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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qiO0JfMcM
"Nya, why did you leave?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMV6r1MG6S
"You didn't say I couldn't," I answered. Stupid excuse coming from a stupid girl. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8PTfoxU7f
"I'm very sure you knew that I wouldn't have wanted you to go, and what if you got someone else sick?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4sSemvv8A
"How are you so sure it's contagious?" 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa6sWfFqyT
"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."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXN07MZH9n
After that, I wasn't allowed - haven't been allowed - to leave the house.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNkULHaxQ9
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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufU2UGJTLr
And he refused to let it go.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBuYIajNFV
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie9EaDBtZR
"Where are you going to get oxtail to cook?" I asked him.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuKtmzlZrN
"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."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdeaNPlNQV
Like mother, like daughter. But how does she even afford that? Come to think about it... what does Akatua do as a job? 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHZVE41bQO
"No," I refused, shaking my head fiercely. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLw6wVsE6Y
"Nya," he warned.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJaMTK3tmL
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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZCZXp5i5N
"What?" I ask him, pulling the bone from my mouth.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48BpRffTPL
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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe75YDl9xt
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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOKKyuo6r9
"Thank you again, Kwamé" I say to him, preparing to take my plate to the kitchen. Of course, he beats me to it.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JQfIxBC3p
"Sit," he commands, and for some unknown, God given reason, I am compelled to obey.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbu6aCePIj
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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U4xohrKWL
"About seeing my mother," I start.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySWx1tPIFW
"I haven't told her anything. I figured that you'd want to tell her yourself."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4g4R2qCL6
I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was holding.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfqsXRrCpi
"You're right. Thank you." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2joQMgycw2
"Well, it's your right," he says, bringing me some chewable vitamins and sitting on the couch beside me. "Are you feeling better?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRRx1kmDVL
"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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9LOGjBRDO
"That's considerate of you, but what will you be doing here in the meantime?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHa76pTqXZ
I chew my lip and think about that.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRgB2weFyn
"Binge watching something?" The idea sounds pathetic to my own ears.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeONKZyo71
"How about we play a game?" he asks gently.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLZlVl6xLQ
"What game?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0iSz4Kv27
"An honesty game. It's a way of getting to know each other." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ASqZ3oVIy
"I thought you said that you didn't want to be friends." Not that I mind being his friend. I'm just confused. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb8ALXQB1H
"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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWHpOtEfxV
"So you're like an almost friend?" I ask hopefully. That's getting somewhere, right?910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ014b2tsj5q
He cocks His head to the side, thinking about it, before showing off a half smile. "I guess."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRbYbsBHgi
"So how does this game work?" I ask him, intrigued.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2sxa4HLw
"You ask the other person something, and that person must answer honesty. It's also about trusting each other to be honest."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G6dlHWUq6
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9MB5w2Yxp
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItIPGZJyce
"I would always celebrate my family members' birthdays. You?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqGi4w8aMC
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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDXM0U1W4N
"Giving my mother a second chance."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfvQ539Bct
That stops him cold.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiLzE4jHNL
"You expected me to be nicer, didn't you?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hSzl7SOKp
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESRSv2flnj
"Well, uh, why don't we both find something nice to do? Something selfless."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ULiFL3hG
"Why?" I ask in complete confusion.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9xi5LM8VF
"People say that it feels good."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ3RTKk6tc
"Do you really believe that it would do that for me?" I question him, my voice thick with doubt.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWztf98mYkK
"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?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpaaPQLf1v
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnREZXkWfNP
He looks at me darkly.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavNTNewXtX
"There is no redemption for me. I've told you that already. Now, let's find something good to do with ourselves."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WMxwKDwxJ
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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL3eH0bYpc
"To being charitable."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb0wid8P3g
"From the bottom of our hearts," he says, also raising his glass, and then touching it to mine.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOmeMlpOZs
He smiles at me and then clears his throat. "Back to the game."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDtVl7Y8Ka
Right," I reply. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjjFYol7KE
"My turn," he states. "What's your date of birth? You know mine, but I don't know yours."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDfQ29DKip
