Paws and Penpals

Elle

"Will you be alright?" mum calls.

"Yes, Mum! Go, go have fun!"

She looks at me warily, then nods and leaves. I almost cry with relief, Mum's friends have been begging her to go out with them. It's about time she got out anyway. She hasn't been out since... Never mind.

I sigh and grab my phone, lay down and start scrolling through the endless messages from my friends. Louise is in Paris, Avery is in Italy and Belle in Greece - they're so lucky! If only me and Mum weren't poor, if only we could go somewhere on the other side of the world. I turn over and open a drawer, inside is an envelope, the envelope. The envelope of pictures, the ones from Mum and Aunt Lily's childhood. How I wish I could do things like that, if anywhere, I want to go to the Acropolis in Greece.

I sigh and grab a book - 'Pride and Prejudice' if you must know. I'm soon joined by Tuna - who perches herself on my lap - and Ham - who sits near my shoulder. Cats and books are far better company.

I smile.

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"Pen pal program?" I ask the woman in front of me.

"Yep! Just sign your name, and you'll be paired with someone to converse."

I nod, "How much does it cost?"

She laughs and shakes her head, "Nothing whatsoever, if you don't have any paper at home, say you're from a poor family, I'm sure the school can spare a few sheets."

I nod.

I pick up the pen and take a deep, shuddering breath before signing my name on the paper.

Elle Shakespeare