𝕿𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖓𝖘 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕽𝖔𝖘𝖊 | 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚘𝚗𝚎

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚗𝚎

𝙺𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚎'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

I stare at my alarm clock, waiting for it to go off. 5:17 am, the clock reads. I didn't sleep at all last night as today would be the biggest moment of my life. This would be my last chance to fulfill my brother's wish.

I got out of bed, turned off my alarm, deciding not to wait for it. I went to my bathroom and stripped from my clothes. I stare at my naked body on my full-length mirror. I look at my skinny figure in the mirror and the cuts on my thighs and wrists from self-harming. I understand why my grandad always calls me a walking stick. I sigh and enter the shower, allowing to the hot water to calm my nerves and my thoughts.

After brushing my teeth, I come out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body. I tied my waist-length hair into a messy bun and looked at my closet, deciding what to wear. I decided to go with a loose black singlet tucked in ripped high-waisted skinny jeans with a matching denim jacket, in case I get cold, and my black high top converse. I sat on my stool and faced the mirror. I had bags under my eyes and my face was really pale. I don't usually wear make-up but I had to look presentable for today. I put on light foundation to hide my pale face, a coat of mascara to make my lashes green eyes stand out and to finish it off, I applied nude matte lipstick on my plump lips. I put a ring designed with flowers on my right pointer on. It was given to me by Kaleb on my thirteenth birthday and I wear it everyday so that I can have a piece of him everywhere I go. I let my dirty blond hair loose and leave it in its wavy state. I smile at myself in the mirror. For the first time in two years, I actually looked presentable.

I walked down stairs with my small black suitcase full of clothes and necessities in hand. I'm greeted with the smell of pancakes and the sound of my grandad's favorite song, 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley, playing from his cassette player. I laugh and kiss my grandad good morning.

"Good morning Pappi," I said while laughing.

"Good morning Mi Amado!" my grandad screams, making me laugh.

My grandad is Hispanic and he spent half his life in Spain before moving to Stratford, England, the hometown of my grandmum. I speak fluent Spanish, and several other languages, just like him, my dad and brother. I call him Pappi and he calls me Mi Amado which means my darling. It's just my grandad and I now; my grandmum passed away 6 years ago due to a heart illness.

"Care to have a little dance with me Amado?" he asked. He bowed like a prince and held his hand out awaiting my response. I laugh at him and take his hand.

"Of course," I responded, doing my best princess voice while laughing.

We dance to Bob Marley's Three Little birds and laugh at each other, enjoying the moment. As the song ends, he looks at me for a while and says, "You look beautiful Amado. Your Papa and brother would be so proud."

"Papa and Kaleb would be laughing at us first because of our terrible dance performance," I chuckle as tears form in my eyes.

"They would now wouldn't they?" he says wiping the tear that has fallen from my eyes. He stares at me for a while before hugging me.

"Kaleb would be the proudest, Amado. You are finally granting his wish for you," he say softly as I close my eyes letting my tears fall.

After a while of hugging, we realized that the pancakes had burned on the stove. We laughed and got the edible pancakes and sat on the settee in front of the telly. I smiled and looked at my naked pancake without butter or syrup; just how I liked it. We watched the news and finished our pancakes. I got my suitcase and hailed a cab. I put my suitcase inside the boot and faced my grandad who had a sad smile sprawled across his face. I hugged him and inhaled his scent, wanting to never forget that smell of comfort and love. I pull away and kiss him on the cheek.