Just Listen

Chapter 31

KP's POV

How in the world could one person make such catastrophic events? Such catalytic effects. Uncanny was my mother, but, she didn't deserve the title. It was wrong of me to paint her as the bad guy, but..."Kamilah!" I hummed in response, as I raised my chin up to meet eyes with the headmistress in front of me. "How may I help you?" she clasped her hands together on the table.

I sighed, gathering and mastering all the courage I could. "Headmistress, could you please tell me the story behind you, Uncanny and aunt Veronica's fallout?" Her face turned. "Please, I just want to know and understand." Mrs Duke finally gave in. "Fine." She closed her eyes and swung her chair around so I only saw her hair cascading down on it. "It was a long time ago, back when it was just Veronica and I until Uncanny came along. We became a trio and our friendship thrived."

"That is until a boy came along. Uncanny liked him, but so did Vero. I supported Uncanny more than I should have for Vero, whom was my first friend before we became a trio. I supported Uncanny and helped her hook up with him, because she was more outgoing and persuasive than Vero. A shy nerd. Silly girl," she lightly chuckled. "Little did I know that I had only created a rift between us. After just a few weeks of going out with Javan, Uncanny became distant all of a sudden. She stopped hanging out with us and so did Vero. She blamed me."

"Was Javan good to her?" I asked.

"I don't know. There were days when Uncanny did not even show up to school and when she did, she came with scars and bandages. Many a-days we asked her what was wrong, she dared not say what. She became cold and sour. Then one day, she took off. She left the town and never came back." Mrs Duke heaved a sigh.

"Do you know why?"

"I'm not sure I should tell you that, you may not handle it."

"Try me."

"She was a suspect in a murder case..."

"Of Nana Valley?" I gasped.

She spun around, "Yes, how did you know?" I fidgeted. "I may have overheard someone say it." I could not tell her the truth. If Uncanny was lying at least she'd be my last hope of getting some truth. "Well, yes. Everything worsened when Michael shot his shot and landed in Uncanny's hoop. He became her ray of sunshine and I could see the change. When she fell pregnant, she was astounded. Michael wanted to be there for her, but she refused because of Javan." My mouth hung open, bewildered.

"She was a prime suspect in Nana's murder. I was there that day though, but Uncanny took the fall." My eyes went wide. "We were arguing about her pregnancy, that is, Nana and I. She was a vibrant girl. She acted more like an older sister than a middle child. She was the responsible one." Mrs Duke took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "She didn't deserve it."

"Wh-what happened?" I sat on the edge of my seat. "The Valley family knew that Javan was her boyfriend, but they didn't know whom got her pregnant. Little did they also know that their daughter was suffering gravely, from abuse. I myself saw it that day, in their kitchen, with Nana as the victim. I was pleading with Nana not to tell Javan the truth. She was disappointed in Uncanny. You know, that whole 'why would she cheat on her boyfriend' sentiment. Unbeknownst of the actual reality. The argument worsened, when suddenly we saw a silhouette of a man by the window and someone rung the door bell. When Nana let him in, I had left the kitchen and went to the adjoining room to take my phone."

Mrs Duke heaved a sigh before she continued, "I heard subtle arguing and I crept in, instead of going in the kitchen I remained in the hallway, with my body pressed against the wall. I peaked in, the corner of the wall allowed me a clear view of Nana and Javan's back. Without a warning Nana received a cold, hard, stinging slap. I covered my mouth in time to stifle any noise. Nana never spoke, never made a sound, but the look in her brown eyes told me exactly what was to happen-"

"He demanded answers as to why Uncanny's beauty had a sudden lip-glossed lusciousness and a strange glow. She stood her ground, but the sudden turn out of events scarred me for life. After a few more hard slaps, Nana suddenly crouched down. Her eyes wide open as though she had seen death himself. Her hand sloppily held the edge of the counter and I was horrified when I saw her blood stained fingers. Tears stained my face. My body stuck in a trance. I couldn't help her. She weakly whispered that Uncanny was pregnant while kneeling down. I could not imagine the level of pain she was going through." I could not believe the stinging pain of fresh tears in my eyes.

Mrs Duke continued, "I watched her die. When Javan got what he wanted, he took what ever he held and placed it in Nana's hands. I figured it was a knife. He spun around and I swear that he saw me, there was this evil glint in his eyes. Momentarily, Uncanny walked in. She screamed bloody murder and he covered her mouth violently. I don't know what he whispered to her, but what ever it was, it horrified her. He then vanished. Uncanny stood by the door, sobbing, with blood stains she got from Javan. I still couldn't move, I was frozen on the spot. All of a sudden, her family came in all chattering. Their laughter died down when they saw Nana, lying on the floor in a bloody pool. Without saying anything, Uncanny ran out. You know what I did?"

I shook my head no, watching her wipe her tears. "I snuck out before they saw me." I blinked. Not believing what she had just confessed. "But why didn't you say anything?" Mrs Duke gave me a weak smile, "I saw determination in Uncanny's eyes before she ran out. So I just decided to keep quiet, until she came up to me. Things were never the same again. Her family didn't place charges against her, because Javan had made it seem like it was suicide. After she gave birth to you, she fled. She feared that since she was no longer pregnant, she could not be protected against the law."

There was a moment of silence. This new discovery enlightened me. Mrs Duke stood up, she came to my side and sat on the chair next to mine. She leaned in and her thumb brushed against my cheek. The realization finally struck me when I saw her sad smile, she was wiping my tears.

"Uncanny is not all that bad. She just made bad choices, specifically Javan. She's been through a lot in addition to what he could have done to her in the absence of prying eyes."

I cleared my throat, wiping the tears off and fixing my hair. "I don't care. She abandoned me."

"Kami-"

"My initial goal was to find out your judgement on Lucrecia's situation, headmistress." I stated, avoiding her gaze. She sighed, returning to her chair. "She is suspended. She is allowed in the premises only to write her tests and exams. Other than that, she cannot return, least until after birth."

Honestly, it didn't surprise me. I expected a whole lot worse. "What about her dorm room?"

"Well, it is technically yours too. You are more than welcome to occupy it after all. Oh, and since you're here. Let me give you the heads up, you are the winner of the freshers ball best dressed female."

"No thank you. You can give it to someone else." I stated heading towards the door. "Thank you for sharing, and where are my grandparents from?"

She narrowed her eyes, "Be nicer to your mom." She responded in a serious tone. Our eyes locked, guilt overwhelmed me and I casted my eyes to the floor, closing the door behind me.