Tolerating The Player

It was time to close from work so I left immediately. It was 6pm, I was really getting hungry already.

My house was a little bit far from the mall, I had to pass the school route but then with no money on me walking is the only option I have.

After an hour of walking on the streets and admiring the stars I finally got home.

” Isabella!!” Joe ran to hug me immediately as I opened the door. I gave him a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair with my hands which made him chuckle.

“How was school?” I asked him and the brightest beam of smile appeared on his face.

“I met a beautiful girl in the library when I was buying the book” he said and chuckled showing off his tooth that had fallen out and I couldn’t help but smile.

Joe was just 8 years old and thus a really adorable cute kid, ever since my mother had left I had been taking care of him like he was my own son.

I loved it when he would come to my room and lay on my bed whenever he was finding it hard to sleep, I would read him a sweet story and he would sleep off snuggling closer to my body.

“What’s her name?” I asked, teasing him further.

“Lily” he answered shyly and covered his face with his palm and I just couldn’t help but laugh really hard.

“I’ll go make food, do your assignments and I’ll be back” I said before walking into the kitchen.

I scanned through the kitchen for what we could eat but I couldn’t even find a grain of rice.

I had left some food in the fridge earlier but it seemed like my Father had eaten them, what the hell!

I was getting angry and pissed but there was nothing I could do, I didn’t realize when tears started to rush down my face.

I was so hungry yet there was no food to eat, forget about me. What about Joe? He must’ve really been hungry.

“Issabella what happened?” A tiny voice interrupted me from my thoughts, I immediately wiped the tears off my face and flashed him a “don’t worry” smile but he didn’t seem convinced that all was well.

I took him back to the living room and made him watch his favourite cartoon while I searched for money in my room.

It was really hard to find a dollar because I’ve done this a lot of times and sometimes I was lucky to find money while other times I wasn’t. I just hope I find some today.

I finally found up to 10$ and ordered pizza immediately.

The pizza delivery guy soon came and I gave him the money. He was probably surprised with the amount of coins I gave him but he left anyway.

Joe had fallen asleep from the TV so I had to wake him up to eat.

After we finished eating he went to his room to sleep and I remained in the living room waiting for my Father.

He didn’t show up for 3 hours and it was 11pm already. I was so tired and stressed so I just left for my room to sleep. He probably slept off in the bar or at his drinking buddy’s house. This wasn’t the first time it was happening.

********

The rays of sunlight woke me up and it took my brain a little more time to process the fact that I was late.

“Shit! I missed my alarm” I immediately jumped off the bed and ran outside to meet Joe fully prepared for school, it was cute. He wore a bow tie and a pair of khaki pants and a blue shirt. He had probably dressed up for his girl.

“Morning Miss, what do you think of this?” He asked, gesturing at his outfit and I just couldn’t help but smile. I love him.

Maya came to my house shortly and gave me a spank on my butt because I would make us late for school.

I hurriedly took my bath and wore one of the clothes I would regularly wear.

I came out to the living room and Maya shook her head again, “you really need to pay more attention to fashion” she said and I shrugged.

Joe and I entered the car and she started the drive to our school. Joe’s school was before mine so he came down from the car.

“There’s a party tonight and you’re coming” Maya said and I gave her a sarcastic look.

“I mean it Isabella you’re coming with me”

“What about Joe?” I asked

“He’ll stay with my mum, she loves him” she replied almost immediately.

She knew today was my off day at work so I had no other excuses to give than to accept my fate and follow her to the party.

“Sigh okay” I said and she let out a loud squeal raising her both hands up.

“Christ, watch it!” I yelled but it was too late, we had accidentally kicked down a trash can.

“Oops” she said and repositioned her car and drove off.

“You’ll love the party” she said and I silently prayed the party should be cancelled.

We got to school and we were pretty late for our first class but not like we needed much of it. Our final exams will be coming soon and then I’ll be out of high school.

We both ran immediately we got inside the school before we split, she went for her Spanish class and I went for my Biology class.

I opened the door to the classroom and found everyone seated.

“Do you care to explain why you’re late?” Ms. Brandy said and I shook my head without uttering any word.

“Just have your seat” she finally said and i couldn’t find any seat other than the empty two seats at the extreme end of the classroom.

I went to my seat and settled my butt down on the chair, while trying to bring my books out of my bag my face ran through the small mirror in my bag and I realized my hair was a big mess.

I ran my hands through my hair but it just wouldn’t straighten up. Well that’s what you get for having curly afro hair.

I packed my hair into a messy bun when I realized the teacher was staring at me battling with my hair.

The door flung open and Zach entered the classroom. Dang it!

His face looked like he had just hit on some chick in the Janitor’s closet and his belt wasn’t tucked in well. Suddenly the whole class’s attention fell on me as they looked at me and Zach simultaneously.

“Oh!” I mouthed when I realised what they must be thinking of. Hell no! I didn’t make out with him.

He walked to the back of the classroom where I was seated and sat on the empty seat beside me and some of the girls in the classroom started to whisper and chuckle while some stared at me with disgust filled in their eyes.

Well it’s my fault for not dressing properly at school.

The class ended in an hour and some minutes and I left the classroom for my next class which was Geography. I silently prayed and wished that he wouldn’t be in my next class and thank heavens he wasn’t in my next class till Lunchtime.

I came out of the classroom and felt a hand dragging me, it was Maya.

“Have you read the school blog today?” She asked and I shook my head, I never read any of Kiki’s blogs.

“What’s up with Kiki this time?” I asked and she shoved her iPhone XR on my face.

“Read it” she commanded and I started to scroll through the blog.

“Oh no!” I said and slapped my forehead.

“Did you fucking make out with Zach?” She asked and my face suddenly became irritated.

“Eww no, I was with you before going to the classroom” I protested while rubbing my temples. “Now the whole school thinks I’m a slut” I whined and she brought my face to look at hers.

“It doesn’t matter what they think” she said and immediately drifted the topic to another one but there was no way I would be at peace in the cafeteria as different people that passed made sure to look at me before passing and one even took a picture.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I’m going to my next class” I said and stood up to leave immediately.

How dare them think I made out with Zach when I haven’t even had my first kiss yet.

The rest of school was disturbing and I was glad it was finally over. I dragged Maya by her hand and led her outside the school compound so she would drive us to her house then I would probably wipe my memory of what happened today at the party.