The Way Life Should Be
Chapter 1


_Come on,! Wake up!
_What time is it, mom?
_5:45am! You need to get up!
_Why mom? It’s too early!
_, you have plenty of things to do today and your first appointment is at 8am.
_And why do I have to wake up now?
_‘Cause you have to do your hair, make up… you know the routine so get out of bed,!
Meet, a beautiful 16-year-old girl. She looks like a regular girl but she’s not.is a model, the most wanted in the business. 
All her days are like this: waking up early, putting on some make up, going to work and on her free time she is home schooled. 
At the beginningenjoyed her job but now the fun is gone. Till her 10 years old she was allowed to eat chocolate, ice cream, having 
friends and play with them, well, the things have changed. She can only eat natural stuff, became a veggie just because her mom said so, sugar 
is not allowed in her system and she has to do exercises regularly.
got off the bed, took a long shower and when she left the bathroom the hairdresser and the make up artist were waiting for her. 
After 40 minutes of “make over”,left with her mother for her first appointment.
_Mom, where are we going now?
_You’re gonna try your costume for the Halloween party.
_But Halloween is next month! And I can buy a costume instead of send it to be done!
_, I’ve already chose your costume and it’s gonna fit better if it’s made for you.
_Ok mom. What am I gonna wear?
_You’re gonna be a beautiful witch.
_Again!?!?!
_And what did you have in mind,?
_I don’t know… maybe a vampire or Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.
_You’re a sweet and delicate girl, vampires or slayers are too rude!
It was always like that.couldn’t have an opinion about anything ‘cause her mother planned everything for her. 
After trying her costume,went to the studio to take pictures for a campaign then she had a big salad for lunch, later she had to try 
some outfits for a fashion show that’d happened at the end of the week and at night, she had to go to a cocktail party where she had to smile 
till her face starts to ache. That was her schedule for the whole week… hard work with no time to herself. After the Fashion Show on Friday 
she’d have the day off, Saturday was all about her.was looking forward for it but her mother frustrated her plans.
_, I was talking to Reggie and she said she wants you to be the face of her new collection!
_Good mom. And when the campaign starts?
_Next week, so it means we have to go to US tomorrow.
_What?! Tomorrow is my day–off!
_I’m sorry honey but this campaign is really important for you career.
got angry. She was tired but her mother didn’t understand, all she could see was what was “the best” for ’s interests.
The girl did the fashion show playing her part really well with a fake smile on her face and pretending that everything was ok. After the show 
all the models were celebrating the success buthad her mind far away from there. She excused herself and told her mother she was 
tired and wanted to go home. Her mother got surprised with that and asked the driver to take the girl ‘cause she had a lot of things to set 
before they go to US.just smiled and left to pack her things. Yeah, she packed her things but didn’t go to US on the next day like 
her mother wanted, that nighttook some of her stuff, went to a bus station, bought a ticket to the country side and 3 hours later 
she was in a small town named Waterfalls.
It was 2:30am and besides being tired the girl was hungry. She walked around the empty town and found a small diner still opened. 
Whenstepped in the place, the 4 people sat there looked at her; first ‘cause of the time and second ‘cause she was wearing back shorts, 
a white blouse half opened showing her black bra, a black blazer, a white overcoat and killers back stilettos. The only thing that wasn’t in order 
was her hair ‘cause on her way out she washed her face and put her hair down.
_Can I help you? – a waitress asked nicely.
_Could you bring me a coffee and a cheese sandwich?
_In a minute.
sat at the corner of the diner trying to avoid the few curious eyes. Her order came and minutes later while she was eating some guys 
showed up making a lot of noise laughing and speaking out loud. The people in the place seemed to know them ‘cause they greeted the boys 
and started a conversation with them. That image put a smile’s face ‘cause she always wanted to go in a place and be called by her 
name not Mss.or “young lady”. She stared at them for a while then went back to her thoughts. They were still laughing and talking 
when one of them noticed her at the corner drinking her coffee.
_What’s up? – one of the boys asked.
_Do you know that girl?
_I’ve never seen her before. She must be new in town.
carried on looking at her.
_Why don’t you go talk to her?
_I don’t know Lee, she might wanna be alone.
looked at the girl then gave and cheeky smile, suddenly he called her attention.
_Excuse me Miss!
Then he pushedtowards her table.
_Did you say something? – the girl asked.
_Sorry… I believe I’ve never seen you around here. –said blushing.
_It’s because I just got here. – she said smiling – I’m. – the girl reached out her hand.
_Nice to meet you, I’m.
They shook hands and the boy blushed even more.’s smile got bigger, finally she met someone who didn’t know who she was.
_Let me introduce you to my friends. –said helping the girl standing up – These are,and.
