Page 6 of Claiming Candy

The snow’s starting to come down more quickly, but I don’t care. Making sure Candy is okay is my top priority. God, I hope that I didn’t fuck this up.

Chapter Four

Candy

The walk back to the shelter was absolutely miserable. My shoes were soaked through, and by the time I got back to my bed, I couldn’t feel my toes. Thankfully, I was able to cut through side streets and empty yards, so the walk wasn’t as long as I initially anticipated it being.

I had wanted to process my feelings, but the bitter cold and increasingly fluffier snow shifted my focus to getting back to the shelter. Now, sitting on my bed, I wonder if I overreacted. I like to think that I’m a pretty level-headed person, but tonight was a roller coaster.

Since becoming homeless, people have looked at me differently. It’s like they believe that I’m less-than because I’ve fallen onto hard times. I’m treated like trash, accused of taking advantage of programs that are meant to help me. I’ve been called a thief more times than I can count.

It’s hard to keep my head up. I’m doing everything I can to get myself back on my feet, but I rarely get any sort of recognition for it. That’s why I was so excited about being picked as a volunteer. Tons of people living here wanted to help at the gala, but only five of us were selected. It meant a night of good food, music, and rubbing elbows with people who can help us out. We were there to make a tangible difference.

And I was making a difference! One of our potential benefactors was moved by my work ethic. She wrote a check to the shelter right there and handed it off to me. Then, as soon as she turned away, the security guards were taking it away and carrying me out of the building.

I’ve never been more humiliated in my life.

Then, Ethan came along and made me feel special. He cared about me in a way that no one else has before. I even started to fantasize about the kind of life the two of us could lead together. But when he brought up me being escorted out, the little bubble I created in my head popped, and reality came crashing down around me.

“Stupid,” I whisper to myself as I curl up beneath my blankets. “So stupid.”

The sound of my roommate shifting around on her bed reminds me that I need to be quiet. I don’t get the luxury of privacy here. I’m not complaining, though. The fact that I have a bed is luxury enough for me.

I take some long, steadying breaths. As my body continues to warm up, the exhaustion of the day catches up with me. Before I know it, I’m drifting off to sleep.

Sleep doesn’t stick around. Not even 20 minutes later, I’m stirring from the loud sounds of the shelter. The commotion is even more intense than it usually is at this time of night. Then, before I can get my bearings, my roommate is shaking my shoulder.

“Candy!” she exclaims, sounding way too happy for someone who was passed out only a few minutes ago. “Candy, wake up! That billionaire’s here to see you!”

“Huh?” I say, scrubbing a hand over my face as I force myself into an upright position. “What do you mean?”

“Ethan Frost,” she says, taking a step back as I slowly get my bearings. “He’s here. At the front desk. He said he wants to see you.”

My stomach drops. I have no idea why he’d be here. Is it because he really thought I was stealing? Or maybe it’s because he wants to let me down easy in person. No, why wouldn’t he just leave me alone?

“Did he say why?” I say, proud of myself for how steady I manage to keep my voice.

“Well, no…” my roommate says, looking away with a shy smile on her face. “But I didn’t see him. I just heard that he was here and looking for you when I went out to see what the noise was about, so I came to wake you up.”

“Oh,” I mutter, swinging my legs off the side of the bed. “I guess I’ll go see what he wants, then.”

“Don’t you want to change?” she asks.

“What do you mean?” I ask, looking down at my pajamas. “Okay, maybe you have a point.”

“You should wear that green dress you have,” she helpfully as she walks toward the door. “It reminds me of a Christmas tree.”

I give her a smile, waiting until she’s out of the room to get changed. When I pull out the dress, I hesitate. Ethan said that he didn’t like Christmas, so maybe it’s best if I change into something that won’t conjure those images. Then, I decide that it doesn’t matter if I remind him of that. He already knows I love the holiday, and we’re so close to it that I refuse to hide my enjoyment of it for him.

Dressed and somewhat more presentable, I head down to the front desk. As I pass the other residents, I can hear their excited whispers about Ethan. I try not to get excited, but I can’t help it. If they’re talking like that, then maybe the reason he’s here is positive.

When I see him, my mood shrinks a little. He’s clearly uncomfortable, his gaze darting around the walls. I’m suddenly very aware of each and every crack and chip in the paint. This place is so different than that huge mansion that he lives in.

I pause, embarrassed by my situation. I’m about to turn tail and run back to my room, but then his eyes find me. In a flash, his expression morphs from discomfort to elation. It happens so quickly that I nearly get whiplash.

“Candy,” he says warmly, walking up to me like he owns the place – he probably could if he wanted to. “I’m glad you’re safe. You left so quickly tonight.”

“Yeah,” I agree, feeling my face heat up. Was he worried? About me? That can’t be right. Although, he did put on a gala for this place’s benefit. Maybe it’s just a general worry for a homeless person.

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