Chapter I

The red light came and everyone was busy crossing the streets except for one lady who remained to stare at a billboard. At first, you would think she’s just admiring the model but if you can see clearer, she’s actually calculating if it’s a good death if she jumps from there.

But on second thought, it will smash her face, her whole body and she’d be remembered by many. She didn’t want that; for the media pestering her death. And so she walks away and saves the thought another time.

“Serra! Can’t you make it tonight? There’s no entrance fee for this concert! You just have to make it!”  Marmi exclaimed. Serra had to cover her best friend’s mouth and glare before letting go. “Sorry!”

“I told you, Marmi, I can’t. I have work later. My bills don’t wait!”

Marmi snorted, rolling her eyes at her workaholic Cinderella best friend.

“You’re going to miss your teenage life and that’s tragic! Who’s going to marry you? You don’t even have a boyfriend!”

“Marmi! Again with you being over dramatic. Marriage and having a boyfriend is a lot of work. I’ve got my hands full.” Serra shrugged and insert another book in between two big ones.

“At least just once! I want you happy!”

“I am happy! Just… I really need to pay for my bill.”

“You’re working too hard already! And you don’t even want me to help you pay those bills.”

“You’re helping me enough by staying at my side, Marmi. I don’t want you getting involved.”

For the longest time, Marmi stares at Serra, a glimpse of worry in her eyes. She finally sighs and surrenders.

“Fine! But if you need anything, just come to me, okay?”

“Of course!” 

And they hugged each other before Marmi left to go home. Serra needed to stay because she works part-time in their school’s library. And just as her best friend was out of sight, the smile on her face faded. 

Serra could not possibly come to Marmi when those loan sharks start coming back and ruining everything. It’s not that she’s embarrassed about getting drowned in debts, it’s just Marmi’s safety that she’s worried about. Who would risk their sweet best friend?

After Serra’s library work, she goes to a cafe and works as a waitress for four hours. Sometimes, she’d get picked on by those popular girls at school, laughing at her when she serves their drinks. But Serra doesn’t care, she just wants to pay her parents’ debts.

It isn’t just the library or the cafe that she works at, she’s also a dishwasher at a night bar starting nine in the evening to midnight. And sometimes there are overtimes extending to an hour. 

“Serra! Can you pass me a Collins, please?”

“Sure, Eli!” Serra wipes her hand and passes the glass. Although her jobs requires a lot of physical work for her, she enjoys the company of her lovely workmates. “What are you making?”

“I am making liquor topped with juice. Do you want to try some?” Eli asked.

“Oh, no! A shot costs my entire shift. I could never!” She chuckles awkwardly. “Besides… I don’t drink.”

“Shame! But you are eighteen, aren’t you, love?”

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

“That’s good to hear! You’ve been working really hard. Have you not any interest to party and enjoy life? What’s that word that you guys call-- the uhh… yo--”

“Yolo?” Serra uttered and Eli made a loud yes making them both laugh. “That isn’t in my vocabulary as of the moment. I am saving for something.”

“Are you trying to leave this town? How much have you saved so far, love?”

“Not really and just enough to get me by!”

Eli was ten years older than Serra and she respects the lady. Though Eli started the job about a week ago, Serra feels comfortable around her. She felt like she had a new mother.

That very next day, Serra was so surprised she got pulled out of class. In a room, she was told to enter and there she saw Eli bawling her eyes out when she saw Serra.

“Serra! My love, I am so sorry to come here in the middle of the day!” Eli cried, hugging Serra by the waist when she got near. 

It seems like the teacher understood they needed some private time alone and so the teacher left. Serra was dumbfounded, frowning a little of the confusion that Eli was there crying.

“Is something wrong, Eli?” she asked the lady, her voice full of concern.

“My husband just got into an accident, love! I need money to pay them for the down payment before they need to operate!”

When Eli mentions the money, Serra could not help but freeze for a second. She knew what Eli must have come for in regards to the saving that she shared last night. But there was no time to be selfish. This was a life and death situation!

“I promise I will pay you by next week, Serra. I promise by then I will pay you with my husband’s check that I will receive by then!”

If it’s next week, of course, she can still pay the loan sharks. So, Serra took Eli’s hands and grab them putting a big smile on her face. 

“I’ll lend you the money that I saved, Eli but you have to promise to get them back by next week. I really can’t afford to skip bills.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet, Serra! Of course, I’d pay you by then! Thank you!”

Eli pulled Serra in for a big tight hug and Serra was never been that happy in a while. She felt like she was able to help someone. For the first time in a while, she felt her sentiment change. 

***

That new point of view didn’t last long. It was almost the end of the week and Eli was not showing up at work. It had made Serra restless, so restless that she has broken three glasses in the past few days. She was given a final warning and now is in danger of losing her job.

“Tomorrow…” she whispers leaning against a bridge, “if  Eli doesn’t show up, I might have to die.”