Sweet Magnolia

One

Kennedy was a small-time girl with plenty of small-time problems....just like everyone else. Raised in the heart of Louisiana, she never thought passed the café on Baton Rouge, she stayed in her little room and got good grades. The same issues economical to mental so she wasn't able to get into a four-year college. She settled for a community college of two years in the program associate degree in the art program.
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                       ONE

Looking outside my window all I could think of is how dull my life had become. I had a plan...a good one. I wanted to get a degree in social services, law and help some kids find a good home in the foster system but my grades in high school wasn't good enough to grant me a full ride.

"Kenny?"

Sighing and rolling my eyes, I instantly felt bad for secretly mocking my MeMaw. She wanted to raise me up right and she did for a while, but she was getting older, and I was getting impatient. Scooting off my bed, I turned and straighten the wrinkles out of my bed and instantly my grandma's voice stunned me once more.

"Kenny!!"

"I'm coming MeMaw!" I stormed out of my room ignoring the nagging feeling to fix what could've been a endless amount of time cleaning up my mess. I walked through the old antique home and ended up in the kitchen with her back to me. I smiled, took a deep breath, and grabbed her in a comforting hug. I laid my head on her back and took in a deep wiff of my granny. She smelled just like maple and sweet jasmine, she took me back years before I could remember our time together.

She took me from my mother when I was three...all I remember was fire around us and mom sitting on the couch with a lighter in her hand. MeMaw said that it was momma's fault and we stuck her in a mental institution. She never spoke a word after that night. My brother Kayden never spoke anything about mom because he didn't remember her, he was only two at the time. It's been six years since it happend but I remember it just like it was yesterday.

"Aw girl, come around here." She pulled my loose arm and curled me around her.

Her brown eyes were wide and a huge smile on her lips. My MeMaw didn't look old, she aged gracefully.

"Kenny, I have something for ya' " I groaned mentally. The last time she made me something people at school teased me like we were in high school again.

"Awww" I squealed, taking the sweater. It clearly had the MeMaw touch with flowers perfectly stitched on the shoulder of it. I stared at the flowers and ran my fingers over the embroidery and smiled.

"You really like it." Her smile didn't fade.

"I do," I nodded and she hugged me without noticed. I felt like I was losing oxygen.

"I'll definitely wear it tonight." I promised and hugged her tighter.

"Hold on, this too!" She squealed as she reached into her chocolate purse and pulled out a huge white flower to match the one on the sweater.

"T-Thanks, MeMaw, I love it." I smiled, appreciating her kindness.

Taking the sweater and flower bow, I exited the kitchen and looked back over my shoulder at her. She was smiling so big and took her seat to go back into her knitting basket.

I loved making her happy, even Kayden was happy living here. "I'll see you later MeMaw!"

"Alright baby, come straight home after school, you know crazies exist in this world today!"

I nodded. She always said the same thing, but I was super glad when she convinced me to let Kayden take the bus to school. I gladly stood outside every day to help see him off to school.

As soon as I got outside, I rushed over to my little Honda hand me down and jumped in the driver's seat. I guess I could've taken Kayden to school, but it was easier with free buses that had their own gas saving me some. He went to the elementary school on the south side of town where I went to the community college on the northern side. I felt off leaving Kayden at that school but in our community, it was the only one.

                                                    ***

It was almost 9:45 and my sock was bunched up in my boot. It was fall and I forgot to grab a nice sweater, but I was stuck with the 'cute' sweater MeMaw made for me. The wind was blowing, and it was extremely cold today.

"Shoot, I'm late!" I grumbled as I pushed my arms through the sleeves.

Entering the building I only saw a few folks walking around. Everyone was clearly in class. I felt nervous for some reason....any other time, I never felt like I was going to piss myself and hungry at the same time.

I tucked my brown hair behind my ear, I could see the room from where I was.

I picked up my steps and right as I began to enter the room....I slammed into someone.

"Fuck!" He exclaimed.

I bit my lip too.

"I'm sorry!" I screamed out.

"In the words of my favorite character...It's rude to lurk in doors, get in here and in your seat before you both see failure on this quiz." Mr. McQuarter said.

He growled like some idiot and grabbed his bag, shuffling it on his shoulder due to the mess I probably was responsible for. Dang, I told him I'm sorry.

"Get out of my way, girl." He demanded.

My mouth dropped. Asshole.

"What did you say?"

He heard me. How was that possible??