I originally dedicated this chapter to snowleopard127, so I'll keep it that way. Hope you're well girlie
Photo: Random
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On the first day of school after her new name, Tisaeja found Mama to be especially unpleasant. Now Tisaeja sat at the family table wearing a frown as long as the single braid hanging down her back.
She had initially resolved to not eating Mama's breakfast as a way to spite her. After a few minutes of slurping, swallowing and lip smacking, Tisaeja gave up. It didn't help that Mama's cooking always smelled so good.
She settled on feeding herself with the long face so Mama knew exactly how she felt at being tugged from bed and forced to get ready for school. Tisaeja had been excited for school yesterday. Today was a new day.
Mama and her father did not speak as they usually did at the table. Instead they communicated with their eyes in a way Tisaeja could never understand. Her father stretched a hand towards Mama's face, brushing her cheek with a light tenderness.
Mama's eyebrows drew up in worry even as she leaned into his touch. Her father nodded a few times, neither one breaking eye contact during the interaction. Mama sighed and let her eyes roam till they met with Tisaeja. Mama cocked a brow and Tisaeja scowled even deeper as she chewed on the piece of toast in her hand.
"There's been a few, uhm, changes to your school Hemmaa" Mama said with voice soft.
Her father let his hand fall away from Mama's face. As Mama spoke, he lifted their interlocked hands to his lips and left a kiss on it.
"I'll be taking you to school today" She said, then after seeing the retort rising on Tisaeja's face, she added "As are other parents"
"No thank you"
"You don't really have a choice in this. The change is quite drastic and as council woman I have to be there regardless of you. Please understand."
"Addae will be waiting for me at the station"
"I spoke with his father yesterday. His father is starting work early today. He's probably already dropped the kids and his wife on the grounds. He won't be waiting for you today"
Tisaeja mulled the thought over in annoyance while she polished off the last of her breakfast.
Silently, she collected her items and slid into her mother's car. The frown was still active on her face. Mama joined her a short while after.
"Why isn't Papakyi coming?" Tisaeja asked.
"The changes don't affect him, besides it's his last year of school. It wouldn't have mattered anyway."
Tisaeja had to admit this was nice. The sun of the Second Season was rising in the sky, taking the temperature with it. The cooling inside the car was just enough to settle her skin without making her teeth chatter. If she wasn't so angry, she would have asked for this every day.
Eventually, Mama turned off the freeway and onto the road leading to the school. The street from the freeway exit to the school was lined on either side with all types of vehicles from the two to four wheeled. Tisaeja sat up, taking it all in.
"What's going on? Why are there so many cars?"
"It's the new system starting today. If they had listened to me for once and phased it in, this could have been a lot better...organised"
"Mama, are those Ueks in our territory?" Tisaeja asked after she caught the unmistakable pale hair and lashes from a group to the left of them. They weaved through the crowd like they owned the street they walked on, yet wore disdain on their faces like a second skin.
