FACE THE REALITY

After the classes I ran to catch up with Amanda with the cycle by my side. I saw her walking all alone to her house.

" Hey Amanda." I called out.

" What do you want Lijah?" she asked.

I see it as a big achievement because I thought she wouldn't open her mouth.

" Can we be project partners?" I came straight to the point.

" NO"

I guess she also came straight to the point.

" I am not interested in this project so I was planning to be excused out from this with a letter from my mom." she continued.

" Oh is it? Fine!" I said. To be honest , I felt so embarrassed in front of other students who walked past me.

With my head down, I walked to my home with my cycle. Leah was already waiting for me at the door.

" Ugh! You are late again." She spoke angrily.

I wasn't in a mood to reply. I opened the doors and got in. Aunt Kylie's car was in her car porch. She came walking from her house.

" You guys are back from school! I too just came back. Lijah, did you manage today's food?"

" Yes Aunt Kylie, Leah had pancakes for morning and I gave her money to buy lunch from the canteen."

" Very well Lijah. I'll make some sausages for you guys."

Saying that, Aunt Kylie got in the kitchen and started with her work. She is so kind and loving. She herself doesn't have any children, so she treats us like her own. She really wants to move in with us but her husband won't let her do that. She also takes care of Leah's studies.

" Leah, get your homework and come to the kitchen baby." I heard Aunt calling out from the kitchen.

I went upstairs to my room. All I could think about was her. Her blonde long hair and those nerdy ponytails she ties in school. I really wanted this project with her.

" Mom, there's this geography project to explore or something with a partner and I don't want to do it. So can you please ask the professor to give me any projects that I can do alone, like any writing works." Amanda asked her mother.

" How long are you going to hide from people?" Her mother asked.

" I am not hiding from anything." Amanda shouted back.

" Yes you are. Just accept his death and move on dear. I know it's hard but it's been a year Amanda. Please move on with your life. How about you go hang out with your friends and do some fun stuff?" Her mother asked.

" Mom, just reply to what I asked. Can you get me out of this project?"

" No, it's time to face the reality. You have to do this project, it will help you to go out and explore with a friend. Go get some fresh air."

" Oh! So you know that I don't get fresh air in this house."

Amanda shouted back and banged the door shut. She ran to her room .

Sitting on the bed, she tried to control her tears. From her desk drawer, she took out a boy's picture and cried out from her heart.

" Why did you leave me brother?"