ANN-MARIE'S POV
I finished school and started walking back to the car. I looked around nervously to make sure most everyone had gone so they don't get too close to get a whiff of me. My perfume Anastasia got me for my birthday 9 months ago is starting to run out and I'm sure not going to be able to afford more any time soon.
I smiled when I got outside in the fresh air though. Today was so amazing. I got a really delicious lunch and got to talk to Marc. Although he did ask me some tough questions. But how was he to know my situation? Plus I don't want him to find out. I don't want him to think any less of me, judge me or feel sorry for me. I don't think he would be the type to do that, but I'm not ready for anyone to find out. In case they take me away from my Dad. And I'm all he's got right now.
I saw fresh water on the ground as I walked. Must have been raining earlier I thought to myself.
I got the strangest feeling I was being watched, but brushed it off to me being paranoid. As I quickly made it to the car, I got the keys out of my pocket and unlocked the car and got in and closed the door behind me. Dad had left another note, saying he had some more interviews all day but he would get the money on my lunch tab before noon. It felt cold in the car so I tried reaching over to the backseat for my favourite sweater, but couldn't reach it.
I got out of the car again and went to the passenger side rear door nearest the pavement (as it was safer) opened the door and some of my clothes fell out into a puddle as I groaned. Just great I thought to myself as I picked them up as I heard a familiar voice behind me.
'Ann-Marie?'
I gasp as I recognise the voice as I turn around.
'M-Marc?' I stammered. 'W-what are you doing here? Did...did you... follow me?'
Marc nodded as he looked at me solemnly with those amazing green eyes of his. 'Do you...live in your Dad's car?'
A million thoughts ran through my head at that moment. Do I lie and say we're donating a load of clothes to a thrift store? Do I tell him I have so many clothes now that they can't fit in my closet? I thought of every possible answer, but the look on my face only confirmed the answer as he looked at me knowingly.
I sighed. 'Now you know....you probably don't want to be my friend anymore' I said, looking down at the ground before I felt his arms around me as he hugged me as I gasped in surprise.
'Why on earth would you think something like that?' he asked me. 'Of course I still want to be your friend! Your circumstances aren't what make you, you Ann-Marie! Your personality and passions are what make you who you are!'
I start crying happy tears as he continues to hug me, so happy he was accepting me, despite being homeless.
'Have you asked anyone for help?' he asked me as I pulled out of the hug.
'No, and you can't tell anyone about this, please!' I begged him.
'Why not? I'm sure people want to help you' Marc replied. 'My friends could even help you!'
'No! If anyone, especially an adult finds out, they could take me away from my Dad and he'd have nobody! We're all each other have! Please! I don't want to end up in a foster home!' I pleaded with tears in my eyes.
'Okay...' Marc nodded sadly.
'Promise me?' I asked.
'I promise' he replied. 'Is that why you were so hungry after school? Can you afford food to eat?'
I shook my head. 'Not a lot. I make a little money from a part-time job after school for a couple of hours but I often don't eat breakfast or have much lunch.'
'At least you could eat lunch today, thanks to your Dad's money coming in' Marc smiled slightly as I smile slightly and nod too.
'How long have you been living like this?' he asked, deeply concerned.
'Four months now' I answered.
'Four months?' he repeated back. 'Oh Ann-Marie... I'm so sorry...'
'Don't be. It's not your fault. My Dad lost his job and hasn't found a new one yet so I'm trying to help him out and make the best of things until he finds a new job. That's all we can do' I say, with a new found confidence I wasn't sure where it came from. I guess I was trying not to sound weak in front of my only friend.
'You should go' I said. 'My Dad could be back any minute and I want this to remain our little secret, okay? You promised me!'
'Okay' Marc said, still looking concerned. 'Take care, Ann-Marie. See you in homeroom tomorrow' he said sadly as he left.
I put my wet clothes back in the car as I grabbed my sweater but now I was all hot and bothered by my best friend finding out about my situation. I got in the car and threw it on the driver's seat as I put my meditation music on and my head in my hands, wondering what I was going to do and how this would affect our friendship now moving forward.
Dad got back to the car about twenty minutes later so I made sure he was none the wiser about Marc's revelation regarding our situation. He handed me my sweater off the seat.
'Oh, thanks Dad...' I said sheepishly.
He sighed, exhausted. 'I'm sorry sweetie, I thought I would have time to hand in my resume to a few places around the city, but one asked for an interview then and there and I didn't get to the school in time to put the money on your tab for your lunch. I'm so sorry honey.'
To prove his point, he showed me the 10 Euro bill. I wondered how on earth the money went in there if he still had it, but I didn't want to let on.
