The last leaf on the tree

Answers part.4

Kehna's POV

"Mr. Garcia, I've been coming here to help out a lot, since my mother started working here. I thought maybe, I could ask for a part-time job"

"You're right, you've been helping a lot, but does your mother know about this?"

"Of course, I'm going to tell her once you accept to give me a job".

"I'm not sure..."

"I can do anything, and I'm a quick learner"

"I need your mother's consent to be able to decide on giving you a job" with that conversation I found out that my secret talent definitely wasn't convincing people.

"You came late today," my mom said as I entered the kitchen showing my frustration. "Hmm... I tried asking for a part-time job here since I technically work here seeing how much I help out around here" Mrs. Arellalo continued cooking not really minding what she said.

But later that day... "Kehna?" my mom called out. " You were saying something about a part-time job today" it was then I realized that she didn't react to what I said earlier because she wanted to talk about it while we walk home.

The next day,

Mrs. Arellalo's POV

I quickly got ready because I had to get to work earlier today. To my surprise, Kehna wasn't awake yet. "Kehna get up, I need to go to work!" I raised my voice

"Hmm... what time is it?"

"It's almost 9 pm!"

"Yeah, sorry I forgot to tell you we aren't having the first period". She said still sleepy. "Why? Anyways get up" I tried dragging her out of bed, "Come on Kehna I'm serious! We're celebrating the restaurant's 6th year anniversary, today.

I have to be there early, please!" that's when she finally decided to open her eyes and get out of bed. After half an hour of waiting she finally got out of the shower.

"Finally, you're done"

"I didn't even take that long, how come you're acting like I was in there like forever"

"Hush, Kehna. Just go pack your things. I want to make sure you're provided with everything before I go"

"Mom, stop being like this, I can take care of myself"

"I told you to go and get ready!" I raised my voice again for at least the second time that morning.

When she was done packing her stuff, she finally approached the kitchen where I was and sat down to eat.

We bid goodbye and I left. As I came out of our apartment, I immediately saw a black tinted car at the bus stop, where Kehna's school bus normally arrives. I didn't take it as anything, so I continued walking.

The way to my working place wasn't that far away from my home, but since this city isn't that open. I, unfortunately, was mostly walking alone on the street and this was very uncomfortable. I checked my phone for the time and realized if I didn't walk faster I would get there late, for sure.

Once I got there I tried catching my breath since I almost ran. "Claudia!"

"Oh, good morning Mr.Garcia"

"Claudia how many times do I have to remind you. You don't have to speak with me so formally that's why I even call by your name" I bowed my head a little.

"I'm sorry"

"No, you don't have to be sorry, I just want you to feel comfortable, like every of my worker". he quickly said. "I'll try to speak informally with you from now on"

"Thank you",

"I'll get to work now"

"Yes, sure" I got to work, I started by greeting the staffs I saw around. "Good morning, everyone!"

After I was done, I went to the hall where our guests were supposed to sit and started cleaning there too. Soon I overheard Mr. Garcia talking on the phone it seemed like a staff wasn't coming or was quitting.

I saw that Mr. Garcia looked a bit frustrated. I wanted to go confront him but also hesitated, because, on one hand, I should focus on decorating this place to look as elegant as possible. But on the other hand, I think it's a bad thing for our boss to be extremely down while celebrating something as big as this.

So I approached him. "Sir, is everything okay?"

"We were supposed to go to Seattle today, but all of a sudden Liam wants to quit. He could have done this on any other day, but not today. This can not be a coincidence, he booked a bus, he probably already canceled it because he's not coming so we'll have to take a public bus..." he said as a loud groan followed.

"The bus is going to arrive in some minutes, please go and inform everyone else" this trip wasn't just any trip, it is a trip, where we get to advertise our restaurant, that's the restaurant is open till night hours. "Let's go everyone hurry!" Mr. García shouted getting everyone's attention.

"Are we already going?" Benjamin asked.

