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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD7RdHq2Rx
"Nya, why did you leave?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHChL0vqPX
"You didn't say I couldn't," I answered. Stupid excuse coming from a stupid girl. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWqThlyhO0
"I'm very sure you knew that I wouldn't have wanted you to go, and what if you got someone else sick?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zCF0gd6WS
"How are you so sure it's contagious?" 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNTWCGX1R0
"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."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8sTrH1hep
After that, I wasn't allowed - haven't been allowed - to leave the house.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VMsQj8438
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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhTXPTVDGx
And he refused to let it go.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGxUEfmTza
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDUcXrbE2G
"Where are you going to get oxtail to cook?" I asked him.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOF404PG2Q
"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."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJhZxIKa8Z
Like mother, like daughter. But how does she even afford that? Come to think about it... what does Akatua do as a job? 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmymHSmFFz
"No," I refused, shaking my head fiercely. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLz9jAleF8
"Nya," he warned.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRo2mwE9Qq
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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIokoUy3NpQ
"What?" I ask him, pulling the bone from my mouth.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtQ2QCchK4
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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JhCIi3K6t
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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJndbJibiw
"Thank you again, Kwamé" I say to him, preparing to take my plate to the kitchen. Of course, he beats me to it.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBCrt3B2G1
"Sit," he commands, and for some unknown, God given reason, I am compelled to obey.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ631IPPlPqU
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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA08e84ZcD
"About seeing my mother," I start.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ6svbwxVt
"I haven't told her anything. I figured that you'd want to tell her yourself."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30hiNReR2T
I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was holding.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8swQ3I4lRb
"You're right. Thank you." 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsaIr7bcIS
"Well, it's your right," he says, bringing me some chewable vitamins and sitting on the couch beside me. "Are you feeling better?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XERmdOn96
"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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G2S3AmVWX
"That's considerate of you, but what will you be doing here in the meantime?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEDgkeIAwJ
I chew my lip and think about that.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuZcPpgZnd
"Binge watching something?" The idea sounds pathetic to my own ears.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62FLaVmYrk
"How about we play a game?" he asks gently.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu4GNlzYjs
"What game?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQs1yP83aM
"An honesty game. It's a way of getting to know each other." 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkcA6MVzoS
"I thought you said that you didn't want to be friends." Not that I mind being his friend. I'm just confused. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHJuwH1vwP
"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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOg1WXGFbQ
"So you're like an almost friend?" I ask hopefully. That's getting somewhere, right?791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx64r0NcCe
He cocks His head to the side, thinking about it, before showing off a half smile. "I guess."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwikdnGUWZz
"So how does this game work?" I ask him, intrigued.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zLkVvfWVY
"You ask the other person something, and that person must answer honesty. It's also about trusting each other to be honest."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyixjHIorm
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNB6a3uoVk
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8VfKMphcS
"I would always celebrate my family members' birthdays. You?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr1lT4SBvl
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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqBCOqcoG
"Giving my mother a second chance."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOBnJ9f986
That stops him cold.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm06kAd8yU3
"You expected me to be nicer, didn't you?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy3I7sRUbD
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFkKmVJw1H
"Well, uh, why don't we both find something nice to do? Something selfless."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOr1kIZP4N
"Why?" I ask in complete confusion.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9fJvfAJNo
"People say that it feels good."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcGz8SRp8
"Do you really believe that it would do that for me?" I question him, my voice thick with doubt.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurY3msYdby
"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?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fotKra8pj
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhPFFgKi4J
He looks at me darkly.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhI0RWVy8K
"There is no redemption for me. I've told you that already. Now, let's find something good to do with ourselves."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡighIVm2KGD
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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDozTjna42
"To being charitable."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR7HlpDMGp
"From the bottom of our hearts," he says, also raising his glass, and then touching it to mine.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8NfWTeNR9
He smiles at me and then clears his throat. "Back to the game."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYGJB3KaPd
Right," I reply. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha7lCFLmvI
