2- Away From Them

After twenty minutes of walking, I knew that I had nowhere to go because I didn't really have any friends in the area. I knew I had to find a place as soon as possible became the night clouds were beginning to descend. I made up my mind to head back to the library. On getting to the library, I met Mr Lampton at the entrance trying to lock up for the day and he was quite shocked to see me back so soon.

"Mr Lampton, hello once again," I said as I shifted nervously on one foot while looking at the floor. I was too embarrassed to face him. I'm sure that my whole face was already so red from having to be in such a humiliating situation

"Mercedes, that was quite fast. I didn't expect to see you back so soon. And are you going somewhere? What's with the box?" he asked as he pointed to my luggage.

I sighed as I contemplated if I should lie or just tell him the full story. I knew lying wasn't even an open because Mr Lampton knew my parents and could easily ask them what had happened. Knowing them, they would probably make me look like the bad guy in front of him. So I decide to tell him the full story.

I was close to tears as I narrated the whole story to him while still looking at the ground. Talking about it brought back all the memories of how much they had hurt me and made me feel so less about myself. Everyone else had caring and loving family members, why did my own have to be so different?

"So that's been the story of my life. You didn't think I overreacted or something? Or did I?", I asked as I should raised my eyes to look at his for the first time since I started speaking.

"No Mercedes, not at all. You didn't overreact, in fact you had every right to. You've been holding too much in and even at a young age. I'm sorry you had to go through all that and I'm happy that you stood up for yourself. I'm quite shocked about your parents and I'll make I see them to talk some senses into them," he said as he patted my head.

"No", I shook my head.

"I don't want them to know where I am or even their apology. I'm just glad to be final free from them and I want to move on with my life. I want to go to college and achieve everything I've ever dreamt off," I finished looking at him with pleading eyes.

"Hmm", he sighed and thought for a moment.

"So if you don't want to go back home, where would you go? I would have allowed you stay with me but as you know my house has only one room and I really doubt any of us would want to sleep on the same bed," Mr Lampton asked worriedly.

"Actually", I paused and muttered a silent prayer before continuing

"I was really hoping you would please allow me to stay in the basement of the library for the mean time while I try to figure out what my next move would be. I remember that your former assistant used to stay there before he resigned," I said hoping that my little prayer actually worked.

" Oh yeah!!" he exclaimed

"Why didn't I ever think of that? You're free to stay there Mercedes for as long as you want. I'll take you inside now so you could get the keys and I think you have to do a little clean up because its been a while anyone went down there. After that. it should be fine," he said.

I almost squealed as soon as the words left this mouth. I couldn't believe that Mr Lampton actually accepted for me to stay in the library's basement. I stood there in shock for few seconds before jumping on him.

"Thank you so much Mr Lampton. I will forever be in your debt," I shouted while I hugged him. It was really surprising that someone out there still had some compassion in their hearts.

He chuckled as I let go of him and I started bouncing on my toes out of excitement. He motioned for me to follow him as he reopened the library door. We got into the library as I dragged my box while we went all the way to the back. My excitement got to me and before I knew it, I had started rambling.

"This means so much to me Mr Lampton. I don't think you know what you've done for me. Once again, thank you so much and I promise to take good care of the place as if it were mine. I'll also be the best assistant you've ever had. I also promise..."

"Okay that's enough Mercedes," he cut me off before I could continue.

"I know you're grateful. You've problem said it a billion times already. It's fine, I practically watched you grow up. This is the least I could do to help you out," he continued.

We get to the back of the library and soon enough we're facing the door to the basement. Mr Lampton turns on the light and brings out his bunch of keys from his pocket. He looks at the keys intently before using one of them to unlock the door of the basement.

"You're so right. I'm going to really need to clean up this place. What a mess," I said as I looked around the basement.

To be honest, the place was quite big for a basement, it even had windows. There was a bed at far corner while there was a small cupboard not too far from it. It even had a table and chair with a lamp that I could use to study. It really didn't need much apart from cleaning.

"Mercedes, judging from your eyes, it's very obvious that you like it," Mr Lampton said with a grin on his face.

"Like?", I asked as I turned to face him

"I love it. It has basically everything I need to have in a room and it's quite spacious. I know you said its okay but thank you once again Mr Lampton. There's nothing more I could ask for," I smiled at the librarian.

"Okay then, take these", he handed over a bunch of keys to me

"The one with the blue key holder is the key to the main library. In case you want to go out and I'm not around or days that I can't come in, you can open and lock up. The other one with the green holder is the key to your door, since you're going to be living here from now on," he said.

"Okay Mr Lampton, I understand perfectly. Anything else?" I asked.

" I know you feel like this is already a lot but please Mercedes, if you need anything do not hesitate to let me know. You staying in the library basement means you're under my care and I wouldn't want you to worry about anything. Is that clear?" Mr Lampton looked at me sternly.

I smiled as I nodded my head and said yes.

"So I'll leave you now to clean up the place. You need to start now if you want to be able to finish up by nightfall. See you tomorrow Mercedes, please do not forget to lock the doors after I leave.

Have fun settling in and enjoy the rest of your evening," Mr Lampton said as he began to walk out the door.

" Bye Mr Lampton. I'll see you tomorrow and thank you very much once again. Goodnight," I called out after him.

"Before I forget," he popped his head in through the door.

"The doors at the far end. The one on the right is the bathroom while the one on the left is the store. You would find the cleaning supplies there," he said and left before even giving me a chance to say something.

I sighed as soon as he left and scanned the room, trying to decide on where to start from. It was going to take me quite a while because there was a lot of work that needed to be done before I could get this place to look like an actual persons room instead of a basement.

I proceeded to the store and thank God, the cleaning supplies were just about enough. I first dusted the cobwebs from the door and sides of the room. Then I proceeded to the dust the cupboard, table and chairs.

I had to tie my handkerchief around my nose because the room was just too dusty. I was able to sweep and mop the floor and also lay the bed using the bedspread I had packed from home. Then I moved to the bathroom and cleaned it up making sure that it was squeaky clean.

By the time I was done with everything, I was super exhausted. I looked at the time on my phone and was shocked when I noticed that it was almost 10pm. I didn't realize that I had spent so much time cleaning up the room. I looked around and I was proud of the work that I had done.

I took a quick shower and dressed in my pjs. I ate the chocolate bar and drank water from the supplies I had packed when I left home. I lay down on the bed thinking of the events that occurred today and how I was going to move forward. Before long, sleep gripped me and I closed my eyes hoping that my dreams would be way better than my reality.