"Owww... everywhere hurts, Mandy."
Now I hated that nickname, it makes me sound cute, like bunny cute. I'm not cute!
I am a fierce lady.
I am a warrior. Maya doesn't seem to get the message so I gave up on trying to get her to call me what every other reasonable person who doesn't want to get their asses kicked calls me. Amanda.
"We've been at this for just three hours. How could you be tired already?"
We began executing our plan about a month ago and all Maya has done is whine as though I asked her to climb Mount Everest. All I have done so far is teach her to throw punches, she hasn't even perfected that yet.
As for me, I've gotten way better since Maya became my tutor. I discovered that I can do my homework myself from start to finish without lifting answers from the textbook.
"I am not a soldier, I am an ordinary high school senior trying to get through high school without been killed."
"Well, you're not going to last the rest of the semester if you don't learn to fight back."
"But I'm trying"
"Try harder, now come on. Get off your lazy butt and show that bag what you're made off. Show it you're stronger than Astrid!!!"
That seemed to get her because she started punching, kicking, and screaming. Let me just put it this way, the bag got a merciless beating. If that were Astrid right now, we'd be talking about funeral arrangements.
"That's what I'm talking about girl!!!"
"Yeah!!!"
"You gave it to that bag love."
"I don't know what got into me, I just..."
I placed my right hand around her sweaty body and pulled her in for a side hug.
"Umm... Mandy?"
"Mmm"
"Would you... would you like to... umm... stay for... ahh... dinner?"
I paused for a second. She was inviting me to dinner?
Normally people don't invite me to stuff. My reputation goes ahead of me I guess, and as a result, I don't have many friends.
I don't have any friends.
I was feeling... bubbly?
I wanted to come, that's new to me.
"You want me to come?"
"Yeah, sure."
"I'll stay."
We made our way out of the basement of her house and went up to her room. As she closed the door behind her, my mind suddenly went into a frenzy.
What was I going to wear?!!
I don't have any clothes over at Maya's house and even if I did, my wardrobe consisted of bum shorts, jeans and tee shirts, boots, and some more jeans. I'm not a fashion geek but I know if you're trying to impress that's not what you wear to do it.
I must have had crazy eyes because Maya suddenly took hold of my shoulders and began to shake me.
"Mandy!!!"
"Jesus! What!"
"You zoned out, are you okay?"
That question burst a dam in me.
Was I okay?
Hell no. I stood and began to pace.
"Of course I'm not okay. I have nothing to wear for dinner!!"
"Is that it?"
"Yes..."
"Then there's no problem. You can wear my clothes, they might just be a little bit tight and short as your figure is fuller than mine. But it'll be okay."
I breathed out a sigh.
"Thank you, Maya"
"Don't thank me, we're sisters."
My heart-felt like it was going to burst. I haven't felt like this since when my mother was alive. I was beginning to love Maya, like a sister. It made me realize just how long I've hated my father and his new family that the only thing I can remember is been bitter.
Dinner time came and I was dressed in one of Maya's dresses. It's a knee-length blue ruffled gown. I love it.
Her mom was fun and she didn't seem taken back with me, we all ate in peace and comfortable silence but once the table was cleared the chatter began.
"Mandy dear, my daughter told me what you did for her at school on her first day. I honestly cannot thank you enough."
My cheeks warmed. I'm not exactly used to been thanked or complimented.
"It was nothing at all Mr's Santiago."
"Please Maya, I would love it very much if you called me mom. If my husband were alive, I'm sure he would have loved to have a daughter just like you."
I smiled brightly at her, this woman and I were gonna be best friends. I could tell.
"So Maya, tell me about your family."
The joy I had in me immediately faded. I hate talking about my family especially the living ones.
"Is it okay if I don't talk about it?"
"Of course honey, it's no problem at all. Just know that if you ever want to talk I'll always be here."
I smiled a watery smile.
"Yes, mom. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else."
We moved to the living room and continued our chit chat. Maya's mom is super nice and a wonderful person to be with. After all the wonderful times, it was finally time to go home.
I got into the house and met the most 'wonderful' sight there ever was. My dad, his wife, and their son all sitting in the living room.
I took off my shoes and began to walk to my room.
"Amanda?"
"What?!"
I wanted to make it very clear that I wasn't in the mood to talk to any of them.
"Where have you been?"
"It's none of your damn business. You're not my mom"
I caught the look on my dad's face. Guilt and hurt.
'That's right you fucker'
"But I could be Amanda if you'd let me."
I laughed long and hard. This woman is an actress, she thinks she could just waltz into my life after causing my mother's death and take over.
"Yes, you could. But you see, my mother's shoes are more than a little big for you. My mother couldn't be replaced by a cheap whore!"
Tim, My father's son (no way in hell was I going to call this brat my brother) stood up in a fit of rage.
"I won't let you talk to my mom like that!!!"
"Else what Timmy?. We both know if you try shit I'll hand your ass to you right here and now."
That seemed to calm him down a little because he sat down.
"I don't know why you hate me so much, Amanda. I'm trying here."
"You wonder why I hate you? You want a full explanation?"
"Yes please."
"Because you bitch killed my mother. You picked up my all calls that day, I told you my mother was bleeding, I told you she was dying but you wanted a man that wasn't yours. You didn't relay the message and then you switched off his phone!!!"
Ashley's face immediately covered in guilt, Henry on the other hand had confusion written all over his face.
"What is she talking about Ashley?"
"It's just that... you see.... umm..."
"For God sakes out with it!!!"
"The day your wife died, Amanda put a call through to your phone. I picked that call and I didn't tell you about it."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was life or death. I just wanted you with me, you wouldn't leave her and we had a kid together."
I scoffed and began my walk up the stairs. So pathetic.
"Amanda..."
"Fuck you, Henry!"