Waiting for superman by Daughtry on the side>>

Seven Leaves

"It is the need to be loved that's makes all of us weak," -Tallara

Tip-plop-tip-plop the droplets from my drenched clothes slid onto the plastic doormat. I don't know if I should be doing this. Since my mother's death, I haven't spoken to my aunt once-not even on the phone-not a single word had been exchanged between us -then what gave me the right to stand at her doorstep now? I didn't try to apologize for ending her sister's-(my mother's) life. I didn't offer consoling words when she silently cried by my mother's grave. I didn't even thank her for taking all the blame.

I turned my back towards the door, picking up my bags and slinging them across my shoulder. Just then, the door flung open, all breaths were caught in my throat. Aunt Julie was standing few feet away from me, a delicate floral dress clung to her bones, she wore one of her bright smiles, the green in her eyes sparkled in way that reminded me of mom.

"Alice!" She stepped out into the cold morning air. "Oh my," Before I could process all that was happening, she encased me into her famous chocolate melting hugs.

"It's nice to see you Auntie," I mumbled into her shoulder, for moment, it felt as though was mom here, hugging me, holding me in her arms. "I was just passing by..."

She pulled away- looked really happy. "God, I didn't think you'd visit me before I left for Manchester," She was leaving? How come no-one told me about this.

"You're leaving?"

The smile on her face dimmed. "Yah, I'm moving in with Charlie," Charlie as in Aunt Julie's boyfriend who lived in London.  

"Oh," I smiled, trying to look cheery. "Congratulations. I hope you two have wonderful life,"

"Thank you dear," She patted my cheek. "Come in. I'll make you some of your favorite chocolate shake,"

"No, it's alright. I'm kinda in a rush," I lied, whilst staring at the welcome sign on the doormat.

"I won't force you," Aunt Julie replied, laughing. "I'm really busy myself," A breaking sound came from the inside of the house, "Oh my," She gasped before scrambling towards the sound. "Charlie, I told you not to touch the flower vase!" I heard her yell. "Now look at what you've done..."

 I didn't wait for her to return and walked out of the wooden patio of her house. A dreadful realization set itself inside my chest. I was officially homeless.

~*~*~*~

Lights were lighted. Small, blue feather birds were rising out of their nest, flapping their wings they flew away into the lighted azure sky. Few of them pecked each other, stretching their feathers to provide warmth to the other.

Strangely, as always, I felt lonely. This time haunting freedom was trailing along my side. What was use of this freedom when nothing felt right enough to be free?

Drenched in the rivers water with an aching stomach, and watery eyes I walked and walked through the empty streets.

~*~*~*~

"You're not supposed to cry about it, darling," A beautiful lady with plum red hair said to a small boy wearing bright yellow, boat shoes.  I watched them from a distance, standing on the sidewalk, just past the lamppost.

The little boy was in tears as he stood at the door of their apartment, his small arms reaching out for her. "Mommy, don't leave me please,"

"I have to go," The beautiful lady picked up the boy in her arms, stroking his cheek with her free hand. "I would stay if I had choice,"

"I don't like being alone," The boy threw his arms around the lady.

The lady stood tall and firm. "Be brave, my dear, bad times won't last long. There needs to be rain before a rainbow can come,"

 I wanted to believe the lady. I truly wanted to believe her.

~*~*~*~

Cypress Creak Library Sandy said she would meet here once she could get out of her house.  The warmth of the library provided solace to my cold bones. Few early birds walked past me, giving me peculiar stares and some stifling their laughter.

"Looks like someone had a cold shower," A guy with the baseball cap snickered when he walked past me.

I didn't reply and quietly went to the washrooms.

~*~*~*~

"You can still go back you know," Sandy spoke, sitting across me at the circular table-her red pigtail would flip back and forth whenever she moved her head. "I'm sure your dad will forgive you,"

This was the last thing I expected her to say since when did she become the sensible one. I shrugged my shoulders, with my free hand I tucked wet strands of my hair into the blue hoodie that I had just changed into.

