Just Listen

Chapter 22

KP's POV

'Melancholy, such bitter sweetness. I am astonished by the way they are quick to forget. I am astonished by the way I hide away. Pretentious to all who do not come weary. As my heartache wallows me up in a dreary place. My mind keeps on replaying those memories I wish to lock away. Tears stain my cheeks. The nights seem to be colder, longer and unforgiving. Everyday when the sunsets my reality awakens.'

I've called Angelo a dozen times. He never responded to any of my calls or messages. His ghosting, only ghosted my heart and eyes. The silence he has given me drives me bonkers. The pain of contacting him and seeing a 'just now' post kills me. Why can't he understand that I love him and all I want is to fix things. Well, this situation is a double bladed sword thing.

I lost my father, who has been there since day one and my boyfriend whom I was dedicated to.

Karma, a foreign yet familiar word on my tongue. "Kamilah, the headmistress called." My aunt states as she opened my door. "Why are you sitting in the dark all by yourself honey?" She comes by to sit next to me on my window nook. Staring off into space. I hadn't moved to look at her. "Headmistress Duke called to say that your finals are starting in a week." She reported.

My eyes slowly drifted to her direction. I watched her every move. I felt a strange numbness, so pure and violent. I felt as if a volcano was erupting inside of me. The more I stared at her intently, was the more the strange emotion intensified. One I have never felt towards her. My jaw tensed. My gaze wandered off. Feeling the weight overwhelm me.

"It sucks that he's no longer here...but at least you're here and you're not a monster," I breathed. "But you're not him and you never will...your presence reminds me of what I've lost..." I stated in a hoarse whisper.

"Kami," her honeyed voice began, "I-"

"I didn't see your presence in my life, because you're practically like my father..."

My aunt inhaled deeply. "Now that he's gone, you're like his shadow." I gave her a cold stare, "Your presence reminds me of him, but he's gone and whenever I look at you, I see him. It scares and angers me altogether, but mostly, it hurts me auntie." A few tears leaked uncontrollably. She reached out for my hand and I swatted hers away. Resting my forehead on my arms.

"I love you aunt Veronica. But you're hurting me. It's not your fault, but you look exactly like him. A copycat. A replica. Everything that you are has a part of him. Please make the pain stop..." I cried.

"Kamilah, I don't know how to-"

"-Just go ....stay away." I whispered, cutting her off.

My aunt fought to not let herself break down infront of me. I heard her sniffling a couple of times, indicating that she was holding back the water works. It took her a moment or two before she got up and left my room. The darkness and emptiness made me hear the echo of my beating heart and subtle sobs.

Loneliness my friend, do you hear my crying? Here I am, envelop me like the darkness does to the sky.

In the morning, I woke up with a heavy head. Groaning in pain. I sat up on my bed, momentarily Amandla walked in. "Morning sunshine," she sung.

"Hi," I mumbled.

"Get ready for school, Veronica will be here soon to drive you there."

Dumbfounded, I got off the bed. "By the way, what did you say to her? She left here last night crying..."

"The truth." I told her bluntly. Amandla's eyes widened before she slowly nodded walking out of my room. I know what I said to auntie was hurtful, but she had to know. It was blunt but at that moment my heart spoke and I just voiced out what it felt.

Time passed by and I heard a car hooting outside. I rushed out only to be greeted by Uncanny. My whole mood sunken than it already was. "Morning,"

"Morning." I replied getting in her car. The driver to Xavior High was quiet.

"Hey uhm, I'd like to invite you to a meeting later today."

"What is it about?" I asked gazing out the window.

"You'll find out." She chirped.

When I got to school, the day passed like a gentle breeze. Being around Lucrecia was also refreshing. Even though she now talked about her escapades with her step dad. "And that's when she invited me for a meeting."

"Do you wanna go?" She queried.

"Of course I'm curious. She even gave me a dress code, imagine. It must be some fancy smancy thing. I wanna go." Lucrecia nodded. We attended the rest of the classes and I heard at some point some of the teachers saying that some classes will be cut off to make room for revision. Right. Finals. I had completely forgotten.

After school I waited for Uncanny as she was the one who drove me here to come pick me up, but this time aunt Veronica showed up. We greeted each other and drove off. "Uncanny said she wants you present at her next press conference today,"

"True, but she told me it was a meeting." I responded. From then, silence became our companion until we got home. "Where were you this morning?"

"My house. I needed some air." I nodded in understanding as I left her car.

We walked in together and we both got ready for Uncanny's press conference, but boy was I in for a shock of a lifetime. We got to her workplace and everything was set. She stood at the podium giving her speech when aunt Veronica and I arrived. Cameras everywhere. It was as if she was waiting for us for the next statement, sent shockwaves around us.

"-As this may be a sudden outburst, I urge you to not be bothersome of these news. Ladies and gentlemen I would like to formally introduce to society my daughter. Kamilah Paisley Valley-Maeve." Gasps and whispers rang in my ears. I was completely flabbergasted. The spotlight searched until it shone on me in the midst of the crowd.

I was numb, I could not find my voice nor my mobility. After a few seconds, people begun applauding. Tears welled up in my eyes. I walked to where she stood and she gracefully took my hand in hers to help me on the podium. I held back my tears. Taking the microphone in my shaking hands. "As this may be a sweet gesture to some of you," I paused.

"To me, you'll never make up for the time you've lost. Why now!? Why not then? Why did you leave me all those years? Do you think making a public declaration will fix everything? That's not how it works..." I spat at her. All eyes were on us. Uncanny and I were both fuming.

"Do you think it was easy for me!?" She croaked.

"Oh sure, it's all about Uncanny Valley isn't?" I rolled my eyes. We had completely forgotten we were in the public eye. Aunt Veronica and a few security guards had to come and lead us away. Breaking off the argument before it intensified.