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No one would hire a girl like me.
Getting a job without a home address was impossible. I hadn’t thought to take my birth certificate or social security card when I ran away, and I found out later that I needed them for everything here. I hadn’t been able to find anything that paid cash or under the table yet, but I kept looking anyway.
When potential jobs had asked for paperwork, I’d just taken to promising to bring them next time and never returning.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Hey, stranger! Party at Jacob’s tonight. Hope to see you there! Eddie was asking about you, so wear something cute.
It was a text from my friend Sophie.
A night out would be fun. Maybe it would take my mind off the doom and gloom of my current situation. She always made the yummiest cocktails out of whatever she had in the fridge, and it had been some time since I’d had one. I got out of bed and changed into one of my nicer outfits. I’d been able to take some of my clothes from my foster house and I’d lucked out on finding a bag of clothes left outside the goodwill box that happened to be mostly in my size. I didn’t like to think that I’d stolen it, just that I’d taken advantage of an opportunity when I’d come across it. One of those outfits was a nice black dress and a pair of patterned leggings that went well together. I slipped them on and put on my chunky boots. I went into the bathroom, splashed water on my face and combed out my hair.
I had one lipstick still and used it to turn my lips a dark burgundy. By the time I was done, I felt human and maybe even a little bit pretty.
With a deep breath, I lifted my chin a smidge higher.
I made my way out of the house through the back exit. There was an old bike I’d found on the property that I jumped on and rode down the road. I kept my head down as cars passed by. No one stopped, but I hadn’t expected them to. No one looked twice at me. They never did.
The ride to Sophie’s was about forty-five minutes by bike. By the time I got there, my legs were tired, but I was looking forward to seeing my friends. I wheeled my bike up onto the porch and knocked on the door.
Sophie opened the door and a round of applause sounded from behind her. I grinned.
“Cami’s here!” Sophie called and they got louder.
“I take it your parents are away for the weekend?” I smirked and she gave me a knowing look.
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them,” she sassed.
“Let’s party then,” I replied with a chuckle.
“We already started. You’re late,” she exclaimed, and someone shoved a drink in my hand. I took a sip, deciding that I was going to enjoy myself and I would figure out the rest of my life next week.
* * *
I didn’t go home that night or the day after. I was having too much fun with Sophie to deal with the overwhelming state of my own problems. On Sunday morning, we were eating a bowl of cereal together and I mentioned having to find a new place.
“I can talk to my parents. Maybe you could stay here with me?” she offered, and I shook my head.
“I don’t want to impose or anything,” I answered. She looked at me with disappointment, but she didn’t press the issue any further.
“What’s the deal with Bryson Manor? I thought they said that place was never going to sell,” she said as she hunted in the freezer for a box of Eggos. “Want one?”
I nodded exuberantly. I liked them a lot.
“Yeah. Well… Apparently, some rich guy came in from California and he’s going to buy the place,” I explained.
She leaned against the counter, running her fingers along her chin. For a moment, she looked deep in thought and her face lit up.
“What about squatter’s rights? Have you ever heard of that? Supposedly if you live somewhere long enough, they have a hell of a time trying to evict you. I looked it up one time and it’s something like thirty days here in New York State. You have rights and maybe if you play your cards right, you could end up with a big ole house,” she suggested.
I stared at her for a long moment. “I’m sure if he has money that he can use whatever legal team he has to force me out,” I answered lamely.
“Maybe. But you never know if you don’t try,” Sophie replied. “Worst case scenario, it doesn’t pan out and you end up moving in here with me. I’ll just tell my parents that’s how it is.”
“Sure thing. Then you’d end up grounded forever,” I scoffed.
“Nahh. They like you. They think you’re a good influence on me and all,” she laughed.
