Left To Survive

III

7:30 PM

꧁ Alisha ꧂

"Hey Alisha, sweetheart, we're ordering some pizza, what would you like? Maybe pepperoni...?" I teasingly bumped my fist to my dad's shoulder. "You know how much I hate pepperoni dad, just get me something with ham and ehm I don't know? Hawaii? Just anything but pepperoni please, I'm hungry!" My dad laughed. "Yes yes I know, I was teasing you," he said and picked up the phone to make the call.

20 minutes later

The bell went off. "Oohh that's the pizza boy!" I said and ran to the door. I was so hungry! I thought I could eat all our 3 ordered pizza's. I opened the door and a middle-aged man was standing with three pizza boxes in front of me. And here I was expecting someone hot... The guy handed me the pizza's: "3 pizza's for one young lady, make sure you won't get fat hm? Or the boys wouldn't like you as much!" Excuse me, what? Ew. Who does he even think he is? My smile disappeared in milliseconds. Nothing less attractive than sexist mysogenistic midle-aged men. 

"How much does it cost?" I asked, I was sure my eyes were dead cold. "Now now, no reason to be so-" "How much does it cost, sir?" I repeated. Jesus Christ. If this guy didn't get himself under control imma throw hands. But my mom came to the rescue: "What's up? Oh pizza's! It was 10$ wasn't it? Here you go sir, have a good day sir!" And she took the boxes and shut the door in his surprised face.

"I was about to wring his big neck out," I confessed to her. "I know sweetie, he was being an asshole..." and she layed my hand on my shoulder. "But hey!" she continued with a more optimistic tone, "Pizza! Fred, come down, we're eating!" And my dad almost immediately came down the stairs with a big wholesome smile on his face.

When my dad arrived he's turned to me and said "Guess what came into the mail today!" And at first I didn't understand but then it occurred to me: "The school??" I yelled out, "Did they finally write me?" My dad nodded and handed me the letter. With shaking hands I took it on and opened it with a knife. I looked up to my parents, they both looked back, holding each other close and looking at me with hopeful eyes. "But what if I won't-" I started, but my mom interrupted me: "Shut up sweetie, we'll deal with problems if they come. Now open it!" And so I did:

Dear mrs. Alisha Pattis,

This letter is sent to inform you that you have not been accepted to The Universal High School of Batmore due to all places being full. This happens to a lot of students, and you can inscribe yourself again into our waiting list for next year if you wish to.

Our sincere apologies,
HSB

My smile was thrown off my face and instead I could feel tears coming up. I kept looking at the letter in shock, as if it would magically change. But it didn't. I looked up at my parents and they saw at my face that I didn't get accepted. "Oh sweetie, c'mere" My mom held her arms out to me, and I fell into them. Now I was really sobbing. "I really wanted to get in... What do I do now, mom? I can't stay in this school, and this was my last chance, I-" My mother caressed my head, through my curls. "It's going to be okay, sweetie, you'll be okay, alright? And we're here for you... Whatever happens, okay?" I nodded but couldn't stop the tears.

After some time I got out of their arms and suggested to eat the pizza, "we can't let it get cold can we?" They agreed. I nibbled on my pizza, my appetite has vanished. I could feel my parents exchanging worrying glances, and I finally say: "Don't worry about me, I can manage at school, it's just a few more years, right?" As soon as the words had left my mouth I felt even worse. Years? 2 more years of this bullying? And I had the feeling it was only going to get worse... "No no," said dad, "we will find a solution to this. We'll call more schools, even if it's far, or you can get home schooled, we'll find the money somehow, right baby?" and he looked at my mom. "Yes, yes, absolutely! Don't worry sweetie, this is one pushback, but we're strong alright?" I nodded. "I just don't want to go to school tomorrow..." My parents exchanged glances. "No one's forcing you, hun" my dad said. I looked at him with raised eyebrows. He continued: "why don't we go out again? Like a family? It's been such a long time since we've done something fun! And I think we all need it." This made me so happy, a smile appeared on my face and I suggested hesitantly "We could go... kayaking?" My parents both nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It's settled!"

The rest of the evening my mood got better and I almost forgot about my stupid school and them bullies. I simply enjoyed the night with my family.