CHAPTER EIGHT

I woke up the next morning with a ravaging headache. I had cried so hard last night with Leo rocking me to sleep. I sat up, startled by the fact that Leo was here last night. I jumped out of bed, looking for any indication of his absence.

I felt my mood deflate. It was almost like he never came in and it was all just my imagination. I brushed my teeth and started to prepare for school. I wore my new uniform which had been tailored to my exact size this time.

I made my hair into two cornrows and applied gel to the edges. I used a little powder and some lipgloss. I just wanted a simple look today and was too lazy for anything more.

I walked downstairs to see Tim, who was dressed for work. He had made some pasta and chicken. I hugged Tim who greeted, ‘Morning, sis. How are you?’ ‘I am fine, thank you,’ I replied politely.

After a delicious breakfast, he dropped me at school. Kaffy and Trina were engrossed in a leaflet. I tapped both girls to greet them. After exchanging pleasantries, they showed me what they were reading.

It was a review of the pageantry competition that happened last night. ‘Babe, you really killed it. You would have been the best even with the lateness and if not because of Ann, that nasty old lady,’ Trina quipped.

I couldn’t even be that bothered because I was still exhausted as hell from last night. Just as we were about to leave, Mindy and her minions strutted towards us. I groaned inwardly as I was too exhausted to deal with her damn drama today.

‘Well, well, well, If it isn’t Mara Dawson, the pageant runaway princess,’ she smirked. Trina snorted at her childish antics. She continued, ‘You really are a gem. But why do you mingle with losers? You could join me. I’ll refine your talent and make something out of you. Don’t live off your past glory.’

Kaffy cut her off, ‘OMG! I thought you were a huge fan of Mara Dawson. How could you make her popular? She already is. And I know you have pictures of her on your wall and to think you bullied your Idol. You are a bad fan as well as a bad person. You couldn’t even recognize her. You really are hopeless. Bounce, bitch.’

I smiled,replying, ‘ I never knew you were a fan. I could spare you an autograph though I am rusty now. Where do you want it? On the chin? The hand? Where? I’m all yours.’

Embarrassed, Mindy snorted, ‘You will regret this!’ She wanted to say something else but she turned away instead, her minions following her like puppies.

Unfortunately for her, she bumped into someone holding a bucket of glitter. I stopped myself from laughing but of course,the ever savage Kaffy didn’t. She taunted, ‘Wow, Now your clown outfit is complete, baby doll. Perfect!’ Everyone began to snicker. For once, the Queen bee became the butt of the jokes

Angry, she screamed, her minions tried to help her but she pushed them away in anger. Just then, her six inches heel broke and she twisted her ankle. People started to snicker the more.

Kaffy was about to do something vicious but I lightly punched her, ‘Be nice, she has been through a lot in the span of two minutes. Don’t add salt to her wounds’ Kaffy laughed, ‘Oh poor baby! The horror in just two minutes! Seriously, chica, you are too soft. You pity her despite the evil she’s done. Well, that’s why you have me. I get to kick ass for you or you might not survive the real world out there.’

I looked at her weirdly, ‘Seriously, life is really not all about kicking ass and I did trash her ass.’ Trina laughed, ‘You call that trashing? Sit your ass down, sister. Let Kaffy handle that. She’s the savage, I’m the violence and you’re the sweet angel. Let’s keep it that way, okay?’

‘You have a lot to learn, Chica. Keep your eyes open during the competition. Remember, some bitches might be sabotaging,’Kaffy warned.

We were having so much fun when Kaffy got a text that left her leaving like she’d seen a ghost. She excused herself, saying there was an emergency at home.

After a long tedious day at school, I took the bus home. I was too tired to walk and was already worried about Kaffy. She wasn’t exactly the most expressive person in the world and her father was a little bit too strict and Kaffy, rebellious.

I was about to open the door to my home when I heard two voices arguing. It seemed Tim was yelling at someone. That was strange. Tim never yelled, he was always very calm. I heard another voice, a female’s… it sounded like mom’s…I mean Ann’s. She lost that right a long time ago.

They were arguing heatedly about…me

Tim: Stay the hell away from her or…

Ann: Or what? She’s my daughter. Mine! I gave her life.

Tim: What?! You left her! Abandoned her! For your information, I am her

parent !Her legal guardian.

Ann: You say you are protecting her but you are just like your father!

Tim: Don’t you dare! You know what? Just stay away from us. I’m going to bring

her up, better than you ever can. Hell! I am already doing a better job than

you ever did! Stay away!

Ann: I am your mother, you insolent child!

Tim: No, Ann. You gave up that right long ago.

He started to push her to the door. As soon as the door was opened, they met me, staring like a dumbstruck baby whose candy was stolen.

Immediately, Ann changed her facial expression to something more befitting for the cold stoic stone hearted queen she is.

Tim forced a smile that looked almost painful while Ann strutted out of our house. Tim turned away from me,’How much did you hear?’ ‘More than enough to know that you are hiding a lot from me,’ I sighed.

Tim held my hands, ‘Baby, you don’t need to worry your beautiful mind about unnecessary things.’ I tried to interrupt him but he cut me off, ‘Do you trust me?’

I smiled weakly, ‘Yes, I trust you.’ He rested his chin on my forehead and said, 'We’ll be fine, sis.’ Then, I realized by the intensity of his voice that I wasn’t the only one hurting. He had also lost his mother and had to take on the roles of both father and mother as soon as he was eighteen, a heavy burden. He had to be strong for both of us so he couldn’t show any weakness. I cried for the both of us.

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