𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚘𝚢 𝙽𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝙳𝚘𝚘𝚛

17

Isaiah

School was almost over with only this class to go. I didn't really care for this class, it was honestly just extra credits for my school transcript. The heavy weight in my chest crushes me deeper at the thought of my future plans falling a part in front of me. I would never be one of those kids that will graduate and make their parents proud. My dad sure wouldn't give two shits, but my mother has always encouraged me to do better in school, but lately I haven't heard those same words of encouragement. I can't blame her though.

With everything that has been hanging off the balance, it's uncertain whether my future will be secured or not.

I lightly stroked the pencil against my sketch pad. The third one I've started since I've been in here. I don't understand how my mind can be so full of my past bad memories, but the moment she drifts into my mind, all I can think about is her.

By now, I've probably drew about 10 portraits of her. Most of them with her covered in monarch butterflies. Her smile, the way her hair would curl and coil. The way she always had her head in the clouds. I drew her in every aspect I felt was the most peaceful. None of which she knows about. I try to keep my sketches private and to myself.

I don't know what it is about Imani, but I just feel so drawn to her. It was like she was always smiling behind her pain, even when I know there is more to it than she lets on. She never likes to bring it up, just always climbing through my window whenever it was open. Whenever she needed me.

"Another sketch?" I jolted, slamming my sketch book closed. Irritation coursed through me. Upset with myself AGAIN, after being caught for the third time, by my best friend.

"Fuck off man." I grumbled which only made him laugh at my pain. "Jeez man. You are obsessed with this chick man."

"Whatever, I'm not obsessed with her. She's just a good muse." I grabbed the things that were scattered all over my desk and stuffed them into my backpack. The bell was going to ring at any given moment, and I wanted to hurry up and get out of here. I needed to go home and help my mom.

she's been acting strange for the past couple of days and I think it was time for her to go back on her meds.

We usually let her take a break from them if she's been medicating too much. She said she doesn't like the way they shut her emotions off, so we agreed to let her detox from them every once in a while, but something has been causing her to be more antsy than normal.

"Well your something about her. This is like my . . . what? Third or fourth time catching you drawing her."

"How can you even tell? I just started the eyes." He smirks at me. "What?" I press him for answers. "Might want to turn your brightness down next time." The bell rings, and Jaxon scurries out of the classroom, leaving me to ponder for a moment.

A sizzling feeling strikes and I feel the blood rush to my cheeks. Quickly I look around and pull the hood of my jacket over my head. I had forgotten I pulled out my phone, pulling up a picture I had secretly taken of Imani a few days ago. She was slightly looking my way, just a little ways past me. I took it so quickly, I almost missed my chance.

Of course Jaxson just happened to be looking over my shoulder. For a moment I'm furious with Imani. How easily she gets me distracted and loose. I'm fucking stupid for letting myself get too comfortable.

I could already feel my heart getting ready to drop into my stomach at just the mere thought of her catching me instead of my best friend.

Gathering all my stuff into my backpack, I rush from the classroom to get home.

"Shit." My hands fiddled with the spare change i had in my pocket when i walked through the door of my house. The past couples of days have been a little hectic so the house has been a messy. But to my surprise, the house was spotless. "What the f. . ." I made my way around the house. My mother was nowhere in sight, but I did find my little sister eating some pizza in the kitchen.

"Hi Izzy!" She grinned up at me. I gave her a soft smile, walking towards her to clean her messy hands and face. "Hi sweet face. Where's mama?" I wet a napkin before making quick work to clean her off.

"Umm, she's upstairs." She goes to grab her cup of juice before taking a sip. Willow stared up at me. Her eyes slightly red as if she had been crying. She looked like she wanted to say something to me, but wasn't sure she should.

I sat down in the next dining chair.

"What is it Willow?" My simple question ended up causing her chin to wobble. She thrusted herself into my arms as she broke down into a fit.

"Hey!? Hey what's wrong? Talk to me." I tried to coo and reason with her but she only broke down even harder.

My sister was 8 years old. Although she was very young, she had been subjected to a lot at an early age. Usually she's a very happy kid. She always flourished now matter what. So if something was bothering her, it also meant that my mother wasn't in the best state of mind either.

Something that felt like a creeping suspicion was gnawing away at me. I tried my very best to keep my composure. It was too soon to think about the possibilities of what this looming tension over my family could mean.

After all, his mother could have had an episode and since she wasn't on her pills at the moment, It could have been a bad one.

"Mommy was really sad. She broke a lot of things."

Willow wiped some of the tears on her face. Sniffling with every drop. "She scared me, but Imani came and helped her. She cleaned up for mommy and bought us pizza!"

The hairs on the back of my neck stood. Imani was here? She must have gotten in through the window. I always keep the ladder on the side of the house for her and my window cracked. She's never met my mom or sister, so that must mean she was here when the outburst happened.

"Is she still here?" I'd asked the question that I'd been wondering since she said Imani was here.

"Yea, she's upstairs with mommy."

"Actually, I'm right here. . ."