The Year I was Queen

Chapter Two

I head over to the edge of the miniature wall and slightly lean over.

Below me, there's a large occupied pool.
In front of me, I'm captivated by a city full of lights, high rise buildings, rooftop lounges, and gated mansions.
It almost feels like a dream how beautiful everything looks.

I can't see my house from here, but even if I could, it would be dwarfed by these tall buildings.

Dad and I live in a reconstructed storage shed leased to him by his younger brother, my uncle Stephen.
It's a small, rundown bungalow, in the outskirts of Antacel, behind a Waffle House store.

A wave of sadness engulfs me as I wonder how long I'd have to keep playing the role of the outcast.

I'm grateful for having a roof over my head, but ever since moving to Antacel, I've found it almost impossible not to compare myself to everyone else.

Being here is a constant reminder of all the things I don't have, and probably never will.

I wish my grandma was still alive, so I didn't have to move down here.

I wish I'd never listened to my principal, and sat for the entrance examination to

I wish I'd never gotten the full tuition scholarship which 'so many people would kill for'.
I would be better off in Louisiana, among familiar faces, even if that meant going into foster care.

Before I have the chance to indulge in any more regrets, a grey cat suddenly saunters next to me from behind a folding chair.

She circles around, and studies me for a good minute, before weaving herself between my legs, purring in delight when I reach down to stroke her back.

"What are you doing here, little cat?" I whisper and sweep her into my arms.

She nuzzles further into my chest.

Aww. Very cute.

So cute, I almost consider spending the rest of my night here with her. But I know I should head back to the party to look for Wunmi.

My journey back comes to a sudden halt as a female's gentle sob breaks the quiet.

The wind seizes my breath.

I stand on my toes, craning my ears for another sound.

I don't want to leave if someone could potentially be in danger.

"Why won't you give us a chance?" Is whispered so quietly I almost don't catch it. Another sob follows. "It's like I mean nothing to you. You don't care about me at all, do you?"

There's a long hollow silence.
I'm almost convinced whoever it is is having an existential monologue, until her male counterpart responds.

"I do care about you, but.."

"But what?"

"But I thought we were clear about what this was. I don't want anything serious. I told you that from the start, and you told me you were fine with it." The words are delivered with an icy detachment.

"I know, but I don't want a casual fling anymore. I want to be your girlfriend."

Another heart wrenching sob.

"I'm sorry. But with Baseball, and my grades, I just don't have the time for a relationship. That's where I'm at right now." Her male counterpart clears his throat before proceeding. "I also think it'll be better if we both take a break from seeing each other for now."

"It's because there's someone else, isn't it?!"
A thump follows her exclamation, like she's thrown down a heavy piece of clothing.

"There's no one else. I just think we'll both be better off with some time apart,"