The Perks of Being a Freak (Editing)

15. Who Knew That Raj Had To Work Hard? I Sure Didn't

I was an only child, Rajeev said. And when I was very young my father died in a car accident.

I saw a woman with black hair and dark skin smiling down at Rajeev. A second later, she was curled in on herself, screaming and crying. Her face was red and crumpled. I felt my heart ache at the sight.

My mother lost her job and we moved here. A little boy waving goodbye to his house, mother tense beside him.

Rajeev and his mother sitting on a grassy knoll, tossing bread to ducks.

Rajeev and his mother, standing in an old, freshly painted apartment, covered in sticky blue paint.

Rajeev and his mother, laughing over a frozen pizza dinner.

A report card. One A-. Disappointment.

His mother's hugs, warm and safe. 

A picture of his father on the mantle.

Christmas. Curled up with his mother in front of the fire, with hot chocolate and a couple presents.

Playing football, his mother on the side. She took time off of work to see him. He had never been so happy.

But then she was back at work, and Rajeev was sad again. 

Mom did her best, but most of the time I had to figure stuff out on my own.

Rajeev looking down at his homework, brow furrowed in confusion.

Extra math classes after school. 

Late night tutoring sessions with the teachers. 

Studying, studying, studying, night after night.

Constant headaches.

Bullying because of his knowledge.

Perseverance.

“Im proud of you, my Rajeev.”

She told me that good grades were the key to success. She wanted me to be successful, but she also said that I needed to put my own happiness first.

Raj at a football game, grinning, getting clapped on the shoulder in congradulations. 

Raj laughing at a lunch table, not alone anymore.

Raj watching a carefree girl and her friends walk down the hall. Envy.

They had such perfect lives, why can’t I?

I’m not perfect.

Must be perfect.

I get all straight As so that one day I can buy her a huge house where she doesn’t have to take care of me all the time. I want her to be happy.

And his memories faded, drawn back into his own head.

They were all silent for a time, digesting what both Lia and Rajeev had laid out for them.

I’m sorry about your dad, Benny said sympathetically.

It was a long time ago, Rajeev sounded like he was shrugging. But thank you.