AN: I'm not sure if you realise, and I don't remember if I've mentioned it before, but this book is set in Jamaica.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMJauhfL3M
***
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4EELD5QWh
It's Monday, the day that I am sentenced to return to the hell hole that is school.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse1459R48n
Okay, maybe I'm being a bit over dramatic. Just a tad.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f23bELed5
Today, I have the displeasure of being stuck in front of Mrs Griffin, a miserable old hag that is abusive as hell towards the students. She's dressed in a frilly blouse along with a jeans skirt, which could pass as normal. However, she's also wearing a large sombrero with a purple flower on the side. We are indoors. She's in charge of sixth form, and is supposed to organize things like outreach events, and college/university applications. We meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings, to discuss important matters, but instead, she's here bitching to us about her husband's younger, more attractive side chick. I can't truly hate her, because she obviously isn't well. A normal, sane, well adjusted person wouldn't do something like that. The room is hot, sixth formers sitting in rows on the ground, looking at her, some in interest, some in amusement, and others, like myself, in boredom.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUIuNxHn4w
Sometimes, she talks about her children, other times, she talks about her religious beliefs (she's a devout Christian), but she hardly ever talks about things that actually concern us. I'm honestly waiting for the day when someone gets tired of her bullshit and calls her out.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXmSgJ9i8c
"Sorry to interrupt you, miss, but I really don't care about your married life," a girl in the front says.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmUdKH1zAL
Well, I guess that day is today.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5NbQLXRDU
She has long, kinky hair, and her arm which she is using to lean on - the part of her body that is visible to me from where I am, in the middle - is dark skinned. She looks petite.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWe7v7ZLM5
"Bomboclaat," I hear a boy beside me say, before chuckling.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iwzTzrPPD
Mrs Griffith has a look of complete surprise on her old, leathery face, before it becomes a look of outrage. She's generally ugly, but she's hideous when she's angry.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHewcfjNoHO
"Young lady," she heaves, her chest rising and falling with each breath, "how dare you?"
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JKDmG4eHU
"How dare I tell you that I'm not interested in your personal business? How dare I ask that you talk about our issues?"
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bwYcp456o
"You have detention tomorrow afternoon!" she shouts, her eyes bulging, her medium brown complexion taking on a purplish shade from her anger.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU7mYDzBDL
The girl simply laughs.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGHBuYAWrh
"And I'm sure Ms Smith will side with you when I tell her yuh been nyaming out we ears ova yuh husband matey," the girl says. A chorus of "Oooh" s, mixed with some profanities, ring out throughout the room.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDES2FKgb6y
Ms Smith is the principal, and I kinda wonder to myself why no one has complained about Mrs Griffith. She's a no nonsense woman, and I don't see her letting Mrs Griffith get away with this shit.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhkJRnPzLG
Mrs Griffith's expression changes from anger to fear in a split second, before swallowing. When she finally speaks again, she sounds both fearful and hostile.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU2elUXesW
"Okay, then what do you want to talk about?"
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTK9wSvimc
"For one, I want to sign up for university, and I'd like some assistance in deciding which ones. Additionally, one of the boy's bathrooms isn't working."
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6XmQi8g5C
"Yes, miss, di t'ree tailit dem cyaa flush," one boy chimes in.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm86dH2wvP
"Me waa apply fa university tu, miss," another boy says.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQnJNgk43m
More students voice their opinions, before Mrs Griffith cuts them off.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Akjf60RW3
"Alright! Raise your hands, and I'll get to all of you." She looks unhappy that she is finally required to do her actual job. Before she can finish answering questions, however, the bell rings. I can actually see the relief in her eyes, now that she doesn't have to talk to us about our issues anymore.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jDK7faCuB
"Come to my office at lunch time if you need anything." Some of the students grumble, because we know that she's probably going to lock her office door and pretend that she isn't there, as she stuffs her oversized gut with two full plates of food. I have observed her taking two plates into her office, along with a Diet Coke (she told us she drinks it because she's watching her figure) under her arm, and later, walking back to the staff room,with two empty plates, sometimes with bones or scraps depending on what she ate. Either she eats way more than she needs to, or she has some poor soul imprisoned in her office. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be all that surprised if she did.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWkY4WS09h
As we exit the room, I realise that the girl who spoke up and interrupted that crazy woman is actually in my Chemistry class. We make eye contact, and when we do, sue walks over to me.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77pmooaViY
"Hey, Emma. Willie told me that you agreed to work with us on our chemistry project." I'm about to ask her who that is, until I remember that the guy I spoke to about the project is named William. No clue what this girl's name is, though.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0oWMvnJw6
"Yeah, he said two other people," I respond.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQOb4nWYc
"Me - I'm Rebecca - and Ethan. He's a bit awkward, but you get used to it over time."
