Chapter 110 - Chapter 18

When the interview was finally over, Aldo had given his response on the spot that I had been accepted. No wonder the girl before me came out crying her eyes out. An hour and a half of being questioned about everything you did and plan to do in the next ten years drained the will to live out of me. I climbed inside the car, let out a heavy breath, and grunted. I was exasperated. The man tested every bit of my patience and I had more than most people.
Nonetheless, I was relieved that it was over and I was closer to achieving my goal. It didn't matter how irritating Aldo was, he wouldn't be attending classes with me, hopefully. When I drove past the front gates of the academy, I floored it and whizzed past the scenery. I needed a nap. I wondered how Mason dealt with people like Aldo every day. No wonder he was cold and distant. Maybe he needed to be that way to survive the big wide world.
After Aldo had grilled me in detail about the soup kitchen, I wanted to stop and see how Ellie was doing. Most days I was there with her, except for the odd one out. I hadn't spoken to David since that night at the cinema. I avoided him like the plague. I had seen Laira without him around but I guess he was avoiding me too. I glanced at the traffic light and put the car in drive when it turned green. It was the last one before entering the quarter. After that, it was no man's land and a lot of potholes. It was like a different world, like civilization never reached all the way there.
When I finally pulled in front of the soup kitchen, I sighed, relieved. It was one of the few places that I felt connected to. I didn't know why but it had a certain energy to it that I couldn't resist.
I climbed out of the car, a little insecure on my feet. Heels weren't my friends, that was for sure. It was almost lunchtime and I knew in a few minutes the place would be buzzing with children coming to have lunch.
When I pushed the front door, my eyes fell on David who was wiping a table down. Damn it. My lucky streak was over.
" Hi David," I greeted, letting go of the door and smiling when he raised his head to look at me.
" Lily?" David asked with furrowed brows, gaping at me.
" I almost didn't recognise you. When you climbed out of the car I thought that you were one of those ladies from the mayor's office." David dropped the cloth onto the table and made his way to me.
" A secretary? " I asked a little offended. I thought I looked nothing like one.
David chuckled " No, silly. The ones with the real power." That was more like it. I liked that. It rubbed me the right way.
" How have you been doing?" I sheepishly said. I ditched you and avoided you for months.
" You know the usual. Mostly at work, trying to put some money aside for Laira, so she can manage until she starts at the academy. My mum and her dad, barely make enough to put food on the table." David shrugged, leaning against the table. I had it easy, compared to them and others.
" I can help Laira if she struggles." Once I've signed the papers, the money that my parents left me would be at my disposal. I wasn't a big spender, my basic needs were covered.
" Thank you for offering but she doesn't like to take charity. She doesn't know that her tips are money that I've put aside for her. She doesn't take anything from anyone aside from her father." David explained looking over his shoulder. I was a bit taken aback by what David said.
" We all need help, David. Maybe she will change her mind" I added, glancing at the kitchen door.
" You're dressed fancy. So, I'm guessing that you had your interview at the academy. How did it go?" David changed the topic when Laira stepped out of the kitchen making her way towards us with a deep frown.
" Hi Laira," I smiled and her face lit up and hurried her steps towards us.
" Wow, Lily! You look amazing," Laira brushed the blazer with her fingertips, feeling the fabric, mesmerised.
" Thank you, Laira. It went well. Long." I trilled my lips and rolled my eyes " Was Aldo so meticulous with you when you had yours?" I felt the need to ask. I hoped I wasn't the only one put under the spotlight.
" Yes. The academy is a machine for making successful people. But only the best of the best can walk through those corridors. Or the richest," David shrugged and glanced at Laira who stared at me.
" I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who had to go through the gruesome interrogation," I chuckled and waved at Ellie when she poked her head out of the kitchen.
" So, you're the reason why these two are lazying around" Ellie amusedly said as she walked out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron.
" Yes. I'm sorry. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I didn't know David and Laira were here today." I replied and leaned in for a hug when Ellie opened her arms to me.
" Thank you, dear. I didn't know either. They just turned up this morning. You look spiffy. I like it. It suits you. I'm worried now that the girl who walked through those doors two years ago is gone. I liked her, but I'm sure I'll like this one too." Ellie giggled and squeezed my hand.
" Little Lily is still here, Ellie. Just a little more confident." I squeezed her hand back and smiled.
" You better," Ellie wiggled her finger at me with a pout.
I couldn't help but giggle again. I loved Ellie, David, Laira and my time with them. It felt comfortable and familiar. I wanted to help them at all costs and everyone like them, but I had a long road ahead of me before I could do any of that.