Harper's POV
*Time skip from the end of the Science class to the end of the school day*
"I'm tired! That last number in the math test was so hard. I barely finished the test. Anyways, you wanna check out the park?", Kiera asked.
"Yeah sure! I'll just text my mom that we're headed there right now", I replied.
I texted my mom about it and we went to the park nearby. Kiera suggested that I ask around if they are looking for jobs. I walked away from her and she stopped me and said that she will look for an ice cream stand. I looked at the different food stalls and the sellers giving food to their customers. I asked some of them if they needed any help in selling or in anything that can make me earn some money. Some of them said that they didn't need any more help because they have a lot of people who were hired before her.
After talking to those vendors, there was a person who stood a bit close to their food stalls. He was holding some balloons that can be given out to the kids who go to this park. It looked like he had difficulties selling his balloons during that time because he didn't have anyone else to help him sell and earn money. I decided to ask him if he needed any help.
"Good afternoon, sir! Do you need any help in selling your balloons?", I asked.
"Oh, hello there! Um... yes. As a matter of fact, I need help with carrying these balloons and selling them because not a lot of children come by at this time. Most of them are here in the morning, playing by the playground. I was even considering not to sell balloons anymore. So, if only we had more customers, then maybe I would be able to earn some money, just like those people selling their food over here.", the man said
"Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. Do you want to hire someone who could help you keep up this job of yours?", I asked again.
"I hope so. I don't want my parents to think that I am wasting my time selling balloons in a park. Actually, this balloon business of mine just start when I finished high school. I struggled with applying for college because my parents didn't have enough money to pay for the tuition fee. Anyways, before we talk more about my life, wanna give me a hand?", the man asked.
"Sure! Hold on, let me just text my mom and my friend that I found a part-time job.", I replied.
"By the way, after messaging them, what is you name?", the man asked.
"Oh! Sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Harper.", I replied.
"My name is Clyde. Since it's almost sun-down, let's meet-up here the next time you come to the park. See ya!", Clyde waved goodbye.
"It was nice meeting you, Clyde. I'll see you this Saturday.", I waved back.
After saying our goodbyes, I checked my watch. It was 6:20 PM. I called Kiera and asked her if she needs a ride home or if she can sleepover at my house. She said that she'll stay with us for tonight. I started walking back my house and saw Kiera there, holding a paper bag. We walked back together. I told her that I have already found a part-time job in the park. She said that she was happy for me. She told me that she bought some chocolate shortbread biscuits from a bakery near the park. I thanked her for giving us some snacks to eat at home whenever we watch TV shows.
I rang the doorbell twice and waited for my mom to open the door. While we were waiting, we heard my mom rushing to cook dinner, trying to fix the living room, and setting up the table. I smiled, remembering those times when my mom would try to clean up the whole living room, including the kitchen. Finally, after a few minutes, my mom unlocked and opened the front door.
"Hi girls! Good thing you didn't witness the mess in the kitchen. Anyways, please do come in and sit down on one of the chairs at the dining table. I will just prepare to place the food on the table.", my mom said.
Kiera and I walked in and sat in the dining area.
"Hey Harper! So, since you have already found a part-time job at a balloon stall in the park, what will be your second one?", Kiera asked.
"I don't know. I haven't really gotten to get a job from those food vendors we have seen there. Do you have any suggestions on what job I should take?", I asked.
"Oh okay. If I were you, I would try working in the public library you would always go to. It's like your go-to place whenever you feel good or a place where you can relax and work. You can also try working online. For example, writing books online or be a book critique. Well, it depends on what you really want to do.", Kiera replied.
"Thank you for these suggestions! I will look it up on the internet and try to go to the public library again.", I beamed.
The telephone rang and my mom was bringing the food to the table.
"Okay! Here's the food. You two could go ahead and eat. I'll just answer the phone.", my mom said.
