Chapter 3 - Entrance

From the dawn's break, the roads to the town center were busy once again as the elites began to invade our district ignoring the paupers at the sidewalk. The merchants were bustling heavily against the stalls to the boulevard as if they own the place totally disregarding the beggars who are barely hanging at the place. The avenues for the homeless people were now a dirty driveway as the vehicles loudly and mercilessly impinges the papers and mats that was used as mattress to sleep on by the paupers.

"Bargain, bargain!"

"I swear to the heavens, if one of my jars breaks, I will murder these little pests here!" A trader cursed as one of the jovially playing youngsters smashed his products, spreading them across the floor and almost shattering them.

"How dare you curse my child!" Retorted an affluent mother, turning the cuss into rumbling.

"You should pay for what your child did to my jars!"

"I don't notice any scratch on your stuff, old man!" Said the woman.

"These aristocrats don't care about our stuff," screamed another tradesman, "don't bother them and keep doing your work, peddler!"

Screams reverberated across the town. Everyone was busy doing their own thing, from merchants and exclusive purchasers to the nescient young aristocrats. The affluent children, who are oblivious to the wrath of the angry adults, resumes their games, reveling in the throngs of the market. When the town was as bustling as it was on market day, hide-and-seek was always the most enjoyable. They were mostly played by the privileged youngster neglecting the beggar kids who also wants to play but not given the chance to do so.

The sun is shining brightly, and while I sweat abundantly, the rays hitting my exposed skin irritate my flesh. As I mowed Madam Imelda's garden, I couldn't stop sighing because of the direct and searing heat from the firmament. She entrusted me with the new design for the large plants in their landscape, therefore I'm optimizing and working hard to make the outcome of my cut nice so that I may earn a decent salary and obtain the job again next time.

I'd do anything to create a living for my grandmother as well as for myself, and I'm honestly quite surprised at how adaptable I am. Maybe it's survival instincts, since I'm so desperate to live that my body reacts quickly. And I've adopted this lifestyle since I've been doing it since I was a child.

"Veluriya! Veluriya!" A familiar voice rang out from behind me. I sighed, the voice continued calling my monicker but I chose to focus my attention on what I was doing. The heat is scorching, I need to finish as soon as possible. I'm sure this person is just going to pester me, and because I'm a busy person I don't have time for anything since I need to work hard.

"Verulia!"

I looked at the individual who had been calling me over and over again. I didn't want to glance back and see him because that wasn't my name, but his voice was getting louder and louder, and I knew unless I gave him my full attention, he wouldn't stop. I don't like their alternative names for me; Veluriya, Verulia, because it's not my actual name. I feel like they're calling another person whenever they mention me with various names. But, when you think about it, this may be my name in another language, but it makes no sense at all to me.

"What?" I lazily replied as I stopped what I was doing to turn to the person who has been calling me. And there appeared the first man who befriended me in our district; my boy bestfriend, Marcus Oliver.

His beautiful smile was contagious, but I wasn't in the mood to be infected. I slowly stared at his excited expression, his eyes shows it all. His dark brown mesmerizing eyes are so hard to resist, so no matter how busy I am I can't help but stare into his beautiful dancing orbs. His thick lips and manly eyebrows couples perfectly beneath the sun as they create a small movement the moment I turned to him. He's really a simple good looking guy, and I'm wondering why he still doesn't have a girlfriend—— or maybe he has girlfriends without me knowing.

His firm biceps moved when he lifted his arms revealing a protective hat. "I brought you a bigger hat." He answered happily and handed me the lid he was holding.

There was nothing I could do but accept it. I'm used to what he gives me, so I accept it fast, especially since I'm also his running buddy when he needs me, so we're on the same page, and Marcus and I are quite comfortable with each other. The inhabitants of the first District once mistook us for having a love relationship. I basically shrugged it off while Marcus happily rides the rumor mill. Even if there is no truth, many people are convinced.

"Thank you." I accepted the lid and frowned at him, "Do you need anything?"

"As for your mischief, pay attention to me; we virtually do the same thing, but I feel as if I'm in another universe from you." He pouted and I rolled my eyes.

I took a deep breath before I continued what I was doing. Marcus's loudness is working again, he is a man but he's very vocal towards me. Maybe, it's a sign that he's comfortable.

"I'm doing something." I simply answered.

This is how I handle Marcus, despite the fact that he is one of my closest friends. I believe it is in my nature to be an introvert, yet I consider myself really fortunate to have Marcus as a buddy. I'm quietly delighted he's clingy when it comes to me since he's a very understanding individual. I'm glad he acts all comfortable around me despite how I treat him, he probably understand my attitude and he's contented with the attention I give him since I am a very busy person. We have a huge gap, he has a home while I live on the streets. Despite our status, we're good friends.

"Me too, but I still give you time." He insisted.

