The alarm goes off, pulling me from whatever thin layer of sleep I managed to get.
A suh quick 4:00 come chro...
I rub my eyes, the faint sound of gunshots from last night still echoing in my ears. I sit up slowly, letting the darkness of the room remind me where I am.
It's too early for the world to be awake, but for me, it's the only time I get to feel like things might be okay.
Plus mi a get pay today
I reach over to silence the alarm, staring at the cracked screen of my phone.
Another day, another grind. Cyah afford fi sleep in-I can't afford to lose this job. Even though it's part-time, it's my escape, my way out of this hellhole. Working at the clinic gives me more than just a paycheck; it gives me a purpose, something to fight for.
I glance over at my brother, still curled up on the mattress beside me. I stretch then swing my feet off unto the cold floor, my body screaming for just five more minutes. But time isn't my friend. I shuffle to the corner of the room pausing for a second, staring into the cracked mirror hanging on the wall. My reflection looks tired-more tired than someone my age should look.
Grabbing my phone, I shifted the curtain and made my way to the half-finished bathroom to start my morning routine. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I stepped into the shower.
The only good ting inna dah place yah..
I turned the knob, and the cold water cascaded down my body, washing away the sleepiness that still clung to me. The gentle stream was a small comfort, soothing my skin. I reached for my rag hanging on the nail and lathered it with soap, scrubbing away the remnants of the night.
Once I was done, I wrapped myself in a towel and headed back to my room. Flicking on the light, I walked to the dresser, pulling out a pair of underwear, a training bra, and some tights, carefully putting them on.
I glanced at the phone on my bed, checking the time-almost 5:00 AM. I tapped my brother gently to wake him up.
"Mmm," he hummed, sitting up slowly.
Every morning mi affi a wake him up kmt and a the fact seh him go sleep early but still cyah wake..
"Wake up and go get ready fi school. Mi ago make breakfast," I said, heading towards the small kitchen to start the day.
As I entered the small kitchen, I opened the storage that i keep the groceries in and stared at the almost empty pan.
Yuh see dah crasis oman yah she nah contribute nothing fi feed we but as soon as mi buy mi tingz dem she quick fi nyam dem off..
