Into the story

CUT IT OFF

“ Those girls are really something “ Nora fumed removing the gum from her hair, but it was very hard and extra sticky

“ Is there any use of stating the obvious?”

“ But how can you be so composed Rachel?, the only way of getting this thing off is to cut that part of your hair “

“ Then cut it off, I’ve experienced things worse than this” Rachel shrugged

“ I am not going to do that , I am your friend and I can’t stand this happening…..”

“ Where were you when it was glued there in the first place? “ Rachel asked cutting her short, she was scrolling through her phone. Nora paused, she was at the cafeteria too alright but how could she tell Rachel that. She looked at Rachel who looked too relaxed

“ I was too scared to step up “ she sighed “ I’m sorry Rae “ the way she called her name made

Rachel stop in her tracks, her eyes widened and her breath hitched

“ Don’t, Never call me that again please “ she said firmly

“ I was just…” Nora tried to explain then looked at Rachel who resumed with her phone, she wasn’t even listening to her anymore. This was what Nora disliked about Rachel, she always did not let her speak or listen to her . She scoffed and continued what she was doing when Rachel called her name

“Nora look” the video she showed her was the one that happened earlier in the cafeteria, the one where she smeared the food on Brooklyn’s face

“ It’s already on the net” Nora laughed “ That fast?” She laughed again “ She would be so furious, just be careful Rachel”

“ I have to” she pulled out a book and started writing on it

“ what’s that? “ a curious Nora asked

“ My story “

“ You write ?”

“ Yeah, I do”

“ Can I read this?, I love love reading “ Nora squealed and sat down “ But hold on, why don’t you write it in your computer, or a laptop or your phone?”

“ The book was my mom’s. She also loved writing, so that’s why I chose to write it here instead “

“ oh, let me read this then. I hope it’s good “

“ I don’t know . The main character is me” Rachel smiled

“ Huh?” Nora raised a brow, “but the description is nothing like you ?”

“ It’s me , but it’s all I wished I had. The features I wrote for her are the ones I should have in this life the life she has, is the one I should have in this life. Since I can’t be her here, let me write myself as her “

“ Do you realize then that that’s not you?, you’re writing about someone else cause nothing connects you to her, she’s her and you’re you. You should strive to be the better version of yourself, not writing a fantasy and claiming it’s you.” Nora laughed “this looks nothing like an autobiography “

“ It’s still me” Rachel protested

“ Ssshhh” Nora signaled “ let me enjoy this “

“ The chapters are long, you can’t finish it in a day”

“ Which is why I’m gonna take it home “ Nora replied swiftly

“ No you can’t. You have to read it here please” She attempted to take it from her hands

“ Then quiet “ Nora frowned taking the book to her other hand “ let me read in peace “

“ okay” Rachel laughed and waited while Mora read. Rachel fell asleep soon enough, she was lying on Nora’s lap as Nora kept flipping pages

“ This is so interesting, why doesn’t she write for sss or w******l or all those apps?” Then an idea struck Nora, she could take the story and use it as hers, but that wouldn’t be right, would it?? She shrugged the idea off and kept reading to the last line, Rachel wasn’t done with the story yet. Was she really writing an autobiography in a weird way?? She loved the characters she used, Eloise , Zeke, Troy, Cory and Layla. The five characters were groomed in a magic school, she didn’t know Rachel loved fantasies but this was really good.

“ Get up , Rachel . It’s late, let’s go home “

“ Huh?” Rachel Grudgingly rubbed her eyes and yawned “ What time is it?”

“ A minute after six”

“ what?” She shot up startling Nora

“ I-I got to go , Nora. I have to make dinner for my sisters “ she said as she ran away

“ Is she their slave or something??”

Rachel got home by seven, she tiptoed carefully as she was about to climb the stairs, she heard her fathers voice.

