Kwamé has been here with me for the past three days. He's basically moved in, even carrying his own overnight clothes and toiletries, and he's given me more attention than any human has in it entire life. Then again, he isn't human. But that's not the point. The things he's done for me and the way that he's gone out of his way for me is truly touching. It's so serious that I had to sneak out to go to school yesterday, and while lying in bed, attempting to absorb what I had just read, he came in in just a towel hanging around his waist, looking quite upset.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqndIEBH98
"Nya, why did you leave?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL4nSwW7dx
"You didn't say I couldn't," I answered. Stupid excuse coming from a stupid girl. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b8uw5hGTJ
"I'm very sure you knew that I wouldn't have wanted you to go, and what if you got someone else sick?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWcy1vB90f
"How are you so sure it's contagious?" 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZqRUIGdZx
"You have the flu," he deadpanned. "Don't bother using "I've never been sick" as an excuse. You did CAPE bio and you're doing courses now, so I'm pretty sure you know the symptoms."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1enPWdvNRi
After that, I wasn't allowed - haven't been allowed - to leave the house.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZl0gkHw2x
I wonder how I'll ever be able to repay him, but then I remember that he's dead, and probably won't need much help with anything. He's been at my beck and call, and even when my pride keeps me from calling him, he somehow knows that I need him and comes to help me. An example of this is the time that I tried to cook myself breakfast. I've never been a great chef, but I refused to let him cook for me. I'm a grown woman, after all. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmSENw1fkj
And he refused to let it go.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hBdRBEhR6
"You can barely stand, Nya," he said to me yesterday morning. "Let me cook for you. Oxtail, your favourite." He probably figured it out because of the amount of times I brought it home.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLx5BRkIxP
"Where are you going to get oxtail to cook?" I asked him.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxkR20IGQx
"Meat shop," he said as if it should be obvious."And I don't need to, anyway, because Akatua has loads of it in her freezer. She eats it almost every day for lunch."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQhKl8R0vk
Like mother, like daughter. But how does she even afford that? Come to think about it... what does Akatua do as a job? 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPRaKFhuh1
"No," I refused, shaking my head fiercely. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH4xAnZurM
"Nya," he warned.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHhjeEF7I0
So of course, I caved. The same thing happened this morning, and here I am, sucking on oxtail bone in a way that only I can. I look up at him and notice him staring at me, as if I'm some peculiar specimen in a lab.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXL4WPutgK
"What?" I ask him, pulling the bone from my mouth.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa102CI2Pc6
He smiles to himself. "Nothing... You're just kinda cute, you know? In a fluffy bunny kinda way," he clarifies. I feel my cheeks beginning to heat up at the compliment. I'm not used to compliments on my appearance. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryYcbGdaOd
As a way of non-verbally changing the topic, mutter a quick "thank you" and then commence sucking on the bone again while looking at my plate. I do this with all the bones for approximately three minutes, before wiping my hands and mouth on the paper napkins on the tray.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKtRtbQWp8
"Thank you again, Kwamé" I say to him, preparing to take my plate to the kitchen. Of course, he beats me to it.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jYguQjxql
"Sit," he commands, and for some unknown, God given reason, I am compelled to obey.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqPPqeD9id
When he returns, he sits across from me, looking at me, waiting on me to speak. He probably sensed from my energy and read from my expression that I have something to say. And I do. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlO06XPU2I
"About seeing my mother," I start.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVShCvv3XWv
"I haven't told her anything. I figured that you'd want to tell her yourself."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkEersdt3G
I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was holding.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZvePCeUeo
"You're right. Thank you." 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkJagZ3O2l
"Well, it's your right," he says, bringing me some chewable vitamins and sitting on the couch beside me. "Are you feeling better?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcRoTmGP6I
"Yes," because of you, "but I don't want to visit her until I'm one hundred percent." I actually care about her health. I might have some resentment towards her, but I don't hate her. What Kwamé said to me about possibility infecting others stuck with me. I was so concerned with getting the answers that I wanted, I didn't think twice before going to UWI and spreading my germs all over the school. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOebepBmLEl
"That's considerate of you, but what will you be doing here in the meantime?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp2GiAH5NL
I chew my lip and think about that.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe7pAO1q8g
"Binge watching something?" The idea sounds pathetic to my own ears.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52NfbomFrE
"How about we play a game?" he asks gently.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1y0Fr4YO1
"What game?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XzC8rhtoe
"An honesty game. It's a way of getting to know each other." 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5pzOZazTA
