughts, she turned abruptly to see who it was.
Savannah stood still by the door frame staring at Amanda who was holding a pair of jeans. All the time that passed merely felt like seconds before Savannah awkwardly walked into the room but upon seeing the open wardrobe and box, Savannah stopped, confused.
"What are you doing mom?" Savannah asked with her eyes fixated on the pair of jeans in Amanda's hand.
"Oh, this, I was just arranging the clothes in the wardrobe". Amanda said before turning to face the wardrobe and wiping her tears before anyone could notice.
"Don't worry, I'll help you". Savannah said before making her way to the wardrobe. No matter how much she wanted to, she still couldn't express her pain and struggle in front of her kids. She couldn't break down now in front of her kids in such a situation.
Amanda stole a glance at Savannah as she quickly picked a random cloth from her box. This girl standing next to her is her daughter, no matter what, she must do everything in her power to give her and her brother a life with no worries. While folding the clothes, suddenly, it hit her, both Savannah and Adam want to go to Saints Academy. They both think it's a really good school . They both got their opinions from their friends, maybe she should get their opinion and see what they think of the school first before deciding whether to take them there or not.
Amanda stopped what she was doing before turning to look at Savannah.
"Uhm, Savannah". Amanda said, but before she could finish her sentence , Savannah turned to look at her.
"Yes mom". Savannah said before Amanda held both her hands. Savannah was surprised by this sudden change in mood but didn't think too much of it
"Do you really like that school?" Amanda asked making the whole room tense up.
Savannah said the first thing that crossed her mind, " What? Do you mean Saints Academy ?"
"Yes. You said you thought of going there because Debbie told you it was a good school. I can't just admit you there due to someone else's opinion. I need your opinion before making a decision ".
" But what about Adams opinion, isn't it important?" Savannah said as the two of them chuckled.
" Tell me what you think of the school. Then I'll consider it". For a while, Savannah didn't say anything causing Amanda to sit down on their duvet - bed before Savannah joined her.
"Mom", Savannah said as Amanda jolted back into reality, " I searched the school, it's a really good school. It has good facilities, a nice uniform and a good rating as well". Upon seeing Amanda with her head low, Savannah took both of her hands in hers. "Mom," Savannah said as Amanda lifted her head, " I really want to go to that school, I've thought about it".
Amanda took a deep breath before saying, "Okay, I'll think about it". Upon seeing Savannah's face light up, Amanda forgot all about her worries .
"Thank you so much". Savannah said as she abruptly hugged Amanda.
"Okay, okay", Amanda said as she pulled away from Savannah, " I have to go and get Adam's opinion. You're the same person that told me that Adam's opinion is also important, right ?" Amanda said as she got up from where she sat.
"Alright, I'll arrange the clothes in the meantime ". Savannah said before Amanda walked out of the room.
The distance between their room and Adam's room wasn't that far since Adam's room was right in front of theirs. As soon as Amanda reached the entrance of his room, she knocked on his door gently.
"Who is it?" Adam asked a few minutes after hearing a knock on the door.
"It's me". Amanda said a little loud. Without wasting time, Adam opened the door for Amanda. As soon as Amanda set foot into the room, the first thing she noticed was how messed up the room was. Clothes were scattered all over the floor making little way for someone to walk.
Amanda turned to Adam who was staring at his messy room, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Why is your room so dirty?" Amanda asked Adam who was scratching his head.
"Well, uhh, I was looking for what to wear this morning and ... I, uhm, I don't know how it got this messy".
"You better clean that up".
"I will ".
Amanda took a deep breath before saying, " That's not even what I wanted to talk about".
"Then what did you want to talk about?"
" First let's go somewhere cleaner". Amanda said before making her way to the living room . "This morning, you said you were willing to go to Saints Academy because you spoke with Brian".
"Yeah, and so?"
"Well that's Brian's opinion, what's your opinion? Do you want to go to Saints Academy?" Amanda asked Adam in a more serious tone.
"Well, maybe. The school doesn't seem that bad, I guess ".
" So that means you want to go?"
"Yeah".
Amanda didn't say anything but just thought. For a while there was complete silence with just one thought in her mind, "Where will I get the money?".....