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This book contains mature themes, explicit language, and scenes of a sexual nature intended for adult audiences only. It is rated R and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
Trigger Warning:
This book also includes depictions o...
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Onika Maraj Manhattan High School
October 9
I was sitting at my desk, running my hand through my hair, trying to stay calm while my mom kept going on and on.
"I don't understand why you can't be more like your sister...are you even listening?" she said, snapping me back into the conversation.
"Onika!" she called out again, this time more impatient.
"I'm not listening, Mama. Do you even hear how you sound?" I shot back, feeling the frustration rise.
"I'm just telling you the truth," she replied like she always does when she thinks she's being helpful.
"You're not, Mom. All you do is compare me to Lauren. Do you have any idea what that does to me? To us?" I said, trying to get her to understand. "At one point, I hated my own sister because of it, until I realized she's just trying to prove herself to you. She's too nice to even see it."
"Oh, stop being dramatic, Onika," she brushed me off, like always.
I sighed, already feeling tired of this whole thing. "Okay, Ma."
"And I don't trust that boyfriend of yours. Owning a club... were you supporting him this whole time?"
"No, Mom, he's got his own money," I said, trying not to lose it.
"Mmm, I just hope you're not letting anyone use you."
"Mom, I gotta go," I said, already done with this conversation.
"You're so busy chasing af-" I hung up the phone mid-sentence, dropping it on the desk with a heavy sigh.
It was like talking to a wall.
I went back to my computer, trying to focus when a knock on my door interrupted me.
"Come in," I called out, and the door slowly creaked open. It was Mrs. Parks, the freshman science teacher. She smiled as she walked in.
"Hi, Mrs. Parks. What's up?" I asked, already having a feeling this wasn't just a casual visit.
"Hi, Ms. Maraj," she started, "so I have a student who's failing not only my class but every single one."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I have an idea of who you're talking about."
She nodded. "Yeah, so Ms. Blue constantly talks back in my class, and she's been using inappropriate language with me. I don't break easily, but lately, she's just been leaving my class to meet up with this senior. She actually left my class today."
