Down Below (S4S)

Chapter 8

Asia POV

The sun's rising and I'm walking around the room as I'm brushing my teeth. Rufflings of the plastic bags and the sounds of the brush swishing against my teeth filling the cold-floored room was all you could hear. The longing for the satisfactory breath, that seems to never happen this early in the morning, rested in my chest. I look through the shopping bags filled with clothes that Mrs. Greene allowed me to buy. I could really get used to this masculine look. I feel as though it fits me, I feel safe and I'm comfortable. I've always been so afraid of bending my mother's rules while living under her roof, that the thought of dressing more masculine never crossed my mind, not even once. It was as if my only purpose back then was to mother my own mother. To be treated like I was worth less than the wrapper of a piece of candy - made to adore for display but once it's purpose has been served, it's thrown away. 

But you know what - that was the past. Maybe not too far deep into the past, but it's still the past. I'm not back there and will never be back there.

Before my mother turned to drugs and alcohol to numb her everlasting pain, she used to give the best advice. I was lucky enough to experience the feeling of having a REAL mother, even if that only lasted a few of my early years.

"Never dwell on the past, that is how depression begins but don't await for the product of the future either, as that will only cause you anxiety. Live in the present and you will no longer feel discontent." I could visualize these words slip out my mother's tongue as she gently taps the tip of my nose, way back when the days felt as though they were filled with more colors.

I jog down the spiral glass stairs as Ashanti stood near the front door awaiting me. "Where did um..Jazz go?" I asked acting as if I couldn't remember her name. "Oh she does things on her own time. Come on we gotta go catch the bus." Ashanti grabbed my arm and dragged me as she made her way to the bus top. How is she so energetic this early in the morning. I laughed. "I hope you don't mind riding the bus, my aunt used to drive us when we were a little younger but she got busy." Ashanti said as she watched the cars peacefully pass by while shrugging her shoulders. "Oh nah y'all good." I honestly replied.

The wind blowing against her hair causing it to latch onto her glossy plump lips. You ever feel like you're in a movie? As if your mind has abandoned your body and everything just feels fake? I stare at the building behind us and noticed two Indian ladies. They wore bright colors of pink and green, it felt as though I have never witnessed such beautiful colors. They walk into the building with their heads parallel to the floor.
The curves, the grooves, the dents found on one brick block that makes up a wall.
The scent of the sugar biscuits from the café creeped up my nose causing my stomach to painfully twirl. Though, once you get accustomed to hunger, the pain evolves into your only company.
The warmth of the sun's rays kissed my skin to mask the cold of the breeze that seemed to surround us.
All these textures, scents, feelings of warmth and cold at the same time, all the colors, details; everything just feels...surreal. No one seems to appreciate the gift of vision we were given, but once we do-

"Ayeeeee who this short mothafuckaaaah is!" Some random ass stud yelled out jokingly while slapping the back of my shoulder, snapping me out my thoughts. I covered my shoulder with my hands as my mind began to visit the memory of when my mother threw- shit let me not start thinking about that.
"Mane get yo stanky ass ashy ass vampire looking ahh hands offa me son!" I yelled at the girl as I used my arms to push her away. She defensively threw her hands up, "Damn guh I aint meaned no harm! My fault. Ashanti who dat ih?" She turned to Ashanti with one hand still up in the air and the other pointing at me. I gave her the stank face.
"Girl she my friend. Leave her alone don't be trying to get with her." The second Ashanti said that the bus pulls over and the doors open. Everyone made their way up the stairs while I just stood there shocked. "Yo Asia! Come onnn!" I heard Ashanti yell. "Maneee dis apposed to be a school bus? My old school busses was rustier than a mug, fuck around add some wings to dis one and it a look like a whole plane. Modern ass busses." I whispered to myself as I walked up the stairs. While I was mumbling to myself I tripped on the last stair. The stud caught me, "Damn guh how you short, gotta atitude AND clumsy!" she laughed while helping me up. "Kayla what I just told you bout tryna get wid my friend! Stop being a hoe!" Ashanti yelled. "Damn b she the one who fell into me!" The stud, who I guess her name is Kayla now, replied defensively.
I swear I always do this, I thought to myself while shaking my head.

It was lunch time now and I haven't seen Jazz. I mean it's not like I care anyways. It's just I'm still wondering who the note was from. Like no way it's Ashanti we know she too damn straightforward for that, and no one else is there so maybe it was Jazz. Nah she don't seem to mess with me at all I mean you see how she acted last night.

While I was having that whole-ass conversation in my head, I walked pass the courtyard and noticed Jazz sitting against a bench in the corner of the courtyard. I squinted trying to see if it was actually her.
Is this girl really smoking in the middle of the school? Wow.

She turned her head to me and I quickly turned the other way and into the building. Shit I hope she didn't catch me staring.

As the day went by, I noticed Jazz was in my last class. Which I think was art? I'm not sure, I've got too much going on in my head. And it doesn't help that this school is so big like why build a school this humongous if it's just lousy ass high schoolers that go here. I mean yeah they're rich but it doesn't seem like most of them even care about their education. But anyways, Jazz has been avoiding me. She acts as if she hasn't seen me in her life, but I mean I kind of expected that.

When the bell rung and I walked into the hall filled with teenagers eager to exit the building, I went around asking where all the busses were at. What? Don't judge me like that I got short term memory okay.

As I was making my way to all the school busses I noticed Ashanti pushing through the crowd trying to get to me. "ASIA! DONT TAKE THE BUS WAIT AT THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL MY AUNTIE GON PICK YOU UP!!" She yelled while waving her arms everywhere. "GOTCHU!" I yelled back and tried to find my way to the other side of the school.

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I'll start writing the next chapter soon hopefully. Thank you guys a lot of the votes I appreciate it. I saw them and I wanted to write the chapter earlier but I just couldn't get myself too. Hope y'all been doing alright🧡