Is he asking some of my time? If that's what he's asking right now I can't give it, the opportunity here in the Eufrata is very limited so if possible I'll grab everything and I don't have time to give for others. I feel sorry for Marcus, he definitely deserves better. I hope he stops clinging unto me as if his world revolves around me because I cannot just give him the attention he wants— that is if he wants more. But if he's contented of what we have and just probably kidding with what he said earlier, I might reconsider.

"Even just a whit time to eat? Verulia?" He asked again, insisting carefully.

My left eyebrow rose to sting him but suddenly, another loud person came to completely make the day different.

"Hey Marcus, you're bothering Verulia again, you know she have no time for others! She don't even make time for herself!" A beautiful demoiselle beamed right before me gnashing against Marcus, "What now, Oliver? Can't you see she's busy?"

Here they go again.

My eyes darted at the beautiful maiden who just beamed between Marcus and I. Laura, the very first girl in district 1 who talked to me without hesitation and disgust. We're totally different, she's the complete opposite of me. She's all and fancy while I look like a living rug. I'm beyond blessed having her in my life, despite my situation, her family accepted me as her friend. Normally in Eufrata, people who's living well do not interact with beggars. We're nothing but a dirt to them, however, Laura and her family is different. They treat us well, and they welcomed me like a family.

"Laura," I smiled.

She's wearing a yellow dress, perfectly fitting her yellow closed shoes. Her hair is properly fixed in ponytail making her look more beautiful. My Laura is dazzling, I will always look up to how gorgeous she is. I suddenly realized how I look like. My clothes are torn and dirty, I don't even look like human at all. When will I look clean and beautiful? Can I also wear a dress like her? I might just look like a rag if I wear nice clothes, I won't even bother.

I am really blessed to have them as my friends. Of the three of us, I am the poorest. I don’t have a house, I don't have parents, I only live with my grandma, and I work hard for a living, but that’s not a problem for me. These two even are my refuge, it gets to the point where they accompany me to work or find a sideline. And that bothers me a lot. I make a big impact on them, and I'm scared that one day, I'll ruin their lives just because of my lifestyle. 

"You're in trouble, Marcus! Get out of there, go back to work or I'll kick you!"

I just ignored them and continued to cut the large plants. I simply smile at their quarrel, they don’t know yet but they were actually the ones who colored my dull world. The moment they stepped into my life, I realized I could have friends even if I'm poor. I realized a lot of things, they're the colorful hues that shaded my dark life.

"Well?" Marcus just shrugged at Laura's threat.

"Get out of there, we'll have a work later!" Laura insisted.

I slowed down to what Laura said, even Marcus dropped his voice as well. I slowly looked at her with confused expression.

"Where? Laura, take me with you. I need money too." Said Marcus, acting as if he's desperately begging which made Laura roll her eyes.

"You need money but look at you right now! If you're penniless then you have to work, do not bother Verulia here!" Laura insulted, "Need money my ass, find a job yourself."

I finally smiled. Laura's nature is very clingy and noisy, she's also prank, and maybe without her my world would literally be quiet and dead. Because of her, I learned to enjoy life.

"You naughty girls are really friends! Look at that attitude, do all girls have this kind of attitude? Your misbehavior will make you both crawl at my feet!" Marcus joked, I just chuckled and Laura rolled her eyes once again. Marcus tapped my shoulder, "Never mind, the next time Veluriya, I'll definitely treat you to lunch! Use my lid first, it's too hot." Marcus said before leaving the both of us, I just nodded in response.

When Marcus disappeared from our sight, Laura approached me dearly, "Marcus is bothering you again, isn't he? That's because you won't let him flirt with you, you're his type, you know!" Laura said, "Just let that bastard do what he wants."

I just smiled. Her looks and voice shows that she was jealous, the way she acts proves it all. She likes Marcus. She just can't say and admit.

"Why don't you let him, then?" I answer instead. I laughed when I saw her surprised reaction as she was too stunned to speak.

I walked to go to the other side of the garden to repair the rest and Laura immediately followed me.

"Are you —— crazy! I don't like him! He's not my type at all!" Laura said as she followed me, "What are you talking about, Veluriya!"

"Aren't you doing anything? Aren't you working?" I couldn’t resist asking instead.

We both stopped. I suddenly remembered that I was poor. She had a house to live in while I lived on the road. Even if she don't work, she have a family and parents to feed her.

"Actually I have a sideline later, I'd like to invite you if you're free. It's an easy catch, fast way to collect money."

With a wide smile, I accepted her offer. I need to grab every chance I get, this is a limited offer.

"Yes! That's why I love to invite you, I know you would never say no. Tonight, at seven o'clock, I'll be waiting for you in front of the old rock. We're going to the second District." She almost jumped happily when she said that.

I did nothing when she abruptly said goodbye and left me in the garden. I haven't still grasp her offer properly. But since I'm desperate for a job, I feel nothing but excitement. I should make my work done so that I can get more money before the end of the day.

It was too late for me to realize where we were going. District 2; the entrance to the Palace.