MY SWEET PRINCESS

LAUREL'S P.O.V Today has been exhausting.... actually, everyday has been exhausting. Clara and Jacob have been a big headache but I don't like leaving them at the orphanage while at work. Yes, there're other kids there but I just don't trust Ms.Fiona and I think she's capable of doing anything to them. I don't trust or like her much and neither do the twins. I must say, It's just my luck that she let me work which of course she did because she didn't want to see my face around her but the best part is that I can go to work with Clara and Jacob. Lucy, the owner of the bakery is twenty five years and has no problem with It either. In fact, she loves Clara and Jacob and gives them treats and let's them watch cartoons in her office while I do my work. She really helps us a lot. I'm really grateful. So....It's 5:30 p.m and Lucy has to close the bakery. To be honest, It's more of a restaurant nowadays. Clara and Jacob are jumping around outside as I help Lucy close the place. "How are you holding?" Lucy asks. She knows everything about life in the orphanage. "I'm handling fine, Ms.Lucy. Don't worry about us." "Firstly, we agreed on just Lucy and of course I have to worry. You're sixteen and taking care of two creatures. You have a witch who is capable of doing anything on your tail, Laurel." She says it in a high voice. "We're fine. I promise!" I lie. "Remember,you can come live with me and Peter. He has no problem with It." "And what if he has a problem with this idea?" I ask raising a brow. "He wouldn't!" she yells," At least not when he still wants an us alive!" I know she's genuinely trying to help but I don't want to be burden to someone. Not now....not ever. "I appreciate your help, Ms- I mean, Lucy but we're fine. You already help with the needs and that's more than enough. Really! We're fine." She looks at me for a while as if trying to see through me but I know she can't even if she tried. No one can see through me....no one. "Okay," she says after defeat."But I'm still here." This almost brings tears to my eyes...I can't take it anymore. "Um...I think I should go find Clara and Jacob now." She nods and I hurriedly get away. I left Clara and Jacob playing by the bench but they're no where in sight. I move around a little but there still isn't a single sign of them. Where did they go? Taking a deep breath, I scream out," Clara!! Jacob!!" I get no reply except their little giggling. I follow the sound and find them jumping on some water in the middle of the road. A sense of relief washes over me but as soon as I spot a car heading towards them, I begin to panic. They two of them don't even seem to acknowledge it. I don't know how fast I was but I find myself pulling the two of them off the road. They're still giggling but this isn't funny at all. At least not to me. The car comes to a halt and someone steps out. It's a man with messy ginger hair but the good kind of messy. He moves over to us and I immediately pull Clara and Jacob behind me. Mom said to always put them before everything else in the world. "Are they okay?"he asks breathing heavily. His voice low and raspy....well, It's like he was asleep. "Yes, they're fine. I'm sorry. They're quite playful." I say turning back to them and giving them the 'you're in trouble ' look. Their faces immediately drop. I look back up and the man is staring at me in a way I can't quite explain. "Um...We should get going." I take Clara and Jacob's hands and get ready to leave. " Goodbye!" I say but he doesn't return It. I turn to leave but he quickly grabs my arm. Good Lord, what does he want now? I slowly turn around and meet his gaze. I hate to admit It but I'm short and this guy....this guy is the opposite of me. "What's your name?" he asks looking down at me. "You want to know my name?" he nods," B-b-but why?" "I just feel the need to know." Feel the need to know, not a good enough answer. Well, I'm not giving a stranger my real name. "It's-It's Kate!" I say after running my brain for a name. "Nice to meet to you, Kate. I'm Brett." he says. "Kate! No, she is not Kate!" Jacob yells. The man moves his attention from me to Jacob, " Really? Then what's her name?" Jacob looks up at me and I give him a threatening glare. "No, don't look at her! Look at me!"he says to Jacob,"I'll make sure to get you anything if you tell me the truth." Jacob's eyes light up and I know I'm a goner. "Laurel! Her name is Laurel. Mine is Jacob and she's Clara." He turns to Clara but she hides behind me. Clara has always been the shy type. "I'm not gonna hurt you, Clara. I just wanna be friends." he says. Clara slowly peeks from behind my legs and spots his hand. She slowly takes it like if she took It too fast, It might bite her. He lifts her up and smiles at me. "Laurel. It's a beautiful name! I love it. Laurel." He says my name in a way and it feels I have never really heard it before and keeps repeating it. LAUREL. What's does he want? Busy warming up to my siblings. I just want to hit him hard but something is stopping me. Like there is an invisible force holding me .