Puff girl was assigned to block five.
At first, she didn’t think much of it but as she followed Mrs. Applace outside and away from the dormitory entirely her mind began to tune out Mrs. Applace’s small talk as doubt crept in.
She recalled the number of the floors below and how they continued from 6 and up. Which means technically block five should have been upstairs.
It couldn’t be?! Was her block the one that was “forgotten entirely” from the renovations plans?
To think she would still be unlucky even here, she couldn’t help gnashing her teeth. She tried to memorize the path as they trekked through the forest to another isolated road. Given the location, she would HAVE to memorize this route. Annoying.
Another patch of woods completely sealed off by a fence lied ahead. She could make out the red leaves swaying in the wind from above. It was December now, so how?
Puff girl wanted to ask only for Mrs. Applace to announce their arrival.
“This is the block I mentioned before, block five.”
As they drew closer puff girl noticed a bulletin board, couple of vending machines and two gates to the left and right, the right was locked with a padlock.
Puff girl didn’t know what to expect as she approached but once she saw the inside her jaw dropped.
A girl sleeping outside on the cold cement bench.
Outdoor lockers and obviously handmade paper lanterns which she begrudgingly admitted was kinda cool as she had always wanted to make some herself.
There wasn’t a solid structure in sight, only a small settlement of tents, tables
and outdoor facilities suited for camping.
“Welcome to the Lost Village!” Mrs. Applace beamed. “Isn’t it lovely? When life threw them lemons the girls of block five worked hard to make this place hospitable.”
Puff girl’s mouth hung open. She remembered hearing about Mary Magdalene’s Home for Misfits in the past, notorious but it would have good funding at least. She’d be able to take all the soaks in the tub as she wanted. She doesn’t know why she looked forward to that specific thing, but more importantly she was disappointed. So disappointed she felt her heart might plop out of its chest cavity and twerk on the stone pathing that stretched out before her.
Her smile felt strained as she nodded at Mrs. Applace. “Uhhhhmmm….suuure!”
To think now she wouldn’t even have a roof over her head.
She balled her hands into fists, as she beamed she tucked them underneath her arm pits.
Just her luck. Nonexistent to begin with. Damn her godforsaken, cursed life! Why couldn’t she get what she wanted even when she dreamt small?!
She unclenched her fists and sighed.
But… at the very least, there were people. It may not be like the upper floor of the dormitory but at least it wasn’t like the lower floors completely creepy, quiet and devoid of all human life.
She could see her “neighbors” walking about doing normal outdoor stuff like watering plants and crawling out of bushes.
And was that a chicken coop she spotted from afar?! Ohho!
“Deteeergent!” A girl sitting at one of the makeshift tables called out, but she was looking specifically at her. “Buy my magic laundry salts please, yeah I mean you four eyes.”
“What is she doing?”
“Ah. She’s selling her wares. Every day each girl takes turns selling their own items. When visitors pass through you girls can make money this way.”
The thought of someone passing through to watch them live made her suddenly feel like a zoo animal, who would want to be watched live in such an embarrassing state?!
“What do you mean we get visitors?” She couldn’t help her voice sharpening as fear and agitation overlapped.
“There are a few small schools in the area. It’s become normal for them to come over to use our facilities, especially on days of events. If you’re ever lacking any daily necessities, you can also buy it from your neighbors. Ah. There’s no washing machine here, so you’ll either have to handwash it yourselves or do it in advance at the dorms.”
Puff girl stiffened and looked askance as she slowly let out a suppressed sigh. Why, why did everything have to be so complicated here?!
“She’s not a consumer but a new villager, Mandy.”
Mandy didn’t seem to care as she read her book. “Same difference.”
Books. Puff girl liked books too! Potential buddy?
Feeling her burning gaze, Mandy looked up once more. “You buying?”
“…”
“Ms. Sapphire.” Mrs. Applace called out to her and beckoned for her to approach the bonfire. “This way, please.”
Mandy called after her as she walked away. “I’m here ever Monday, Friday and Sunday!”
Heads turned to stare at her as Mrs. Apple showed her, her tent.
“Lucky you having the tent to yourself!”
If she ever had to share this tiny a** tent with somebody she might actually want to scream.
Once Mrs. Applace notified the girls of her existence she took off, and as dusk rolled in the girls gravitated near the bonfire and grill, a girl had already taken it upon herself to make burgers.
They were delicious! Probably the best burger she had ever had in her life. Beside her a girl belched making her want to spew chunks at the smell. Everyone at the table joined together in a chorus of “ewwwww!”
“Hullo! I’m Veronica.” A fellow African-American greeted her, but she seemed unnaturally pale, was it makeup?
“My name is Sapphire.”
“That’s Veronica Lady to you or just Ms. Lady.” An asian girl with twin pigtails corrected her.
Veronica made a face. “Minzy, ENOUGH. It was funny freshman year, now? Not so much! Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to be addressed properly for once!” She eyed Sapphire sternly. “PLEASE call me Veronica!”
Minzy ignored her, addressing only Sapphire. “It’s kind of a running gag to call her that because in the beginning no one could even remember her name. And I mean NO ONE not even the teachers or other students outside the block.”
“I’m still here you know! Don’t talk about me like I’m invisible!”
A red head with white yarn woven into her hair scolded Minzy. “Minzy stop making Ms. Lady feel invisible.”
“Yeah I-seriously could you guys STOP?!”
Sapphire’s nerves relaxed as the girls chatted. She thought living here might be unbearable but if these people were her neighbors, maybe not so much.
PB CONVENIENCE 