Mr. Radioman at the coffeeshop: First starting at the East end of Deldin, construction sites have already started. The level of the homeless increasing by each day filling the streets. All progress to completion is estimated till late January to February. Gas prices and taxes have in fact risen to pay for these projects and the people are not happ-

"Aaron, will you please turn that damn thing off?" Said the owner of the gas station as the kids approached the counter. "Dart and a visitor, how may I help you?" He smiled.

Chapter 4

Part 1

Better Get Use To It

I usually get around six to eight dollars for my lunch and dinner. My dad leaves the money on the counter and I snatch it before I head to school. I know… it seems like a lot to spend that amount every day but, I didn't say the money was always there. The days where I was left with nothing, I'd go to school after hours to see if their was any left overs or unwants by the cafeteria ladies. They're generous and give it out when I ask, so I have no problem. Looking over the choices, I see Panda at the corner of my vision grabbing some napkins. I end up grabbing two peanut butter fiber bars and tossing over two crinkled dollar bills. Aaron throwing the change as I walk out, catching it all.

Now where to eat.. "Panda?" The girl walked out with me, but where'd she go?

"It's Pandora, P-A-N-D-O-R-A." She was currently sitting on top of the gas station building. Why the heck... Don't worry the building isn't a two story or anything; it'll hurt if you fall but it won't kill ya. "I bet you can't get up here." She teased, kicking her dangling feet. That girl...

Taking in the surroundings and activating my doggie senses, I use the items closest the building and picture them as a route up to Panda. To my right there's a trash can next to a bending machine, to my left sits an ice cooler and a wooden lamp post. I take the two lunch bars and tuck them into my pockets, leaving my hands in and striding over to the side of the building. A high dumpster. Oh, why the heck not? I see Pandora sticking her head over the ledge, watching with a smirk. I get some distance before sprinting towards the dumpster then hop on top. Panda right above and I reach out my hand. Below me the cover lid gives out and I fall through, landing in a pool of trash bags. Thank the goddess it's just a recycling dumpster. I pull myself out to hear the girl laughing her butt off. Ignoring it, I walk back to the front, hands in pockets and study the ice cooler and lamppost. I swiftly hurled up the cooler, looking cool with my chill expression and hands still stuffed in the pockets if my sweats. Turning to look at the lampost, I one-hand grab the metal part that sticks out to hold the light bulb part then swing to grab the ledge of the flat roof gas station. But the metal part cracks just a tab bit so it would tilt, I lose my grip and drop, landing on my feet. Knowing it would come, Pandora laughs again. I shake it off and go for the trash can, reaching for the bending machine, before I can even touch it the can topples over and I fall once again. Seriously, the world just hates me today.

"Haha!" She snickers, "Face it, you can't."

Okay, okay. I know I can do this. As if on cue, a van pulls over in front of the station lighting an idea. Backing up I run and jump as high as I can grabbing onto the top of the vehicle. You know what's next. I leap over towards to building and find myself hanging on the ledge again. I pull myself up to face Pandora Amazon.

"Well, well..." she grins finding a spot to sit down. "You finally did it... after how many tries?" Oh, shut up, already, I roll my eyes and search my pockets for my lunch. Hell no, oh hell no. I peek over the edge and see it laying on the cement floor. Trolling peanut butter bars... Pandora joins me and sees what happens, bursting out in laughter. "Sucks for you. Better go get it before a hobo takes it." She points behind her, "You can use the ladder."

I face palm and figure out how the girl got on the roof.

:O :O :O

"Is that really all you eat?" Panda asks finishing up her sandwich. I nod. After a brief moment of silence, a light bulb sparks up above her head as she remembers, "Oh, right. You, here, now." She pats the area next to her and pulls out the napkins she took earlier. I hesitate, but obey, sitting criss-crossed. Watching her fold up the napkins and pour a little water from her bottle over it. I nearly punch her as Panda inches closer to place it on my cheek. Oh, man, I almost forgot about that. Even though the napkin is ice cold touching my stinging skin, it feels better. After a short 1,2,3, Panda takes back her hand and lightly slaps over the napkin on my face. Backs up and continues her lunch.

