Afterlife | LISRENE

Chapter 6: Then Let's Just Share

11 years ago

I felt my stomach vibrate due to the hunger I'm feeling. I tried listening to my teacher in class but her words seems to enter my left ear and pass through the right ear.

It feels like my prayed were answered when the bell rang indicating that lunch has began.

"Irene, let's go" my seatmate Solar said while putting her notebooks inside her bag

I was about to stand up and go to the cafeteria with her but I remember, mom haven't paid for my school lunch this month.

"You can go Solar, I'm actually planning to just eat here since I need to study for our math test later" I said and took my math book and notebook from my bag

"You sure?"

"Yes" I said and smiled at her

"Okay, I'll go now then" she said and left

(I'm hungryyyyyy pleaseeeeee give me food some fooood)

I scanned my notes from math class but my brain can't seem to wrap up on the topic. I can't think straight when I'm hungry. I decided to just close my notes and return it in my bag since there's no use if I can't understand, I'd rather spend my time on something else. I stood up and walked outside the room

I walked and walked till my feet led me to the garden of the school, there's not much people here since they're eating lunch. I sat on the bench and just stared at the sky thinking about things I want to do in life

First, I'd take my sister with me and we'll leave home, hell, it's not even a home since I don't feel safe and comfortable there. My mother is so inlove with my alcoholic father who's hobby is to get violent whenever he's drunk. He'd hurt me whenever he feels like it, I just can't bring to tell mom because she got too much on her plate. I even though of killing him, maybe it would be better, but I don't want to ruin my future because of that man, he already ruined enough. Second, I want to graduate---- scratch that, I need to. I want to find a decent job that could feed me and my sister or maybe my mom also, I just hope she slip or bump her head somewhere and wake up to reality and leave my father. Third, hmmmm. Is marriage an option? Should I think about it now? If I ever meet a guy or maybe a girl? Do I like girls? Well, I don't want to limit myself when it comes to love, if I fall inlove then I fall inlove. That's it. I should have an ideal type; someone taller (a must) since I'm short, probably someone who's cute, someone who like kids. Wait, why am I even thinking about kids? Do I want kids? Am I good with kids? Well, I'm good at making my sister cry and shut her up before mom comes, therefore yes, I am good with kids. Fourth, what else---

My thoughts were interrupted when someone spoke beside me that startled me, so I turned my head to see who it is

"Excuse me, you're on my spot" a lady said holding her sandwiches and choco drink

"Sorry, I didn't know" I said and stood up

"It's okay, just scoot over. I just said you're on my spot I didn't say you should leave" she said and sat down beside me

"Thanks" I went back on seating and minding my own business when she spoke again

"Do you want some?" she asked offering me one of her sandwiches

I felt my mouth watered staring at the sandwich she's offering. That's too tempting and delicious, but I'm too shy to say yes. So I swallowed the liquid on my mouth "No, thanks. I'm okay" I said and smiled at her

She was about to withdraw her hand when my stomach betrayed me and made a weird sound, like a dying whale or something. I just wished that the earth will open up and swallow me whole righ now. I just want to vanish into thin air and never comeback. This is embarrassing and I can feel my temperature rise, I'm probably freaking red right now

She laughed really loud that earned some attention from the students around.

"I'm sorry for laughing" she said still laughing her ass off. She wiped her tears as soon as she's done laughing at me "I'm sorry, it's just....you know what? Take the sandwich" she said and removed the plastic from the sandwich and shoved it in my mouth

"Thanks" I muffled and chewed the sandwich. My embarrassment faded when she smiled at me

"It's my first time seeing you here" she said while chewing her food

"It's because I always eat my lunch at the cafeteria"

She sticked the straw on her choco drink and offered it to me

"No, I can't take this"

"Shut up and drink it"

"You already gave me a sandwich"

"Then let's just share" she said and offered me the choco drink again, so I sipped and gave it to her. I can't believe I'm getting an indirect kiss from a stranger!

"What brings you here then?" she said while sipping on her choco drink

"My mom didn't get to pay for my school lunch this month"

"Oh..... Can I aks why? It's okay if you don't answer tho"

There's nothing wrong in sharing right? They say it's better to talk on a stanger because they won't judge you, but to some circumstances I feel comfortable around her already, maybe it's the sandwich. I inhaled deeply and tried to recollect my thoughts

"It's because of my father" I started "he doesn't have a job and is always drunk. He would ask my mother for money to drink and would hurt her if she refuse" I exhaled and took a sip on the choco drink

"Did.... he ever... hurt you?" she asked and I looked straight on her eyes. She cares, I can see it

I nodded and she took the hint "How many times?" she asked again and I can see that she's gritting her teeth

"3......4....... I lost count already"

She exhaled sharply and ran her hands through her hair "Did you try asking help from the police?" she said but still kept her composure

"First, my mother won't even allow me to do that since she's basically head over heels on my father. Second, the policemen here are my father's drinking buddies. Third, the only thing that will end this is taking the matter on my own hand"

"And how would you do that?"

"I don't know.... I still don't know" I sighed "I'll probably run away with my sister. But for now, I know that I have to save my allowance and after that, God knows what" I sulked as I try to brainstorm some ideas

"You have to have a concrete plan, not just runaway and leave it on God. You should make a plan now" she said while looking at me seriously

"Oh okay, I'm listening" I said and focused all my attention towards her

"Now let's make a plan"