"Yes, Mr. Garcia says we'll miss the bus, if not" I didn't say Liam quit, because I thought it wasn't my job to do so, "Isn't Liam suppose to pick us up?"

"I don't know, but long story short we have to go now" and that's how the rush hour began.

We successfully entered the bus everyone got a seat since we were lucky enough and the bus wasn't that full... yet.

"Seattle here we come!" someone shouted from behind meanwhile, I was sitting next to Mr. Garcia.

About an hour later...

"We're here let's go" Mr. Garcia whispered to us and we slowly started moving ourselves to the exit. We got out of the bus and the first thing we thought of doing was taking a picture,

"Benjamin! Please come take a picture of us"

"Sure," I think a stranger overheard us, as she offered to help "I can also take it for you, so you can join",

"Ahh, yes! Thank you" so we took as many pictures as necessary and started sharing going into groups, to go to different streets to advertise, but then we realized.

"Where are the flyers?"

"Umm..." Benjamin stated.

"Please tell me you didn't forget it," Mr. García asked Benjamin trying to hide how furious he was by slowly massaging his forehead, "I can go back, and pick it up".

"Please sir, don't be mad at him" I added.

"I was also one of the reasons why he forgot. He was a bit pressured" he wasn't responding to that either so I left him alone, so he could cool himself down.

"Guys, I think it's not a good time right now. I'll be on my way" I whispered the last part.

"Let me follow you, he's going to kill me before you get back" Benjamin whispered back. "No, borrow me the key will you?" He gave me the key to the restaurant and I made my way to the bus. After a while of waiting, the bus arrived, I could still see the others they were waving at me and I waved back, but I don't think Mr. Garcia even knew I left, because he didn't react at all.

I sat down on my seat, waiting even if I knew I'd had to wait way longer than just some minutes.

All of a sudden... CRASH!, the only thing I saw was black...

I never believed the saying "Live every day like it were the last" because you never know what will happen the next minute. I wouldn't have thought that everything could be over this quick, but one thing I knew was, I couldn't give up, I have to be there for... Kehna. I tried recovering strength by breathing in and breathing out but it didn't help.

It felt like everything was shaking I could only feel SHUDDERS everywhere but...

I continued repeating the same sentence "I.can't.give.up" Breath in Breath out "I.can't.give.up" Breath in Breath out, I just wanted to rest and close my eyes for... some seconds.

In Seattle,

Mr. Garcia's POV

"Okay, now tell me... how are we going to go on with the advertising?" A long silence proceeded till I noticed someone was missing. "Where's Claudia?"

"She went back to pick up the flyers for our advert" I was going to start scolding, but then my phone rang. I was going to ignore it, because I had better things to do at that moment, but picked up seeing it was a private number

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is Med Health hospital we're calling to inform you about our patient here Mrs. Claudia Arellalo, you were the only person we could reach from her contacts"

"Where is she, is she okay?"

"Please come to Med Health hospital and if possible bring a family member with you"

"Hello?... Hello!?"

"They hung up. Where's Med Health hospital?" I said, still too stunned to speak.

"It's like 30km away from here," Benjamin said looking at his phone which he used to get the information.

"Okay! We can't wait for the next bus so let's take a cab. You guys take another cab we all won't fit in one" we were lucky enough and immediately found a cab. "Please take us to Med Health hospital," I told the driver as we entered and took our seats. "Sir, shouldn't you call Kehna?"

"Yes, you're right." I took my phone out and called Stella instead.

"Papi, why are you calling me now? I'm in school!"

"I know Stella."

"But, Kehna's mother got into an accident and we're on our way to-" *PIP* *PIP* *CALL ENDED*

At Amsterdam high school,

Stella's POV

I excused myself from class because my dad suddenly called me, which was very unusual. I quickly picked it because it must be something important if not, he wouldn't call. He told me about what happened on their trip. And I had so many questions that I couldn't ask because the call suddenly ended. Now, I was stuck with myself struggling on how to find a way, to explain this to Kehna. I was so confused, what if it was a severe accident? I quickly wiped that thought out of my head trying to stay positive.