The roof is flat all the way, with some vent blocks on the side. There was also a tarp tied to metal pulls, blocking the sun. The perfect place to have a picnic, that's where we were sitting at.

Soon enough I checked my phone to find we're five minutes late to the next class so me and Panda pack up taking the ladder down to the street surface. Resuming the bullying life of Pandora demanding this and that. Ah, man, I better get used to this.

:O :O :O

History class bored the girl to sleep and so she rested her head on my shoulder for the whole forty minutes, cramps beating on my right side. For a while now, I've been developing so many questions without getting answers, it's starting to really get to me. Why'd I take the hit from Mr. Creeper? Why do I waste my breath and time talking to Pandora Amazon? Why do I always listen to her? Geez... Why don't I do anything about it? Really, I hate people like that. For example, if someone complains and complains about being fat AND doesn't do flip about it, then what's the point? Makes me wanna strangle someone, shoot them, then throw their body off a cliff. Heh, I kid, but you get what I'm sayin'. It was coast-clear once he last bell rang. Right when it set off; Pandora jumped up, asked what time it was then flew out. Leaving me alone. Instead of sulking, I took the opportunity to check the orphanage, hoping to find the girl with a kind voice. But midway through my plans someone else stopped me.

"Watch out!" Came from behind me, right when I shifted my attention and sight to follow the alert scream... Phosphora crashed into me. Making a huge commotion and mess. I was knocked down, falling on my bottom and the runner tumbling over next to me. Huh, what do ya know, feels like the morning all over again. "Owwie... I said watch out." Ugh I don't have time for this. The girl might be there already, I need some clues but I can't have Phosphora following me. Stepping up without a sound I brush off and speed walk a way. As expected, the runner catches up with me.

"Hey, where you going?"

I ignore.

"I can help you."

Ignoring.

"Dart!"

Okay lady; I can't out run you, can't have you mess up my plans, I have no choice but to... sigh- "Get away." I mumble. That's a sad face right there.

The double gasp came with the classmate at lost with words, "I, I-I.. you talked! To me! OMG, wait!" She pulls out her phone, recording "Say that one more time."

I huff and speed up my pace.

:O :O :O

Phosphora is weird. That's all I have to say. When I finally had the will to say something back to her, she went ballistic like she was the happiest person in the world. Or more, one the special ones that hear my voice. Ever since that day, I fought with the new girl - on Wednesday, I think - people been noticing me more and remembering that I was always there. It gotten to the point where some girls in class (even in other classes) bring me lunch to get a reaction out of me. Part of me says, 'a bunch of crap, they're treating me like a trophy or an accomplishment.' but the other side of me says, 'I could get use to this, I finally feel like somebody.' But for the most part… it's 'whatever.'

Everything seemed like it was picking up, but good things don't always last. We only had a half day in school and when I was heading out to the city, I noticed I forgot my money. Turned back and headed home for a quick drop by. But when I got there… first thing I noticed was the door. Twisting the key with a little jerk, I attempted to casually walk in with a simple push, swinging the door open like always. I guess it just didn't want to, I basically had to throw myself to the door to crack it open. A couple guys playing ball looked up, noticing me and probably thinking I was robbing a house, taking a brief moment to think about it then continuing on with their lives. It's a common thing here. With a couple more knocks and shoves I slipped through the slim lining being faced with loaded boxes. For your information this is a WTF moment, we - as me and my pop, don't own much. I was just about to flip it open but the creaking of stairs interrupted as he comes walking down. Shouldn't he be… I don't know, working? The hell is he taking so many days off? I snatched the few dollar bills abandoned on the stained table, his eyes following my move. I look for answers, glaring back before I leave.

All he has to say is, "Just some moving." With a sigh.

"Great." I say pulling the door behind me.

End