Choices

15

Monique Pov

When I came back from my little vacation from school, everyone welcomed me with open arms. I thought this was hella fake cause before I got shot, half of these people never talked to me but now they all up in my face asking how I'm doing, and am I okay. But even though I didn't really talk to them it felt kinda good getting their attention and knowing I was on there minds even if it was only for a short while.

So here I am in lunch, with school day almost out. I'm talking with Amina, trying to keep her spirits.

"Aye, Mina knock knock"

She stopped from toying her peas with her fork. She looked up and sighed "Who's there?" She said in a low, almost inaudible tone.

"Daisy"

"Daisy who?"

"Daisy me rollin', they hatin'" I sang in a deep voice while I tilted my head downwards while still looking at her, wiggling my eyebrows, pushing my upper lip inside my mouth while keeping a smile.

A smile crept onto her face. she shook her head "Why are we friends?"

"Because you love me and my corny, but funny jokes."

She hit a straight face, glanced her eyes left and right before saying, "o-kay" like that guy in a blue jacket in the forest.

I dramatically gasped for air while placing my manicured hand on my chest.

"Gurl, you are so extra. you know I'm just playing with ya." She cheerfully smiled, playfully pushing my shoulder.

"I know, but you gotta admit that joke was pretty funny."

She hit me with a straight face again and I busted out laughing. Laughing so loud people at other tables were started to stare at us, but did I give a fuck? No I did not.

"Whew, girl that was some funny shit. But, dafuq is y'all staring at?" Everyone looking at me turned away going back to what they were doing before.

Mina just stared at me, mouth agape.

"Why you looking at me like that?" I finished with an attitude.

"What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing, I'm my same old self."

"Gurl, no you are not. Since when did you start cussing?"

"Since forever, I just try to refrain from using them but sometimes it just slips out of mouth."

"You're acting different and I don't like it. I don't know what's wrong but you can either tell me or deal with it by yourself. Cause usually when people act out it's to give off some message. and the message you're putting out is unreadable."

"Look, I'm fine really. I just don't want people walking all over me anymore that's all. Is that a crime? Rick told me to toughen up, so people don't take advantage of me. If that means I gotta be mean at some points to get my point across, then so be it." I shrugged.

"So the nice and sweet girl who would love to help out everyone is gone? What, all because you got shot? You think you could've prevented being shot? you couldn't have known.--"

"Well that's where you're wrong. I could've prevented myself from being shot. If I never went into that house, we wouldn't be having this conversation. It was out of me being too nice, that got me shot. --"

"Wait, what house? I thought you got shot out in the open."

"Well, maybe you should straighten out your facts, before you try and question me about my life." I got up threw my trash away and walked out the cafeteria. I heard the cafeteria door open and close. I glance back and it was Amina. We made eye contact and she started walking towards me.