A case of racism

Chapter 1

August 29, 2018

"Catherine!" I heard mom yelling from outside my dorm while she knocked.

"Coming," I said as I made my way to the door.

"I brought you your bag," she said as she walked inside with my bag trailing behind her.

"Thank you mom, you didn't have to do this."

"Yeah whatever, why did you have to move here anyway?"

"This one is much closer to everything than the last one, and I don't have a roommate so that gives me a lot more space to put my things."

"Well as long as you're happy. I will go now, call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay, love you." I said as I give her a kiss on the cheek. She smiled at me and walked to the door.

I waved at her as she left then looked around me to see where to start. I still have to go to the store to get a lot of things as this room is much bigger than my last one and I have it all to myself. But I have to put my things first.

I started by putting my clothes in the closet. I really like this room, the one that was here before me had left it in a really good state.

As I was folding my clothes I saw the shirt that Andy gave me last year. It made me realize how much I really miss him. It's not like I forgot about him, but sometimes  I don't see anything that reminds me of him so he leaves my mind. Just for a short time though, every time I look at something that he bought me like our friendship bracelets or his shirts memories start floating in my head. I'm not proud of how our friendship had ended and I really wish things would've gone in a different way.

When I realized that I've been staring at the shirt like a creep for a long time I put it in the closet and continued what I was doing.

After I finally finished I dragged my bag to the corner of the room, grabbed my phone and went outside to get what I need for the room. It's not much just some decorations and such to make the room feel like home. I still don't have a car so I waited for the bus to go to the mall.

One thing I love about this city is that everything is nearby. Like I can go to the mall by walking if I wanted to. It makes me feel safe that I can get whatever I need quickly.

When I arrived at the mall I started searching for a shop to get what I need. I spotted one so I walked in. It's a really nice place and everything looks really cool.

You see that's my problem, I can never pick anything while shopping. I just kind of want everything and take forever to choose from them. My mom never liked taking me to buy anything because every time one of us have to end up crying. Sometimes it's me because she doesn't want to buy me everything I want and sometimes it's her because I just wouldn't stop changing my mind.

An hour later I finally choose what I want and walk to the cashier. It's not much just some light branches to make the place look cool, a sign that says 'dream big' and a clock.

"Here you go," the girl said as she handed me my things.

"Thank you," I smiled at her and walked out.

I knew if I got into any other shop I wouldn't get out of here before midnight so I just left and decided to go eat.

There's this really cute diner not far from here that have really great food. I started to make my way over there.

At the beginning when I went there alone there was this girl who always gave me sad looks because she thought that I didn't have any friends. But she soon realized that I do in fact have a lot of friends when they made me a surprise party for my birthday there.

I just like being alone sometimes. Not because I'm sad or anything just because I like feeling independent. Besides when I was a kid I used to be alone all the time since I was an only child. That of course was until Andy became our neighbour and we were always together.

When I walked in the diner I walked to where Elle is and smiled at her.

"Are you going to order now this time or will you stare at the menu for half an hour then order the same thing you get every time?" She teased making me laugh.

"No, I will just order and save us both."

"Take a sit and Zed will bring you your food in a second."

"Okay, thanks." I said and made my way over to my usual table.

As I waited for my food I stared at the pictures on the wall beside me. They are really nice and friendly. Everything in here is friendly and warm. That's why I love this place so much.

They had pictures of all the people who work here together dressed in Halloween clothes and another with their work clothes with the whole kitchen in the background covered in flour and their faces too. There was pictures of the owner of the place and his wife. They are an old lovely couple. I only saw them once but they were really nice. The last picture was of a girl that looked about eighteen. I think she's the owner's daughter or something.

"Heeyy," I almost screamed when Zed yelled in my ear, he started laughing like the idiot he is.

"Jesus man, calm down."

"I thought you cheated on us with another diner since you haven't been here for years." He said while putting my sandwich and drink almost dropping them on the floor without noticing.

"I was only gone for like, two days."

"Well, no one can live for two days without eating, right? you must have went somewhere else," he said while narrowing his eyes.

"Chill, I went back home."

"You have a family?" He said faking a surprised look.

"Zed get your ass over here," Elle said before I could reply.

"On my way babe," Zed said as he made his way over to her.

I smiled when he went over to her trying to kiss her while she just ignored him. They are really the cutest thing I've ever seen. They are really in love and their differences make their relationship much more interesting. Elle is your typical artistic quiet girl while Zed is just a ball of joy, like literally no one can be sad when in the same room with him. I'm sure they would make the cutest family one day.

When I finished eating I went over to Elle to pay. I found Zed showing her something on instagram.

"We doesn't look alike. She's just saying this because we're both brown. She's just being racist."

"Zed you're brothers of course you look alike." Elle said in a bored tone while he gave her a betrayed look.

"Look Catherine, do we look alike?" He said and held the phone next to his face when they saw me.

"Well, um kinda yes." He then slapped his hand on his forehead and left.

"Even you," he mumbled while walking away. I shrugged not really knowing what to do.

"Don't mind him." Elle smiled shaking her head.

"I never do, see you around." I said after I paid and started walking out of the diner.

I got lost more than five times and had to stop people every one minute to ask them about directions since I still don't know the way to my new dorm. But I was still happy that I decided to move so I won't have a roommate.

When I finally got in I changed into one of Andy's shirt and a short and got into my bed. I will just put the things I bought tomorrow since it was late and I feel really tired.

I looked at my phone and thought about wether l should text Andy or not.

After a minute I opened my phone and stared at the last massege he sent 'thank you cath. :)' it said. He was replying to me wishing him a good birthday.

I don't know what happened. We used to talk everyday for hours and now, well now I can't even start a conversation.

I put my phone back and closed the light. Maybe I will text him tomorrow. Now I will just sleep. I really don't want to think about it right now.

I closed my eyes and all I could see is Andy's hurt face the last time we saw each other.