Southern Loneliness (The journal of Layla N. Pendergass)

Chapter 5

Enjoy!

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The next day was weird. I hopped down the steps. I was wearing my favorite dress today.

" Hey, my beautiful girl. I love your dress. Isn't it your favorite?"

" Yes." Mama always did this silly act when I wore it.

Mama's face quickly turned grim. " Did you finish your homework?"

" Yes mam. Every last bit."

" Now don't go pullin' off any more stunts like that. You could have gotten me in trouble."

" Yes mam."

" Now here's a jelly sandwich. Eat it quick and get going."

I scooped in my chair and grabbed my sandwich. I squeezed it, watching the shiny jelly spill out onto the plate.

" Stop Layla." I jumped and quickly took a bite.

At school, we took a trip to the town park.

" Hold hands children.", Mrs. Stark smiled. Everyone sighed. We were in boy-girl-boy order. Do you know how nasty it is to hold a boys hand? Yuck!

Matthew ran to me and took my hand. Can't a girl get a break. "Samantha, don't even go there." She giggled at my response. Third grade sucks. Boys are so gross. The sun beamed down on us as we made our way to the pond.

" Now class. Tell me what you see in the pond."

As always, Kyle's hand would squirm up in the air.

" I see green leafs floating on the water."

" Good Kyle. Do you know what those are called?" Suprisingly, Samantha raised her hand.

The teacher nodded in her direction.

" Those are lilly's" Only Samantha would try to give a leaf a human name. Ha! And to think... I felt rubbing on my hand. Matthew!

" Aahhhhhh!" I jumped away screaming. How dare he. Yuck! The class hopped away as Mrs. Stark pulled in close.

" What happened Layla?"

My hand shook as I pointed to Mathew. " He... He rubbed my hand." I spat. The words like broccoli to my tounge. Never would I have thought he would do much a thing. The class gasped and quickly stepped away from him.

Mrs. Stark let out a chuckle.

" We'll talk after class." The class let out the gossip alarm.

" Can anyone else tell me what you see?"

" A froggie."

" Correct. But Sasha, It's a toad."

" Oh, okay", she smiled. Only if she was blond. Then I could truly call her a dumb blond.

" Lighten up.", Deralise nudged. I made a quick smile at her. Only if she knew.

After class, I rushed home, leaving Samantha. I can't be late today.

In the house, Mama was makin' dinner.

" Mmm. What smells so good."

" Homemade pie. Your Grampa's favorite." I layed my books in a chair.

" Oh no child. Go do your homework." She didn't look at me. Not even a turn.

" Let me help" I grabbed a spoon and pushed up my arm covers.

" No Layla." She tried to grab the spoon without looking at me.

" Mama!"

" I said no." She quickly turned. Her hair was scrambled and she had on big goofy sunglasses.

" Mama, why are u wearing glasses in the house?"

She didn't say anything. Her lips trembled.

" G-Go and do your h-homework?" I grabbed my books and ran up stairs.

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