Quiet One

Quiet One #2

"So Alessia, you ready for your day of Junior year? I mean....you have to be, this year is very important. You officially cannot fuck up like you did the last two years"

I turned to her as she said that last sentence. "Mama, I didn't 'fuck up' freshmen and sophomore year"

She gave me a 'Bitch Please' look
"Well honey ending Freshman year with C's and D's then ending Sophomore year with straight D's doesn't count for excellence"

I rolled my eyes " Would you rather be all F's! Since you talkin' about excellence here?"

"I rather it be A's, B's and maybe a couple C's here and there! And plus it shouldn't matter what I want...what do you want baby?"

I paused for a moment.

What do I want?

" I don't even know what I want mama....that's the problem! I mean what am I actually good at?"

She stopped at a red light. Tapping her fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of whatever song was playing on the radio.

"Well...."

She tilted her head.

"Ummmm...."

I sighed. "The long paused makes me feel soooo much better mama....thanks!"

The light turned green and she made a left turn Honey Hill Avenue.

"Look baby what do you expect me to say! You don't talk to me about anything. You keep everything locked up inside. For example, everyday I ask you how was school and what do you tell me..?"

"Good"

"Okay. Then I ask if you have any homework and you say..."

"Yes or no"

"Then you walk up to your room and close the door. The only time you leave is for food and the bathroom. Hell! Every year on the first day, I ask if you made any friends. You say no, I ask you why and you say...."

I rolled my eyes "I don't like people" I said as I looked out the window.

As mama keeps driving, I hear her softly chuckle.

"What is it mama?"

I watch as we pull up in the school parking lot.

I looked up reading the bright yellow and black sign.

Honey Hills Highschool, Home Of The Honeybees🐝

I read about this school. It's the best in the state, especially for athletics and academics.

Which is funny cause what's so strong about a honeybee, besides its stinga?

Mama pulled up into one of the teacher parking spots. Yes, mama is a teacher here. She's the Sophomores and Seniors Fashion Art Design teacher.

I got her for three class periods.

One is a actually class, the others I'm a TA for.

She turned the car and took the key out of the ignition.
She turned to face me "Why don't you like people? Hmm? What's so bad about people?"

I crossed my arms in irritation.
"Mama human beings are the most horrific, disgusting and the most selfish species on the planet. Hell! We're the cause of plastic in the oceans, ice caps melting, decapitation of all animals and not to mention we are our own enemies. Man v. Man"

Mama just stared at me in awe. Probably realizing just how dark her baby was inside. She shook her head and grabbed her art bag from the back.

"You saying all this about human beings and Man v. Man but I bet you never think of that lil boy the same way" She looked at me and smirked.

My eyes widened....she knows?