From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 9: A Change

The next few weeks were the same. Lazy asses harassed me for the homework they should've done themselves and the name calling never ceased. I started to buck up, pay more attention in class and be more active. My grades were finally improving from B's and C's to A's. I was becoming more consistent in my studies now. Every now and then, I practised my powers a bit before studying for no reason. I wanted to prove to my dad I wasn't a depressed piece of shit.

I visited Sammi in the hospital three times a week to bring her whatever homework she had. We had most of our classes together so it was easier for me. Sammi woke up from her coma a few days ago and was showing signs of recovery. She was also moved to a hospital nearer our hometown too.

She noticed a big change in me, personality and fashion-wise. I've started to wear a lot of black now since I bought quite a lot of band shirts from Hot Topic. I was visiting her one day and I was wearing this cool-looking shirt from some band named My Chemical Romance.

When I entered her ward, she was eating her lunch. Her leg was still in a cast and there was a bandage wrapped around her forehead. Upon seeing me, she waved frantically and called me.

"Hey Ebony!" Yeah, she gave me a cool nickname too. It kinda suits me now that I think about it.

"Hey, bud. Brought you your homework. You know I-" I was interrupted by her screeching. "Geez Sam, what's wrong now?"

"I-Is that...a My Chemical Romance shirt?" She was trembling so much I thought she was going to explode.

"Yeah. What about it?"

"I love that band," she started, "they've been with me through thick and thin. You should listen to them sometime."

"Wait, you know other bands?"

"Well duh, you idiot. I know other bands besides Panic! y'know," she rolled her eyes. I sat on the bed and lay down with her. She was almost done with her food. I cringed in disgust. I hate vegetables.

"Vegetables are good for you, Ash. They make you strong. You need it now—I mean look at you, you're paler and skinnier than usual." Now it's my turn to roll my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah I get it mum...veggies are good. Fries are bad-ow." Sammi jabbed me with her elbow.

"Don't mock me, Ebony."

"Don't mock me, Ebony," I imitated her. That earned me another jab in the arm. She giggled and leaned back slightly on her bed.

"Y'know Ash, ever since I woke up from that dreaded coma you've always seemed a bit...off. Your previously cheery attitude is gone. I get that you're a quiet guy but you're even more reserved now. Why's that?"

I froze. I couldn't tell her about my negative thoughts about the accident. I couldn't tell her about my deteriorating mental health either. But she was my best friend, I told her all of my secrets, even the most embarrassing ones. I decided to tell her about what happened between me and my dad instead.

"My dad doesn't accept me for who I am. Ever since finding out about my powers, he's been ignoring my existence. He does fine with mum and Nick but when it's about me, he doesn't wanna be involved. Every day, he comes home late at night, sometimes from the pub. It's like I don't belong in my own family."

My voice cracked and I didn't know whether it's puberty or not. I felt the tears coming again. It's really hard for me to handle right now. No matter how hard I try to get my dad to love me, he won't accept it. I was just a freak, a malfunction of human nature.