No Rose Without Thorns

Chapter 2.

Ava.

It was 7 in the morning and I was up making breakfast for my little sister and brother while my mom prepared for her day by brewing her coffee and smoking a cigarette.

"Ma can you put that out, it's gon get in the kids clothes," I complained, flipping the pancake. I heard her mumble things under her breath before she put out the cigarette.

"I'm letting you go to school today, but I still need you to go and pick up them from school," my mom said, fixing the kids and her plate. I nodded my head thinking about all the excuses I was going to tell people for why I haven't been to school.

I went for the first week but haven't been since then because, my mom had me doing stuff for her.

"Mace feeling better," I asked, dipping my pancakes in syrup.

"Yeah he feel better. Hand me the alaga syrup," I nodded my head and got up to get the syrup.

I turned my face up watching her drizzle the syrup all over her pancakes, "Ma how do you eat that mess,"

"Easy," She said, stuffing a pancake in her mouth. I watched her frown as she chewed the pancakes.

"Why does it taste like that," She whined, I rolled my eyes and continued eating watching her make a big deal out of nothing. Emoni, Mace, and I ate them perfectly fine ignoring her.

After we all ate breakfast, I sent Emoni and Mace to their room to pick out their clothes they planned to wear today. Luckily, Emoni and Mace school was right by my school. Emoni was in the 6th grade and Mace was in the 1st grade so they attended the same school.

But the only problem was we rode different buses. But my bus stop was a little closer to home so I would have to drop them off at the bus stop and usually miss my bus because, I didn't want them walking by themselves.

Emoni and Mace already took their showers before they came down to eat. I was the only person who wasn't ready and had to rush since it was 7:30 and I knew I was going to miss first hour. I went to the bathroom to start my hygiene and begin my day.

I decided to dress simple since, it was pretty chilly out but would probably warm up when school was out. I put on my black leggings, a loose white shirt, and a burgundy cardigan. I noticed I didn't have much time left and had to hurry up and leave. I slipped on my black toms and rushed to apply mascara and eyeliner. I grabbed my book bag and jogged down the steps.

"Come on Emoni and Mace," I called, walking towards the door. They both walked over slowly keeping their attention on the television.

"Bye Ma," Emoni mumbled,

"Ma, we 'bout to go," I called, she walked from the back and nodded her head. She kissed Emoni forehead and tussled Mace hair. She gave me a half smile and walked to the back. She came back and tossed me the keys.

"Don't wreck my shit, or you paying for it," She shrugged, I nodded my head and walked out the door with my siblings following behind me. My mom came to the door and locked it and went back to what she was doing.

I made sure I had my phone once I got into the car. I barely used my phone because, I didn't talk to that many people. I started the car and pulled out the medium length driveway heading to the their school.

*

Once I got to their elementary I went in to take them to their classes. I signed them in and walked back to the car. As long as they was on time that's all that mattered. I drove across the street to Gleenwood High School.

I drove around trying to find a parking spot. Once I found a parking spot, I locked the doors and got out the car. I walked through the double doors, stopping at the security booth in the front to sign in.