Page 22 of Bad for You

She doesn’t smile, but she isn’t unfriendly either. However, her short announcement leaves so many unanswered questions.

“Hello, Gianna,” Lenny says confidently. “Not that we’re unappreciative, but who are you?”

Gianna has the perfect poker face. “Hello, Lennon. But you prefer to be called Lenny?”

He nods.

“Well, Lenny, all questions will be answered in due time, but for now, let’s get you fed, washed, and out of those rags.”

She turns, indicating we’re to follow.

Franklin waits for us to move. Perhaps he’s afraid we’ll run. But where would we run to? We’re orphans no one wants, so I don’t understand why a woman like Gianna would want us. We’re useful to her for some reason.

I just don’t know what that reason is.

We follow her, and the moment I climb the stairs and get a glimpse of the foyer, I feel more than undeserving. I kick off my dirty shoes, fearing I’ll leave grime on the polished floors. Lenny leaves on his boots and ensures he stays in front of me as he follows Gianna.

She doesn’t say a word as she leads us down a long corridor until we reach a door. She opens it. A king-sized bed and other bedroom items adorn this huge space.

“This is your room, Lenny. There is everything you need inside the bathroom. All the clothes inside the cupboard and drawers are yours. You have an hour.”

“An hour for what?” he asks, confused.

Gianna simply smiles before turning around and addressing me. “Come.”

I look at Lenny, biting my lip, but he nods that it’ll be okay.

Without him, I’m afraid, but I eventually follow Gianna because I don’t want to get lost.

I hold tightly on to Cat while I take in my surroundings. When we reach the grand staircase with red carpeted stairs, I can’t help but take note of how soft the carpet feels beneath my bare feet. The sunlight streaming in from the stained glass windows shoots rainbow spheres across the floor.

I trace them with my toes and wonder if this is what my life will be from now on.

The hallway at the top of the stairs is long, giving me a bird’s-eye view of below. It feels as though I’m a princess in her tower, looking at her kingdom below. It’s surreal as I only ever saw something like that in the tattered storybooks I stole from the library.

But now, it’s as if I am living a real-life fairy tale.

“This is your room,” Gianna says, opening a door.

When I hesitate, she moves aside, gesturing for me to go in. But I can’t.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

My question appears to take her off guard. “Would you prefer I be mean to you instead?”

I shake my head.

“Then do not ask stupid questions because you are not a stupid girl.”

And just like that, Gianna reveals she doesn’t appreciate weakness.

I won’t make the same mistake again.

“Good girl. Meet me in the gardens in an hour.”

And without another word, she leaves me alone.

I peer into the room, almost afraid to go in, for fear this is one big joke. To be given such luxuries, only for them to be taken away. But I remember Gianna’s words and use them to take one step, then two into the bedroom.

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