"My turn," he states. "What's your date of birth? You know mine, but I don't know yours."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7szEc7CKn
"July 7, 1997," I reply. "We have the same birthday."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQlIg4ySQI
"Huh. That's cool."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95kFJGe7mv
"Um... favourite drink?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0yEIvgsNC
"As a cow or human?" he asks.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PG1AW57xo
"Both, I guess."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeWk88Rr7t
"Um, as a cow, I like water. Clean water. As a human, I like Red Stripe, 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Rxfq4REK
791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O3xhACSq5
Sorrel or lemon flavor, depending on my mood."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvQQsorRdI
"Wow," I murmur. "Same for me. As a human, I mean."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD8SXPjwEK
He grins at me, the smile lighting up his face. "I guess we're not that different after all."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yiTkTqcok
***791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbvJAT61jh
"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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibbztfJG4q
"Well, it's not like we're used to doing this," I defend weakly, the excuse sounding pathetic even to my own ears.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUQ2Ap4Ga
"There has to be something," he replies. "What about food?" he asks.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy08iRyKcH
"People have food allergies, and celiac, and stuff like that."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQZrOHYP0b
"So we buy a variety of foods."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsMevW3cZq
"With what money?" I ask him. Has he forgotten that I'm a waitress?791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ9Mu4Rxyf
He sighs in frustration.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZNBFGEItg
"Well, we could go to a children's home and read for them," I suggest.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD2z9YMFp4
"I hate children."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dwrUJN5Eo
"It's not about what you like, Kwamé."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaORcgLSQW
He grumbles incoherently under his breath, screwing up his face like a spoilt child.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJTVHUDySH
"You must be able to get over your distaste of children for one day, just for the sake of charity."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4hFaVjftt
"I don't know if I can," he grumbles.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiwsEPebIl
"Yeah, you can. You just have to try."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWlkSLHaaf
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?791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRBIMIAwLB
"Fine. What day?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTMnWQAptr
"How about next Wednesday?" I suggest hopefully.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrJDiLpr54
"Okay. I'll bring some books."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4sGJpiSzX
"You aren't reading?" I ask him.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIiBoZggVf
"I've forgotten how to read."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMD52LR1E4
"That's crap. You were using my phone this morning."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDAFtCk264
"I swore that I wouldn't let you see me like this again."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUq9eL9YC0
"That's a terrible excuse. And how would you bring the books?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf6aXR8ND1
"Cart," he replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CA6yrYOJr
"Kwamé-" 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlskZlK1xT
"I'm not good for children."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiBOiNxp5Y
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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXSm6VSGqb
"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."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5xTfKDmd2
"I'm evil," he reminds me.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXJSzyfhB8
"Don't start with that again," I scold him. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwxx6RMXxP
"Children can sense evil, you know." 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxgm0JniP2
Yes I do. That's how I knew that my foster mum was off, not evil, but far from good. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5hLhj649G
"Just be your normal, sweet self. They'll love you."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mIxSQt9T
"You think?" he asks me with great skepticism.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUaXcHKBcY
"Just be nice. Trust me when I say, they'll love you," I tell him again, as if repeating the words will convince him. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhnbtylfvn
"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. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpUkumkXxM
"I think I'll be good to visit my mother tomorrow. The day after at latest."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mr4tsYMoY
"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."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6zMnQgyLf
"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.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKSYQzD6wq
"So... what do you want to talk about with her tomorrow?" he questions, taking a sip of his fruit punch.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHQ09Nsz9T
"I don't know. Probably try to find out exactly why she left me. She was pretty vague last time."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmbGrPdhIC
"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." 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc9AUbxKHm
"More magic?" I ask him cautiously.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Eyn3cYpS
"Way too much for you right now."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDw1FE8tqC
"I can handle it," I insist although I'm far from sure.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI082BzeQsa
"Well, you can ask her, but I doubt that she'll tell you."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUfM98QgCl
Sighing, I rest my head against the back of the couch.791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lAFvZwOWa
"Well, it's her decision as to whether or not she wants to open up to me."791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vt6Cza2QQ
"There are other ways to open up to someone," he insists, trying to defend his friend. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLCgAN1i6v
"Okay fine. I'll accept her decision, but I'll still ask. That's okay?"791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZHGyRTi9G
"Yeah," he replies, nodding his head in agreement. 791Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHR0cORxDX
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?
ns3.14.88.60da2
