August's Depart

Long was the time when she only saw him as a friend Never had she thought he would become someone she’ll never forget Wonderous was the moment when all of it began She always played it coy, but now she feels like coming undone   Curious was the stares of that wonderstruck, wide-eyed girl It was until one summer when everything started to twirl Easier it was to hold back tears than to do so her sentiment For as long as she kept it undisclosed, the more it caused her torment   He was anxious, insecure, and diffident And she wanted to make him feel like nothing he thinks he is She is always hesitant, so she dares not risk a limb Little does she know he is holding the same hurt that she is   Fleeting was the moments both of them had wasted For everything went by fast, then it was time to go How long will it take for both to reach the most awaited? Will they ever catch up or just go with the flow?    __ "Are you sure?" 9-year-old Scarlet whispered to her elder sister, Sienna. The room they were in was hot and dark. Sweat was slowly dripping off Scarlet's face.  "We don't have a choice. If we don't leave, señorita loca will just end up kicking us out of this place," Sienna whispered back to her sister, quickly shoving their remaining clothes into the bag. "Where will we go?" Scarlet asked, fear in her voice. Sienna paused, she does not know where to go either. They don't have any relatives nearby. All their father's relatives are in Spain and they don't know any of their mother's relatives.  "We will know," Sienna said, zipping up the bag she was preparing. She grabbed her little sister's hand. "Let's go now." The rusty metal stairs they walking on made a sound with every step they made. They tried to be as quiet as possible to not wake anyone up. When they reached the ground floor of the apartment building they were renting, they froze as the lights went on. They were shocked to see the landlady awake this early. It was three in the morning.  The landlady's eyes landed on the bags the two girls were holding. Her eyebrows met, that's when Sienna knew it was time to run.  She quickly held her sister's arm, dragging her away. They were only a few meters away from the exit when they heard the landlady scream, "COME BACK HERE AND PAY YOUR RENT!!!" Sienna didn't bother looking back, her eyes were pinned to the exit, their only way out. As they reached the door leading outside, she agitatedly opened it and slammed it shut behind her. They were still catching their breaths when they heard the door unlatching. Sienna dragged her sister and started to run as fast as she could. They have to get away from this place as far and as quickly as possible.  They have been running for almost a minute when Sienna looked back. The landlady was still after them. They turned to a dark alley, trying to escape from the landlady. They sat there, trying not to make any noise. Sienna covered her sister's mouth as they saw the landlady walk past the alley they were in. She did not see them. When they were sure that she lost them, they went out of the tree they were hiding behind. The alley they were walking past was dark and empty. The cold dusk air brushed against her skin. Scarlet squeezed Sienna's hand as she was startled by the sudden noise behind her. "It's just a cat," Sienna assured her, looking back at the cat eating a fishbone. "I'm hungry," Scarlet said, still holding Sienna's hand."Can we have something to eat?" "I will find something for you to eat. Just hang on for now, okay?" Sienna told Scarlet. Scarlet nodded in agreement. Sienna looked up, trying to fight back the tears that were about to fall. She shouldn't show weakness to her sister. Especially now that their parents are gone.    A few hours have passed and it's now morning. They walked past a bakery and Sienna decided to buy a loaf of bread.  "That's one dollar," the cashier told Sienna. Sienna looked at her wallet, eyeing the last five dollars that they have.  She picked a dollar up. "Here," she said, handing the money to the cashier. "Why do you have a lot of bags, hon?" one of the customers asked her. She was an old woman with a gentle smile on her face. "We're moving away," Sienna answered.  The cashier was about to get the money Sienna was handing her when the old lady stopped her. "Let me pay for that," she said. The cashier gave Sienna her dollar back. "T-thank you," Sienna said, trying not to cry in front of the stranger.  "Where are you going?" the old lady asked, slowly leading her towards one of the tables in the bakery.  "Somewhere far?" she hesitantly answered as she also doesn't know where they were headed to. The old lady sat down in one of the chairs, motioning Sienna to sit down as well. "And your parents?" the old lady asked her. "They just died," Sienna told her, looking down, the tears she was holding back now falling. "I'm sorry," the old lady sincerely said.  Sienna wiped her tears away. "But I have a sister," she said, trying her best to smile. "Oh? Where is she?"  "She's waiting for me outside, so I should go now," Sienna told the old lady, slowly standing up. "Actually, you can stay at my house while looking for the mean time," the old lady offered, smiling at her. The old lady they met in the bakery was Maria, a college professor retiree. When they entered Maria's house, they were greeted by the sweet smell of lavender-scented candles. Her house was not that big, but it was warm and comfortable. They headed upstairs and Maria led them into a vacant room. "This was my son's room, but since he's not around, you can use it," Maria said. Scarlet ran to Maria and hugged her. "Thank you," Scarlet said, looking up. Maria smiled. Sienna was walking around the town, trying to find a job that can help her and her sister. She was scanning every inch of the town when she bumped into a guy who was holding a dark-colored liquid in a disposable cup. The guy lost grip of his drink and it splashed all over Sienna's teal sweater. That's when she realized it was coffee.  She looked at the guy who bumped her with awe. He was in shock as well. He snapped back when the phone in his pocket rang. He immediately answered it. He was on loudspeaker so Sienna heard what the other line said.  "AUGUST! Where the hell are you?" the woman on the other line said. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm coming," he said and ended the call. He then turned to Sienna and eyed her stained sweater. "I'm really sorry about that," he said, taking out 150 dollars of his wallet. "Uh, here," he said, handing her the money. "Buy another one. I'm sorry. I'm in a hurry," he said before running away. Sienna stood there, still in awe.