Chapter 2

I never slept until the next day after a one-night stand. I hated the awkwardness that follows waking up next to someone you probably would never see again, and worst of all, when they try to cuddle with you. Yeah, annoying as heck.

I wasn't saying I woke up with someone cuddling with me—thank goodness for that. But I did wake up in someone's bed. Alone.

My eyes focused on what was above me: a freaking glass hung on the ceiling. I blinked a few times as I kept looking at my naked body. My hair was also all over the place—not in an attractive way. My neck, hips, and thighs were covered with hickeys, and I sighed before tearing my gaze away from my reflection.

Getting up and gathering my red gown and belongings from the floor, I quickly put on the dress and ran my hands through my tangled hair. I cast a quick glance to the door on my left, and I guessed it's the bathroom.

I quickly got into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face.

"You're so freaking dumb, Amanda,ugh" I said aloud while staring at myself in the mirror.

I quickly took out some foundation and covered the hickeys that were visible. I went back to the room and bent down to look for my heels.

"Where the heck are they?" I mumbled to myself, getting on my knees with my backside sticking up and checking under the bed. I found them.

I debated with myself about whether I should put them on now or wear them when I'm out. I decided to go with the latter. Opening the bedroom door with a squeak, I looked at the hall before closing it behind me and made my way downstairs. When I was in the living room, I sighed when there was no one there.

"Leaving so soon?" Someone asked behind me, and I jumped in fright before turning around to see who it was.

"Jesus Christ," I mumbled when I saw it was just Mr. 'Dig Bick.'

He's wearing only sweatpants that sit on his hips, showing his V-line. His abs are so toned and firm that all I could do was stare.

"My eyes are up here," he mumbled amused while bringing the cup of coffee he's holding to his lips and taking a sip.

"Yeah, I should be going," I murmured, shifting from one foot to the other uncomfortably as I pointed with my thumb towards the door.

"Okay," Jack said with a shrug then turned his back to me as he walked towards what seems to be the kitchen.

I scowled and gave him the middle finger, knowing he can't see me as his back was turned to me before making my way to the door. I opened it with a click then closed it behind me before putting on my heels.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I got home, not bothering to check on Mother's room, knowing she'll be inside, passed out from drinking too much alcohol or too high on drugs. I quickly showered and put on a new pair of clothes: black skinny jeans with a white cropped top. On my way out, I took my brown coat and put it on, followed by my black boots. It's been getting chilly lately, followed by constant rain.

It's been two days since I last visited my little sister Anita in the hospital, and I felt bad about it because she was all alone. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia about six months ago and has practically been living there since her illness.

I haven't had enough money for her operation, but I have been saving, and hopefully, before the end of this year, she'll have her operation and get better.

I made sure to stop at a store close to the hospital and pick out Ani's favorite gift.

With a sigh, I entered the hospital and greeted the kind receptionist.

"Morning, Amanda!" She chirped with a warm smile on her face. I gave her a small wave before walking further down the hall.

"Hey, Ani," I said when I opened the door to my little sister's room. She was sitting with her back resting on her pillow, reading a book.

A big smile formed on her lips when she saw it was me. "Amanda," she mumbled, dropping the book she was reading next to her on the bed.

I walked towards her with a smile on my lips as she opened her hands like that of a bird, waiting for me to hug her, and I chuckled.

"Missed you," I groaned into her multicolored hat and kissed it. Ani giggled and pushed me away from her, and I sat on the bed next to her.

Anita looked at the door with a smile, and I knew what she was about to ask. "Where's Mom?"

My heart broke from hearing her ask the question. Ani knew the type of mother we had.

A drug addict who doesn't give two cents about her children, but yet, she keeps on asking the same question whenever I come here.

The smile on my lips faltered, and I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth. I had to tell Ani the truth—the truth that she already knows.

"She isn't coming."

Ani released a sigh and gave me a small smile. I moved from her bed and sat on the chair next to the bed.

I brought out the new elephant stuffed toy that I bought on my way to the hospital, and Ani beamed at me and added it to her growing collection of stuffed toys. Every weekend, Ani and I moved around the hospital and shared them with the others.

On normal days, I wouldn't care about sharing toys with the people here, but the smile I see on my little sister's face whenever she gifts others is priceless, and I want to keep it that way.