Amani

AMANI'S POV I hate moving. I hate having to leave my life behind... Heck! I hate this life. Why do I always have to be the one who gets thrown all the lemons? Heavens know I can't make a lemonade to save my life. I just want a quite life in Madagascar where no one knows me. I want to start a fresh,am I asking for too much ? " I enrolled you in a nearby school and you'll be starting tomorrow." I feel I'm on the brink of tearing up. I turn my gaze from the light taps on the window as the rain falls silently almost adding to the somber mood. I look at my aunt,wrinkles etched on her forehead. We've been driving for almost six hours but nobody bothers to discuss the elephant in the room. Actually I think we are all scared to speak of the elephant. "Sasha,my daughter goes to the same school." she mutters,a smile forcing its way. "Nice." I reply my voice groggy from not speaking for so long. I try clearing my dry throat and Grace notices, passing me a bottle of water. I thankfully grab it as I contemplate why she's trying to make small talk. We haven't seen each other in over fifteen years. The last time I probably saw them was when I was five,heck, I wasn't even able to recognize her face as so much time has passed by. What am I supposed to say? that's great, I can't wait to meet her ... I'm sure we'll make good friends... come on,this isn't some fictional book,this is real life. She drives for another hour until we're finally at her house.She slowly parks at her garage as I follow her, my glasses in hand. "You'll be staying on the same floor as Sasha,you can wear some of her clothes until you get to go shopping. Mark also says you can get to work at his office,you know that way you can make some cash for yourself." I mean I dont mind making some money for myself. Infact I'll need loads of it for me to finally go where I need to be. I spare her a smile as she holds my hands pushing open the front door. She doesn't notice but the simple gesture makes my skin boil,and I instantly get the chance to pull away as a male walks over to her, taking her in a hug. "Finally you two are back." He pecks her on the lips, tucking a stray hair from her face before finally turning to me. "You must be Amani." "Hi." He makes as if to hug me put I pull away just in time, crossing my hands across my chest. I don't fail to see him eyeing me quizzically before he masks it with a smile. "Hey,you must be Mark." "I sure am. The last time I saw you you were still in diapers, I changed you once or twice,but look at you now,all grown up." He smiles. I hate people who talk too much. Especially those with such talks. What did they want me to do,change my diapers myself? I mean did I ask them to?And so what if they did,do they want me to pay them? "Uhm,honey, I think we should let her take a shower and change, she's had a long flight and the drive too was long." Grace breaks the awkwardness. "I'll have Sasha,bring up some of the clothes she's never worn, at least for now." I simply nod as she shows me my way to my room,luckily its on the first floor. After a small thank you, I gently open the door,and as soon as I do so I'm met with the smell of lavender...just perfect. The room is very organized,with a few potted plants here and there. The bed has been neatly spread and I can tell there is no single crease on it. Geez! The person who did this must be a clean freak. I walk to the bathroom and exhale a sigh of relief as I notice there's no bathtub. I quickly open the shower taking my clothes off as gently as possible as I try to avoid hitting the bumps on my body.Ten minutes later, I hope onto the cold shower wincing as soon as the water makes contant with my body. I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of water down my body,Chickeny chickens, it's been a while since I felt this cold,safe...clean. Heck its been a while since I've felt something, anything. A lump makes its way on my throat making me open my eyes as I reach out for the body wash. I gently lather it on my body, hating the different colors shading my skin. When did I reach here ...Why did I allow myself to even reach here... I let my dreadlocks get socked in the water, washing them as well. I just need anything to get rid of the filth that I feel on my body. I must have been in the shower for a minute because when I get out,fresh clothes have been nearly placed on the bed. I reach out , shuffling them and I find a cut pink dress,some cargo pants,a hoodie,a nightgown and a crop top. I decide to go with the hoodie and cargo pants,though some sweat pants would have done the job better. I dry my hair with the extra towel, avoiding styling them and letting them fall on my shoulders. I ransack for a toothbrush and once I find a packet, I brush my teeth, looking at myself in the mirror.The last time I really looked at myself must have been a year ago as I got ready for my birthday. How I'd long to go back in time,so much would have changed...so so much. I busy myself with an old book I find on a chair next to a dressing station,avoiding sitting on the bed to avoid forming creases on it. I mean I wouldn't want to do it injustice. I'm barely on the ninth page when Grace makes her way to my room smiling. " I hope you're settling in well.I made some food and I l'know you're starving as you've barely eaten anything since I picked you. So if you don't mind you can join us at the table or I can have Melinda bring it to your room." She says " I wouldn't mind joining you guys. Just give me a sec." She smiles once again as she gently closes the door. I mean this woman has done so much for me,the least I can do is join them at the table . I put my book aside, bookmarking it as I know for a fact that I'm not letting go of that good read until I'm done. Once I've pep talked myself, I walk down the stairs, joining Mark and Grace. I pick a chair, settling myself as quietly as possible. Soon after I hear Grace call after a Melinda,and asks her to serve me. A couple of spoons down I realize I cannot stomach anymore so I just listen to the couple talk about their business and clientele. Once everyone is done, I excuse myself but just as I'm about to get to my room,Grace catches up with me "Mark and I were thinking that enrolling you in a school as soon as possible would be the right thing for you. Plus you get to go with Sasha. I'm sure you two would get along really well. She's getting late but she'll be here tomorrow to get you to school and have you oriented." "Thanks Grace. I appreciate all you've done.I really do." she smiles,nodding her head and I can tell she's wondering whether to give me a hug or a handshake so I save her the trouble and nod at her before excusing myself and retiring to bed. Let's see what tomorrow brings