"I thought you said that you didn't want to be friends." Not that I mind being his friend. I'm just confused. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwonWjBH4E
"This doesn't make us friends," he points out. "However, your social life is sad. You can't have binge watching and playing with your parrot as your only options." The way he says it makes me sound so... boring. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOggk2Dx2Pa
"So you're like an almost friend?" I ask hopefully. That's getting somewhere, right?920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HZlU0taO9
He cocks His head to the side, thinking about it, before showing off a half smile. "I guess."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTD8GLpSwP
"So how does this game work?" I ask him, intrigued.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtgnpbcV6p
"You ask the other person something, and that person must answer honesty. It's also about trusting each other to be honest."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZEmnSXgom
"Okay. That sounds easy enough," I tell him, sitting up straight. "Truth or dare without the dare." He nods, then gestures for me to start.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixC9EejdFj
"What's the best thing you've ever done?" I ask him. He looks off to the side pensively for a moment before turning back to me to answer.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjzoLLBPhT
"I would always celebrate my family members' birthdays. You?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7zuJuN323
Once again, he surprises me. I wasn't expecting to hear that. His unexpected answer throws me off, and it takes me a minute to recollect my thoughts.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z1WeOk0WZ
"Giving my mother a second chance."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hg3hChRCC
That stops him cold.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ7QsZA92O
"You expected me to be nicer, didn't you?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWriC0lSEX
"I didn't say that," he tells me, looking away. I know that he was expecting something like "feeding the poor" or "giving back to the children's home that I came from", but I'm not a nice person. I'm not bad either; I'm kind of neural.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CkmLMSFkx
"Well, uh, why don't we both find something nice to do? Something selfless."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXIXtB2dqa
"Why?" I ask in complete confusion.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Byl7jHp8j
"People say that it feels good."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGllFlwi7J
"Do you really believe that it would do that for me?" I question him, my voice thick with doubt.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZyMp4XLOY
"I don't know. To be honest, I've never tried it, but apparently, neither have you. So why don't we try this together?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY1FZs0YYY
"You think that it might redeem you?" I ask gently, not wanting to push him to talk about something that he doesn't want to.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhMxtLHVHw
He looks at me darkly.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWYN2pwgY2
"There is no redemption for me. I've told you that already. Now, let's find something good to do with ourselves."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenr2hPEkvR
I don't want to let it go, but I don't want to push him either. I want to try my best to not be a bitch. With that thought in mind, I nod in agreement, and raise my glass.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V7TZeoN31
"To being charitable."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIZwC4Bo0
"From the bottom of our hearts," he says, also raising his glass, and then touching it to mine.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbjna5w3sz
He smiles at me and then clears his throat. "Back to the game."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSkO4BZ9O4
Right," I reply. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg6snestTy
"My turn," he states. "What's your date of birth? You know mine, but I don't know yours."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGmMN96JRi
"July 7, 1997," I reply. "We have the same birthday."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKO73767w3
"Huh. That's cool."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sRUTkoizu
"Um... favourite drink?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLrduWJITF
"As a cow or human?" he asks.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvQdez0lkm
"Both, I guess."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TBznYLpLU
"Um, as a cow, I like water. Clean water. As a human, I like Red Stripe, 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ68bDl5NCX
920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEBif8v0tI
Sorrel or lemon flavor, depending on my mood."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtApe4icycz
"Wow," I murmur. "Same for me. As a human, I mean."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROKCJsphp
He grins at me, the smile lighting up his face. "I guess we're not that different after all."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDQqN6WgSR
***920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxUgGY3YWF
"We must really be awful," Kwamé mutters. We've been staring at the table for over an hour, a blank sheet of paper for "ideas" laying in front of us, each with a glass in hand. He has fruit punch, I have ginger ale. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCRcjH9ZpM
"Well, it's not like we're used to doing this," I defend weakly, the excuse sounding pathetic even to my own ears.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vCse6ffB9
"There has to be something," he replies. "What about food?" he asks.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAOJQKtkpy
"People have food allergies, and celiac, and stuff like that."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqyGmQWmTo
"So we buy a variety of foods."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5ZU4WVK5E
"With what money?" I ask him. Has he forgotten that I'm a waitress?920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHULPuFezO4
