Stay Junlin | h.jl✓

•FIVE•

It was weekend, I didn't have to wake up as early as I did during weekdays, however staying home with Shirley and Laurie was no holiday. Just that morning, Shirley had raised her voice at me simply because she found my books on her favourite couch, it was settled by Jane Li once again.

At that time, I was working on my essay assignments on my laptop. I was supposed to finish my assignment the other night but I was too tired, when I had arrived, I threw myself on the bed and retreated to the dream world the exact second. I finished my last essay and I was going through it with a smile on my face, you know one of those times you're so pleased with your own progress and work. After going through it I laid back on the couch and let out a heavy sigh. Suddenly my cell phone rang, I grabbed it and looked at the screen - it was Nicole. I picked up with a smile on my face.

"Nicole!", I said cheerfully.

"Hey Medrin, how are you doing?!"

"I'm good! Thanks! How did it go?!"

"It went great! Thank God! My sister has a beautiful baby girl!"

"Oh my gosh! That's so great! She already has a name?!"

"Yes! Her name is Eldora!", she said, "you should come and see her when they leave the hospital tomorrow...." suddenly the phone was snatched from my ear. I looked up from the couch and it was Shirley standing over me. She then pressed the red button, hanging up on Nicole and threw the phone on my lap. Laurie her cheerleader chuckled standing beside her.

"Is anything the matter Shirley?", I asked her. Shirley looked at Laurie and then they both started laughing hysterically.

"Oh! Now you've grown wings to be so rude?", Laurie said while poking the side of my head. It was very infuriating, I stood up after I pushed her hand aside then glared at her.

Laurie laughed in my face then playfully slapped my cheek, "you know the time? 14:00! And we still haven't had our lunch", she said.

I shrugged then said, "I don't see how that's my concern, it's Laurie's turn to cook".

Shirley patted my shoulder, "but Laurie doesn't feel like it, so we can't starve when there's you".

I walked further away from both Shirley and Laurie then shook my head, "no".

"What was that you said?", Shirley asked while putting a tough look on her face.

I stood my ground, "no, I'm not your slave, I pay my rent and contribute to the food budget as much as both of you". Laurie gave a rude laugh then looked at Shirley anticipating her next move.

Shirley walked over and grabbed me by my Tee shirt and pulled me into the kitchen. She then placed the groceries before me and pushed me towards the kitchen counter, "well listen! Jane is not here to defend you! You better get cooking or you're sleeping outside today! Don't test me!", she yelled. Shirley and Laurie then made their way out the kitchen.

"Make sure it tastes great! Be sure to use the spices", Laurie said then the door shut. At that moment, I was numb, I felt hot tears falling from my eyes unto my cheeks. I started unpacking the groceries while hearing my sniffles, then the sniffles turned into audible crying.

However I quickly put myself together, I was not going to give them the satisfaction of knowing how much they hurt me. At that moment I thought of my parents, my home, everything. If I had stayed home, no one would have been treating me like this. I filled a pot with water then put it on the hotplate. The thoughts kept flying in my mind, once again the tears I held back started to flow. After adding the oil and salt, I put the pasta in and put a lid over the pot leaving it to boil.

Afterwards, I placed the chicken which was already spiced in the oven, it was left over chicken and that was our last share of it. My tears were too much for the sleeves of my tee shirt, I went into my room to get a box of Kleenex.

As I was picking the pieces from the box on my bedside table, I noticed the picture of my parents again. I found myself sitting on the bed and hugging it to my chest. The memories filled my mind, I closed my eyes to remember the good times. They came like a flashback playing before my very eyes. I saw myself wake up on my bed, next to a pink teddy bear that I loved so much. Suddenly the door opened and my parents came in with bright smiles, carrying a birthday cake. I could hear their voices sing 'happy birthday to you'. Little me jumped out of bed and was quickly lifted by my mother who pecked my forehead then faced me to my dad who was carrying the cake. "You're five years old today! Make a wish!".

My flashback was interrupted! I got up from my bed realising I had dozed off! I remembered I was cooking! Suddenly the smell of smoke filled the whole apartment. It was the chicken and possibly the pasta as burning! I could already hear Shirley and Laurie calling my name while yelling! Jane was not around, I was so alone and scared! I couldn't imagine what they would have done to me! I was terrified! I burned the chicken and the pasta!

I couldn't stay! I had to leave! I made my way out the room only to find Shirley blocking my way, "you! You burned the chicken?! Huh?!", she raised her hands towards me. I quickly ducked then ran past her, only to find Laurie blocking my way with her hands outstretched making sure I didn't escape. I could hear Shirley's heavy feet running towards me from behind so without thinking clearly I pushed Laurie hard, she easily fell and I ran towards the front door ready to escape.

I felt a tight grip on the back of my t shirt, "get back here!", Shirley's voice boomed! I struggled then finally broke free and I kept running without thinking. I didn't even know where I was going. I just wanted to get away from my apartment! I was scared! So scared! As I ran further I started to feel the cold, then I felt rain drops hit my shoulder.

I was so confused, I felt alone. I started calming down slowly then replaying the scene in my mind, would I be able to go back? I started calculating my crimes, I burned the chicken and I pushed Laurie to the ground, they already hated me, how would life be afterwards? I sat on the street bench and shook my head, maybe I would have just stayed, maybe they would have dealt with me then forgiven me sooner, but now the mistake had escalated.

I sighed and wrapped my hands around myself, if only Jane Li had been home that night. I sat on the bench watching the sky, the afternoon began to turn to evening and I saw the sun set. It was getting dark but my thoughts were darker, I was so afraid of going back to the apartment.