---- Book 1 Chapter 8 okay? She nodded, chewing her little nails nervously. I pulled her finger from her mouth, giving her a pointed look. When will you be back? Someone will pick you up from the school office tomorrow to take you to grandma. She frowned; Maya took some getting used to when it came to trusting strangers. She was a wary child, and it didnt help with some of the people her mother let around her before we got custody of her. T will ask my boss if he can send a photo of the person, okay? So you know who to look for, I told her, and she nodded sadly when I heard the doorbell downstairs. That would be dinner, I told her, standing up and holding my hand out. She grabbed it, her face lighting up into a grin. My mother paid the delivery man before walking toward us on the stairs, and we followed her down the hallway to the kitchen. Sitting at the dining table, I sent Eli a text asking if he could possibly get a photo of the person picking up Maya, telling him she didnt like strangers. 3/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 8 He replied almost instantly with a photo of a woman with dark hair cut into a pixie cut and dark-brown eyes similar to his. She had softer features and was quite pretty with red lipstick on and a bright smile on her face; she looked friendly enough. That was fast, I texted back. Its my sister. Her name is Emery, he replied. Okay, thank you, I sent back, not expecting a reply when he sent me a winking-face emoj1. I shook my head, placing my phone down and digging into my dinner. The next morning, I bleary-eyed my alarm as it screeched beside my head, signaling it was time to get up. Smacking the incessant thing to shut it up, I rolled onto my back, stretching like a cat, my back cracking as I yawned. I didnt want to get up; my days were blurring into one long one that consisted of work and sleep. Forcing myself up, I retrieved my clothes and headed into the bathroom, hanging them up on the back of the door before starting the shower. My mother knocked on the door as I was washing the soap from my hair. 4/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 8 Tam leaving, love. I put Maya's clothes on the table for you, she called out from the other side of the door. Okay, see you tomorrow, I sang back, and I heard her footsteps walk down the hall before faintly hearing the door shut. When I was finished showering, I stepped out of the shower before blow- drying my hair and doing my make-up in the fogged- up mirror, repeatedly having to wipe it with my hand to get it to stay clear enough and not poke my eye out while applying my eyeliner. Getting dressed, I slipped my clothes on before walking to Maya's bedroom. Pulling back her pink unicorn comforter, I shook her shoulders gently. Maya, time to wake up, sweetie. You need to get dressed, I told her. She squinted back at me, and I felt terrible that she was awoken so early every morning. Her lips formed an O as she yawned. She sat up, rubbing her sleep-filled eyes, and I scooped her up, taking her to the kitchen and pouring her milk into the cereal bowl my mother had placed on the bench for me. Maya rested her head on the table, and I had to jostle her to remind her to eat her breakfast. Going back upstairs, I grabbed my small luggage and 5/6 ---- Book 1 Chapter 8 placed it by the door when I heard a knock. I looked at the clock hanging in the hallway. It wasnt even twenty to six yet. Opening the door, I saw Cyrus standing there in his black slacks and white shirt rolled to his elbows. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!