Chapter seven

“… and remember I want these essays on my desk Friday morning bright and early, enjoy the rest of your day students and I’ll see you and those essays in four days.” The literature teacher exited and Raymond got up from his desk after only a brief hesitation, he took a deep breath, then turned and walked over to our desk. Sultan and Tira looked up when he cleared his throat.

His gaze skittered from mine to Sultan’s, back to mine, to Sultan’s once more and finally landed on Tira, who was seated between us. He stood there for so long without saying a word that I thought he was going to blow it, but before I could speed things along he cleared his throat and dropped into his role as Tira’s eager admirer.

“Hi Tira, I was-“he stole a glance at Sultan whose eyes were narrowed, “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me tonight, to catch a movie or something?”

“It’s a school night, plus we have an exam tomorrow, she can’t-”Sultan started.

“Actually, I could use a break from all this studying and my parents won’t mind.” She smiled up at Raymond then turned to Sultan “guess you’ll have to study alone tonight Sul.”

“Oh, that’s ok, no problem, go enjoy yourself,” he tried to make it seem as if it was no big deal but I could see that it was tearing him apart and I prayed he’d hurry up and come to his senses.

“Great, so can I have your phone number so we can sort out the details later?” Raymond smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Tira gave him the info, I gave him a brief nod and he left, relieved. Sultan looked as if he might follow Raymond out but instead dropped his head onto the desk with a sigh.

“Oh my gosh” Tira gushed “my first date ever! What am I gonna wear?!” she looked genuinely excited I began to wonder whether she actually had the hots for Raymond until she winked at me.

“You guys wanna help me pick something out?” she continued and I hid a smile.

“I think I’ll go home early today, get started on that essay.” Sultan excused himself.

“Yea me too, I gotta study for that test” I supplied.

“Ok well see you tomorrow then, I’ll tell you how the date went!” she shouted skipping from the room. Sultan looked at me, “Get me outta here, please.” He pleaded. We left the room and turned down a semi empty hall way, I touched his tense shoulder and we appeared in his room. He dropped his bag to the floor, then walked over to the window and stared sightlessly into the yard.

“I told you this would happen bro.” I spoke up. He ignored my comment but I wouldn’t let this go

“What’re you gonna do?”

“What can I do?” he gritted out “don’t you see Jace, she cancelled with me to go out with him, why should I interfere”

“So you just gonna give up. Just like that? When you thought I liked her you wanted to rip me apart, what changed?”

“I guess I just want her to be happy and plus he’s human, I’d kill him.”

“You really are an idiot” I muttered and grabbed his shirt collar, we appeared in Tira’s room, she screamed when she saw us.

“Jesus! Don’t do that!” she exclaimed, a hand over her heart.

“Ok, listen up, sultan, Tira loves you, she told me herself”

“Jace!”

I ignored her “The only reason Raymond asked her out is because we set it up so you’d finally man up and ask her to be your girl and Tira, my idiot of a brother is besotted with you, he even dresses for you every bloody morning! So, now that we’re all clear you can both stop all this bull and get on with your lives…and Sultan if you come home and tell me you too aren’t together I’ll kill you myself”

I appeared in my room and reached for my medication, my head was all but falling off my body. I swallowed two small white pills and lay back in bed.

            The week passed quickly. Sultan and Tira’s relationship was flourishing and so was mine and Pristine’s, ours took the route of friendship however, it was good to have someone to talk to especially when Sultan and Tira were too busy going crazy over each other.

Pristine and I communicated more frequently now than we had in weeks. We emailed everyday and in this one short week I learned more about her than I had in over two years.

Thursday

June 17, 2010       5:15pm

Hey Jace! How’s the arm? It must be awfully uncomfortable- so I’ve read at least. What have you been up to? My day was boring as usual, I had my lessons and read , oh yeah, how was that history test? I bet you did great, did I tell you history is my favorite subject? Did you tell Sultan how you felt about Tira yet? I’m going out of my mind with anxiety, can’t wait to see you, hope I don’t ruin the moment by being nervous or something…

                                                                                                                                -Pristine

Thursday

June 17, 2010      6:18pm

The arm itches like crazy! Uncomfortable? That’s an understatement! The exam was ok, but I don’t think I got 100% so of course my dad’s gonna kill me. I’m more of a science guy but then you already know that. History’s a pain and yeah, you’ve told me only a million times. lol. I’ve decided not to tell Sultan, they’re together now you know. I got sick of them beating around the bush, so I told Sultan how Tira felt and vice versa now they’re the happy couple! It’s disgusting, it’s just been a few days and they can’t even go a minute without saying they love each other and I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not jealous. I just think love’s a waste of time. Have you ever been in love?-doubt it. Your dad needs to let you out more. Oh and I’m going out of my mind too, J but look on the bright side, only eleven days to go; I’m kinda nervous myself.

