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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQE20DGVkj
"Nya, why did you leave?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JaXIX3jG2
"You didn't say I couldn't," I answered. Stupid excuse coming from a stupid girl. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDSLDjUbxm
"I'm very sure you knew that I wouldn't have wanted you to go, and what if you got someone else sick?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0j3AQ8Hop
"How are you so sure it's contagious?" 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefl9kk0Hqd
"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."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpnPzovmGy
After that, I wasn't allowed - haven't been allowed - to leave the house.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYZ9IRTonL
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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY2HXiVuBf
And he refused to let it go.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3s4TaVDq2
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjeikPLyrW
"Where are you going to get oxtail to cook?" I asked him.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoLarYr6Cx
"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."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w2x8Gs7Q4
Like mother, like daughter. But how does she even afford that? Come to think about it... what does Akatua do as a job? 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lr6vDkpgT
"No," I refused, shaking my head fiercely. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXaCUHMZQ8
"Nya," he warned.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdM9lnk9gU
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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZDAs9VPKj
"What?" I ask him, pulling the bone from my mouth.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xI3jtR1Ud
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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHb4TvsR1T
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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMYyRrtsgt
"Thank you again, Kwamé" I say to him, preparing to take my plate to the kitchen. Of course, he beats me to it.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzUNN5awZ1
"Sit," he commands, and for some unknown, God given reason, I am compelled to obey.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZU0ev9gSN
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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrbtLGrGVA
"About seeing my mother," I start.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIYF5u3n5q
"I haven't told her anything. I figured that you'd want to tell her yourself."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjH7BwQ9Im
I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realise I was holding.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoC4T54B3e
"You're right. Thank you." 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqTk2JFX3f
"Well, it's your right," he says, bringing me some chewable vitamins and sitting on the couch beside me. "Are you feeling better?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkfGhsmHbb
"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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJE7PraSRh
"That's considerate of you, but what will you be doing here in the meantime?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP8Hmner9j
I chew my lip and think about that.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWguFvAkIA
"Binge watching something?" The idea sounds pathetic to my own ears.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiRcqPl3jA
"How about we play a game?" he asks gently.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumVphDD77Z
"What game?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsCRtbrr7O
"An honesty game. It's a way of getting to know each other." 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73swqseDLg
"I thought you said that you didn't want to be friends." Not that I mind being his friend. I'm just confused. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRCv8XT28y
"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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJBQ7APXvj
"So you're like an almost friend?" I ask hopefully. That's getting somewhere, right?925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MTRAnvHZu
He cocks His head to the side, thinking about it, before showing off a half smile. "I guess."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sm91Dx9dU
"So how does this game work?" I ask him, intrigued.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbBHhzwk5C
"You ask the other person something, and that person must answer honesty. It's also about trusting each other to be honest."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8kyIj8tFD
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu8I5FG1C9
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5z6NWwQqW
"I would always celebrate my family members' birthdays. You?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOPwhMeaMe
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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXWMfiVG0k
"Giving my mother a second chance."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpluwnWvSQL
That stops him cold.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywLSahMRQg
"You expected me to be nicer, didn't you?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQvh5mXHNb
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU8xitlBqE
"Well, uh, why don't we both find something nice to do? Something selfless."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9vVp8FkZG
"Why?" I ask in complete confusion.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Oj5e9SaS
"People say that it feels good."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGxsPkipVq
"Do you really believe that it would do that for me?" I question him, my voice thick with doubt.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wI5igx2sa
"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?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd4XB8xQKK
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejFdk8gRjY
He looks at me darkly.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8iLJsXxBQ
"There is no redemption for me. I've told you that already. Now, let's find something good to do with ourselves."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PWzPeiP8X
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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl2Gn0hgYT
"To being charitable."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFXdwMS4I0
"From the bottom of our hearts," he says, also raising his glass, and then touching it to mine.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz5ndj2GHh
He smiles at me and then clears his throat. "Back to the game."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqUNemQvDC
Right," I reply. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HedTh0GWZ
"My turn," he states. "What's your date of birth? You know mine, but I don't know yours."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlrD301X75