"I'm not going back," I sighed, my head falling down onto the cold, table's surface. "I can't go back,"

"Where will you go? You don't have enough money with you to rent an apartment,"

"I don't know,"

"I would take you to my place but," Sandy's skin turned into the color of her orange freckles. "My parents can't you know,"

"Hey, It's alright," I patted her hand.  Her family wasn't really financially strong so they couldn't afford to feed another mouth. "I can understand,"

"I'm really sorry, Alice" Sandy sniffled, rumpling her nose upwards. "I'm not of much help,"

"No, Sandy don't be sorry. You're an amazing friend. I'm really lucky to have you,"

She gave me a shy smile, biting down the corner of lips. "Thanks,"

"I'll figure something out," I didn't want to stress her with my problems. She already had enough to deal with. Maybe calling her to meet me here wasn't a good idea. Why I do always drag people into my problems? I needed to learn to deal with my own problems. Mother of all things chocolate, I can be so selfish sometimes.

Sandy squeezed my shoulder tightly; I guess she was trying to comfort me. "Don't worry. Only good things happen to good people,"

"I'm not necessarily a good person,"

She gave me a closed lipped smile, the one when she usually gave me when I failed to understand a math problem. "You are good. You just don't realize it,"

~*~*~*~           

Sandy had long left me. The sun was beginning to fall behind the horizon, the Liberian came up to me and informed me that it was closing time. I picked up my bags and books, my legs sore from siting in the library all day, and walked out of the library.

The cold evening air hit me with surprise; it was colder than I thought it would be. The streetlights were beginning to flicker to life. I walked along the sidewalk of the library. People were laughing, chattering-their arms filled with books and their eyes lit with joy. Some people like me, walked alone, their hands tucked safely instead their pockets and their eyes lost in some thought.

A light breeze picked up the dead, autumns leaves and blew them across the street. I too felt like the leaves, light enough to blown in any direction by the life's winds.

I still didn't have a place to go.

If mom was here, we would be celebrating my birthday right now. I still remember how she used make me my favorite chocolate truffles and in the evening she would sit with me by the fireplace. She would hand me a plain cup of milk and a truffle then sing me a soft birthday melody. I remember smiling the whole time she would sing.

Suddenly a sharp pain jolt of pain shook my body; it started from my head and soared till my toes. I think I bumped into someone as I lost balance. Of course it had to be him-Delvin was smiling at me- his brown eyes boring into mine. A white coat was neatly folded on his arm while a stethoscope clung to his neck.  Just then, I blacked out for a second, stumbling forward, landing right into his arms. Great-this is exactly what I need-another Chocolate Emergency (please with great attention note heavy use of sarcasm) And I thought my day couldn't get any worse.

"Whoa," He breathed out, his breath cascading down my neck. "Steady there," He held my hand; his gaunt fingers were tightly wrapped around my hand.

"Why do I keep bumping into you?" I groaned, removing myself from his grasp-my ten feet rule is dead so please don't mention it. "Were you following me or something?"

He gave me a lopsided grin before shrugging his shoulders. "It's called destiny, love,"

Love- a strange firework show erupted in my stomach- it was probably because of my low sugar. I was about to reply when another wave of black fell over my eyes; before I knew it- I was drowning in black water but this time I wanted to swim...

~*~*~*~

Note: Another update coming up tomorrow (*Conditions apply – if I 'm to accomplish it without hitting my head against wall repeatedly) I can't believe I managed to finish this chapter. Man, I was having so much trouble writing this one. I usually tend to write in fragments when I have a serious writer's block. Yah, I hope it turned out to be a decent chapter.

Do guys like serious Alice or Funny Alice or a mix of both? Comment and let me know! Oh, I feel bad for Alice for having such a terrible birthday. Maybe it'll be better in the next chapter ;)

Chocolate Emergency=Low sugar attack.