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4V7aEXLIE
"Okay."
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwRDqkQv6h
"Well, I guess I'll see you around, Emma," she says, smiling before turning and walking away.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZiVEmPl7v
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFBfWPjqrt
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwCRgW3NQS
***
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BgHjLvkQ3
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIfABGRfGp
Usually, on a Monday, I'd be used to coming home from school and seeing my brother alone. It has become a routine, and I know that it will change in a few weeks, due to him changing jobs. That's what I'm thinking about as I'm going home, on the bus. Thankfully, this time, the body odour of the people on the bus isn't as pungent as it was on Friday. It's still bad, due to the heat, and some of these people having endured hours of relatively high temperatures in their workplaces, if there was no air conditioning. There are air conditioning vents on the bus, and I assume that they are in, but the bus is so full, I can only feel heat. I fully intend to shower as soon as I get home, but as I walk into the house, I am greeted by the sight of Damien sitting on the couch, with a woman beside him. They still have smiles on their faces, from whatever they were talking about or doing, when they look up to see me standing there.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJR8idUrgv
"Uh he-hello," I say to them awkwardly, with an equally awkward wave.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr48W9RENO5
"Hey, Emma," he says cheerfully. I haven't seen him this happy in a while. "This is Opal. She works at the deli with me."
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx21W76lwn
I already like her. I like anyone that can put a genuine smile on my brother's face. It reminds me of how he used to be. Before.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KLXeYV6zo
"Oh, okay," I reply. Now, I'm smiling, too.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU9o38dSdW
"We're dating, so you might see her around more."
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjYYuZzl3j
"Cool. I have to shower, I feel kinda gross," I tell him, before going upstairs to the bathroom.
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3v1zMflyI
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ixGWer5Ac
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qcMRdpsEj
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwoyF7JeDF
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyzNdw3GZS
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIJdkuPWh0
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvy0rdc6Sf
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNuF6BIV1U
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuilBe8Ajbr
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWucrwTD1ID
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWDgFRmLys
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc58xrwA5H
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDpQZEGEcs
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k7kTIkRup
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZkCYLyjto
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dUKQDsliy
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUGJ9zEKc8
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YLsnerN73
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLgzF5spDv
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UWT7cMSG
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEceXz9zWg
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgupcFXGXG
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MpzxpSSgQ
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzNCbd8jTK
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNiM2IPnVx
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z3C2IjNxd
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOKg0gkqKv
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0Rq77MZE
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BRDc5Fnlr
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tWn63Lvgq
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJMxZtqY3
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVF1QlyFz6
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxx77a6sI9
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AbjUt2CuJ
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIZ5jTsELD
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjCP83J1PR
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuKaTShnP1
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoj1klii79
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ViZCh9PBc
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLSZBLvImb
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6GmRzNsO1
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LqZIDPxt0
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7InK9PoKsq
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZO1HtlnWL
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oGygipWBx
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpyOGB8Foq
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZsxlXkTa
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakvC5IWFHG
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d0cLGxmzq
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvDhPDzC9W
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg40wilVpgp
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJacjxzdaUQ
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo1agHUcEf
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyboYAbrg7P
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy8MjinpA2
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4OYea8DIE
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wSMCTtMNj
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzKSXosFvF
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU6XumsGtC
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmy95qRPiB
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscqLjIINmF
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9hF2ILjk
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3QBypNNnN
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EXei71dPv
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4nmExsiDg
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOLcAdUayF
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKTaihRzfG
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeRcbh6p7v
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSDOth5T81
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX0osxdWlu
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBXgHclSfW
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmnDTvLPKS
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ieLSk1a5
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4UGCcsVJF
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zNZBh29MW
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qQ59oqBTH
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvepIsXdiP
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnjs1VbfAX
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DKx4wRyBl
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL04T1HJKhU
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaknAQO0Z2U
1118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjFSsdCptZ
I have to admit, it's nice to see Damien having some amount of happiness, even if I'm not the one to bring it to him. When the warm water hits my skin, I feel relief, almost instantly feel cleaner, feel happier. However, the happiness is also a reflection of the joy I saw in my brother moments ago, joy that reminds me of the happy Damien I used to know.
ns216.73.216.38da2
and then Add to home screen.