Page 8 of Chula

I close my eyes and let sleep pull me under while I stay warm under my blanket and wonder what the hell is with that girl.

Chapter 5

Luna

I kissed Davey’s head before I headed for the door. I jog down the stairs and out the door, walking down the street. I need a job while I’m here. I need something to do with my time. Mom sure as hell doesn’t care if we have food in our stomachs, so I’m left to deal with that.

“Hey, new girl!” I hear someone yelling behind me. I turn around and see some guy jogging to catch up to me.

“What?”

“I’m Hock.”

“And?”

“Damn, Marco was right. You’re a fun one.”

“What do you want? I’m busy.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find a job.”

“Your mom doesn’t work?” he asks, nodding toward the apartment, seeming to know everything there is to know.

“Mom does what she wants to do. That doesn’t include putting food on the table,” I tell him.

“I know how that feels. Check with the laundromat. They’re usually hiring if you don’t mind dealing with people’s bullshit over a fucking quarter,” he says with a smile.

“Where is that?”

“Right down the block and to the left. You can’t miss it. Big yellow sign,” he says.

“Thanks for that.”

“If you need help with anything, let me know. I know how that shit feels.”

“How?”

“My mom’s the same. I have a little sister, she’s nine.”

“Thanks, Hock.”

“Sure. What’s your name?”

“Luna.”

“I like that. Tell Joann that I sent you. She might give you a break then. She owes me,” he says before turning and walking away. I smile and turn back to the sidewalk and start walking. I’m still in Marco’s sweat pants and long-sleeve shirt. I found one of my sweatshirts and slid it on over so I wouldn’t be too cold.

I’ve never had a heavy coat, not even when we lived in Chicago. I made due with what I had so that Davey could have the best.

I round the corner and slam into someone before I’m shoved back a few steps.

“Watch what the fuck you’re doing!” A girl screams at me.

“It was an accident,” I tell her.

“That’s how I’ll make your death look too,” the bitch snaps at me. I smirk at that. She thinks I’m scared of her? Not a chance in hell.