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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I01rLiXsi
"Nya, why did you leave?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90x2pQZxtM
"You didn't say I couldn't," I answered. Stupid excuse coming from a stupid girl. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDKo5wpA0l
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnbW5MOZC4
"How are you so sure it's contagious?" 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYPNmuW0eS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUbllaDPvq
After that, I wasn't allowed - haven't been allowed - to leave the house.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pHlqK7wvC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksri7gTXcF
And he refused to let it go.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4qUKJMOw5
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlqQ9HJAG0
"Where are you going to get oxtail to cook?" I asked him.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9bf1sh4ga
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgJ2mO7U9Q
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja7c4oDzjh
"No," I refused, shaking my head fiercely. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAsLeeYBmw
"Nya," he warned.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgIgUPJtEw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexHW5iZGqX
"What?" I ask him, pulling the bone from my mouth.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXrof7h5mL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr0KWuBMmJ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNW63iEzAk
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkw1Qz74FO
"Sit," he commands, and for some unknown, God given reason, I am compelled to obey.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F0q3g6cd8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9VtXYolq5
"About seeing my mother," I start.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXy4enqDOi
"I haven't told her anything. I figured that you'd want to tell her yourself."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KLYAFYQ8M
I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was holding.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBLoo2dPYw
"You're right. Thank you." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M4AJrRtna
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9QHd2Awuo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jwXVpLJHT
"That's considerate of you, but what will you be doing here in the meantime?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB0iLx8CMh
I chew my lip and think about that.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80pTAporYc
"Binge watching something?" The idea sounds pathetic to my own ears.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0acQQgk7d
"How about we play a game?" he asks gently.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKqO1jwyCv
"What game?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ipe42ZkNH
"An honesty game. It's a way of getting to know each other." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEfbBs7dh6
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMVXBEDmt3
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuHMCHy05g
"So you're like an almost friend?" I ask hopefully. That's getting somewhere, right?910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSVjRMzjXP
He cocks His head to the side, thinking about it, before showing off a half smile. "I guess."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Uyt3ETTV
"So how does this game work?" I ask him, intrigued.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnhnxbCgfp
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiQ5NHV5kn
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gh4pTyuUK
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CF3FBfSIc
"I would always celebrate my family members' birthdays. You?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHxMzC22Tv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYBxnXBXz3
"Giving my mother a second chance."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hNDEjG0TK
That stops him cold.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhXeQUrs2t
"You expected me to be nicer, didn't you?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Thejtnji
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVjxfGUhy
"Well, uh, why don't we both find something nice to do? Something selfless."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS0Qq1B98o
"Why?" I ask in complete confusion.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqaddDShqI
"People say that it feels good."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VG9IpecKf
"Do you really believe that it would do that for me?" I question him, my voice thick with doubt.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF1c6J3BmX
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC9aOL59fn
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSKrCC7zRv
He looks at me darkly.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzyN0hL3VU
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjym67a1ylq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ydpCXZ9w
"To being charitable."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UfZSiDyA5
"From the bottom of our hearts," he says, also raising his glass, and then touching it to mine.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrxc8EDEeg
He smiles at me and then clears his throat. "Back to the game."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs5zUoeMQ9
Right," I reply. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIxLmU0mO2
"My turn," he states. "What's your date of birth? You know mine, but I don't know yours."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeu6PONjS4
"July 7, 1997," I reply. "We have the same birthday."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFXJXvTrBi
"Huh. That's cool."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tASN0kiE
"Um... favourite drink?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02GhYIyHZ0
"As a cow or human?" he asks.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcweeyrRxnu
"Both, I guess."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGSFPiu1sT
"Um, as a cow, I like water. Clean water. As a human, I like Red Stripe, 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyvuoTSEbW
910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybxKJ8Kwe2
Sorrel or lemon flavor, depending on my mood."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p2abtUDLr
"Wow," I murmur. "Same for me. As a human, I mean."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBDZ0HWZto
He grins at me, the smile lighting up his face. "I guess we're not that different after all."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7QXfKfg6Y
***910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD6y80y3gx
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pdhp0Ca81
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7MRobiHu3
"There has to be something," he replies. "What about food?" he asks.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl3v5qz0Kr
"People have food allergies, and celiac, and stuff like that."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6GeFydqH8
"So we buy a variety of foods."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAuhiE4KsI
"With what money?" I ask him. Has he forgotten that I'm a waitress?910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl3boqpWSX
He sighs in frustration.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatwMbJmSbO
"Well, we could go to a children's home and read for them," I suggest.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZeWklnsV8
"I hate children."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡembYh3xdwu
"It's not about what you like, Kwamé."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gFOdL3kTf
He grumbles incoherently under his breath, screwing up his face like a spoilt child.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqemfBixOl
"You must be able to get over your distaste of children for one day, just for the sake of charity."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Cmz5Oh0i
"I don't know if I can," he grumbles.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5ElXLMBG7
"Yeah, you can. You just have to try."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot71uwxLBL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQJshEu1Bk
"Fine. What day?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8dqV6Q7sW
"How about next Wednesday?" I suggest hopefully.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeqbwQJCYA
"Okay. I'll bring some books."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybkVp9sFFO
"You aren't reading?" I ask him.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS348ZYJEN
"I've forgotten how to read."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52UcgvP0Ek
"That's crap. You were using my phone this morning."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dd1q25gAC
"I swore that I wouldn't let you see me like this again."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCtbNcr2dv
"That's a terrible excuse. And how would you bring the books?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwntvd7xK
"Cart," he replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp2kDUha8f
"Kwamé-" 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs1UMCIPyJ
"I'm not good for children."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvivlNWrWT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmuK41OgzF
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM35IYUEm9
"I'm evil," he reminds me.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYHHBnawbz
"Don't start with that again," I scold him. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6sQMJoqUn
"Children can sense evil, you know." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiqD9eY4KX
Yes I do. That's how I knew that my foster mum was off, not evil, but far from good. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut4DbTwg9c
"Just be your normal, sweet self. They'll love you."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfHDNE7CLF
"You think?" he asks me with great skepticism.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDUSS2mb3x
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygwD7wN32R
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3mmG5kPZs
"I think I'll be good to visit my mother tomorrow. The day after at latest."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NYXYYUWeH
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzSKKfKxhA
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2b0E1TM3z
"So... what do you want to talk about with her tomorrow?" he questions, taking a sip of his fruit punch.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFdNAYOV23
"I don't know. Probably try to find out exactly why she left me. She was pretty vague last time."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYFAGdg2Oc
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlARVMBqq18
"More magic?" I ask him cautiously.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBkaSskPTZ
"Way too much for you right now."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP67Ic18OM
"I can handle it," I insist although I'm far from sure.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDAQApUczv
"Well, you can ask her, but I doubt that she'll tell you."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KKRKRVrHA
Sighing, I rest my head against the back of the couch.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShxcYROjd9
"Well, it's her decision as to whether or not she wants to open up to me."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7bcDiRKNG
"There are other ways to open up to someone," he insists, trying to defend his friend. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ9d7eAotY
"Okay fine. I'll accept her decision, but I'll still ask. That's okay?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNWXAQFAv3
"Yeah," he replies, nodding his head in agreement. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5VLrzld0m
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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