Chapter four

The school didn't seem so bad now that I have a friend, we both got picked on earlier but it wasn't as bad as it was when it was only me, I was smiling. I was happy, maybe this is a sign for me.

We got onto the bus laughing like maniacs.

"That's the worst dad joke I've ever heard." Everyone was looking at us like we were fools, not that we aren't but gosh.

"Okay, I have another one."

"Why is a fish so smart?" Her face was red from laughing so much.

"Why?" I asked anticipating a hilarious reply.

"Because it lives in school." We both burst into a fit of laughter. I can't remember when last I laughed this hard, our laughter died down and we burst into another fit again.

"You both are freaks." We heard someone say and we laughed even harder, Melody even hit her head on the bus window but that didn't kill our joy.

"I'm so glad I met you," I said as our laughter died down.

"Yeah."

"Hey, there is this funfair going on in the outskirt of town on Wednesday. This town, Ojai is not that big so it's not that far."

"I've never been to a funfair before, and I don't think I can go especially with this face." I chuckled darkly. It's been so long since I've gone to a fair that I can't recall what goes on there, it's safe to say I've never been there.

"Come on girl, you're stuck with this face so accept it and live your life, if you keep thinking about what people say about you and let it get to you, you ain't going to move forward girl. Whenever someone says bullshit to you, just give them the middle finger and walk away life isn't that hard, you're living for yourself, not for them so live your life to the fullest." Her words encouraged me very much.

"Thanks, I'll think about it." I lowered my head about to start wallowing in self-pity.

"Come on girl, I had practiced those lines so in case you said no for that reason, please don't let my effort go to waste." She pleaded with a pout and I laughed maniacally at her.

"Alright fine, you've convinced me."

"Yay!" She cheered throwing her hands up in the hair.

"But I'm not yet sure I'll come, I still have to ask my parents, and whatever they say I'll get back to you." I doubt my mom will allow and my dad, he's a useless drunk. Always sleeping around mom is the one who runs the house and takes care of Adam and I, it's no use asking him.

"Oh okay, can I have your number then?"

"Yes sure." We exchanged numbers and began chatting again. I pray mom allows me to go, I have a good feeling about this fun fair thing.

"So what do I wear to this funfair?" The last thing I want is to wear a dinner gown or dress inappropriately.

"Just wear a casual outfit, that'll do."

"Alright." We started chatting after that, so her crush is jb that's the short form of Justin Bieber.

"What's so special about him?"

"Are you for real?! You can't be serious." She feigned a gasp and placed her hand over her chest.

"His songs are nice and he's cute so what?" I almost fainted as I said that, dramatic much.

"His concert is on Saturday and I'm going so you're going to come with me." She stated firmly not leaving any room for argument.

"No, I'm not."

"Yes you are, 'cause I can't begin to explain all the things that make him so amazing hence you have to go with me so you can see it for yourself." She explained and I thought it over in my head.

"Alright but will still have to ask my parents about it."

"I'm sure they will say yes," 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' "everyone is a fan of JB." She was so sure if only she knew how my parents are.

The bus came to a halt at my house "here is my stop." I announced as I grabbed my bag.

"Alright, see you tomorrow." I got up and started walking to the exit.

"Bye."

"Move it." Adam snapped shoving me out of the way.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?!!" Melody was about to lunge at him from her seat.

"It's nothing, ignore him."

"Now that you have a friend we won't know peace." One of Adam's friends murmured.

"You won't know peace!! You won't." I said as I got down from the bus but not before giving melody the last wave.

I got into my house and I felt something hard hit my bag, I turned to see my mom with a whip, I stared at her with wide eyes, her eyes were red and swollen, I could see steam coming out of her ears and feel the anger rolling off her in waves.

"What d—" thank God I was saved by my bag, what if I wasn't wearing my bag, I'd be rolling on the floor right now. That whip looks like the one they use to torture criminals.

"What was that for? What did I do wrong this time? I come home and this is how you say 'welcome my daughter'?" This was outrageous.

"Is it because of this morning? If that's the reason then I'm sorry, and I gave him back his lunch in the bus you can as—"

"Get out of my house now!!!" She commanded. I was taken aback by her outburst, I took long strides back.

"What did I do wrong?" I asked confusion filled me.

"I hate you! You're my greatest regret." I felt a pang in my chest and tears filled my eyes.

"What did I do wrong?" I allowed the tears to roll freely down my cheeks.

"After all you've done to my family you have the guts to be happy, to be smiling with your so-called friends. Just go take a look at your sister in her room, look at what she became because of you, she can't smile, can't walk, can't do anything and you...you were busy laughing and making friends, instead of you spending the rest of your life cursing yourself for what you did to your sister my precious daughter instead you're doing the opposite." My mouth hung open and I stared at her in shock, what was she saying to me? And most importantly why?

"You're cold and heartless maybe that's why God made you like this, to punish you, you deserve everything bad that's going on with you, you deserve even worse than that and I'll ensure you get exactly what you deserve." She dropped the whip on the ground and walked to her room. I just stared in space and I turned to my right just to see Adam standing there with a stoic expression, I mirrored his expression but let my tears fall freely down my cheeks.

He walked away after a few seconds "he reported me to mom, he told her that I was happy as though that's a bad thing, he's not that different from her, I sobbed silently as I walked to my room with my head hanging.

I should never have stood up to her that day, why did I? I'm so stupid.

I slammed my room door behind me and locked it, I threw my bag on the floor and plopped on my bed. I hugged my pillow tight and began to cry my eyes out.

If you were with Alexia right now what would you tell her?

I sincerely hope y'all are enjoying this book, tell me what you think in the comment box and please do tap on that little star and also share.

I'm dedicating this chapter to my baby EstherX8