I dug in my pockets, staring up into the same dark sky.
It wasn't going to be a pretty sight.
Another rejection. I didn't know what stupid thoughts got me so hopeful. I wouldn't have been too far away from the truth by saying the entire city threw my shitty application in my face. It's not like I couldn't work. Maybe it was just because I looked like Satan himself was laughing his ass off at me. Hell, he probably was. I'd laugh too. I lived in one of the worst cities in Fiore. Well, I wouldn't live there for much longer. Rent was due that day, and not just that month's rent. All of my rent.
If you don't know who I am, then we're gonna need to talk. Name's Lucy Ashley. I live in the slums. Many don't think Fiore even has slums. Well, they do. And I've probably been to almost every one. Not having an education sucks. You can't get anywhere. It didn't piss me off that I couldn't get a job. It was that I had to rely on people like him.
My landlord. His name is Jellal. He was all I had, as much as that pissed me off. He had been the last person to go to, but the last of my teenage years were the roughedt for me. I had nowhere to go but there. My mom was the one who got to know him, and ever since she had said she couldn't take care of me she kept pleading for me to go to him. They had been in a relationship that didn't work.
Still, I just didn't like him until I moved in. He was actually an okay guy. He was just busy all the time, and almost seemed to avoid me sometimes. Yet, he would visit a lot and make sure I was alright. He was different from most. It was like he wanted to get to know me, but was just too distant himself. I didn't really help either.
He would ask "So... everything alright?" I would just look away or say something nasty. He would just nod with a grim face. The one thing that did get to me was the constant reminder that I looked like my mom.
In other words, it was a tricky relationship.
I grit my teeth before forcing my legs to reach the building. I creaked open the door to the familiar scent of old couch and Chinese takeout. I had forgotten to clean that up that morning. He was already seated at the coffee table near the edge of the carpeted living room, his casual black coat on the chair. He had the same calm smile as always. I didn't want to disappoint him, but I also learned to keep a fascade that I really didn't care. We looked at each other awkwardly, before I realized I was staring.
"I didn't get the fucking job," I announced dryly before plopping myself on the couch. I tossed the papers on the floor to give my evidence. It's not like I didn't respect him or anything, but didn't care. I was tired of giving him old news.
"I see... they didn't give you the job? I'm sorry for wasting your time with them, Lucy," He stated with obvious guilt. It kind of hurt to see him apologizing for my own stupidity.
I rolled my eyes and sighed at the blue haired man. "Why are you apologizing? Look, I'll get a job. For real." I dropped my feet on the small table in front of the television, an audible clank from the iron soles on my boots. Ignoring this bastard wouldn't help, but it would keep me from feeling bad.
"Lucy, I don't think I can keep this up. It may not look like it, but I can't keep you here for much longer," He said barely audible. I would've just kept ignoring him if I didn't feel his voice tremble. "Now, I want you out," he muttered.
I looked up bewildered. He wasn't playing around. I stood up, facing him. "Jellal! You can't be serious! I-I have nowhere else to go!" I said, forgetting my own charade.
He walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry... I really can't," he started. He stopped as I smacked his arm away.
I knew he saw the anger in me. I knew he was killing himself in getting me out of his sight. He really cared. My arms shook, holding joints in place. Was I really shaken up?
His hands found their way on my shoulders, still shaking. "I failed, Lucy. I won't let you go out there without fixing this," Jellal said, his eyes not leaving my face.
I didn't budge. What could I do? Well, there were a couple of things. Good thing I wasn't too much of a coward to take one of those options. I raised my fist, much to the bastard's surprise. He had it coming.
He stepped back, his eyes filled with tears. I didn't need to see them. I had my own to worry about. I was still processing what just happened.
"I-I..."
Jellal raised his hand, stopping whatever stuttered words that tried to come out. "I know you're upset, Lucy. Please, let me help you. I know I can't support you... but I know who can."
I looked away. I was tired of moving, searching for home. He wasn't just gonna trade me off like some piece of trash. Yet, I couldn't even make myself try and think he saw me as that. I just looked down, holding my arms. He walked over, carefully. I felt his arms wrap around me. I hugged back. It wasn't like an awkward hug that he would give before leaving me to my business. This was a real hug.
"I know a friend in another city that can help you. She can get you a cheap place," Jellal choked out.
I didn't know how to answer. I had to accept it. "H-How much?" I asked through our embrace.
He let go and gave me some cash. I didn't have time to check how much. He gained his composure somewhat and answered, "70,000 jewel. I'm sure you will find a job there. The money is for the bus rides. It's in Magnolia."
I had never heard of the place. I didn't argue though. I nodded and put it in my pocket. i wiped my eyes and looked at him again. "Will I see you again?"
He shrugged. "Maybe, but you know where to find me. If things don't work out, just find me."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Fucking dick..."
I sat at the edge of an alley a couple of streets from her old home. I rubbed my fist gingerly with a sigh. Who knew Fernandez had such a hard chin? It had been two hours prior to my encounter with Jellal. It happened so fast...
"What a fucking waste. Looks like it's back to the streets..." I muttered as I concealed myself in the space between the building. I had some dignity. If I was going be on the streets, I wasn't going to go parading around town about it. I would find a new place anyway, if Jellal was right at least. It was near the end of August, and no one was going to keep me warm when the blizzards hit.
I walked past the usual flashy signs for poorly built restaurants. I probably went to all of them at least once in the past three years. The transit in the city was pretty bad, except for really late at night. Nobody really felt safe in the rickety vehicles during the really late and early hours. So, those who did go usually were leaving the city. A smart choice.
The bus going to the farthest city was about fifteen bucks. I had a twenty I found in Jellal's pocket. I knew I would need it, even if it was just for some coffee. I sat on the warm, wet bench that was covered in moisture from the constant humidity in the city. I didn't know where the next bus was going, nor did I bother to check. It was probably better than this dump.
I wasn't going to miss this place. I would just remember it as another lost cause. Still, that apartment was the one place I almost called home. The dim lights of the bus shined my face as it rolled up. I laid the twenty down on the dashboard and walked down the dirt covered aisle to the middle. No one else was there except the silent driver. I made the mistake of leaning on the window, and ended up banging my cheek and getting unappreciated water on me.
I hoped the ride wouldn't last too long. The city slowly drifted past my view, and soon minutes turned to hours. My eyes barely had the strength to stay open. Constant bumps from the wheels beneath me didn't help. I squinted as highway lights almost blinded me.
"Damn, must be a long ride," I mumbled to herself. I had never been on this highway before. It was a desolate road, surrounded by only forests. It was calming, but not really pretty to look at.
I didn't like the bus. I was used to walking. I wasn't going to just walk down the highway like a hobo though, so I stayed. I just wanted it to stop. Honestly, I wanted to wake up and find myself on that couch again. I needed to wake up. I would wake up, but not because of me.