We started eating dinner while my mom was calling someone. It may be someone from her day job. Kiera asked me if I was okay. I told her that I was fine. I just got tired from school and going to the park. Kiera told me to take it easy so that the next day I won't be so tired anymore. I thanked her for the advice. I just hope that someday, our lives were a bit easier compared to what happened before dad died.
My mom finished calling while Kiera and I were about to eat some dessert.
"Sorry for the delay, girls. The person who was calling me was one of the heads of the business where I am working at.", my mom apologised.
"It's okay, auntie! Besides, we tried to wait for you to eat dessert. Hahaha!", Kiera giggled.
"Yeah mom! Kiera's right. We will wait for you to finish eating dinner while we all talk about what we have done for this day.", I said.
"Oh, thank you! Harper, how did you find the small businesses in the park? Were you able to find any of them interesting?", my mom asked.
"At first, I had difficulties finding a part-time job that I could do. Although, I approached a man selling balloons and he said that I could work with him.", I replied.
"That's great! I hope you will enjoy your part-time job even though it's such a small business. The first time I tried looking for a part-time job was as difficult as yours. Back then, a few months after I married your father, we were struggling to find jobs. We used to live in a province in Edinburgh. Your dad and I decided that once we earn enough money to live in another area, we will buy a house. That house we have dreamed of is the one we are living in. After buying this house, we made the furnitures and the rooms look simple so that we wouldn't have to spend too much. Then, I gave birth to you after three months.", my mom said.
"Okay mom! I think we shouldn't talk about the "giving birth" thing right now because we are currently eating dessert. Hahaha!", I chuckled.
"Um... auntie. Can I sleepover at your house tonight? I have already texted my parents about it and they said that I could.", Kiera asked.
"Oh yeah! Sure you can. You are always welcome into our home. I have two conditions before both of you go to Harper's bedroom though.", my mom said.
"Oh! What are they?", Kiera asked.
"Please finish both of your home-works tonight and before leaving for school tomorrow, do not leave a mess. Okay?", my mom replied.
"Okay auntie! We'll make sure the room stays neat and clean and we will finish our home-works tonight as well. Thank you for letting me stay here.", Kiera beamed.
"Let's go, Kiera! As much as possible, I try not to stay up late at night. Let's start with the English, Math, and Science assignments that are due this week." I said.
"Okay! Thank you for the food as well, auntie!", Kiera said.
Ever since Kiera and I met in grade-school, she would come over and do lots of things with me. We would do our assignments, play some video games, watch videos online, and so much more. Sometimes, she would forget about the assignments and we get carried away with all of the activities we've been doing. When my mom said that we should finish the home-works given by the teachers, I would have to try making her study with me in my bedroom without any distractions.
I led the way to my bedroom and Kiera sat down on the floor beside the bed. I brought out the home-works in Math and English first since they were both due this Thursday. Kiera also got hers out and she told me that she will get started on the English assignment first. Kiera is an ace when it comes to the English subject because she studied it in the US before moving from there to here in Edinburgh. I started with my Math home-work first because I love Math. I've been reading up on some derivations of formulas, trigonometric functions and their solutions, Algebra I, and Algebra II. I found some websites about them as well as from the public library near the central part of Edinburgh. We studied quietly while Kiera played some lo-fi beats in the background.
After studying, we both freshened up. While Kiera was placing some moisturiser on her face, I started setting up her makeshift bed. I placed a mattress, two pillows, and one blanket. When she was done, Kiera turned off the lights while I turned on the lamp near my bed. I checked the time and it was already 10 PM. I told Kiera that I will be making an alarm for the next day. She nodded and she lied down on the mattress, placing the blanket over her. Kiera slept right away when I just started to fix my bed. I yawned and lied down on my bed as well. I looked through my window, seeing the bright lights from the buildings and the twinkling little lights coming from a few stars in the sky. I sighed, thinking if my dad was still alive, what would he think of how we are living right now? I closed the window curtains quietly and went to sleep on my bed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEKpU2iyIe
