Chapter 84
Not many students joined Oma's clapping, I'll be honest. The bell rang and the crowd began to disperse. First period started as if it was just another regular day.
Except that it wasn't.
I felt like I stood up for something today.
Even though no one else understood it. I had printed 100 copies of this shameful picture and posted it across school before 8AM. I was tired. But relieved.
Standing face-to-face with my own humiliation was liberating. No one could use this against me again. No one could test me on it again. In a way, I freed myself.
I took myself down to build myself up.
I didn't have time today to speak with Zenon or Jake about what happened last night at their home. I wanted to. This cat-and-mouse game between the three of us needed to end.
Only problem was, that I couldn't find them. We were all busy facing our own demons. Zenon had a basketball game that night and I...
I had been dealing with this.
After school, I had a shift at Lola Rae, before arriving home. Mum was walking through the front door at the same time. She paused when she saw me and waved her phone in my face.
"Do you know who called me at work today, young lady?" we both knew she would answer her own question, so I waited it out. "Your principal!"
Uh oh.
He would not have appreciated my tactics for self-liberation.
Occasionally, my mother takes her motherly duties seriously. It must have been a slow news day.
"Who did this to you?" she asked, shoving the phone in my face again.
"Mum, your screen's off. I can't see what you're showing me."
"Oh," she took a few minutes to open her phone and then showed me the email attachment.
I already knew what she was about to show me. It had become the most popular photo I've ever taken. The photo. $1-bill-in-my-b-ra photo.
Clearly, the principal did not approve.
"Isn't that awkward for the principal to have as a file on his phone?" I said. I thought it was a fair question.
"Was it Zenon? Did he do this to you?" my mother screamed, "Was this a setup? I knew hanging out with that gang wouldn't be good for you. His parents look down on us, you know!"
I didn't expect her to react this way. She threw her briefcase onto the couch and took off her heels.
When it comes to my performance at school, she is kind of serious. Ish.
"I'm going to have a word with their parents. Those boys think they can mess with anyone-"
"Mum, please. It's not what you think."
"Not what I think! Look what they have done to you! That's why they were hanging out with you. Think of your reputation. Everyone will see this photo!"
"But I did it. I put the posters up."
"No. No! Whatever led you to this was influenced by them," she went to the front door and pushed it open. I hurried after her as she walked across the street.
I knew that Zenon was at his basketball game and I was sure Mr Albert was with him. But his mother was home, and I didn't want to create another scene at the Albert house.
The last one was more than enough.
"Mum! Please stop!" I stood in her way. She pushed me.
A motorbike geared up on the corner of the street. Jake saw us in the middle of the street, and took his foot off the accelerator. My mother was barefoot and yelling at me. I was close to tears.
He stopped and took his helmet off. He gave me a concerned look and I shook my head, not wanting him to intervene.
My mum saw him and pointed, "That Albert family looks down on everyone else like we're dirt. When your father left, they blamed me. They said I was the wreck that drove him away."
My mother started to cry. I wasn't sure what was happening. All I knew was that this wasn't just about the photo.
Sometimes, I fail to realize the life my mother had before us... and the life she has now struggling to raise two daughters by herself.
I'll never understand how difficult it was for her to handle.
I wrapped my arm around my mother's shoulder and took the phone out of her hand. She had suddenly gone weak. I escorted her home. The door closed shut behind us.
"Pour me a martini," she said.
"No, mum. Let me take you to bed."
It was the first time in my life that I took control.
I had spent all day looking for Jake, and just when I saw him, I had to walk away. I didn't regret it. Family comes first.
That night I heard the sound of cars pulling up on our street. Loud music and laughter blared out of the vehicles.
"Zenon! You killed it today!"
"Bye Zenon! Call me!!"
He must have won the basketball game tonight. Another trophy for the golden boy.
Eventually, the cars drove off and the sound died down. Our street became quiet once more. I lay under my covers and tried to close my eyes.
A few minutes later, my phone beeped.
Are you awake? I want to talk to you - Zenon
I didn't answer. A couple minutes later, he sent another text.
Your lights are on. Come on Candy, let's talk. About today and yesterday - Zenon
So much had happened. Our kiss, the fight at his parents' house, the photo. All in 24 hours...
I'm tired, Zenon. Sorry - Candace
I turned the switch and my bedroom was covered in darkness.
It's ironic to me that the boy most famous for hurting girls, is the one who is always helping me.
It's confusing. I've been mistreated and hurt so much in the past. I'm trying to find my way and my voice. Being with Zenon has brought a lot of drama... but adventure too.
I was emotionally drained from it all. I needed a time out.
I forced myself to not think about Zenon. I thought about him way too much. I turned in my bed and fluffed up the pillow. Come on, sleep.
I started to imagine garden gnomes at a garden party.... and soon drifted off to sleep.
I was asleep when my phone buzzed with one more text. The screen lit up.
Our kiss was unforgettable - Zenon