Letters To Shay||✓

chapter seven.

My mind was made. Avoid all KODs until necessary. I was beginning to get Ohma to trust me and I felt like less of a bitch- a bit. We hung out in the library when we had nothing better to do. Midterms were coming up so teachers just gave out AOCs to read for the exams. She brought snacks her mum made. Her mother is an amazing cook and I sure have missed snacks like these. We'd eat and talk about random things and I soon learned we had almost everything in common. Honestly there was never a dull moment with her and maybe I have a teeny tiny crush, but whatever. It'll soon pass.

Not surprisingly, I saw less of the KOD. Besides Duke that drove me home [which was horribly awkward by the way. I didn't know what to say and he never bothered to strike up a conversation], I didn't see anyone I thought was familiar. The thought scared me at first, but I quickly shook the feeling off. Maybe they've forgotten about me..? Stephanie better not be planning anything crazy.

Things at home had simmered down. The troublemaker of our house had returned to work, leaving Mum with us. It wasn't like she was home ten hours out of twenty-four hours all seven days of the week. She was at work. She was at work Monday through to Thursday, spending the weekend with her children, trying to strengthen our bond. I never bothered hanging with her and she didn't approach me. I tried my possible best to avoid her, always staying in my brother's room and watching him work. Just the sight of her made me mad.

Ohma was my remedy. She made everything better. I told her about my family's turmoil-without the reason- and she'd talk soothingly to me and all my anger dissolved. She was the sunshine to my darkest days. She made me feel different. Less hopeless. Lighter. Happy. She even made me forget I was in school most times.. if we weren't doing schoolwork. We also made very mean jokes about Stephanie.. very mean I can't say 'em. Day by day she became more beautiful and I fell deeper. I avoided Duke; he didn't hold my hand, he didn't carry my bag, he didn't drive me home. I clearly didn't want anything with him and thankfully he got the message and stayed away.

And because of that, all hell broke loose. It was a fine Thursday morning. I was gently sorting books in my locker, humming a song Ohma had stuck in my head, when Charlotte slammed my locker shut with a furious look on her face. Breathe. I stopped humming and slowly faced her with a curious brow. Remember when I compared her to a super cute fluffy bunny? That was exactly how she looked. "Can I help you, Charlotte?" I asked, trying to be polite.

"Yes! Yes you can help me! You are the biggest, most self-centred bitch to walk the face of this school, do you know that?!" she shouted-asked. Many heads turned towards us and murmuring followed. Breathe, Keyonna. Breathe.

"Correction; Stephanie is the biggest, most self-centred bitch to walk the face of this school." Okay, kidding. I didn't say that. "I don't know what you're talking about, Charlotte", I told her innocently. She did a double take and dropped her jaw. She scoffed.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Keyonna. This is about you and Duke and how you're treating him! You're being a bitch to him! The guy likes you so much he's sacrificing his freedom for you and yet you're acting like a complete asshole! What is wrong with you? You're being unfair, Keyonna, and you need to stop!!" There was a crowd surrounding us, most of them with their phones up and recording. I looked from them to Charlotte, my anger rising.

"Stay. Out. Of. My. Business. Charlotte. Whatever I do is known to me and me alone. And how I treat Duke is none of your business. Don't test me, bitch." My voice dropped dangerously low at each statement I made.

She jumped back and regained her composure. "Why are you so blind and selfish?! Oh my God, Keyonna, you're hurting him. You're so evil you bring problems everywhere you go!"

Pause.

Heart stops.

Large hole opens in chest.