Home

One

I walked into the shelter, holding the boxes filled with hygiene items. Yeah, I was there because I needed community service hours to graduate, but it still felt good doing that.

A ton of kids and teens sat at tables normally used in schools cafeterias, all lined in rows. There was only one empty spot. It was silent, everyone just stared up at me in awe. This was just the beginning, others were bringing toys, candy, clothes, and school stuff.

"Sorry I'm late guys," a small boy about the age of 9 sat down in the vacant spot, and a few kids giggled.

"Okay, so I'm Jennifer, and I'll be giving you all your very own Bag-o-Stuff filled with brushes, toothbrushes, body wash, loofas, and a few more items. And before you ask, yes, they are gender-specific," I announced happily. All of the children cheered as I lowered the box on the ground. A boy about my age leaned against the wall closest to me, man, he was a hot tamale.

"Everyone, line up youngest to oldest, you should know who is behind and in front of you. Go!" Hot Tamale called out, and the boys and girls lined up quietly like little toy soldiers. Soon enough, they were all in a line that went around the shelter.

"Wow," it came out before I realized, but only seconds later I heard a reply.

"Yeah."

With my bare hands, I ripped open the box like a total badass. Not really like a badass, but I felt really cool. Then I began passing the bags out, and the Mini Soldiers (my name for them) were happy and excited. Mission: Success. Other volunteers came in and dropped their boxes off before going back outside to get some more.

After passing them out, I stayed for a bit and played with some Mini Soldiers and their new toys. I may or may not have sneaked a few looks at Hot Tamale, but that didn't matter. My heart swelled with joy, something as small as a firetruck could make a kid happy.

"What's your name?" I asked a little boy who was by himself, then dropped onto the ground next to where he was.

"Benjamin," he said coldly.

"Hey Benjamin, what'ya got there?"

"Lightning McQueen!" his eyes brightened up.

"Cool! I have a Tow Mater," I like Cars, don't judge.

"Where is it?" Benjamin reached into my pocket and grabbed my Mater.

"Benjamin, it's not good to take things without people's permission," I scolded, and his head dropped.

"I'm sorry Mater," his arms wrapped around my waist and he buried his face in my neck.

"It's okay Benjamin."

"You can call me Ben, you're special." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hot Tamale glaring at me. What the Hell was his problem? You jelly? I didn't care if he was a hot tamale, no one messes with the Jenster!

__________

After playing with Ben for a while, it was bath time for his age group and I had to leave.

"I know what you're doing," Hot Tamale blocked me from the exit.

"What am I doing? 'Cause if there is something, then I wouldn't know anything," I defended.

"What? Does that even make sense?"

"YOUR FACE!" I yelled, my comebacks are remarkable.

"Wait! I'm getting off task! Okay, so don't use Benjamin for whatever reason."

"What the cheese are you talking about?"

"No one ever talks to him, he never lets anyone talk to him. Not even me!"

"Well, you're not special, and according to him, I am! Haha, suck it!"

"I wasn't kidding, stay away from him, if I find out you hurt him, I will kill you."

"Eh, I've heard worse," I remarked and strutted out of the shelter.

_____

The next day, I drove Alpaca to school, she was my white Mustang that I got for my 16th birthday. I parked in my usual spot, and dragged myself into the Hell I call school.

"Hey Mcdonald! How many fries did you eat this morning?" a boy announced. Yeah, mhm, soooooo creative.

"I bet they already know what your order by memory!"

"They probably call it the McJennifer."

"I wish they had a McJennifer! I want a sandwich named after me!"

"Hey fatass!" Michaela, the queen bee, called out to me, but I didn't respond.

"Hello?! I didn't hear you. Did your daddy fry your brain like he did to the rest of your body?" she insulted.

"I don't have time for this Michaela," I responded.

"Oh, so you don't have time for me, but you have time to go to McDonald's and get yourself a McTriple?" No response.

"Huh, bitch?" now the queen bee was in my face.

And my instinct was to punch her in the face.

So I did.

_____

"What were you thinking?" my dad asked, he rarely would waste time off work to pick me up.

"Well, I thought, 'she's making fun of me, so I'll punch her in the face,' all I did was go with my gut." I smiled up at him.

"What did she say to you?"

"Oh, it was just the usghe, McDonald's McDonald's McDonald's," there was no use in trying to stop it, they'd get me one way or another.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Dad looked genuinely concerned.

"You'd do something spontaneous that would get me bullied even more," it sounded casual, as if it was a normal thing. All my dad did was sigh.

"I know that you can handle yourself, so," his eyes stayed on the road "just tell me that you'll notify me when it gets out of hand." He turned his head to face mine, his eyes had bags under them, the wrinkles on his face were becoming more prominent, and greys were appearing all over his hair. So I held his hand, so he wouldn't worry even more.

"I'll tell you."

_____

On my way to the shelter, I passed by the school's parking lot to get my car.

"Great, just great," I approached my vandalized car, Alpaca's tires were popped, egg yolks as well as whites were spread across the top, and the shells surrounded her.

"Glad I learned how to fix a flat tire," I grunted, then picked out all the tools needed and finished in about an hour.

"Dammit, I'm not even going to have enough time to play with Ben," My car started and I began to rush towards the shelter, but by the time I got there, it was already 6.

"I'm here!" my voice boomed through the cafeteria, and there was only one person there.

"Mater!" Ben called out to me, then ran up to me and wrapped his arms around my hips. "I knew you'd come, Mr. Brett told me that you wouldn't but I knew you would."

"I'm glad you didn't believe him, now do you want to play?"

"Yes!"

_____

After an hour, Hot Tamale came by. "Benjamin, go back to your room."

"Okay!" he obliged.

After Ben left though, Hot Tamale started slow clapping. "Good job, Jennifer. That kid's been here since 5, waiting for you. He even showered before dinner so he could ensure more play time with his precious 'Mater.' What's your excuse?"

"They vandalized my car," I mumbled.

"Who?" he didn't seem convinced.

"My 'classmates.'"

"Mhm, tell that to someone who cares. Now, get out of my warehouse," Hot Tamale glared. The sad part is, I listened. I didn't want to have any more problems that day.