Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
There were so many incidents where he’d made me feel like shit but one particular incident would always stand out.
“Who gives a pop quiz on the first week of school. This is our senior year, are the teachers supposed to take it easy on us?” Lea groaned
“Some teachers feel like they have something to prove. Besides, I told you not to take Calculus 2. I took it last year and it was just hard for no damn reason. I barely passed it and it messed up my GPA.”
Lea waves her hand dismissively. “You still have an A average. Besides, I thought it would look better on my college transcripts.”
“And now you have to suffer through it for the rest of the semester.”
“Booooo.”
I laugh as we head to the cafeteria. My dad still packs my lunch even though I’m capable of doing it myself but he always puts something good in my lunch bag so I don’t mind. I preferred eating outside on the bleachers because there were less people competing to be heard. But today is too damn hot.
“You look super cute, by the way. I forgot to mention it when I picked you this morning.”
I couldn’t keep the grin off my feet. For once I actually felt cute. I’m not crazy about shopping because it’s hard to find clothes that I like in my size and the ones that are, are usually expensive. I found this dress when my dad had given me money to go back to school shopping. By some miracle not only was it my size but it had been on sale.
It was a yellow mini, off the shoulder sundress that molded my breasts in a way that made them stand out while not being inappropriate for school. The skirt part, fell just above my knees I pair it with some mint green combat boots I’d found In a thrift shop.
My hair, which I usually wear in one big puff is parted into too large afro puffs. My makeup is subtle but I’ve finally managed to master giving myself the cat-eye effect with my eyeliner.
“Thanks friend. I found it at the mall in a boutique that just opened”
“I’ll have to check that place out.”
“I think you’ll like it. They had a bunch of outfits you’ll probably like at some decent prices.”
We chat on our way to an empty table in the back of the cafeteria.
“What the fuck are you wearing?” The words are spoken so loudly, a hush falls over the crowd in the cafeteria. I didn’t see who’d said it but I knew who that voice belonged to and that the question was directed to me.”
I want to keep walking but my steps falter and I nearly stumble. Lea catches me by the arm and holds me steady.
“Just ignore, him girl,” Lea says just loud enough for only me to hear. She attempts to pull me along but I’m frozen to the spot.
Although I have a couple classes with him this year, I’ve managed to stay off Jackson’s radar until now.
“I said what the hell are you wearing?” Jackson demanded like he was the head of the fashion police.
“I can’t believe she found a dress big enough to fit her. She looks like a big mustard stain,” Teagan’s voice rings out followed by the roar of laugher from the students who’d heard her cruel taunt.
I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of my tears but to my humiliation, they sprang to my eyes. I dropped my lunch bag and turned on my heel.
“Don’t wear that shit again,” Jackson calls after me as I race out the cafeteria with Lea trailing behind me.
And even though I loved that dress when I’d bought it. I never wore it again.
How could I possibly take Jackson seriously when he used to do things like that to me? He had no problem embarrassing me that day and many other times yet somehow, I had to rely on his largess to help my family out of this dire situation.
“Sweetheart, how long are you going to frown over that paperwork. You should get some rest. And I’ll make you something to eat.”
My father places his hand on my shoulder and brings me back to the present.
“Dad, you’re the one who should be in bed resting. “You’ve only just gotten out of the hospital and the doctor wants you to take it easy,” I scold him lightly.
“I’ve been in bed most of the day and there’s only so much resting I can do.” He takes a seat across from me at the kitchen table.
“Don’t even think about cooking anything for me. I can make something for you. How about some baked chicken, rice and string beans. That should be easy on your stomach. I can get started on it now.”
Just as I’m about to get up, he points to my chair. “Sit down, Zora. It think it’s time for the two of us to have a little chat.”