Chapter 3:
1877 Words
Mira's pov ...
That was a first” I thought as I watched Jeremy’s retreating back."Get your stinking spaghetti self away from my table !!! Chelsea suddenly screamed. I froze but that was my mistake, she pushed my chair and I fell backwards. The fall dragging me out of my shocked stupor. "Nowww!!" She screamed and I scrambled to get to my feet and rushed out of the cafeteria, heading straight for the field behind the cafeteria. I tried to get the offending meal of my body, hair and clothes. And yes I could have gone to the ladies, but for some reason I just could get my feet to take me back into the building. I looked down at my stained clothes with a heavy sigh. This would take some time to come off. Since we had no substantial classes left, I took the closest exit and decided to dismiss myself from school. I took the longer rout around the school building to get to the secretary's office.
The big spectacles adorning the secretary’s face did little to hide the pity in her brown eyes as she watched me fill out my exit form. I gave the poor lady a smile. Since it would be too much of a hassle to pull Zoe out of class and I had no hope with her parents, I simply booked an uber. The driver kept glancing at me through the rear mirror but he remained silent throughout the fifteen minutes drive and I was thankful for that. I had no ounce of small talk left in me. I kept my eyes glued to the window, watching the buildings zip by and wishing this last year of school would do the same. The first day had been a little too eventful.
When I got back home, It was empty. Oh,oh sweet relief I thought to myself excited that I’d be home alone and could blast off Beyonce’s music as loud as I want. I smiled at the tiny victory and quickly grabbed the key from it’s place under the flower vase on the front porch, shuffling my feet together so I wouldn’t have much to clean.
Once in the safety of my room, I grabbed my speaker and let Beyonce’s voice delude me into thinking that life wasn’t so bad. I hummed along as I stepped into the shower and it was only when I slipped my hands into my hair that I let the tears fall. I never expected to have a normal life, it was far too late for that. This however was a little too cruel.
Why did I have to go through all of this? Did I do something in my last life to warrant this treatment? If truly I was suffering as a result of past sins then haven’t I paid my dues?? I should be used to it by now but the truth is that I wasn’t. But no, I still get shaken and displaced by their words and actions and I hate myself for it. if something had been going on for this long, then surely I should’ve developed a thick skin by now. I heard the front door close, signaling the end of my alone time at home.
I rushed through the remaining part of my bath, and after changing into something, I strolled to the kitchen in search of something decent to eat, but on arrival, I spotted Zoe’s mum and hastily turned on my heels, not wanting to have an altercation. She paused her movements and looked at me in that way, that made me want to crawl away and hide in a hole where it would take months to get out of.
"Why on earth should your face be the first I see when I get home?" She asked in an irritating tone as she looked at me like I am the scum of the earth.
“Anyways." She said on a sigh and turned her attention to her phone. I saw that as an opportunity for a quick escape, but she wasn't done. "Hold on." She said waiving a beautifully manicured finger at me. "We’re going to the company party, put on something nice and be ready by 5:30pm.”
“I don’t want to go”
“I wasn’t asking”
“Take Zoe with you”
“She’s busy”
“Then go alone”
She rubbed her hands on her temple as though I was stressing her.
“Stop being difficult Mira, you’re coming with us” then she turned her attention back to her phone, signaling the end of the conversation. I stomped my feet all the way back to my room at the end of the hall, so much for having some peace and quiet. I grumbled as I sifted through the few dresses I owned, searching for something appropriate to put on for the party. I spotted the black sleeveless floor length chiffon dress that had remained untouched since Zoe gifted it to me and shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t have a place to wear it to anyways.
As I slipped into the back seat, Zoe’s mum spared me a glance and gave a nod of approval. I rolled my eyes at her. One would think that a mother would be proud her daughter looked nice. But no, not Zoe's mother, she is just glad that I look presentable.
