MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: Lost in the Big City
Mila stood at the bus stop with her box beside her. She couldn't sit on the bench because she was drenched in rain, and people kept staring like she was mad, so she just stood by the side waiting for her sister's friend.
Time passed, and she felt the cold creeping into her soul. Mila wished she would freeze to the point of passing out and be taken to the hospital. Maybe if Ken saw her in that state, he'd know how much she loves him and would remember their past together. He would feel pity for her and apologize for hurting her.
"Something smells bad here," a high school girl held her hand over her nose and murmured to her friend. "I think it's her," she pointed at Mila.
Mila was so lost in her thoughts that even when people scrunched their noses and spat because of her, she didn't even notice.
A young man stood up from the bench and walked straight to Mila. With a polite smile, he said,
"Excuse me, Miss. I think you're causing discomfort to everyone here," the man said sweetly.
Mila raised her tired face. She finally noticed how everyone was looking at her. "Dis-discomfort how?" she asked. Seeing her clothes were covered in rain and were transparent, she raised her hand to cover her chest, but the man scowled and moved back with an irritated raise of his brows.
"You really should step out. We can't have everyone here suffer because of you," the man held his hand on his nose and shooed Mila away like she was some disease.
Mila blinked. She wanted to argue and ask the man who he was to ask her to leave. Also, explain that she wasn't smelling, but when she saw others staring, she knew it was going to be another losing game. The whole day had been tough, and nobody had been on her side.
This was why she was afraid of being alone in the big city. She knew nobody, and girls like her from the countryside could be easily devoured if they had nobody.
With a small bow, Mila stepped away from the shield and into the rain. She looked around for a tree to stand under as cover, but thanks to civilization, it was just tall buildings, and walking into the buildings randomly in her state, she might finally be dragged to an asylum.
Mila crouched beside her box while the rain beat the hell out of her and her property. She was almost giving in to her exhaustion when a voice said,
"Mila? Are you by chance Lacie's sister?"
Mila raised her face. She blinked because the rain kept disrupting her view. She noticed the yellow umbrella first that covered the woman's face.
"I-I am Mila," Mila didn't even know she was shivering until she spoke.
The young woman quickly used the umbrella to cover her.
"The fuck, girl? What are you doing under the rain? I wouldn't even know it was you. Lacie just said you always stand out because of your hair, but I think you just stand out generally." Ashley scanned the girl. She was really a strange girl.
Mila struggled to stand up. Her thighs were numb, and so were her toes, but she held her box handle for balance.
"Geez, girl, you're shaking!" Ashley exclaimed. "I don't think you can do this tonight. Let me get you a place to sleep. You can leave to-"
Mila grabbed the woman's hand. "Please...I can do this." Her voice breaking as she spoke, her trembling hands holding Ashley tightly. "I'm stronger than you think."
Ashley twitched her lips. She really felt pity for the young girl. "If you're Lacie's sister, then you're family. Let's get you cleaned up." She nodded, helping Mila to carry her box. She led her to the waiting black car.
Mila entered the back of the car, and the driver, being human, turned on the car heater, giving her a fresh feeling of warmth. Before the car even started, Mila found herself dozing off. She didn't know how long she had slept, but she woke up when the car engine stopped.
"Follow me," Ashley said. "Leave your box in the car. All I need is you and your ability to market things and convince people to buy it at first glance."
Mila nodded. She jumped down from the car and trotted behind her sister's friend. She didn't know where they were until Ashley opened the door, and Mila found other girls dressing up. To Mila, they looked like swans in the sky and not sea. They were all beautiful.
Tall and beautiful. Looking at them reminded Mila of Stephanie. The girl had very tall legs. Mila looked down at her short legs and sighed. Maybe if she was even an inch taller, Ken would have loved her.
"Quick, Lacie- I mean Mila," Ashley snapped her fingers. "You're the last person. You need to get ready."
Mila nodded. She followed the woman until they were standing close to the restroom. Before Mila could say anything, Ashley started unbuttoning her shirt.
Out of reflex, Mila flinched and tried to hide her body. She wasn't used to anyone randomly touching her.
"Just as shy as your sister," Ashley sighed. "Fine, get rid of your clothes and wash up. I'll find a uniform for your size. Your body is so small," the young woman said with a judgmental glance.
"I'm guessing Lacie took the growth and maybe left you with the beauty," Ashley chuckled. Turning around, she rummaged through a small bag, searching for something.
Mila turned around too and took off her clothes. She was used to people talking about her small body in comparison to her sister, who was tall. Her sister also had long legs, very beautiful, and belonged on the runway like Steph-
"Achoo," Mila sneezed. All her thoughts were clouded with Stephanie. Every time she thinks about a girl, she'd think of her boyfriend's new girlfriend.
When the warm water touched Mila's body, she closed her eyes and let it wash away the dirt and maybe her pains. Mila didn't waste time bathing. When she finished, she took a dry towel left on the sink and wrapped it around her body.
"You're done. Good. Wear this." Ashley handed the same swan dress other girls had worn to Mila.
Mila raised the leotard that was sleeveless and pale-colored, almost like her skin. She looked down at herself. She wasn't going to leave this room butt naked, she thought.
"Don't think too much of it. Here." Ashley grabbed the white and gold tutu and helped Mila into it, then helped her wear the pale tights until her thighs were properly covered.
Dragging Mila to the mirror, Ashley dried her hair before packing it into a neat bun, then applying light makeup on her face with a red lip gloss. Done with her face, Ashley attached a feather to Mila's hair and then picked out a flat white shoe for her.
"Good, good, you're ready," Ashley tapped her fingers on Mila's back. "And you look beautiful."
Mila stared at her face in the mirror. She wished Ken would see her right now. Maybe if he did, he would also love her.
"Ahh," Ashley gasped, grabbing Mila's hand. "Your nails, geez, we don't have time." She rushed to her back and retrieved fancy band-aids, which she used to cover the part Mila had chewed on.
"Now let's go. Remember, the more wine you sell, the greater the possibility of you being a full employee." Ashley instructed as they left the room through a small door Mila didn't notice until now.
The hallway was dark, but Mila could hear loud music from somewhere. She just followed her sister's friend blindly. The truth was that she was tired and needed to sleep so badly.
"This is a new wine from the Montclair family. Make sure you sell it well." Ashley pushed the door open, and the noise grew even louder. "You love alcohol, don't you?"
Mila raised her brows. "W-ha-" Before she could say anything, she was pushed into the room, and the bright light and loud noise threw her off balance.