As I stared at myself in the mirror, and I know he's on the other side of it.
I closed my eyes "This is a dangerous sin. . . but I need your help."
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist me." I opened my eyes and saw him smirking. . . a DEVIL on my shoulder.
How did I end up in this situation is the main topic...
______
-Leora point of view-
"Leora! Get out of your room now; you're going to be late for school!"
I heard my mother call my name first thing in the morning; I stretched my body and kicked the blanket off from me.
I did my daily routine, fixed my bed, and went to the bathroom; however, the door was locked. "Unlock the door, I need to get ready." I knocked.
"Give me a minute sis! I'm trying to get this poop out of me!" I heard my younger brother inside.
"Levi! Be quick; you and your sister are going to be late for class!" mother shouted, I swear we are going to get more complaints about her yelling at us first in the morning.
"Alright, alright!" he yelled.
After some minutes, he got out. He looked at me then inside the toilet and smirked "good luck." he patted arms.
I gave him a disgusted look "just go get ready." I looked at him up and down.
"Fine, I'll wait for you." he rolled his eyes and went to his room.
I shook my head "Tsk, that kid." I went inside the toilet and closed the door, and then the smell booted in.
"LEVI!" I covered my nose.
____________
"As for today, we are going to talk about religion and the devil." Our religion teacher spoke as he walked back and forth.
Not this stuff again, this is the second time in a row now. Mr Elrod would tell us how horrible it is to deal with the devil or sell our soul to him or even having him on our shoulder and become his puppet.
I mean his last name literally means 'God is the king.'! He's in his mid 30's, and he's very religious. He's like those primary teachers, but he has an average look to me and to the other female students... they like him.
"Miss Agapov!" I jump from the sudden yell.
"Yes, sir?" I asked.
I hate my last name, and it means 'To love.'
"I hope you are listening to my lesson. Let me ask you a question..." Mr Elrod said as he walked towards my table.
All my classmates are looking at me, and I'm not too fond of it. I do not love the attention I am getting from everyone.
"Would you... have a devil on your shoulder?" Asked Mr Elrod as he places his hands on his pockets, all eyes on me.
"I- um, no? Because I am Catholic? Why would I want a devil being on my shoulder all the time? That's such a pain." I gave him the answer he wanted.
I actually do not mind it at all, it might be weird, but sure I may be religious, but at the same time, I do not mind it at all.
He nodded and proceeded to teach the class.
_______
"Please give us more time. I'm begging you."
Wait, that's my mother's voice. I ran upstairs from the flat and saw her talking to the landlord.
"Mum? What's going on here?" I asked.
"Leora! Go inside now." I did what my mother told me to do and went straight inside.
"You have two months before you pay for the rent, this is my last warning now." That was the last thing I heard before I closed the door in my room.
I need to get a job, anything. So I can help my family with supplies and pay the rent.
Levi busted in my room "Sis! Can I get some help on math?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes at him and nodded "come, and you better listen to me because I won't be repeating what I said. Got it?" I squinted my eyes on him.
"Got it." he nodded.
After some hours of teaching my brother and arguing with him, we finally made it to the end and taught him what he needed.
"Do you think mum will be alright?" Levi asked as he was packing his stuff. I looked at him, confused "what do you mean?"
He stopped packing and looked down "After the landlord left... she seemed so stressed... if only big brother and dad were here-"
"Don't talk about them... we..." I firmly stated as I glared at Levi, "We don't need them at all." I stood up from my bed and opened the door.
"Go now, go help mum cook while I finish something first." turned to face him and smile, he slowly nodded and took all his stuff and left my room.
Once the door was close and slammed my fist to the wall, "They are worthless, they won't help us... they left us." I felt tears flow down.
My knees weakened as I fell on the floor, crying. I looked at the mirror in front of me next to my bed and smiled at myself.
After some minutes of crying, I finally stopped myself. I wiped my tears away and took a deep breath. I stood up from the floor and got out of my room.
"I'm starving, is the food ready?" I asked as I rubbed my stomach.
"It would be if you helped, Leo." My mum said as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Hehehe, sorry about that." I winked and stuck my tongue out.
My mother shook her head "It's ready, just place the mat and plates on the table." she said.
"Alright." I took the mats from the cabinet and the plates and placed them on the table.
I helped my mother place everything on the table "Levi, go wash your hands," I ordered Levi.
"Got it," he said and went to the sink and washed his hands, I did the same thing after I got everything ready.
"Now, let's pray."
"In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit amen, Bless us, O Lord and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen." We all prayed and started eating.
We all ate, talked about our days and laughed.
As we finished eating, I helped my mother clean up while Levi was in the living room watching tv.
Should I tell her? That I want to look for a job?
Screw this, and I'm going to do it "mum..." I whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Is it okay if I look for a job?" I asked.
There was an awkward silence, but she broke it.
"Why?"
"So I can help you."
"You don't have to; it's my job. It's the mother's job, Leora. If you are going to have a job, it's your money."
"But-"
"No, buts" She smacked my arm.
"Alright then..."
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