                                                                                                                                -Jasam

Thursday

June 7, 2010    8:01pm

So long as you did your best, I’m sure he won’t be too disappointed, but then again what do I know.lol. Dad’s waay too busy to take me out, but I’m used to it so it’s not so bad. Just be happy for them, they really care about each other. You know I’ve never had a boyfriend. Btw I want you to read this speech, maybe it’ll help you out  

                                                                                                                                                -Pristine

I clicked on the attachment and scanned the page

Thursday

June 7,2010    8: 43pm

Wow that was a long speech felt like studying history all over again….lol jk. Don’t tell me you believe in this love rubbish too?! I should have known. I’m happy for them and I’m on the path to finally getting over Tira , I think. So other than reading and browsing the net, what did you do today?

                                                                                                                                                -Jasam

Friday

June 8, 2010    7:35a.m

Sorry I fell asleep on you last night, guess I was more tired than I thought. Lessons begin in less than half an hour so ttyl!

                                                                                                                                                -Pristine

(JASAM'S POV)

After classes on Friday, I stood in line in the main office with sultan and Tira waiting to collect my report card. My heart was working overtime and I had to force myself to stand still. Sultan stood before me chewing off what was left of his nails and Tira stood before him humming a tune off key. I envied her her confidence.

My eyes flashed to the other faces around me, some looked anxious, others excited. The girl at the front of the line received her card and I watched as she exited the office fighting back tears, if possible, my heart pounded even faster. After my companions collected their cards they stood by the door waiting for me until I collected mine, we usually opened them together. Once we left the tense atmosphere behind, we glanced over Tira’s shoulder as she opened hers.

Tira Bently                  . Average: 84.3%                        Position in Class: 5th                     

We read her grades and congratulated her because she was obviously proud of herself. Sultan was next. He ripped open his enveloupe, paused for a second, took a deep breath and unfolded the paper.

Sultan Liberon                Average:97%                             Position:1st                          

“Damn! a B+?” I swallowed. hard. Sultan was better at literature than I was, imagine my grade. I opened the envelope with trembling hands, my heart beat accelerating by the second. I felt my skin heat up as I unfolded the paper and upon seeing the grades I wished I was anywhere but there.

Jasam Rhett                          Grade :  96.3%                   Position:2nd                     

I still had my scholarship but would I have my life when my father was done with me?

“wow” Sultan said, his eyes pitied me. I just couldn’t wait for this day to be over.

We were about to exit the main doors when the vice principal’s voice sounded over the intercom; “Once again, the highest achiever for the academic year 2009-2010 is Sultan Liberon. Congratulations to all our high achievers and keep up the good work.”

A round of applause went up. Sultan didn’t even crack a smile, it was times like these that I wondered if Sultan regretted being a part of my family. At six that evening we stood before my father as he silently perused our report cards.

 “I’m  very disappointed in you two. Sultan, you only improved by one percent since last year, one percent! I can’t accept this! What were you thinking? Every year is the same thing with you two and Jace, what is this garbage?!” he roared, “You two need to stop this rubbish! WOULD IT KILL YOU TO TAKE UP A BOOK AND STUDY?! All you do is waste time, life doesn’t work that way!”

I couldn’t be the docile little son anymore “What are you talking about? All we do is study and you know it, we’ve never gotten a hundred percent average no matter how hard we try and you know why? Because we’re not you Dad!” He threw the cards at our feet and took a step closer to me; “It’s that blasted negative attitude that’s getting you nowhere, if you just tell yourself that you can do it and try, try for god’s sake you’ll-“

“Try? Try? That’s all we’ve been doing dad. I’ve done my best and I couldn’t care less what you think because I’m proud of myself I’m done trying to make you proud of me because you’ll never be and I’ve already accepted that.” My voice cracked on the last word and I lowered my head, no longer brave enough to meet his eyes. Sultan shifted uncomfortably beside me.

Dad grabbed the front of my shirt dragging me up so that my feet barely touched the floor “This is NOT your best Jasam-“he said behind clenched teeth.

I pushed against his chest and he released me “I’m not perfect dad, why can’t you just accept that?!”

“You don’t need to be perfect to get perfect grades Jasam, when I was your age-“

I laughed a harsh, disgusted sound that I barely recognized as my own “Forget this, I’m outta here” Before I could open the door my father spoke up “You seem to have forgotten who you’re talking to Jasam, I am your father and I deserve respect dammit!”

