The Life of Abby

Chapter 2

As the day went on, Abby found herself stealing glances at Trystan, who seemed to be adjusting well to his new surroundings. She noticed the way he interacted with their classmates, effortlessly charming them with his warm smile and quick wit. During lunch, Abby sat alone at her usual table, observing Trystan from afar as he laughed and joked with Kali and her friends. She felt a pang of jealousy, wondering why she couldn't be the one he was talking to.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Abby quickly gathered her belongings and headed out to her bus. She couldn't wait to get home and check on Derek and Lily, hoping that her grandmother had arrived to take care of them. As she walked to the bus stop, she noticed Trystan walking beside her, his long strides easily keeping pace with hers.

"Hey, Abby," he said, breaking the silence between them. "I'm Trystan. We met in class today."

Abby's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face him. "I know. I'm Abby."

They walked in silence for a moment before Trystan spoke up again. "So, Abby, what do you like to do for fun?"

Abby shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious. "I don't really have much time for fun. I take care of my siblings and help out at home."

Trystan's expression turned sympathetic. "That sounds tough. But it's great that you're there for them. Do you like reading or anything like that?"

Abby's eyes lit up. "Yeah, I love reading. It's my escape from reality."

Trystan smiled. "I know what you mean. Reading can be a great way to get lost in another world. What kind of books do you like?"

As they continued talking, Abby found herself feeling more and more comfortable around Trystan. She couldn't believe how easy it was to open up to him, to share her thoughts and feelings with him. Before she knew it, they had reached the bus stop, and her bus was pulling up.

"I should go," Abby said reluctantly, not wanting the conversation to end.

Trystan nodded. "Yeah, I should probably get going too. But it was great talking to you, Abby. Maybe I'll see you around?"

Abby smiled, feeling a spark of hope. "Yeah, maybe."

As she boarded the bus and found a seat, Abby couldn't help but feel someone other than Kali sit next to her. To her surprise it was Trystan.

Abby's eyes glazed over as she stared out the bus window, tuning out the chatter of her classmates. She pulled out her phone to check for any messages from her grandmother, but the screen remained blank. Sighing, she put her phone away and continued to gaze out the window, watching as the familiar sights of her neighborhood passed by.

As the bus finally came to a stop, Abby gathered her belongings and stepped off onto the sidewalk. She trudged towards her home, a sense of dread settling in the pit of her stomach. As she approached the trailer, she noticed her mother's car was gone - a sure sign that she was out at the bar, leaving Abby to care for her siblings once again.

Abby's anger simmered as she pushed open the door and called out, "Derek, I'm home! How was your day?" Derek's response was laced with sadness, and Abby's heart ached for her little brother. She quickly moved to comfort him, asking about his day and distracting him with the promise of dinner and TV. As she began to clean the piled-up dishes, Derek requested spaghetti, and Abby smiled, happy to provide some comfort for her brother, even if it was just a simple meal.

Abby's eyes scanned the kitchen, her heart sinking as she realized they were out of noodles. Her parents had failed to provide for their children once again. She felt a surge of frustration and responsibility, knowing she had to take care of her siblings.

Abby quickly came up with a plan, remembering the stash of money she had hidden away from her parents. She walked into her room, pulled her dresser away from the wall, and revealed a small hole that the previous owners had left uncovered. Inside, she had accumulated $50 over time. Abby grabbed the cash and pushed the dresser back into place, making sure to keep her secret safe.

With the money in hand, Abby returned to the kitchen and began to heat up a bottle for Lily. She placed the bottle in boiling water, carefully monitoring the temperature until it was just right. As she waited, Abby thought about how she would use the money to buy food for her siblings, feeling a sense of determination and responsibility wash over her.

"Derek, we're going on an adventure!" Abby exclaimed, trying to sound cheerful despite the chaos of their home life. "We'll grab some food next door and then have a picnic in the fields!" Derek's face lit up, and he eagerly agreed to get Lily ready while Abby prepared her bottle.

As Derek packed the diaper bag with essentials, Abby finished heating up Lily's bottle and turned off the stove. She walked over to Derek, took Lily and the bag from him, and double-checked that everything was accounted for. "Great job, Derek! You got everything!" she praised, giving him a sense of accomplishment.

With the diaper bag repacked, Abby headed to the door, letting Derek out first. She locked the door behind them and followed him down the steps, feeling a sense of freedom and normalcy washing over her, if only for a little while. The warm sun on her face and the sound of birds chirping in the distance were a welcome respite from the chaos of their home life.

Abby and Derek chatted excitedly as they walked into the Italian restaurant next door to their home. Abby ordered their favorite spaghetti dishes to go, and as she paid, she noticed Trystan walking towards her with a charming grin. He offered to take the food bags from her, his touch sending a slight flutter through her chest.

Abby shyly thanked him and switched Lily to her other side, taking Derek's hand as they headed out the door. Trystan asked about her car, and Abby admitted she didn't have one, feeling a pang of embarrassment about her humble home. Trystan offered to walk them, but Abby initially declined, not wanting to impose. However, Trystan insisted, and Abby eventually accepted his kindness, thanking him again.