Let's play ball

Like a small child called to the big mean principal's office, that's how Liberty felt as she sat timidly and quietly in front of her manager, wondering what she'd done this time. This was nothing unusual; she was called to this old office more often than not. She could now describe it in detail even with her eyes closed - the very first staff photo that hung loosely on the brown wall with employees grinning from cheek to cheek - unlike her. Then there was also the black and white photo of the supermarket owner cutting the ribbon to open the shop for the first time - he also looked happy. To be fair, the office was also a happy place for her as well, many moons ago when Milo was in charge, but all that changed with the appearance of the new manager. Since then, she began paying more attention to the plastic flowers by the window and the dull old furniture, like the old white printer behind the brown desk, where her manager was just sitting and waiting for her to make the first move. She knew it all and had seen it all play before, but it was nerve-racking every time, 'I am supposed to be used to this by now'., she thought, 

She then sighed, rattling her manager's feathers, and as expected, the manager grabbed the opportunity to remind the puny employee of her place, "Oh, I am sorry, I didn't mean to waste your precious time....I will make it quick and painless", she leaned back at the old black chair and smirked, "Today is your last day, you don't have to come back tomorrow. I suggest you leave right now. In fact, You are fired with immediate effect!"

Liberty's eyes widened. This may not have been her ideal job, but it was paying the bills and dressing both her and her sister, "Wh-what? But ma'am, what did I do? Does Mr. Milo know?!". Milo was fond of her and understood her situation better; he gave her the opportunity despite her lack of experience, "I really need this job...I can't afford to lose it-"

The manager raised her hand to cut her off, "I know...I know...but your time is up. Although I wish I could steal the credit, the decision came from Milo himself...but I can't lie. It gives me so much pleasure to hand you this dismissal letter..."

Her heart sank and confusion took over, why was Mr. Milo suddenly turning his back on her? After a long minute of wrecking her brains, she exhaled, and with sudden confidence in her voice, she glared at her manager, "You know...I have always wondered why you hate me so much. Have I ever done anything to offend you-"

The manager's face darkened in annoyance, where was the sudden attitude coming from, she's never once talked back to her, "You-"

Liberty cut her off, and her gaze sharpened, "Don't get me wrong, I genuinely don't care about your affection or whether you like me. But it baffled me...how do you wake up in the morning and decide to hate someone you hardly know??"

For the first time, her manager found herself without any response, 'why do I hate her?', she thought to herself, 'What is it about her that pisses me off so much? Is it her bright and graceful appearance despite having nothing? I mean why does she look so all together when she's just a poor orphan without a proper education?'

She slouched back to her chair, "It's a combination of things Liberty, you know what they say: Hurt people hurt people. Now get out of my sight. I hope we never cross paths"

Liberty stood up, "I hope you heal. Don't go around spreading hate and hurt. Be a better person.", she said nonchalantly, then exited the room.

'I guess it was bound to happen eventually - losing my job..', she thought, heading to the staff locker room to collect her remaining stuff. 

Meanwhile, Stella and Jenny were pulling up at their favorite hangout place close to Stella's home. Waffles and Milkshake at the beginning of each school term - it has become their little tradition ever since their friendship blossomed.

"I don't think I like college Stella", Jenny whined while resting her head on the table as they waited for their order, "It's only the first day and we already have so many assignments and a quiz next week". she lamented causing Stella to chuckle.

"I don't think today was so bad", she blushed, "It was a very productive day if you ask me"

Jenny raised her head and squinted her eyes, "Hmm...I wonder if this oozing cloud-nine-rainbow energy I am getting from you had anything to do with a certain Cricket Superstar!"

Stella gushed even more, "I can't confirm nor deny...all I know is I got his numbers!" 

Jenny abruptly sat up straight in shock and excitement, "What! No, you didn't! What did you say? What did he say? I wanna know everything...wait is my friend getting married to a super rich sports star! Am I goin-"

"Woah...woah...slow down! One question at a time and what marriage?!"

Soon, their order came and Stella began narrating the afternoon encounter to her friend while indulging in their food, by the time she was done with her story, Jenny's cheeks were swollen from the grinning. 

"Oh my God...so, are you going to call him??", she asked excitedly, 

Stella coughed, "I already did it, we are meeting this coming Saturday...", she murmured, and Jenny erupted with joy...her eyes glimmered with pride and excitement for her friend. As they talked and gushed, a happy Stella decided to order an extra waffle for her sister.

Upon receiving the order, they called it a night. Blind to the trouble that was brewing inside the apartment and the anger that was slowly bubbling within Liberty, Stella hugged Jenny goodnight before making her way to their apartment. Instead of a dismal letter, Liberty found a written letter from Milo and a sum of money enough to sustain them for 6 months which caused her current irritation. She had been sitting on that couch ever since she came back, still in her work uniform, waiting for Stella to explain herself.

Lucky for her, she didn't have to wait any longer because the door soon opened, and a startled Stella jumped for her dear life, "Geez! Liberty Black....are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why are you sitting in the dark?".

Seeing her sister glaring at her with two letters in front of her, she instantly knew the subject of her sudden murderous aura. She slowly put her bag down and began to stutter as moved slowly away from her, "Sis...I can explain"

Liberty stood up gracefully, eyes shooting daggers at her, "Yes you will...who told you to go and quit my job on my behalf and who told you to apply for me at college? Who made you the author of my life?". Her voice was calm and gentle, but the flares in her eyes told a different story, Liberty was out for blood.