'Oh, that's okay Dad' I smiled. 'You know, I can probably take it and just pay cash tomorrow. I'm sure they still take cash at the counter.'
'That sounds like a much better idea sweetie!' Dad smiled.
I did trust Marc that he wouldn't tell anyone, but I still felt a little worried.
'Hey...Dad?' I asked.
'Yes Ann-Marie?' Dad smiled.
'Do you think it's time we moved the car?' I asked. 'I have noticed people looking at me strangely as I walk back from school lately.'
'Sure sweetie. We can't have anyone finding out the truth can we? I'm so ashamed...' Dad said as he sighed sadly.
'But you're trying Dad, that's the main thing. Besides, I don't want to be taken away from you to go into foster care' I replied sadly as I put my head on his shoulder.
'But sweetie' Dad began. 'At least they will feed you and you'll be able to shower and concentrate at school...'
'No Dad, I'm not leaving you!' I replied. 'You're my only family, well, besides my aunt, uncle and cousins. But they live in Florida.'
'I can't have my sister Anabel find out about this, I'd feel so ashamed...' Dad replied.
'And she won't! I know you'll find work soon and everything will be okay Dad' I smiled.
Dad nodded. 'Thanks sweetheart. Okay, I still have half a tank of gas. Let's move house' Dad said jokingly as I giggled.
We went a few streets away and I felt a little more at ease now that we moved. It was still close enough to school and work so I didn't have too long a walk to either. I made sure to write the new location in the back of my workbook for school.
When we parked Dad turned to me. 'I did manage to get some cheap bread rolls on the way back from my last interview. You must be hungry, dig in sweetie!' he smiled as he opened the bag and I had half a roll before I went to work and another half after I came back so I wouldn't be too hungry to sleep.
On the way to work and before I went to sleep I was thinking about how the money got into my account. Then I remembered how Marc was right behind Mrs McGrady when she brought the tray over. I sighed when I realised. It was sweet of him, but I don't want people feeling sorry for me or doing favours for me. It's my life, I'll work it out on my own. I decided to let him know that at homeroom tomorrow.
*
Meanwhile, while Marc and Ann-Marie were talking, at the local precinct Officer Roger was at his desk in his office when Detective Johnson knocked on his door.
Officer Roger looked up. 'Enter!' he said as Detective Johnson came in.
'Sorry to trouble you sir, but we've just had a missing persons report come in' the detective replied.
'Let me see the report' Officer Roger replied as the detective handed it over.
'Hmm, let's see here' Officer Roger said as he read it aloud.
'Two missing persons, Albert and Ann-Marie Beaufort. Photos attached. Reported by Albert's sister Anabel and husband Richard Mackenzie from Florida USA. Albert is a 51 year old male, last known place of work listed below, has brown eyes and dark brown greying hair. His daughter Ann-Marie is a 15 year old female, long dark hair and hazel eyes, last known school attended DuPont High. Haven't heard from or been able to contact them in several months. Very worried about their welfare' Officer Roger read.
'Orders sir?' Detective Johnson replied.
'Try the address and fathers' place of work for today and let me know how you get on' Officer Roger replied. 'School would have already closed up for the day.'
'Will do sir' Detective Johnson replied.
About an hour later Detective Johnson came back and knocked on Officer Roger's door again.
'Enter!' he replied. 'Ah, detective! How did you get on with the missing persons? Any leads?'
'Unfortunately not sir' the detective replied. 'The address given is a rental property. The elderly couple who rent there now were kind enough to give me the contact information of their landlord, so I called him in regards to any information about their whereabouts, but it seems they were evicted four months ago for being two months behind in rent. And as for the place of work, Albert Beaufort was unfortunately made redundant from there several months ago.'
'Oh dear. Seems like maybe they've fallen on hard times and possibly running scared' Officer Roger sighed sadly.
'You could be right sir. I hope it's not as bleak as that' Detective Johnson replied. 'I have a daughter Ann-Marie's age. I would hate to think she's living on the streets.'
'Yes, me too' Officer Roger replied, thinking of Sabrina. 'If we found her, being a minor, she would have to go into foster care locally until her father can support her' Officer Roger replied. 'Or sent to Florida to live with her aunt and uncle.'
'Moving countries and schools would be a big change for her' Detective Johnson replied.
'Yes, I know. I'd hope it wouldn't come to that, but we have to think of her welfare' Officer Roger replied. 'Go to the school tomorrow, see if they have an updated address and maybe talk to Ann-Marie if you can.'
'Will do sir' Detective Johnson replied.