THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

AFTER

GRACE'S POV 

I watched as Mike slept on his side of the bed, my head was pounding and I didn't feel like myself.  Micheal's arms weren't  wrapped round me as usual, I assume it was because of the incidence yesterday during the party. I wasn't fully conscious when it all happened but I kept having strange dreams or flashbacks about it throughout the night. I know that Micheal it going to blame himself every minute for what happened but the truth is it was my fault for not trusting my gut about Mason. What happened didn't move me and I wasn't going to press charges. My mother wouldn't even listen to me and besides I'm an immigrant what rights do I have. I slowly stood up so Mike wouldn't hear me and start any conversation I wasn't interested in. I picked mt jacket and left his room. My mum I already gone to work because there was jo sign of her car, it's funny how everything changed when we got here. I went upstairs and had a bath for as long as I could, I didn't care about the time after all I was only going to school for attendance and basically the whole school was at the party last night. So many people are going to be in my hair and I know it. I wore a pair of blue jeans and a shirt that Ani got me some time back. I told her I wasn't going to wear it because then I was too innocent to and didn't see life the way she did or I do now. It said ''FUCK OFF'', it was really good for the mood now because I really didn't want anyone disturbing me. I looked through the window and it didn't seem like Mike had gone to school, but I actually need time for myself so I decided to walk to school. Mason wasn't in school or I didn't seem him which I was really grateful for but Micheal didn't show either. As I walked home I wanted to check on Mike but knew that was not the best thing to do. I'm going to focus on myself right now and probably my family. I opened the door of the house to see Jaynie and my mum at the kitchen counter. Mu heart leaped for the first time in months, I couldn't believe she was here.  I ran to hug her, she was glowing, she had really been taking care of herself but I had so many questions to ask but I couldn't since my mother was here.

Grace's Mum: It is a surprise I just wanted to apologize and thought why not bring Jaynie over, after all you'll be graduating next week.

Grace: Awwwwwwwwnn mum this was so thoughtful, I love you and I'm no longer mad at you

Jaynie: You were mad at mum and she needed to apologize? Things have really changed, Grace you know that if it were before she'll smack your ass and you'll begin to think properly right

 I laughed at everything Jaynie had to say, I missed her so much and I missed having girl time with her. My mum had also really changed since we got here and I feel it's because of the divorce she just sent through with dad. I got into three schools in Canada and it I found it very difficult to decide which one to go to. I'm just really glad I got scholarships because my mum wouldn't even think of paying this much. Jaynie entered my room holding her suitcase, she was smiling so hard I was worried something was wrong.

Jaynie: okay so you know how I've been saying I'll make your prom dress?

Grace: yes i do ( I don't know how to tell her that I don't want to go for prom, she wouldn't understand unless I tell her everything but I didn't want to go there right now )

Jaynie: Gracie, you seem off what's the problem?

I knew I wouldn't be able to keep everything from her for this long especially now that she's here with me. I told her everything from Ani to Mason, nothing left untold and she didn't seem shocked. She only looked at me with concern like she understood everything I was saying. ''Grace, I always knew you were strong but I didn't think you'll have to be strong for this kind of shit anytime soon. You know when I first got to college something similar happened to me but there were no witnesses and it was the Vice Chancellor's son that did it. You were so strong and brave, I couldn't even pull through the drugs and he actually raped me, for years I wasn't able to look at myself as anything more that's why I've been with Ben'' she said while crying and also trying to strong for me. I didn't know she had been through this much  but I knew that she was a fighter and she never gave up. ''Look all I'm saying is do what you think is right about the case and don't let anyone push you and your friend Ani I think she made you better.'' Jaynie was all I needed since the beginning of the year, she would have saved me lots of trouble.  We fell asleep

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The sounds of those beautiful wedding bells, it flowed, it was huge, long and beautiful. My dress, it all seemed like a dream, no one could compare what I had. He stood there, on the altar waiting for I his beautiful bride and the tears that filled his eyes were those of an angel. My bouquet began to feel light because my head was heavy looking at his desirable features. He was there, it was him and no one could replace him. His everything I have ever wanted, this was all a fairy tale that I hope to never quit watching. But it was all a dream and everything faded. MIKE,MIKE he was who I needed to see, its been so long, I don't even know what we are now. There was no way I was going to graduate without getting closure or at least talking to him, we've been through so much together and if he's ready to let that go, I'm not. ''Hey Jaynie, I'm going next door, be back in time for dinner'' she didn't need to respond because I already knew she approved.

I knocked on the door hoping Micheal would open the door but it was his mum. ''good evening ma, is Mike in?" she looked bothered but didn't say ''yea, sure come in''. I made my way to his room really fast and excited to see him but when I got to the door I took a long pause. What was I going to say and why didn't he bother checking it I was alright. One step at a time with a deep breath I went in. I found him laying there in his bed, he looked like he hadn't moved since I left. He looked wasted and drained, he didn't even realize I walked in. I would like to walk out of this situation but my stupid self had to get into this when I started checking him out. Look at where that has gotten me, I just wanted to finish senior year without any boy drama but this monkey had stolen my hear. ''Mike'' I said shakily and out of breath, why wouldn't he move on, this happened to him and not me. ''Please talk to me'' I knelt on one knee beside his bed hoping he would turn to look at me me but when he did I wish he never looked. All I could see was fear and he was no longer the guy I knew. He looked like he'd been locked up for ages with no visitors. I had my eyes filled with tears but this wasn't the time for any of my dramatic nonsense. ''Mike I just want us to get pass this, go for prom and graduate like normal secondary school students, must we always be in pain?'' this was all that could come out of me, he still wasn't responding. I know I tried, I tried to get my last friend or boyfriend as the world may see us on board with having a normal life but I guess normal will never be the life for Grace Anagonye.