Badboy's Venom

chapter 44

ZOE'S POV

The following morning I wake up in a happy mood. I head to the bathroom to freshen up and come back to lay on my bed as I scroll through my playlist to choose a song to play, I end up choosing the song by Anthony Hamilton - pray for me and press play. Singing to every lyric of it and surfing on my phone as I check all the pictures we took by the holidays at North West province. I smile to myself, taking my memory back to the event which occurred when Aunt Julia attempted to throw me by the dam water. I scroll till I bump into pictures of my cousins and I, I miss them already.

My mind doesn't fight the thought of activating my Instagram account and deciding to post most of the pictures I've taken during the holidays. A minute haven't passed by and there's two comments already. 'She's back' 'Looks like she was living unapologetically during the holidays.' I leave my data turned on as my phone continues popping up notifications of likes and comments nonstop. I change my pyjamas into simple clothes as I head downstairs to make breakfast, silence reigns over the house which indicates that my mom is still asleep. I turn on the television and tune into a music channel, trace urban while I prepare breakfast.

Luckily for me one of my favourite song play which is The Weeknd - blinding lights. I dance to it, swaying my hips sideways as I dish up for mom and I. "Somebody's in a happy mood today." Mom's voice instantly stops me in my tracks. "You almost frighten me." I voice out in a neutral tone. "Ashamed of your dance moves" mom teases as she moves towards the kitchen counter.

"What's the occasion?" She queries in curiosity. "Do I need a reason to spoil my lady? I don't think so." I remark as I pull a chair to get seated. "Well thank you sunshine. What's all with the glow on your face?" She questions quizzically. "Life's good." I simply respond with a mischievous grin plastered on my face. "What a delicious breakfast we have here" she comments as she's holding her fork and knife. "Likewise" I nod knowingly and shove more food in my mouth.

Breakfast was great; I take all the dishes and place them in the zinc ready to wash them. "I'll wash them, thank you for a delightful breakfast." Mom offers. "Oh you just saved me as if you can see how lazy I can be after eating." I joke as I make my way towards her and offer a one arm hug. "Lazy kid" she whines playfully and I chuckle. "Mom I'll be in my room. I need to be busy with some stuff." I inform her and she nods.

I enter inside my room and grab my phone in hand to log into Instagram, I'm shocked of the huge number of likes I've received on my recent pictures. Is it because I'm using an iPhone now or is it because I've become a celeb? I laugh a bit at my subconscious' ridiculous question. I read a few comments and mostly are compliments, I simply like them and put the phone aside then go through my English poems. Lastly I read and analyse my favourite poem by Maya Angelou - Still I Rise and is funny enough how I relate to it at the moment.

Right now the poem gives me strength to face my situation. To my oppressors, they surely won't lower my self-esteem. Since I came back from North West province I feel brave with too much confidence too, surely it did help me to distance myself from all the negative energy and anxiety. Like Maya Angelou said - still I rise. As I read the poem over and over again until I understand it, I'm putting on earphones playing my old school RnB. My attention is shifted from my poem in hand to my door which is slowly opening. Mom's figure appears on my doorway; behind her following suit is a familiar figure. Linda's figure appears behind mom who ushered her into my room.

I remove my earphones to gain their attention as I manage to keep a neutral face. "Zoe, Linda's here to see you." Mom informs as she opens the door wide. "Come in please." I say politely, leaving Linda's face with a confused expression. What? She wasn't expecting me to be polite? I chuckle to my inner self. Mom takes her retreating steps from the door as Linda finally moves her legs towards my direction.