"July 7, 1997," I reply. "We have the same birthday."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSHjWcO9Z3
"Huh. That's cool."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8oc2BuY4l
"Um... favourite drink?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsEJF3drCQ
"As a cow or human?" he asks.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENZ1w384C2
"Both, I guess."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRsSFHYb49
"Um, as a cow, I like water. Clean water. As a human, I like Red Stripe, 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZYSc4IauQ
925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIt7dZsNkE
Sorrel or lemon flavor, depending on my mood."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDDpUinjKi
"Wow," I murmur. "Same for me. As a human, I mean."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi81Pn9GDn
He grins at me, the smile lighting up his face. "I guess we're not that different after all."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTJ1Hc8wYP
***925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGPJ3Lwlky
"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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTf9HS84MB
"Well, it's not like we're used to doing this," I defend weakly, the excuse sounding pathetic even to my own ears.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUW3PeiVCR
"There has to be something," he replies. "What about food?" he asks.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAVvStf9B4
"People have food allergies, and celiac, and stuff like that."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JQm0iWjVX
"So we buy a variety of foods."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rwDc7pNVL
"With what money?" I ask him. Has he forgotten that I'm a waitress?925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaykEm6s2CI
He sighs in frustration.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTBcMonVl3
"Well, we could go to a children's home and read for them," I suggest.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0upUlpCqX
"I hate children."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYilcxqfF9
"It's not about what you like, Kwamé."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgevpb9gw1U
He grumbles incoherently under his breath, screwing up his face like a spoilt child.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPqANAqhZa
"You must be able to get over your distaste of children for one day, just for the sake of charity."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3t5F1i7GC
"I don't know if I can," he grumbles.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBg5WIeQSS
"Yeah, you can. You just have to try."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8catddEFOC
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?925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yvax4fcG3
"Fine. What day?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS7qMsun0w
"How about next Wednesday?" I suggest hopefully.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU8ienFbGk
"Okay. I'll bring some books."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fdcuabJhp
"You aren't reading?" I ask him.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4LK8rRkR2
"I've forgotten how to read."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpzDActYE5
"That's crap. You were using my phone this morning."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxxJ4VSnm0
"I swore that I wouldn't let you see me like this again."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtewEFGBJSC
"That's a terrible excuse. And how would you bring the books?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fm7eU8zBn
"Cart," he replies, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjIjwte6Ra
"Kwamé-" 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZNeYOfJPt
"I'm not good for children."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oZdLQ7CWd
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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuF0JHs1jA
"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."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Ww8LDRWs
"I'm evil," he reminds me.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GOkY0moQ5
"Don't start with that again," I scold him. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOun0tpoVzX
"Children can sense evil, you know." 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFs2ERl6vP
Yes I do. That's how I knew that my foster mum was off, not evil, but far from good. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRDjZW3sig
"Just be your normal, sweet self. They'll love you."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLLpHjLN8t
"You think?" he asks me with great skepticism.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KjUPGBMk1
"Just be nice. Trust me when I say, they'll love you," I tell him again, as if repeating the words will convince him. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea2laMwhgV
"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. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZNEpnkHuY
"I think I'll be good to visit my mother tomorrow. The day after at latest."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpypM4ZhyMx
"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."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5vreoiBco
"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.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOgs8I0FNw
"So... what do you want to talk about with her tomorrow?" he questions, taking a sip of his fruit punch.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8O9aJro7M
"I don't know. Probably try to find out exactly why she left me. She was pretty vague last time."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRfpbYJBBJ
"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." 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETWkEE20Ws
"More magic?" I ask him cautiously.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A2fDbXHBt
"Way too much for you right now."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcJNGoCwfG
"I can handle it," I insist although I'm far from sure.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKATHavkKFN
"Well, you can ask her, but I doubt that she'll tell you."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfpQawQCSY
Sighing, I rest my head against the back of the couch.925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBDO3auMBx
"Well, it's her decision as to whether or not she wants to open up to me."925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ExfU83OND
"There are other ways to open up to someone," he insists, trying to defend his friend. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5x7DNlFos
"Okay fine. I'll accept her decision, but I'll still ask. That's okay?"925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rtJaz5ltw
"Yeah," he replies, nodding his head in agreement. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8TQu0P30M
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?
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