Chapter One.
As soon as she placed her boxes down onto the soft, sepia, carpet, she decided to go for a walk to clear her mind. She couldn’t believe her own parents, if she could ever call them that, kicked her out. Just because of social status. Under all that anger, there was relief flooding through her core. She finally was able to have freedom. Her parents paid for the apartment as well as the bills, but she was destined to be financially independent and responsible. Just in case something happens and she cannot rely on them. “Hello, Miss Monclair” an older lady exclaimed while waving her pruny hand in Aphrodite’s face.
Shoot. I zoned out agaim. “Sorry Mrs.Robinson, I’ll be on my way.” Aphrodite wanted to avoid interaction with another being at this point. “You’re fine dear.” And with that the older lady gave her an orange and walked off to the market on Patterling Lane. Shaking her head, Aphrodite continued to walk straight. Feeling the smooth crevices of the orange in her hand. Each person she walked passed nodded their head at the antisocial girl respectfully. As if knowing she was not interested in talking in fear of anxiety taking over her head.
The second wave of relief flooded over her.
Soon enough, she arrived at the official Edderson library. It was a gigantic building, two stories worth of books and comfort. She enjoyed these days. The children she’d usually tend to at the orphanage came here every Thursday at 2 pm. Aphrodite would usually sit in the back of where the children sat and listened to the stories as well. Smiling at the reminder that tomorrow was Thursday, she delicately opened the heavy door and was immediately greeted by the smell of aged wood and paper. Mrs and Mr Dondell grinned at the girl, for they knew her business immediately. “Hello Aphrodite, your books you suggested got shipped here yesterday.” Aphrodite then replaced the respective smile with a beam. Something that was rare. She hugged them both, smelling the fragrance of polish and tea. The Dondell’s were like her secondary parents. Especially Mrs.Dondell. She was a lady in her mid 40’s. She was much taller than the average height and always wore a tan cardigan around her plump frame. Mrs.Dondell was always the one to check in on Aphrodite. To make sure she ate. That she had something to drink. That her clothes fit and most importantly, that she had the right select of books.
Mrs.Dondell patted the young girl’s head, something she’s always done since Aphrodite was five.
The woman understood her moments where she would zone out and would gently snap her back into consciousness. She also understood her episodes where her negative thoughts got to her and would just sit secluded while shaking and crying. Mrs.Dondell always knew how to cheer her up.
“Well, Aphrodite would you like to check the books out. They’re hard copy too” Aphrodite looked up at the woman in disbelief. “Mrs.Dondell, you didn’t have to. The hard copies are .75 cent more and I asked for 4 books.” The woman just shook her head and while looking through her copper colored glasses, she smiled sincerely. A motherly smile. And patted her head once more before walking to a small, sectioned part of the library just for Aphrodite. The new books could be easily identifiable since Aphrodite studied the cover of the book on a newspaper she had read from her dad’s collection when he wasn’t paying attention.