On arrival, I wished I had worn something warmer. I started to rub my hands together, in a bid to generate body heat but paused when I looked around and noticed that half of the ladies present were adorned with strapless silk dresses and they seemed to be doing just fine. I decided to keep busy by walking about as we were a little early. I spotted a buffet service at one end and strolled towards it hoping to find something nice to munch on and pass the time with. I reached for the pigs in a blanket at the same time as someone else and quickly pulled my hand away.
“Sorry about -” Jeremy paused and gave me a once over when he realized who he’d almost apologized to.
“Who invited you here?” he snapped
“Uhh…”
“Just save it” he said and angrily walked away, leaving me confused.
“What just happened?” I blanked inwardly.
But I didn’t have time to process our little squabble as mother forcefully yanked me away by the arm.
“I’d been looking all over for you” she scolded as she moved quickly, her steps too fast for me. She had legs that could go on for ages and a grace even angel would wish for. She continued to drag me along with her as she walked, cutting off the blood supply in my arm.
When she finally let go, I winced in pain.
“Look, I need you to be on your best behavior” She warned her daring me to reply or protest.
“I’m always on my best behavior” I replied in my head, while I glared at her.
“This is neither the time nor the place” she said through gritted teeth.
“Listen carefully and listen good” she continued, wagging an finger at me.
“We’re here to plead for mercy”
Wait. What?
"You heard me right the first time
Your Dad is in a bit of a situation and we need your help."
I looked at her in astonishment, from her carefully manicured fingers to her red hair that kept swaying with the wind.
“Mira!” she called through gritted teeth, her green eyes pinning me to the spot, impatience and irritation swimming in their depth.
“What exactly is going on?” I managed to ask, unable to wrap my head around the situation
She grabbed my shoulders and proceeded to shake me slightly.
“We need to save your father”
“Save?” I asked in alarm.
"Yes, save."
"What kind of situation is he in, that would require help from me?" I managed to squeak out.
" I am in high school, for God sake what on earth can I do to help?"
“You can do alot, young lady.” A man said.
Mother froze and I peeked around her to see who the response had come from and found Mr Winston peering back at me. He gave us a once over, his brown eyes insisting that we were trash who’d stepped in somewhere they didn’t belong. He took his time casually strolling towards us.
“Turns out you’re the daughter of a thief he answered, staring directly at me in a way that made my skin crawl.
“Huh” I said at the same time as father, who’d magically appeared by my side said
“No sir, I- I , it wasn’t like that”
James Winston took a long look at Zoe’s dad and then suddenly burst out laughing. He laughed so hard and for so long that he'd doubled over holding his stomach with his left hand, his right hand wiping away at the tears that had escaped his eyes. Then all at once he stopped laughing, straightened up and took predatory steps towards father who was visibly shaking.
“I hired you because you threw yourself at my feet” he grimaced
You pleaded, going on about how you had a family to feed
I refused but you kept coming back then I finally gave you a chance and what do you do
YOU BLEW IT, YOU THREW IT ALL AWAY, YOU SPAT IN MY FACE!! His sudden uproar drew the attention of several people, creating a scene.
“Millions of dollars down the drain”
“I gave you a deal, an excellent one at that but you go and screw me all over because you’re too dense to comprehend anything” James spat. Father fell to his knees, ready to beg for mercy.
“I need my money and I need it here and now. How you produce it, is none of my business” He threatened.
“But- but I don’t have it” Zoe’s dad stammered from his place on the floor
“Oh God!” I thought, the balcony looking more and more enticing. Mother joined him on the floor, her hands clasped together as they begged.
James looked at the both of them, clearly irritated.
“What is this? You think this is a joke”
”You dare bring your pathetic family to my house?”
“Awww how sweet” James said in mocking tone.
“A family of paupers” he hissed, then turned to look at me.
I inched away slowly, one step at a time, carefully because this wasn't the best time to be clumsy. But he continued to stare at me, having way too much fun for my liking.
“We’d give her to you!” “Zoe’s mum said abruptly, halting us in our tracks.
“What did you say” James asked, turning away from to look at mother.
“Mira. You can take her” Zoe’s mum repeated and I died.
- Writer
