ATWOTW HIGHSCHOOL 🧡🪴

Rotxo

I was woken up to a warmth hitting my eye lids. The soft feeling mixed with a gentle breeze flowing in forced my body to wake up. I wasn't quite ready tho- my head felt fuzzy like it does when I over sleep.

My arms came behind myself as I sat up. Little nerve flares occurred as I managed my way to the bathroom. Each arm setting on top of the counter for much needed support. Everything felt surreal. As if my life changed so quickly and without so much as a warning, that my mind will never be able to fully adjust. To fully grasp the reality that I have been forced into.

In a pathetic attempt to wash away my sorrow I turned the sink faucet to cold. The cool water now splashing on my face felt nice- just nice.

"Ding... ding...ding..." I followed the flashing light towards the kitchen. A sterile and almost lifeless environment. Where there was once mess and grime that formed the most meaningful memories to me was replaced with a cold, sharp pain.

"Ding..." Another wave of agonizing pain hit my temples. I scanned around the marble counter tops in search for the noise- but the rapidly blinking light caught my eye. Which also gave away that it's Aonung's phone- he insisted on turning the light feature on.

My curiosity hazed my already struggling mind as the phone just sat there. I could hear my siblings stirring from across the open room. Without much thought I turned my brother's phone onto the Home Screen. I couldn't see anything but an ocean wave. So calming. Though the messages just kept firing in one after another. Some messages from asswhole 'friends', some from different apps- but one that caught my attention was from the contact name of 'Tey😏'. The small of my lips began to almost curl as the realization set in- Aonung likes Neteyam. My jaw dropped as the phone slipped from my finger tips, dancing from one side to other as it hit the floor serval times. I quickly picked the phone up and raced towards a large clump of covers. Hovering over the pile, I bounced on the heels on my feet with excitement.

But... if I was wrong he would never let me hear the end of it. Contemplating for a moment I decided against waking the sleeping giant and instead slipping the phone under a small opening beneath him.

I stepped away and stumbled towards the back sliding doors. Pulling my body weight with the handle I could feel a dry, chilly air. So sharp and clean. Though the heat from the sun rising made it almost bearable.

"Buzz..." For the third time today an alarm was burdening me. A small sigh was released as I read the words 'Wake up for School'. I did take pleasure in knowing that I, myself, didn't have to go today. Though this slight upside to my otherwise shitty mood was taken over by my own stupidity.

Racing through my contacts I found Kiri's and was ready to text her. My thumbs moved quickly as I began, "Hey this is weird but can u & ur brothers ditch today ???" No... no... I deleted the message and started over again. And again. And again until I gave up.

I quickly sat myself down onto the freezing cold concrete. Still staring at my phone I realized that texting Kiri wasn't an option... that I shouldn't try to get so close to her. My heart aches at the thought of not being with her- not feeling my skin tingle as I graze hers. Goosebumps forming as I test my limits. But no...

Remembering my mission I quickly scrolled through my contacts in search for Lo'aks- I did already need to talk to him from last night.

lo'ak (youngest):

Rotxo: "Hey man I REALLY need u & ur siblings to stay home from school- okay ???"

Lo'ak: ...

My eyes widen as I see the thought bubble start to appear.

Lo'ak: "why ?"

Rotxo: "I told my t & Ronal that we're all not going today & well it's gunna look bad if u guys go..."

Lo'ak: "ohhhh", "well Kiri's in her room dead so no problem there & Tey... well I'll convince him... somehow lol"

I couldn't help but feel the desire to ask more about Kiri. The memory of crying myself to sleep last night appeared- balling myself up so tightly I imagined I was holding her.

Rotxo: "You wanna meet me by that old bball court next to Sunshine Cafe ???"

Lo'ak: "Sure see u in 20"

A burst of energy came rushing through as I raced through the house. Collecting my shoes and scribbling a note for my siblings that I had left. The walk was short but meaningful- helped me plan some things I wanted to ask Lo'ak about.

Even from far away I could make out a dark figure practicing his free throws.

"What up !" Lo'ak greeted me a bro like hand shake.

"Nothin nothin- oh good thing u gutta ball tho"

"Hey can I ask you about Tsireya ?"

"Sure man- but I gutta ask you about Kiri..." my gaze shifted away as I scratched the back of my neck. I felt slightly ashamed to ask due to last night.

"I guess your better then Spider..."

"Oh come on that's a LOW bar !"

"Okay what you wanna ask about Kiri ?"

"What happen last night ?"

"Honestly I don't know. She came home started crying and then got up without talking, acted like nothin happened and hasn't left her room since."

"Fuck- you think I gutta shot ?"

"I don't know..."

"I did kiss her yesterday- that mean ANYTHING ?"

"WHAT ! Gross you kissed my sister..." His face changed to disgust and playfully started backing away. Only to place the ball behind himself- sneaking past me and shooting the ball into the hoop.

"Okay whatever ! You can't even kiss my sister..."

"Fuck you !"

"Don't worry I'll get Kiri to do that !" I lightly hearty shoved him while hitting ball outta his hands.

"Pffff- if spider don't beat you to it."

I stoped in my tracks while eyeing him up and down. Just the thought of Spider touching Kiri made my stomach turn.

"Unless you went to comfort my sister today ? Though I wanna know how to sneak into Tsireya room in return !"

"Ummmmmm okay"

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1060 words