Left To Survive

I

24 February

4 PM

꧁ Alisha ꧂

"Oh hello my little plants! I missed you guys today!" I said as I gently struck my lilies (I had received them as a present last week as a surprise, because I've had good results for school). They were in full bloom and watching how healthy they are brought a smile on my face. "Good big lilies, you're doing a great job keep going!" I told them. No answer. Pff rude plants nowadays.

I went around the veranda and greeted all the flowers, giving some more supplements or water. The peonies were growing well, that was nice to see. Last time I had tried growing out peonies they died, but maybe that was because i gave them water like... every 2 weeks? Oh well, I've learned a lot about gardening since then.

The weather outside was rather depressing. Small raindrops fell on the round upper wall of the conservatory, and slid down the glass walls, making the vision on the surroundings blurry. But at least the plants were warm, and they got enough sunlight yesterday, they should be good for now.

I went back inside the house to grab a book. Just as I put food on the staircase i could hear keys rattling in the lock. Seems like someone was home early. I went to the door and saw my mom, all wet from the rain, standing in the doorway. I helped her get rid of her bags and took her coat to hang up on a chair to dry. "Beautiful weather isn't it," she said. "Oh yes, I answered with a smile, "I was just about to go on a walk." Mom looked at me and started laughing. I smiled even more. "Want some coffee? Tea?" I ask. "A coffee would be amazing, thank you love" she answered. I went and made one for her. I love my mom so much, she is always so calm and just has the right vibes.

"So..." she started. I knew what was coming. "How was school today, love?" she asked me. I looked her in the eyes and I knew she could already see the answer written on my face. I sighed deeply and looked away. "Same as usual, mama, I survived, that's what's most important, right?" I hated seeing her so sad because of me... I've been having a really hard time at school, some kids decided to pick on me and it's only gotten worse.

It all started out small, a few months ago. Jenna asked me for my pencil, and then didn't want to return it to me. She and her friend Max laughed at it, but I didn't think much of it and didn't really react, what they didn't like of course. The next few days they collected some of their friends to keep their little game going. Some days they just talked bad in front of my face. Some days they had surprises for me like leaving peanut butter in my bag or making it look like I was cheating on a test. Other days they stumped me against walls.

I remember once, on valentine, our school was holding an action. You could send a rose to someone, anonymously or not. I had gotten a rose that day, from Alex, a shy kid that never really seemed to have anything against me, but right when i got the rose I had heard Jenna, asking me "Who gave you the rose, Alisha?" and I had answered: "What does it even matter? I don't see you getting a rose." She didn't like that. She seized it out of my hands and read out loud. "ALEX SENT ALISHA A ROSE FOR THE DAY OF LOVE!! LOOK AT THIS CUTE LITTLE WHOLESOME COUPLE!" Alex had looked as if he wanted to sink through the ground. I had never realized he thought it was such an awful idea to be with me? I knew the bullies didn't like me, or pretended not to, but Alex always seemed so chill and okay. Even if he didn't send it... That was the first time the bullying actually hurt me deeply. That was also the day I told my parents about it, and we've talked to the director and teachers since then, but they "don't see the problem."

"They took my lunch today and threw it in the trash," I told my mom. "But it's okay!" I added when I saw her sad face, "I had some spare money and bought something in the shop." She held her arms open and I went in for a long hug. At least I had her. It was nice to have someone to go home to... I couldn't say that of my friend Yara...