He sighs in frustration.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rg8uXqoio
"Well, we could go to a children's home and read for them," I suggest.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYxujyEdyy
"I hate children."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ltVLoC6W2
"It's not about what you like, Kwamé."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jxspjRQML
He grumbles incoherently under his breath, screwing up his face like a spoilt child.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJSH981Lh6
"You must be able to get over your distaste of children for one day, just for the sake of charity."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxNFeL64eq
"I don't know if I can," he grumbles.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGKj2WMPKs
"Yeah, you can. You just have to try."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDu70jauOy
He sighs heavily, as if I've just asked him to make some great sacrifice. It's not that serious. I mean, what does he even do with himself, apart from running up and down as a bull?920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSebbYGW96q
"Fine. What day?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBlgRGgSvs
"How about next Wednesday?" I suggest hopefully.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXKSjmLCiI
"Okay. I'll bring some books."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkQ9z9GM8e
"You aren't reading?" I ask him.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvfH8rGqfB
"I've forgotten how to read."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ljCWE4UNK
"That's crap. You were using my phone this morning."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6mcSlPtdX
"I swore that I wouldn't let you see me like this again."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMg3lyBgN9
"That's a terrible excuse. And how would you bring the books?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYAXWCsNLp
"Cart," he replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlU1jq0Rmp
"Kwamé-" 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSnCtRbLhH
"I'm not good for children."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FcLC9HREF
Ahh. That's why. It's in this moment that I realise that even though he planned on helping me to organise the charitable act, he didn't want to help me execute it. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPee1dFqKjW
"You're not some demonic entity that will cause the children to vaporise," I tell him, although I know what he means. "The kids will be fine."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhKddYioVP
"I'm evil," he reminds me.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAtmxxHWCM
"Don't start with that again," I scold him. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LeIkUoPQN
"Children can sense evil, you know." 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCAeqnJ1Tu
Yes I do. That's how I knew that my foster mum was off, not evil, but far from good. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaJfrYdgJq
"Just be your normal, sweet self. They'll love you."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEwACAW0nm
"You think?" he asks me with great skepticism.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu8zu2kqL9
"Just be nice. Trust me when I say, they'll love you," I tell him again, as if repeating the words will convince him. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyCVcvIZro
"Okay," he concedes in a tone that tells me that me that he doesn't want to talk about this anymore. In an effort to ease his discomfort, I talk about something else. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7vgSG5ADM
"I think I'll be good to visit my mother tomorrow. The day after at latest."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHyY5wuvcd
"She'd love that," he says earnestly, seeming genuinely happy about my newfound desire to see this woman. "She's not pleased about the way that things turned out the last time you two spoke."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs62gDmPMb
"Nor am I," I confess, looking down at my fingers. If I'm going to be truthful with myself, I'm a little bit ashamed of my behaviour. Looking back, I was a little overdramatic. It doesn't matter; I'll try to make an effort from now on.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToJCdGzlEP
"So... what do you want to talk about with her tomorrow?" he questions, taking a sip of his fruit punch.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE8HO3y2Qb
"I don't know. Probably try to find out exactly why she left me. She was pretty vague last time."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D4J1Khw3V
"I don't know if you're ready for that yet," he tells me, setting his glass down as if ready to have a serious conversation. "With the way that you reacted last time, I'm not sure how you'll take it." 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXBGokSZn4
"More magic?" I ask him cautiously.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIolnTgdWs
"Way too much for you right now."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zUcdcvzdx
"I can handle it," I insist although I'm far from sure.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGzoGgFYor
"Well, you can ask her, but I doubt that she'll tell you."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngTa8zXJYn
Sighing, I rest my head against the back of the couch.920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsRTiJLPIg
"Well, it's her decision as to whether or not she wants to open up to me."920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YQlMYiYsf
"There are other ways to open up to someone," he insists, trying to defend his friend. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnGZ4FY9sG
"Okay fine. I'll accept her decision, but I'll still ask. That's okay?"920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6UqXyYOYx
"Yeah," he replies, nodding his head in agreement. 920Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl3cCgJV3O
I'm glad that he's conceded, but I can't help but wonder why he's being so strange about me finding out. I mean, how bad can it be?
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