I turned around and looked him directly in the eyes, his angry, mine resigned as I said” respect has to be earned dad” I once again reached for the door

“If you walk through that door you are no longer welcome in this house, I will not put up with this disrespect!” he roared.

The moment he said it I knew he didn’t really mean it but I turned and smiled anyway, this was what I needed, since my grandfather’s death I’d lost my usual easy going personality, I was angry most of the time, I lost my temper at the drop of a hat, I had nightmares every night, and being around my family all the time was a constant reminder of what happened four years ago.

I just couldn’t get it out of my head, I couldn’t let it go and it was killing me. I needed to move on, to free myself from the hate , anger and sadness I was feeling and to do that I needed to get away from my family for awhile, I needed to sort my shit out but most of all I needed to find Sven and end this once and for all.

My dad offered the perfect escape. I could go without feeling I was being selfish for leaving my family behind, and instead of blaming me they would blame my dad, after all he was the one kicking me out.

“You want me gone? I’m gone. See you Lamont” I said this quietly and walked through the large mahogany doors. When I was in my room I gathered a few pieces of clothing and stuffed them in a small duffel bag.

I grabbed my laptop from the bed, storing it under my arm and then opened my bedside draw and took out the cash I’d been saving as well as my emergency credit card and stuffed them in my jeans pockets. I looked around the room, and spotted bobby, I snatched him from the aquarium, and placed him in an old shoes box.

Afterward I looked around the room once more to see if I had missed anything when the door burst open and Sultan came rushing in, when he saw my baggage his eyes turned wide and he practically screamed “ Are you out of your mind?!”

                                     I chose to remain silent as I was already beginning to have second thoughts which definitely wasn’t a good sign. So instead of replying I teleported.

At 7:30pm I found myself walking the streets of New York city alone unless you counted Bobby who was rolling around in the old shoe box tucked under my right arm. Since my departure I’d argued with myself over the pros and cons of my actions.

PROS: 1.It gave me a chance to clear my head, finally get over my grandpa’s death.

            2. I no longer had to deal with my father.

            3. I could now focus all my attention on finding Sven.

           4. I could finally get Tira out of my mind

CONS: 1. I wouldn’t be seeing my family for awhile.

             2. I would miss my friends terribly.

             3. I probably hurt my family by leaving.

It didn’t make much of a difference. I wasn’t a quitter. I got myself into it and I’d see myself through it. At the very end of the sidewalk lined with dirty homeless people, I found an empty bench situated under a dull street light. I dropped my bag and sat beside it on the semi dirty seat.

Not much traffic flowed through this side of town, with its dirty streets, dilapidated buildings, graffiti ridden walls, it was certainly not an attractive looking place… further down the street, a couple argued in their dirty rundown apartment, I heard the sound of a flesh hitting flesh and then a female whimpering, across the street a baby cried while its mother tried to sing it to sleep. I sighed, why was I here? The first place I could think of when I’d left the house was New York.

I’d landed on the deserted empire state building and watched the busy city, when I’d had enough I’d simply walked around with no particular destination in mind and ended up here. I don’t know why but it felt like the place to be, probably because the squalor and hopeless atmosphere mirrored my feelings perfectly...

I removed bobby from the cardboard prison and set him down on the bench after feeding it. It felt nice to have some company on this lonely night.

“Empty your pockets” I stared down the barrel of the thief’s gun, annoyed. Leave it to this idiot to disrupt the little peace I’d gotten all night.

“I’m not in the mood so run along”

“ Whad ya say ta me punk?!” he brought his gun down to gun butt me in the head  but I grabbed the weapon from his easily and pointed it at him. Anger had replaced annoyance and I was tempted to pull the trigger. Instead I jerked my head to the side indicating he should get lost.

He spun on his heels and sped down the road, turning left at the end of the block. I examined the weapon I held. How primitive. I closed my fingers around it and watched as it crumbled in my hand then placed what remained of it on the bench beside bobby who was now trying to escape. He/she wavered on the edge of the seat and landed feet up a folded newspaper.

I reached down and scooped him up along with the newspaper which was dated June 1,2010., I flipped to the entertainment section and my eyes landed on a story entitled From Rags to Riches.; I read the story then proceeded to go through the paper for about 15minutes before I grew bored enough to discard it. I took out my laptop and was surprised that there was actually wifi in this community.