"July 7, 1997," I reply. "We have the same birthday."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDaSDDV3Wb
"Huh. That's cool."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS1FqArF5T
"Um... favourite drink?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzmeYJCt4W
"As a cow or human?" he asks.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV5RFuV3YS
"Both, I guess."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5f5wyXMIW
"Um, as a cow, I like water. Clean water. As a human, I like Red Stripe, 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrVUVT6zZN
910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNq7Pb3Qrr
Sorrel or lemon flavor, depending on my mood."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9DwdrDChQ
"Wow," I murmur. "Same for me. As a human, I mean."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmZ1MLAZhh
He grins at me, the smile lighting up his face. "I guess we're not that different after all."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJllRa9Ca1
***910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOntfYaQWfM
"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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Jl7Ioah2
"Well, it's not like we're used to doing this," I defend weakly, the excuse sounding pathetic even to my own ears.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8o74D3qbY
"There has to be something," he replies. "What about food?" he asks.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rXbBwWqkU
"People have food allergies, and celiac, and stuff like that."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHjcyRw5lv
"So we buy a variety of foods."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXeHCZQOQ5
"With what money?" I ask him. Has he forgotten that I'm a waitress?910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1hRNJOV2M
He sighs in frustration.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyADRGoauo
"Well, we could go to a children's home and read for them," I suggest.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsGLnzIhX6
"I hate children."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnK5KG8ldP
"It's not about what you like, Kwamé."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pro9kyLrx
He grumbles incoherently under his breath, screwing up his face like a spoilt child.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RVt4ziCBH
"You must be able to get over your distaste of children for one day, just for the sake of charity."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF9vpLCblt
"I don't know if I can," he grumbles.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoWpGPARo3
"Yeah, you can. You just have to try."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJDWPZeneY
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?910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelVKABZN2c
"Fine. What day?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIX8UXeWfj
"How about next Wednesday?" I suggest hopefully.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDmzo0JIYs
"Okay. I'll bring some books."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQGXa0nBbW
"You aren't reading?" I ask him.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqLdCHvzv9
"I've forgotten how to read."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIf8RC4BZm
"That's crap. You were using my phone this morning."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNrUaLb6pC
"I swore that I wouldn't let you see me like this again."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx7gBo2Asi
"That's a terrible excuse. And how would you bring the books?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK3p3cVOop
"Cart," he replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrmtBxL814
"Kwamé-" 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhpWFgkEFH
"I'm not good for children."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxsx5s252G
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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1VQKG8LI1
"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."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AGcvo2U5a
"I'm evil," he reminds me.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJlsvDK04P
"Don't start with that again," I scold him. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9rgW7ueYt
"Children can sense evil, you know." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQo0MONc83
Yes I do. That's how I knew that my foster mum was off, not evil, but far from good. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAwjxygbEe
"Just be your normal, sweet self. They'll love you."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz8EJDzWe7
"You think?" he asks me with great skepticism.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFgmAf773J
"Just be nice. Trust me when I say, they'll love you," I tell him again, as if repeating the words will convince him. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bXXlY4OC6
"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. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UGJNdiYvG
"I think I'll be good to visit my mother tomorrow. The day after at latest."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QmjZZIWrI
"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."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlriPlavJz
"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.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwvo9cRaMz
"So... what do you want to talk about with her tomorrow?" he questions, taking a sip of his fruit punch.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHZUXquJWE
"I don't know. Probably try to find out exactly why she left me. She was pretty vague last time."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6DbKBcTR3
"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." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ARGGz3fj
"More magic?" I ask him cautiously.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyL7Kq6xn1
"Way too much for you right now."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhrQDNgKYz
"I can handle it," I insist although I'm far from sure.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1bsvJP4g4
"Well, you can ask her, but I doubt that she'll tell you."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLmT8cm1Wb
Sighing, I rest my head against the back of the couch.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK1sDsIDUt
"Well, it's her decision as to whether or not she wants to open up to me."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLwl87Ojr
"There are other ways to open up to someone," he insists, trying to defend his friend. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3P6tMSyQL
"Okay fine. I'll accept her decision, but I'll still ask. That's okay?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdxIzAGfrD
"Yeah," he replies, nodding his head in agreement. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VGxcc1b5q
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?
ns216.73.216.32da2
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