No Ordinary Love

Chapter 14

****NOT EDITED******

Roman tried to spend every moment possible with Zayra. He would ask Emily for permission and take her out to eat or to a nearby park, always keeping her busy. He'd sit and listen quietly as Zayra helped Joshua with his music lessons.

He remembered Joshua as a kid. He couldn't believe how fast time flew. Emily had enrolled her in Joshua's private school, she was to start on Monday as a senior. She had passed all the tests given to her.

Emily had decided to give her the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test and had scored above average scores in all the test. The test is composed of 10 core sub tests and five supplemental sub tests, with the 10 core sub tests comprising the Full Scale IQ.

She scored 132, surprising even the school. She had missed so much school throughout her life it was amazing. They placed her as a senior and speed tracked her graduation.

Emily had explained to her father that she'd have to set up appointments with colleges soon, if that was her wishes, which she feared they wouldn't be. Henry told her to speak with Roman and see if he could persuaded her to think about a plan.

She didn't think that would be a bad thing, she saw how much he cared for her. He was the only one beside Joshua that made her smile without sadness showing in her eyes. She was grateful that she spent time with her lonely son too. Emily and Jeremy had began music lessons for Joshua when he was 9 and not once had he excelled in his technique. In just the short time she had lived with her, he had showed remarkable improvement.

She had told Jeremy about this and he had laughed, wondering why they were paying the music teacher if they had Zayra. She didn't think that was a bad idea. She had cancelled the music sessions and had offered Zayra a job.

She had smiled brightly, told her she didn't want the money she'd do it for free. Emily had refused. She said it was only fair. The look of determination she had given Zayra made her shrug and agree.

They had decided on lessons 3 times a week for an hour. Shed get $1200 a month. Zayra had gaped at that. That meant they were paying the teacher $100 an hour for music lessons. She knew they had gotten jipped, the teacher never truly committing on teaching Joshua. He was eager to learn and welcomed Zayra's praise.

Zayra saw that Joshua was excited to know she was starting school with him. He would introduce her to some of his friends and show her off he would say. He had always dreamed about being in a band and with her help, he'd be able to achieve it. Zayra was a bit apprehensive about starting school as a senior. She wondered if she'd be just as bored as she had been in her public school.

She remembered taking the tour of the private school in awe. She was amazed at everything the kids had. They lacked for nothing. They had a huge music room and auditorium. A basketball and football team, an Olympic sized pool and even drama and debate classes. They had everything that her school didn't. Good teachers, rich parents, excellent education, a shot to a future. Zayra had to whistle at the difference.

So this is how the 6% of the country learned, she thought.

No wonder poverty resulted in violence, ignorant at what they didn't but should have, such as the right to a decent education. She sighed, it didn't matter. She was now part of that group, well at least until she turned 18.

She paced her room, waiting for Roman to pick her up. It was his last night before he had to go back to France. She was sad about that. She knew it would be a long while before she saw him again. He had to continue with his term and she had to finish school anyways. He had recently asked her about college. She hadn't honestly thought about it. Especially lately, it was something abstract. Unreachable for her.