The first thing I checked was my instant messenger and was surprised to see that Pristine was online- she rarely went on messenger-

PrissyD1392: Hey stranger how was your day?

JaYDreAmeR69: it was awful, urs?

PrissyD1392: why was it awful?

JaYDreAmeR69: my dad saw my report card, need I say more?

PrissyD1392: OMG, how’d you do? What’d he say?

JaYDreAmeR69: he was pretty pissed..he kicked me out

PrissyD1392: What?!?! He kicked you out because of a few bad grades??? Ur joking right??

JaYDreAmeR: nah..to make a long story short, he was talking shit so I told him to back off because I didn’t give a damn what he thought about me, he said he wouldn’t stand for the ‘disrespect’ so I should leave and that’s what I did…

PrissyD1392: WOW so where are you now? What are you gonna do?

JaYDreAmeR69:   idk yet, I’m in NewYork on a sidewalk..somewhere… guess I’ll try to find a place

PrissyD1392:  u have cash? When are u gonna go home?

JaYDreAmeR69:  yeah and no time soon I gotta  get my shit together

PrissyD1392:  I’m worried about you Jace, I think you should apologize to him and go home, it’s a lot safer there than on some street corner L

JaYDreAmer69: I aint apologizing to anyone, I’m doing fine on my own and I’m done talking about this

PrissyD1392: :( didn’t mean to pry…guess I won’t be seeing ya next week then

JaYDreAmeR69: I’ll be there, that hasn’t changed

PrissyD1392: ok be safe please

JaYDreAmeR69: Always..so what’d u  do today?

PrissyD1392: watched a movie, read, went for a walk, played online chess..the usual lol

JaYDreAmer69:Your dad gonna buy u a phone or what?

PrissyD1392:doubt it L

JaYDreAmeR69: don’t know why u won’t let me buy one for you..i could just ship it out there..no big deal..

PrissyD1392: No I don’t want you buying things for me, it doesn’t feel right jace

JaYDreAmeR69:well then atleast lemme get you a web cam so we can vid chat

PrissyD1392: -_-

JaYDreAmeR: ok ok I know that face..forget I said anything

PrissyD1392: :p

JaYDreAmeR69: J  ttyl I gotta go find a place to crash

PrissyD1392:kk take care

(PrissyD1392 is offline)

In the park I bade Bobby farewell after depositing him into the pond with the other turtles

“Aren’t you a little too young to be checking into a hotel alone? The person at the registry desk questioned. His name tag identified him as Larry

“Aren’t you a little too old to be working as a cashier?”

Larry glared, then mumbled under his breath…it sounded something like “insolent…bloody cashier to you?…damn kid..”

“What was that?” I enquired, eyebrow raised

He cleared his throat, “I’ll need to see some ID please”

“I’m paying cash. Why do you need my ID?” I snapped, getting impatient I just wanted to sleep was that too much to ask?

Before he could answer I slapped down a stack of hundred dollar bills on the desk. I held my hand lightly over the pile giving him a meaningful look. When he just looked at me blankly I looked around and caught the eye of a hefty middle aged man wearing a grey suit paired with a hideous striped tie.

The manager I presumed. Not a moment later, he came over to the counter, his expression annoyed until he spotted the cash. By then he had brightened considerably.

“How may I help you sir?”

“I want a room” I said simply

“Ok, what price range are you seeking?

“Doesn’t matter” I answered

His eyes widened and he licked his lips

“Oh well the best room we have is the Victorian suit, located on the top floor, it allows you the best in comfort, it’s the largest room available and the view is-”

“I want a room closer to the ground, doesn’t matter which one just tell me how much it is so I can go” I glared, I was bone tired and these idiots wouldn’t stop talking.

“Closer to the ground floor you say? That simply won’t do sir, we have a nice little-” he gushed

“Forget it, I’ll go elsewhere, you’re just wasting my time” I scooped up the bills and turned to leave. It did the trick.

“Wait, we know just the room sir!”I paused, listened as he named a price then paid him. I didn’t even care that Larry was glaring at me as he handed over the electronic swipe card. I teleported from the elevator, fell into bed and slept for eleven hours.

                                                                 AUTHOR'S NOTES

OK SO jASAM'S ON HIS OWN AND THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT MORE INTERESTING!..IN THE FIRST DRAFT I ACTUALLY TYPED THEIR GRADES SO LEMME KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO ADD IT IN..THEY ACTUALLY DID PRETTY WELL..BUT THAT FATHER *WHEW!*..ANYWAY AS ALWAYS, VOTE, FAN, COMMENT AND ENJOY! <3 -DoUbLe.A

-unedited