The day began normally with the exception of the kids gawking at their Halloween costumes.

   "We're gonna dress up for school, Aust. You'll come, right?" Aria twirled around with her bumblebee costume and made buzzing noises.

   "He has work, Aria."

   "But who'll take my pictures?"

   She looked disappointed, but I couldn't offer an alternative.

   "Why don't you bring my old phone," I rummaged through the junk drawer in the kitchen, "and use the camera on it."

   Aria's eyes instantly beamed. "Okay!"

   We lived a simple life and the costumes looked completely out of place. Every time I saw them, I was reminded how different my family was. We were poor. We are orphans. Aria's at the age where she yearns for our parents and feels the void they'd left behind, a void I couldn’t fill.

   "Try to see her parade," I nudged at Al.

   "Okay, but I'll need money for when we go home today."

   Al held out his hand.

   "Your bus passes are enough, but here's something for dinner." 

   When I opened my wallet, there were only a few singles and one Andrew Jackson. I pulled out the bigger bill and placed it in Al's hand. It was a good thing I put extra in my bus pass last week. It'll have to do.

   "You don't have anymore?" Al asked, stuffing the money in the inside pocket of his backpack.

   "I get paid tomorrow. It'll be a big one cause of the overtime."

   Al opened the front door, ready to leave, but paused. "Vera said we can go tomorrow, right?"

   "When did she tell you that?"

   "She gave an invite."

   Al scuttled back to the living area and pulled out an invite he'd stuffed in a book.

   "She said we should wear our costumes and go to the party."

   I don't know what came over me, but I snatched the invite and tore it in half.

   Aria wailed.

   Al tried to calm her down.

   "Let's go," I said stubbornly, dismissing any chance for them to ask me anything.

   "..." Al hesitated to get off once we arrived at the front of his school. "We don't have to go tomorrow, Aust. Aria and I will just stay at home."

   I nodded.

   The entire time in my classes, I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept traveling back to the torn invite. Why had she given one to us? Did she want to flaunt how she helped? Did she want to show off how kind and considerate she is?

   The rich throw money like it's nothing.

   They throw money at the poor expecting to be praised.

   Fuck.

   I pushed the back door open a little too aggressively. It slammed back and a huge sound erupted from behind.

   "Hngh." A soft voice groaned.

   "Vera?" I pulled the door to reveal her curled into a ball, nursing the back of her head.

   "So-rry," she whispered, still in pain. "I shouldn't have been standing there."

   She continued to apologize to the point that I lost the chance to correct her. After all, it was my fault.

   "Today'll be really busy. Emma's only finished the costumes for the staff, their staff, not mine. You can introduce yourself to them over there." She pointed to the outdoor area.

   I instantly regretted going without her.

   She'd called them staff, but I could hear their privileges oozing out with every word.

   "I've worked the gala multiple times, so if any of you need any help, feel free to come to me." A man in a suit separated himself from the rest.

   "Well, I think, a lot of us are repeaters. Right?" This time it was a woman.

   She was wearing a nice-looking dress with a brand name written on the chest area.

   I could spot the expensive purses whether they were real or not.

   Their heads all turned to me. My mind couldn't help it. It felt like they were scrutinizing every inch of me. I'd never felt as little as I did at that moment.

   "Drinks for everyone!" Vera popped from behind me. "Oh, has he introduced himself? This is August— I mean, Aust. He works here full time and has been helping me while I focus on writing my new book."

   I heard sounds, words, but I couldn't understand them. My face felt hot and my body cold. Though I wanted to run, my feet kept me planted on the ground.

   If I cursed more often, I'd probably have had much to say in my head, but it was blank up until Vera patted me on the back.

   I bowed for some reason.

   "I hope to get along with all of you," I said without feeling.

   

   The day was like any other day.

   I woke up to the sound of the busy street and my siblings taking their sweet time waking up. The stove took a while to work and the water came out cold. I needed to make a list of supplies that needed refreshing like a new tube of toothpaste but only after I squeezed it dry. Aria's shoes are looking a little worn. I'll have to get her a new one before the next school year. Did Al stitch up his backpack again?

   We kept the couch my parents bought because they would've only sold for thirty or so dollars.

   I remember living in a house and owning a yard. I remember it whenever I look out the window only to see someone else's window.

   It should have been like any other day, grinding away. But those damn costumes reminded me how I missed out on all sorts of parties when our parents got into an accident. I remember relatives passing us around and by the time I turned 18, I forced us out of that mess.

   That damn store reminds me of how our family used to go on outings. We used to eat without worrying when the next dollar would come. 

   "The water is cold, Aust."

   The water heater must've broken down again.

   "I'll heat up water. Eat breakfast first."

   Who'll wash the dishes today? Maybe Al will pick up where I leave off.

   Maybe he'll be able to go to college. I just have to graduate and get a better job.

   Can Aria manage while we both have other responsibilities?

   Who will attend the Parent Conference if I'm at work?

   I'll have to be late for my night shift.

   "There's no need to stay this late, Aust. Your siblings must be waiting for you."

   Why did you have to show me this world I left a long time ago?

   "WHY!"

   The dishes fell to the floor, pieces of them exploding in multiple directions.

   "Why did you have to show me all of this?" The tears rolled down my face. "I didn't want to miss this."

   "Aust?" Vera held out a hand. "I don't want you to get injured. Leave the plates."

   "I wish you'd stop pitying me." The words just slipped out.

   It took a moment to realize and see all the eyes glaring down at me. Yes, go ahead, tell me how much of a brute I am. I'm only an orphan after all. I don't belong here. I never have.

   I pulled off my black apron and tossed it on the counter. Maybe it got caught in my throat but the words, "I quit" was never said as I dashed out of the store.