Throwaway Girl by Kristine Scarrow Read Free Book Online Page A

get put on probation and if it happens again, you lose your place at Haywood. For some, that’s not a bad thing. But if your only alternative is the streets, Haywood can start looking pretty good.
    I walk to the front foyer where Trina is waiting eagerly by the door, scanning every car for her boyfriend.
    â€œSee ya.” I wave. Trina turns and looks at me, her face still lit with excitement. She’s actually beautiful when she smiles.
    â€œBye,” Trina says and turns back to the doorway. I can practically feel her anticipation. I decide to go back and read, anxious to get lost in something. Trina is off to start a new life and I can’t help but feel pangs of envy. I’ve been here for so many years that it’s hard watching others leave. I wonder what the future holds for them.
    At ten o’clock, I head back to the front so that I can grab a new book from the bookcases that line the reception area. Almost all of the girls are out. I like staying in on these nights for the privacy. The building is quiet except for the noise coming from the staff sitting at the cafeteria tables. They are visiting and having coffee and their laughter echoes through the building. I jump when I see a figure sitting in one of the chairs. It’s Trina, with her backpack still sitting squarely on her shoulders.
    She quickly stands and returns to the door, as though nothing is out of the ordinary, but it’s been hours that she’s been in this room waiting. Not wanting to embarrass her or intrude, I quickly grab another book and head back. I wonder why she’s still standing there. Her boyfriend is obviously very late. Maybe he isn’t due to come yet. I’d probably stand for hours waiting too, if it were me, on the off chance that he’d come early.
    I get ready for bed and put on my coziest pajamas. At eleven, once all the girls have trickled in, Gertie starts shutting off some of the lights to dim the place. Although I’ve barely read the new book I’ve grabbed, curiosity gets the best of me and I decide to take it back to the foyer. I put my slippers on to warm my feet from the cold tile floors, knowing full well that my real intention is to see if Trina is gone.
    I’m relieved when I get to the foyer and the chairs are empty. There is no one standing in front of the door. I even put my face to the window and shield the glare from the light so that I can see around the yard and the street in the dark. Trina’s nowhere to be found.
    I imagine her bursting with joy right now, speeding off in her boyfriend’s car to start a new life.
    Trina is probably giggling uncontrollably, in between kisses from her boyfriend who is driving with one hand, his other wrapped around her protectively. The car is packed with their belongings, her hand resting comfortably on his thigh as they drive, feeling carefree and hopeful.
    I feel sorry for myself, imagining Trina’s good fortune.
    Just as I’m about to head for bed, I hear a soft sob somewhere in the room. I look around but see nothing. “Hello?” I whisper. But there is no response and for a moment, I wonder if I’m imagining things. Then I hear another sob, and another, and another, until there is no mistaking it. I make my way around the room, looking behind the chairs and scanning the corners of the room.
    On the next sob, I whirl around to see a dark figure curled up on the floor behind a giant floor plant. Startled, I rush to see who it is. Something in my gut tells me it’s Trina even before I see her. And sure enough, when I place my hand on her arms, which she has buried her head into, her tear-stained face meets mine.
    â€œTrina?” I say softly.
    She continues to cry, her backpack shaking with every sob. I don’t know if I should be here or if I should just go away and leave her alone. To be honest, I am a bit nervous. With her attitude, I wouldn’t be surprised if she took a swing at me or