“ They left and I haven’t even seen them since, I don’t know what their mother would say “ Rachel rolled her eyes, what a man he was “ Alright bye, we’ll catch up later “ he sighed and massaged his temples. Rachel was already at the foot of the stairs when she heard her father call her

“ Rachel , come “

“ Evening Dad “ she said strolling to where he was

“ why are you home late? “

“ I slept off while reading a book at the library “

“ And the school didn’t lock you in? “ Her dad raised a brow “ Never mind that, you can fend for yourself anyways. Where are your sisters? , did you see them? Their phones are dead and your mother is worried about them ….”

“ Your mother?, Your sisters? Worried?” She cut him off “ Stop being delusional dad, or are you just pretending to be “

“ Are you out of your mind?, do not speak to me that way “ her father cautioned

“ I am actually, when it comes to me , I can fend for myself but when it’s them , you are always on the lookout “

“ That’s because “ her father paused “ that’s because….. we’re family “

“ You can’t even find the right word dad “ she sobbed “ You don’t love those girls , maybe they were actually right, you’re just leeching off them, off their mom who you call wife. I know you married for money, but since when did you become so pathetic? I guess that’s why mom left……..” A heavy hand landed on her face, her head automatically tilted to the side, she widened her eyes as she turned to where the pain came from.

Her father frowned as he looked at her, his eyes were burning and his gaze was fierce . Her lips twitched as hot tears trickled down her face, the pain was unbearable, it stung bad but what hurts most was the fact that he hit her and not actually the pain accompanied with it. Her hand held the side of the face her father had hit.

“ Never, never ever talk about that woman . If she’s dead then let her remain six feet underground ” He shouted “ Do not bring her up again, you look like her so much I struggle to keep you around . Do you think I love them too? I’m doing my best to fend for us but you are being an ingrate “

“ You’re a monster “ she cried “ mom’s more of a father figure than you’ll ever be “ and with that she stormed out of the house

“ Rachel, Rachel , comes back here . Don’t you dare walk out on your father “ but she was long gone

***** ** *****

The moon was up in its full glory, it was a full moon in a very long time ,the night breeze was cool and soothing , the stars shone brightly in the night sky, the fireflies did their magic on the other side of the road. Their yellow light in the dim night was truly magnificent . But amidst this beautiful scenario, a girl was crying hard on the grass.

Her father’s words cut her deeply, they were sharp, too sharp for her . He should’ve just insulted her, he should’ve poured his anger on her, he should not have brought up her late mother. She cried harder when she remembered what he said .

The worst part was that she still wanted to be with her father, she hated the fact that their relationship was this twitched. Was it that hard to have a normal life? Her father could always genuinely work for money but he chose to do it the wrong way, he was still strong, he could take care of her if he wanted but he had always been lazy. She understood now why her mom left her dad before she died . She wished she could see her mom again and apologize for all the time she got mad at her mom for leaving her dad.

“ I was such a fool “ she cried harder “ I’m sorry mom “ she said throwing the grass that was when she realized that her school bag was still with her .

She did not even take it off when she was talking to her dad earlier . She sniffed and ransacked through it. Her book was there, her story was there. She brought it out and hugged it tightly.

As she opened it and read the very first paragraph that described her as the girl she wanted to be she cried even harder. So in the end, her life cannot just be a fantasy?, so in the the end she can’t live in a word full of peace and no turmoil?, so in the end she can’t be perfect and the main lead in the story?. Why did she always have to be the extra character? Was her life a joke ? Was her whole existence not worth living?

“ I wish I can just be in this picture perfect story. I wish I was Eloise “ she cried hugging the book . In a flash, everything paused, the birds didn’t chirp again, nor was there any sound of the wind. It became calm and Rachel was still crying. The moon shone even brighter as the beautiful but strange lady approached her

“ What’s a young girl like you doing here at this time?” The lady with a blonde hair asked

“ it’s weird “

“ What is?” The lady asked again

“ Something just feels wrong but I can’t place my hand on it, it’s terribly quiet “ Rachel said sniffing, the place became calm all too soon

“ You’re out in the dark, you should go back home. A young girl like you can’t be here for too long, it’s not safe “

“ I’m not going , I’d rather be here than go home “

“ Very well then “ the lady said and smiled softly at Rachel. Rachel did not know who this lady was but her smile was comforting, it made her calm.