chapter 2: Just Helping You With A Shower
Chapter 2: Just Helping You With A Shower
Jasmine
“It doesn't feel right taking something I didn't pay for.” I said to Edwin.
“And yet, you dumpster dive.” He replied, grabbing some random things and dropping them in the bag. He tied up the bag and handed it over to me with a smile.
“Enjoy your night, Jasmine.” I hesitantly took the bag from him and gave him a small smile.
“Have a good night, Mr. Fo..I mean Edwin.”
I walked to the door with my head down, opening it and leaving the store. I waited at the edge of the sidewalk for all the cars to pass before I finally ran across to the other side. Walking over to my area that I called home, I placed the bag down on the floor and sat down myself. I put the change under my thigh, opened the bag and checked to see what he had out inside of it. I took out my juice and sandwich, looking down inside the bag, there were two candy bars, a bag of chips and a pack of gum. I was insanely grateful for what he did but I also felt guilty since I didn't pay for these things.
I picked up the change from under my thigh and put it in the bag, trying it up and putting pressure down on it so that all the air could escape. I shoved the bag underneath my blanket and grabbed my sandwich, opening the container. The sandwich would still need to last me some time, so I decided to divide it into three. I broke the sandwich into three and took one piece out, closing the container and putting it to the side. I took a small bite, trying to saour as much of it as I could. I could rightfully assume this was a ham and cheese sandwich which was fine with me, no need to be picky about it.
I continued eating the sandwich until I finally finished it minutes later, I grabbed the bottle of juice and opened it, taking a small sip of it before closing it back up. I lifted up my blanket and took the bag from underneath it, sitting it back on top of the blanket and opening it. I put the container that held the sandwich and the bottle of juice in it, tying it and sitting it back where I had taken it from.
Sometimes, I wondered how I got to where I am now, only to remember my parents. I still never knew why they left me on the street, all I could remember was my mother and father packing their bags and leaving without me. At that time, I was only thirteen years old and I couldn't afford rent for a house. Now, I am eighteen years old and still homeless but I will never give up on surviving. Yes, I could have gotten a job or something but no one would hire me if I didn't have a home. It was upsetting to get rejected by so many people but I was starting to get used to this life already.
The street lights finally came on and that was usually like my timer to go to sleep. As I was about to lay down, I heard someone calling out my name.
“Jasmine, we are here!”
Gosh, please not these guys again. The group of men walked over to me with evil-like grins on their faces. They stood in front of me and looked down at me.
“How is it going?” One of them asked, I didn't answer his question, I just looked at him.
I..I don't have your money yet if that is why you are here, Weldon.”
These guys only came to take whatever I made from begging and used it for cigarettes, vapes and alcohol. I would pay them weekly but they didn't take everything I made, all they wanted was fifty cents from me each week. I would pay then every Saturday like they had told me to. These guys are in their mid twenties, can't they just leave me alone?
“You are lucky if it is Friday then, I expect my money tomorrow.” He said, looking behind me.
“What was that?”
I assumed he had seen the lump in my blanket from the bag underneath. I went to turn around and grab it but he grabbed me by the hand and pulled me up into my feet. Two of his friends grabbed me and held an arm each, squeezing tightly on me so I wouldn't fight them.
“Please, don't…”
“Shut it, Jasmine!’
A different guy bend down and pulled the blanket off of the bag, picking it up. He handed it over to Weldon and she started untying it and looked at everything inside and then look at me after.
“You used the money for this?” He asked.
“No, only two things, Edwin gave me free things.”
“If you are going to buy something, at least save up so you have my money first. But now you are wasting it on yourself. Jasmine, you remember what I said before.”
“I know,”
“Good, you have been doing so well, always paying me on time.” He said, walking up to me and grabbing my face.
“You don't want to see what happens when you don't pay up.”
He let go of my face and slid his hand down my body, squeezing down on my waist. I tried to move away but it was really hard since the two guys were still holding onto me. He gave the bag to one of them who then tied it up and threw it back down on the floor. He took off his backpack and opened it, grabbing a water bottle out of it and handed it over to Weldon. He removed the cap and looked at me with a grin.
“Just helping you with a shower.”
He put the water bottle over my head and started pouring it down on me, I closed my eyes as the water ran down my body, hearing them laughing at it. The water was ice cold and I was wearing such little clothing. He finally finished and threw the bottle on the floor.
“You can let go of her now.” He said to the two guys holding me.
They let go of me and pushed me back down to the floor, still laughing at what they just did. I landed right in my side which really hurt, causing a small hiss to escape my mouth. He put his backpack on and they started walking away.
“See you tomorrow, Jasmine!” I heard Weldon yelled as they left.
Tears started forming in my eyes, I was scared since I didn't know if I would have fifty cents by tomorrow when they came back. I have been paying them for almost a year now and I never found out what would happen if I didn't. I really didn't not want to know