#i swear when it comes to imani and giselle i just

[overwhlcmed]

status : open location : outside the library !

☁️ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ─────────────         it   wasn't   the   first   time   someone   had   defaced   the   decor   in   front   of   the   library;   imani   knew   it   wouldn't   be   the   last.   yet,   it   especially   hurt   her   feelings   in   the   fall   and   winter   months.   hosting   activities   like   pumpkin   carving   for   the   locals   was   as   close   as   she   was   able   to   get   in   partaking   in   an   activity   socially   reserved   for   families.   it   wasn't   something   that   was   funded   by   the   library   or   board   itself;   the   pumpkins,   tools,   candles,   and   refreshments   all   coming   out   of   her   own   pocket,   but   she   never   minded.   there   was   something   special   in   seeing   the   way   a   child's   eyes,   or   that   of   a   young   adult,   lit   up   when   they   got   the   chance   to   do   something   they   thought   they   never   would.   so   it's   not   the   money   lost   that   fills   her   with   sorrow   as   she   arrived   to   open   the   library   to   several   smashed   pumpkins   and   disgusting   graffiti,   it's   knowing   that   at   any   moment   someone   who   attended   could   show   up   and   see   their   hard   work   demolished   for   reasons   she'd   never   understand.          imani   didn't   give   herself   a   chance   to   feel   the   mix   of   emotions   coursing   through   her;   the   anger,   sadness,   confusion,   hopelessness   swirling   within   her   would   have   to   wait   to   find   a   home.   she   focused   solely   on   cleaning   the   mess   up   and   thinking   up   an   excuse   to   give   anyone   who   came   asking   where   the   pumpkins   had   gone   until   she   had   the   time   to   replace   them.   her   brow   was   damp   with   sweat   as   she   bent   over,   scrubbing   at   the   orange   still   smeared   on   the   steps   of   the   library.   at   least   it   looked   orange   to   her.   truthfully,   she'd   been   scrubbing   so   long   she   didn't   think   to   take   a   break.   it   only   took   one   small   nudge   against   her   foot   to   set   her   off.   ❝   oh   my   god   !   don't   you   see   me   working   here   ?   ❞   her   voice   grew   in   volume   as   she   finally   lifted   her   body   up   to   rest   on   her   heels.   "   don't   you   see   the   mess   out   here   ?   who   did   you   think   was   going   to   clean   it   up   ?   i   know   new   york   is   small,   but   it   isn't   that   small   you   could   have   easily   went   around   me...───   ❞   a   pause   and   a   deep   breath   later   she   shakes   her   head.   ❝   it's   not   even   worth   it,   just   please   go.   inside,   further   down   the   sidewalk,   back   where   you   came,   just   somewhere   other   than   here.   ❞   with   her   peace   said   she   hunched   back   over,   viciously   rubbing   at   a   spot   that   just   wouldn't   get   clean.