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,"
YOU ARE READING
The Year I was Queen
RomanceTina Ugo is having one terrific year! Her grandmother has just died, and now she has no choice but to reconnect and spend her senior year in the outskirts of Antacel, with a father she barely knows. On the upside, she's just gotten the highly covet...