From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 10: Why Do Things Happen?

Mum got discharged from the hospital a few weeks later after going through chemotherapy. Despite being stripped off her hair, mum felt slightly better, aside from the occasional pains in her abdomen area. I made it a point to help her out in the kitchen more and pay more attention to her health now.

We've also been bringing her out to take her mind off it. Mum was definitely quite aware of her cancer now and was starting to make the most of her life. She's been taking yoga classes and working out in the gym. I wasn't sure what good would come out of that but it's her choice.

Sammi had been discharged from hospital as well but she had to move around on crutches for another 2 weeks. Even though she came back, the bullying still hasn't stopped. She tried a few times to get them to 'fuck off' but all she got was her crutch snatched away, causing her to fall multiple times. She wasn't really subjected to bullying as much as me. However, some of those prep girls would be picking on her sense of fashion for some stupid reason. What's wrong with wearing a pink shirt with red sweatpants?

That day, it was lunch break and we were at our usual table. Some other people were sitting with us as well. I was glumly eating my food when Sammi decided to break the silence between us.

"So, how's your mum doing?" she shifted slightly in her seat. I looked up and sighed.

"She's doing fine. She's been making full use of her life now, taking classes and going to the gym. We've been doing all we could to make her last years of her life meaningful."

Believe me, I was still bummed out that my mum barely had any time left in her life. My mum meant a lot to me. She's been encouraging me to carry on every time I told her about dad.

I was so lost in thought I didn't realise Sammi was waving her hand in front of my face. "Yo, Ebony? Can you hear me?"

"Hm wh-what—oh sorry..." I snapped out of my thoughts. Sammi was looking at me with her sad eyes: the one she showed when she's concerned for me.

"I know you're worried about your mum but don't let that affect your mood. She still has a long way to go, so keep up your efforts to make her as happy as she could be," she consoled me, obviously affected by my mood as well.

"Listen, Ash-"

"Can we change the subject? Please?" I really didn't wanna talk about it anymore, it's gonna hurt me even more.

"Yeah...sure um...I've heard you've been improving in terms of well-being ever since I've woken up from that coma."

"Oh...yeah...I-uh was failing classes because of my emotional trauma and my dad was really pissed. He's been neglecting me because he thinks I'm a hopeless case. I wanted to show him I was still the same kid he knew and not some rebel mutant who doesn't give a shit about grades."

As I was explaining this, I saw Sammi glancing repeatedly at something. "Sam, what's wrong?"

She pointed at something—or someone and said, "I think that guy wants to kill you. I have no idea what you did but you should run."

I turned back to see none other than Zachary's friend, whose name I still didn't bother to remember. He was glaring at me while cracking his knuckles. I, too, really don't know what the hell I did to make him mad but I'm guessing it's something about the homework I owed him a few days ago on Monday. And then he yelled.

"Brooks! You're gonna pay!" I looked at Sammi in alarm and she nodded her head frantically, signalling for me to get outta there. I shot out of my seat then ran out of the cafeteria, all while shouting at the top of my lungs, "You'll never take me alive, copper!"