Too Realistic?

I Wanna Sleep (Part 1)

Hey, Thank you for taking out time to read this! I really hope you like it :)

Marco Robert, a 15 year old troubled child. He was not only mentally troubled but also physically. He came from a middle class family and that was the main reason behind his troublesome life. He didn't even have any friends because of his family status.
"Look it's Mr. Poor pal!"
"Ew why does he smell like a cheap candy?!"
"Bet you can't even afford decent clothes haha"
"Poor", "Stinky" and so many more these phrases summed up his school life. These things made his life almost like a 'LIVING HELL'.
He sort of got used to it if I'm being honest, I mean.. Who wouldn't? He had been hearing these things ever since he was born. He'd been working ever since he was born so that he could sustain his family, his studies. Everyone was relying upon him. After all, he was the only child.
He consoled himself by blaming it all on his luck. He barely even got time to think or complain as he was already engrossed with the overwhelming work and school pressure.

It was another rough day, Marco got up at 4 in the morning, brushed his teeth, took a shower, had his plain toast, got dressed up and left for school. His school was on the next block so it barely took him 15 minutes to reach which he thought was a blessing as it saved him 'Carpool money'.
As soon as he reached, the popular group of rich and bratty kids surrounded him with various taunts.

'Look if it isn't Mr. Poor lad himself'
'Hey stinky monkey!'
(The whole crowd went booing)
Marco had his head down and he quietly walked towards his Spanish class. He had gotten used to these stuff so he was quite unbothered with it. Even though it hurt him, he knew good days were ahead of him.
He really likes his Spanish class btw! Why? Do you know?
It's pretty adorable if you ask me haha. He liked Spanish class only because of his friend, Emily Edwards. His only friend he ever had. She was always supportive of Marco.
She was also from a normal family but her extraordinary looks had everyone charmed. Blue eyes, brunette hair and somewhat tall. Most girls were jealous of Emily as she always had guys falling for her. But the only guy whom she made her friend was Marco.
Marco always thought of this as a flex. His mood would always light up whenever he saw Emily. Maybe he considered her more than a friend?

Anyway, he sat next to Emily and gave her a soft smile. She smiled back. They both then focused on their classes but Marco couldnt help taking a glance at her everytime she wasn't looking. He always blushed seeing her but never said anything about it.
Soon, the class got over.
"Hey Marco! How you doin'?" Emily asked politely.
"Haha um it's the same, nothing much. What about you?" Marco chuckled nervously
"Ah you're right Marco, you're so occupied with work! I would never be able to do even 1% of what you do GAWD" Emily said with a pityful but proud face.
"Thanks Em. Anyway what about you?"
said Marco to avoid the pityful question.
"OMG yeah! I was gonna tell you about this place I saw in the news earlier." said Emily with over-enthusiasm.
"Yeah what about it??" asked Marco eagerly.
"The news said that there's a place been found with a very marshy land, almost drowning. It's believed that the place is cursed by some women who was drowned by the people who lived there and the best part is that the place wasn't even there. It just appeared out of nowhere?!" Emily responded. She was somewhat surprised and shocked.
"What?! Haha I don't buy this. They might be lying. You know? The reporters always do that" said Marco and rolled eyes.
He didn't seem to believe any of it but it still somewhat intrigued him.

As soon as his school got over, he rushed back to his house, changed into his work clothes and was on his way out when he heard his father.
'Hey son! Don't you wanna have lunch with us? You just came back"
"Yeah no dad, I'm good. I have to go to work or else they're gonna cut my money. I'll just grab something on my way. You guys enjoy. I'll be back soon" said Marco in a rush and ran out.

He cared for his parents alot. He did everything he possibly could to get food on their plates.
His parents felt terrible for their child but they both were old, not educated. What could they possibly do? They were just guilt-ridden

Marco worked as a barista in a nearby coffee shop. They didn't pay him much but it was enough to atleast feed his parents and support his studies. That's all he needed.
He had to work for 6 hours after school. He barely even got 4 hours of sleep but he had no choice. He HAD to abide by the terms. Sometimes, he just wished for 8hrs of sleep. That was his DREAM AT THIS POINT.

However, while working he was thinking about what Emily told him earlier, A swampy cursed land with no residents? It sounded interesting.
*Slams a mug*
"What the hell are you doing?! WHERE'S YOUR MIND!" said one of his senior co-workers.
"UH-oh I'm so sorry, it was a mistake-I'm sorry I'll be careful" Marco responded quickly.
He was so tired because of the amount of pressure he's been taking that he could he even sleep while standing. His eye bags were getting so bad that it looked like he was a sleep deprived ghost. He just wanted to sleep.

"GOD I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS SHIFT WILL GET OVER. I'M GONNA SLEEP RIGHT HERE IF I STAY HERE ANY LONGER" said the little voice in his head.
"Hey you. Kid? Your shift is over the boss said. You can go home now." said one of his co-worker.
"Ah thanks bro! Bye." Marco replied and quickly took all his stuff and headed towards his home.
On his way home, he took out his earphones and started listening to music so that he wouldn't sleep.
He kept on switching between radio networks to find a rock song that's gonna keep him active.

*Static noises*
"Why is there no good music on the radio. JEEZ- WAIT WHAT'S THIS? LET ME INCREASE THE VOLUME" said Marco to himself in surprise.

*Women on the radio*

"The reports have confirmed that this place is cursed and will soon be investigated. Until then, the place is said to be locked by the government"
Marco was surprised to hear that. He didn't actually expect it to be true. But somehow, it was.
Marco seemed to be even more interested in the matter now.
As soon as he reached home, he immediately turned on the TV to look at the news.
"Oh Marco? You're back. It's so late. What'sup?" asked his mother, Mrs. Mariah Robert.
"It's nothing. Just some news I heard. Here, have a look" responded Marco.

His mother was very shocked after hearing the news. She knew about it.
BUT HOW?! Read to find out!

Hey! Thank you for reading this. I hope you liked it this far :)
The next parts are gonna be much more interesting so stay tuned!
Feedbacks are appreciated <3

Check my other works too! @alishawrites_ 💓