The girl shook their hands feeling really happy. It was a dream came true, none of them knew who she was and were calling her by her first name.
_So, when did you get here? –asked.
_A few minutes ago.
_And where were you before? –wondered. 
_London.
_Wow… did you run away from home? –asked.
_Why are you asking it? –said a bit nervous.
_’Cause you’re really well dressed.
When Simon said that the girl realized what she was wearing. The answer was obvious, she was running away but she wouldn’t say that ‘cause 
for sure someone would call the police.
_I was at a party before coming here. –tried to explain.
_And what brings you here? –asked.
_Peace and freedom.
The boys looked at each other but didn’t say a thing about her answer.
_Are you at the hotel near here? –asked.
_Actually the first thing I did was coming here to eat something. I was starving.
_Starving?! You only had a coffee and a cheese sandwich. – one of the waitress said – You eat like a bird!
_No wonder you’re so skinny. – another one said.
got shy. In her world being skinny is beautiful and very important, now; she was feeling an outsider and somehow that felt right.
_Do you have money to stay in a hotel? –wondered.
_To tell the truth I only have enough to pay for my meal.
_You can stay in my house. –offered.
_But what about your family?
_I live with my mother and I know she won’t mind.
_Are you sure?
_Of course! Com on, did you finish your “meal”? – he joked.
_Yeah! And I paid for it as well!
_So let’s go! Are you three coming with us?
_No, we still have things to do here. –said smiling.
_So… bye!
_Bye and nice to meet all of you. –said aspulled her by the arm.
They walked around few blocks ‘till finally get to his house.was kind of nervous ‘cause she wasn’t sure about that; she never had to 
depend on anyone before but this time she had to “cause she spent all her money on the bus ticket and on the food.
_Are you sure your family won’t mind? – the girl asked apprehensive.
_I’ve already told you the only family in my house is my mother and if I explain your situation she won’t mind. –reassured.
_But it’s almost 4am!
_My mom is awake waiting for me. Come on, you have nothing to worry about.
The girl smiled andopened the door. It wasn’t a big house but it was tidy and warming; somehowfelt more welcomed than 
in her own house, what a really weird feeling.
_Mom! –called.
_I’m in my bedroom son!
_Can you come here please?
_What happened?
His mother got worried and ran to the living room to check what was going on. When she saw Chelsea standing there she got even more worried.
_Who’s she,?
_This is, mom, and she needs a place to stay.
His mother stared at the girl for a while before saying something.
_But what happened? Why do you need a place to stay, honey?
_I got here an hour ago and realized I spent all my money on the bus ticket. –answered.
_And where’s your family? 
_In London.
_Do they know you’re in Waterfalls?
_Yeah! Look Mrs., I can sleep on the couch, I can clean your house or do your laundry to pay for my staying.
_Take it easy, honey! We can find a way for you to stay. First, sincebrought you here he’s gonna give you his room, ok?
_Ok, mom! I can sleep on the couch here in the living room.
_Good! Second, you don’t have to clean anything around here but I own a record store and you can helpand the boys there.
smiled, for the first time she was feeling useful and with those 2 people she felt part of a family.
_It’s a deal, Mrs.! – the girl said shaking the woman’s hand.
_Good, honey!, show“her” room as I take some clean sheets for both of you. And, you can call me.
_Thank you,.
The woman smiled and left to take the sheets for her son.took’s suitcase and led her to his room.
_Come in! It’s not big but…
_It’s perfect! – the girl sounded thrilled – I mean, it’s fine! Your bed seems to be really comfortable.
_You can put your stuff here in the closet and if you wanna take a shower you can use the bathroom down the hall.
_Thanks.
The boy smiled, for some reason he likedand wanted to help her asking no questions. They were looking at each other when
came with the sheets and a towel for.
_Well kids, here are the sheets. If you need something,, you can call me. I know the night is still young but I’m not, so, good night.
gave a kiss on’s forehead and left the bedroom. 
That scene madethink; her mother never kissed or hugged her or showed any sign of affection not if the words “millionaire contract” 
weren’t pronounced and by that time, she’d lost a big one and her mother for sure was mad at her.
_Are you ok,? –asked.
_Yes… I guess I’m gonna take a shower then go to bed.
_Ok, I’ll leave you alone.
_Whenwas about to leavegot something in her mind.
_?
_What? – he turned around smiling.
_Why are you helping me?
_Why not help you? Good night, see you tomorrow.
left the room andstarted to think again. For sure if she tookto her house in the same situation as hers her mother 
would freak. First she’d probably think thatgot her pregnant then, she’d think he was a drug dealer wanting to get his money and 
finally, when everything were cleared, her mother would say “No Way! My house is not a hotel!”.took her shower then went to bed 
aswatched TV for a few minutes before going to sleep thinking about.

To Be Continued...