We Were Gods: Oleander: Book One

Planets Align

"Mr. Lavouie, how nice of you to join us for class." My teacher is frowning at me; I just barely hear him. I stayed up far too late last night and I have the stale taste of cheap booze still on my tongue. I had attempted to read more of my The Death Justice System and You! book before the words Ra had spoken earlier began to torment me. I couldn't help but wonder what my parents were hiding from me; and on top of all that I had the ghost of my past life haunting me. There were so many things that needed my attention but I felt like I couldn't focus on anything. It was a rough night for me and my teacher should have just been happy that I actually showed up.

That's the thing though; when you're in high school, or college, or a real job, or even out in the real world, no one gives an actual shit about you. They don't care where you came from, they don't know or want to know your struggles, they don't even want to hear your problems. We're all headed to one destination in the end anyways: death. But in the meantime we're all wasting our lives away with these meaningless tasks and goals and pretentious ideas that we can truly make some difference in our own outcomes. You can work your life away and be the best "you" you can be but in the end we all end up as worm food. And don't-

"Mr. Lavouie. If you're going to-"

"I can't go home. I can't go back to that place! I won't let him hurt me or my little sister again... But how will I provide for us? I have to figure something out... I have to..."

"If you're not going to focus on class may-"

Blocking out my teacher, I turn around to look at the girl behind me. It takes her a moment to realize I'm looking at her. Her heart is still prattling on but the room has gone silent. Her brown eyes widen; I recognize the fear deep rooted within her.

"I can help you." I whisper, my own voice just barely audible. She blinks in confusion before her face loses all colour. "I can help your sister too." She moves her mouth, unable to speak.

"Mr. Lavouie. That's enough. If you're going to act out you might as well leave." I've had this teacher before and I know he's just waiting for me to drop out of school completely. I've failed so many classes and so many grades; I've been held back way too many times.

I turn to give him a harsh look before standing and grabbing my bag. "If you need help, I can help you." I say to the girl once more before heading to the door.

It isn't long before I hear the girl running after me down the hall. She doesn't even come up to my chest. "How did you know?" She whispers, clutching her books to her small chest. Everything about this girl is petite.

"I can't explain it." I mumble, scratching my cheek. "But I know I can give you some money to help you get out of here."

"R-really?" I can hear her heart drumming against her chest. "Why? I mean, why do you want to help me?"

"I don't know. Because you need help?" I shrug, not looking at her.

We're quiet the rest of the walk to my house. She keeps her head down and stays a few paces behind me; I'm sure part of the reason is because she doesn't trust me and wants an escape route.

"Maman?" I call out, cracking open the backdoor once we're at my house.

"Oh sweetie." My mother sighs, shaking her head at me. She is standing at the kitchen counter preparing food. Lindie is sitting on the counter attempting her best to help her. "Did you get kicked out again? Or are you sick again?"

"Actually," I move aside to let the girl in the house, "one of my classmates need help."

The thing about my family is, even though we just barely scrape by and don't have much money, we still do everything we can to help anyone. My mother helps at homeless shelters and woman's shelters. She does everything she can to help the needy and she will go out of her way to save a lost child. It isn't long before she has given the girl what little money she has tucked away for savings and is taking her to the church with Lindie in tow. My mother's church also helps young children who have been abused. They do everything they can to work with the police too. I have no doubt in my mind that my mother and her church will get the person hurting this girl and her sister locked away. They will also provide a safe place for the kids to stay. Another thing about my mother; she should be a saint.