WARNING: UPSETTING CONTENT.
                      Mentions of cancer.

The office crew were working hard to process the forms needed for Aahan's class.
The community centre needed repainting, and Aahan volunteered his class to do it.

He managed to find a way to call it a field trip—something about
'history being everywhere', but that meant that the office crew had to print out enough permission forms for the whole class.

"How are the forms coming along, Nalini?", called out Ruby.

Ruby was the no-nonsense receptionist, who had been working at the school longer than Nalini and Jax, the latter of which was the latest recruit.

"Just got a few more to do", said Nalini.

"The class are all currently in history, so if we get them done quickly, we can drop them off, otherwise we'll have to track down twenty four students", said Ruby.

"I don't know why Michael wouldn't have just said no to a trip", said Nalini. "Well, I suppose he's trying to keep the teachers happy."

"Yes, but at what cost?
There's only so much three people can do", said Ruby.

"Why don't you talk to him?", suggested Nalini.
"He'll listen to you."

"Why, because we were married?"

Nalini shrugged.
"Maybe?"

"He's not going to change, not when those higher up are watching his every move.
We've just got to pick up his slack."

◆◆◆

Spencer entered the classroom and took his seat at the back of the class.
He was hoping that, after the bake sale, Mr. Patel would lay off the mission for a bit and focus on history.

"Yeah, try putting some almonds in it for a good crunch", said Rowan.

He was walking in with Irene, and the pair were exchanging recipes they found online.

"Ooh, good idea!
I just sprinkle sugar on it after it's done, but almonds will make it way crunchier."

Elliott leaned over to Spencer.

"Hey, have you seen Zee?", he asked.

Spencer shook his head.
"No, sorry."

Atlas and Aahan walked in at the same time.
Atlas walked over to his seat, and Aahan approached the whiteboard.

"Sir!", exclaimed Eloise, poking her head through the door.
"Some kid just threw a sandwich at one of my kids, so I'm gonna run after him.
I'll be back straight after though!"

Aahan opened his mouth to speak, but the door was already closed.
Aahan turned to the class.

"I should stop that, right?"

"No use, Sir", said Rowan.
"Someone pushed me last year and El ran around the whole school just to push him back."

Irene nodded.
"Yep.
She circled the science labs three times by accident, so loads of us just waited outside our classrooms to cheer her on during her third lap."

"You waited too?", asked Rowan.

"Oh, no, I'm a stickler for the rules.
But I can appreciate what she did."

"Right, well, we should get started then. Also, might I add, Irene, it is fantastic that you're here on time.
Where's Zee?"

"She wasn't at our Military Club meeting this morning", said Atlas.

"This is your last lesson of the day though, isn't it?", questioned Aahan.

"Yeah but we had the meeting at lunch today", said Atlas.
"She was probably feeling sick so went home."

"Oh", he frowned.
"Well, someone will just have to get her up to speed."

"We've got a group chat for that", said Elliott.

"Uh, hey, if we all just act like her number mysteriously ended up in the chat, that'd be great", said Atlas, making some of the students laugh.

"Ok, so I've already asked for forms to be sent to your parents", said Aahan. "Our next project is... cleaning up the community centre!"

A short pause followed, where the students were trying to gage whether he was being serious or not.
When he didn't laugh, the students groaned in unison.

"This seems like too much", said Irene.

"Yeah, what about history, Sir?", asked Rowan.

Aahan waved his hand in the air, in a dismissive gesture.
"Ah, that can wait."

"No it CAN'T!", snapped Spencer, slamming his hands against his desk.

The room fell silent, and everyone turned around to look at him.
His eyebrows were furrowed, with his anger so intense that his eyebrows almost touched.
His heart thumped rapidly in his chest.

"Spencer?", questioned Aahan.

"I'm done with this class", he said.

He stormed off, pushing Aahan's hand away when he tried to reach for him.

◆◆◆

Zee was at her house, washing the dishes.
She waited for the water to get warm enough, before lifting up the final plate and washing it.

"Zalim, put that down now please.
I want to talk to you", said her Mum.

"Yeah, in a minute, Ammi."

"No, now Zalim", she ordered.

Zalim closed her eyes and inhaled, before opening them again and exhaling sharply.
She knew what her mother was going to say.

She turned the tap off and turned to face her Mum.

"Yes, Ammi?"

"I am very grateful for everything you do for me, beti.
But you shouldn't be skipping school, ok?"

"But you and Abba–"

"I can look after myself, ok?
And if I'm well enough to look after myself, I can look after your Abba too."

"You're still recovering, Mum.
I don't want you to put any unnecessary strain on your back."

Her Mum's face softened.
She gently placed a hand on her daughter's face.

"Zalim... I have come to terms with the fact that my back may never be like it once was.
But I don't want you to miss out on life because of me."

"I'm not missing out on anything, Mum!"

"You don't bring any friends over! You've never even asked to."

"We can't let people see, Mum!
Do you want us to get split up?"

Her mother frowned.
"Of course I don't."

"Then I can't have people over."

"Is there even anyone, Zalim?
Do you have anyone you would've invited?"

Zalim frowned.

"You're a kid, Zalim.
You're supposed to be making memories with your classmates."

"I don't wanna make memories with them, I wanna make 'em with you!"

"I don't want these to be the memories you have of us!
The one's where you're massaging us and helping us into bed."

"Ammi..."

"Zalim, listen to me.
We're born and then we work ourselves into the grave.
That's how it is.
No daughter of mine will miss out on being young.
I will not let you have my life, beti."

Zalim remembered the stories.
Her mother married young, and spent her whole life working.
Her father was the same.
They had to adjust to a town that didn't want them, but they made it work.
They made it a home.

"So, the next time one of your classmates asks you to the movies, or to study in the library... say yes, Zalim.
Do it for me."

◆◆◆

Spencer watched as some of the older skaters practised.
A particular trio—Modds, Rodney and Kiela, liked to show off.
The riskier the tricks, the better.

"Spencer?
Shouldn't you be in school?", asked Zeke.

Spencer instinctively got up to run, but Zeke was already too close to him.
He sat back down again, and moved his backpack so that Zeke could sit next to him.

"What's going on, kid?"

"We have to clean up the local community centre soon.
Our teacher signed us up."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"But we've got to focus on history!"

Zeke chuckled.
"Didn't think you were that bothered?"

Spencer frowned.
"Yeah well... I wanna pass my exams.
It didn't really matter to me before, but it does now."

"What changed?"

Spencer shrugged.
"School isn't forever.
Nothing is.
I mean, I've always known that."

Zeke gave him a sympathetic smile.
He placed a hand on Spencer's shoulder.

"Do you know why cleaning up the community centre isn't so bad?"

"Why?"

"Because it gives you a chance to do a lot of good in the community.
That centre is used for all sorts of clubs and projects."

"I-I didn't really think about it like that."

"Your mother was telling me... it's where your father used to go for his cancer support group, right?"

Spencer's face softened, and he felt a lump starting to form in his throat.
He coughed to clear his throat.

"Yeah..."

"Then I think he'd love that you're cleaning it up."

_____________

Hi.

Zee's storyline is particularly important to me, because it's something that's very common within the Asian community. Or, any migrant's story. Our lives are literally built on the sacrifices of those before us. It means a lot to me that I'm able to cover this kind of storyline.

Spencer has just about had enough of the missions, but has Zeke persuaded him to give it another go?

This chapter only really focused on two characters properly, but we'll be back to the bigger group soon!

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

starryeyedturtle

DoodleYeet

LeMystical-Puffle

1-800-SHAWNHUNTER-

Tornado-Jockey