Supposed to be working on my geography assignment but I had to slip back here as promised. 
So, here you go!
Chapter Seven
“Ring of Keys”
(Levina’s POV)
My heart races as I tuck away the photograph in my pocket. I feel like I’ve just discovered someone’s dirty little secret, only now I need to find out if it’s true…and I know just how to do it.
The next morning, I watch from outside the lobby while my mother hides a ring of keys in the bosom of her shirt and places dark shades on the bridge of her nose. When she emerges, I scuff my feet nonchalantly, hoping to gain her attention. She hears the noise and turns sharply on me.
“Levina! You should be at Flo’s by now! What are you doing here so late in the morning? Get on already!” she says with lingering surprise and annoyance.
I give rushed apology and high-tail it over to Flo’s house.
Halfway through my lesson, I excuse myself to the bathroom. I pull out the picture from yesterday and stare long and hard at it. I poise my head at an angle and look into the mirror. A medium-build girl with straggly, light brown hair gazes back at me. Then something strikes me; my eyes. I look down at the photo and back to the mirror.
I’ve got his eyes… I think to myself with disbelief. The frame of his face, the height of his cheekbones, it all matches up quite closely to my own. I had a hunch about it, but now I’m positive this man is my father. He doesn’t look like a criminal. I don’t know what secrets Mom has been keeping all this time, but I’m going to find out.
I soak my face with icy cold water and then pat it dry, leaving my skin feeling clammy. I exit the bathroom in a sluggish manner and tell Flo I’m feeling ill. She nods with concern and cuts class short to help me back to my room at the motel.
“Now, you just lie here and rest. Are you sure you’ll be OK on your own honey?” she asks as she fluffs up my pillow.
I try not to nod too eagerly and reply, “Yes. I think it’s just the heat.”
Flo frowns at me but leaves without further question. I wait a decent interval before clamoring from the bed. I open the drapes and pull a chair close to the window. I sit down and peek through the slits of the blinds.
I wait for what feels like, and probably is, hours. I finally see my mother enter the lobby and shortly after reappear outside. I watch her call greetings to Red and then walk off to Doc’s clinic. When she passes through the clinic doors I prepare for my escape. I heap the blankets up to look fuller on the bed, lock the door and bolt for the lobby.
Inside the lobby, I make a beeline for the rear attached bedroom. The room smells sweet like my mother’s perfume, and I carefully step across the floor, being sure not to move anything out of place. I get to the bedside table and pull open the top drawer. I see a couple of lipstick tubes, a baby photo of myself, and a ring of keys.
I withdraw the keys and hold them delicately in the palm of my hand. I look up to the wall and see the license plate which boldly reads ‘301 PCE’. I clutch the keys tightly and dash for the door.
I personally don't like the second half of this story near as much as the first half but I hope you guys are still enjoying it. The next chapter is pretty short so I'll try to keep the wait at a minimum. This will hold you over 'til then. :wink: Thanks for reading! :slight_smile:
Yeah, the Sally/Vina relationship is a key point in this story, so I’m glad you’re seeing it!
Btw, can I use your first name on the forums or would you prefer not?
Just that it was normally good. 
Awww, pish posh. 
And for everything else, you’re welcome. 
And I know what you meant by ‘totes adorbs’ 
So, here ya go!