The Girl Who Could Read

Sweet Bird Sings its Final Song

Aphmau pov

It was a Sunday afternoon and I was sitting in the living room reading a book. Women were finally allowed to read. I was so happy. I'd had confessed to Aaron that I read books in secret and he just assumed all girls did. So I home alone and all the boys, even Aaron and Adrian were out. It was nice to have the house to myself. I hear the door unlock and 3 voices enter. Home already. I didn't greet them because I stuck in my book. Little did I know this was a bad idea... my dad turns the corner. He screams at me. I look up.

Aph: What?

Z: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO READ WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Aph: Reading. That's what I am doing. Yes, I am allowed to read now. 

He turns to Aaron.

Aar: Not my rules, it's the world's law. Aphmau was just smart and it's fine she is. 

My dad was angry. 

Z: No. No. I didn't fight for this.

I stand up and placing the book on the table. I was fed up with his ass. 

Aph: Listen, dad girls are allowed to do a lot of new things. Like reading and driving cars. This world is changing. There is nothing you can do to stop it. 

Z: No...

I look away. I sigh. Then this is when all hell breaks loose. I feel a gun to the back of my head. 

Z: Outside now.

I don't have a second thought. Ein and Aaron are just standing there speechless. I don't blame them. We walk outside. His gun still to the back of my head.

Z: Sit in the grass head up and arms up. 

Aaron pov. 

I- What the fuck just happened? I look at Ein so confused. He looks terrified. Ein and I talked about this the other day. He was off. He wasn't the same. Something must have happened for him to become this way. I look at Ein again. 

Aar: I am going to go get it. 

He nods. 

I run up the stairs and grab my gun. I come back downstairs and Ein was at the backdoor. He was just watching his dad talk nonstop. I hid my gun in my back pocket  I reach the door. I stand next to Ein. 

Ein: Do it already. 

I can tell Ein done with his bullshit. I take out my gun and I raise it. Shooting him in the back of the head. He was dead. Aphmau was still on the grass. She was crying. pleading. I run over to her. I kiss her. 

Aar: Everything okay baby... He... he is gone. 

She looks over. She hugs me. She still crying. I don't think over him but over her own life nearly being taken away. Ein joins us and we sit there holding one another. Later that night Ein and I get rid of Zack's body. No one ever questioned if he ever came back. We didn't care. Aphmau, Adrian, and I cuddled while watching Ein play a video game. 

I look down at my phone. Important new in 5 mins. 

Aar: Hey Ein, can you turn on the news. 

Ein: Important?

Aar: Important. 

Ein: Got it. 

He turns off his game and turns on the news. He joins me and lays his on me. 

News reporter: Breaking news! We finally were told what has been inspiring our government to be changing the laws. Adrian West has been an inspiration to the nation. He wrote a 20-page essay on women could be equal to men. Everyone took to his words. We are here to thank Adrian West. We have no way of contacting him but we thank him for all he has done. 

Aph: What...?

Aar: Everything ok?

Aph: I- Aaron. I am Adrian West. 

Aar: Huh?

Aph: I wrote that paper. I snuck into the boys' school and wrote that paper.

Aar: Wait- Wait what?

Aph: Remember, I came up with lies about my dad not letting me have a phone. Social media rot your brain crap. That was me. I was Adrian West. I- I can't believe I have been changing the world. 

Ein: How did you write a 20-page essay in a day?

Aph: Not a day, I did schooling online sometimes. No one noticed. 

I hug everyone close.

Aar: Well I'm glad you did. You not only changed the entire world but Mine too. 

She smiles brightly. She hugs me tight. I kiss her forehead. We all fall asleep watching 1 last movie. Our family was perfect. No crazy parents. No stricter rules. Just Love and support. It's what we all needed. As the last person to drift asleep, I could hear a bird outside singing its song. A sweet one at that... I close my eyes and I hold on to everyone so tight. I have found my home.