Chapter 3 -pt 3

The following days blurred together with the exception of Jasmine's mental breakdown upon hearing the news of Michael's shooting and the robbery at the Matthews. She refused to eat anything for days and cried constantly. Though June and Chino were concerned, Shanelle was surprisingly relieved to be free of her friend's endless chatter. It gave her time to get her own thoughts together.

After a week, things got back on track for the most part. Jasmine became more preoccupied with the planning of her 14th birthday party. Shanelle had never heard of anyone having a sweet 14, yet somehow she remained unsurprised, considering it was Jasmine's sweet 14.

With the passing of time, Shanelle grew accustomed to her new daily schedule. She brushed her hair, went to school, walked home with Jasmine and Anna, ate snack, walked around the neighborhood and park for "fun", and ate good food when she got back to the Johnson's. She usually finished her day by completing homework assignments and praying with the family before they all went to bed. She felt... Normal. Like your average teenager. She went to the park to play; not to get water, though it made her worry unceasingly about Mila and Honey. She started to pray for them and that her mother remembered they were still alive.

She hadn't been accustomed to praying before, though from being around the Johnsons, it became a habit she picked up. People prayed when the needed help, had concerns, and everything else. If there was a chance God heard it, why not pray as much as one possibly could? There was so much that concerned with Shanelle; she started to pray often.

It was Friday, the last day of the week; the day the Johnson's had a family meeting. For some reason, that excited Shanelle. She had never been a part of anything really. The closest thing she could think of was her swim team, which wouldn't be starting until after winter.

Anna chattered on as she skipped ahead of them on the way to school. Her hair was brushed into two ponytails that had bright yellow bows around them. Her uniform skirt bounced with her, revealing glittery black tights. Her black shiny shoes glistened, yellow and white frilly socks mere ornaments about her ankles, decorating them like dresses. To Shanelle, Anna looked kept. You could tell her family cared.

Jasmine's long fuzzy hair was brushed into a high bun on the top of her head, sitting like a large dinner roll. Her high cheekbones looked as if they'd been sculpted and carved delicately, large brown eyes and round nose set above a full mouth.

Her skin was the same smooth brown as Chino's, only without the hair. Jasmine had long legs like Chino, but curves just like June; it was no question of why all the guys flocked to her in school. They were the seniors of the academy now, just months away from highschool. It'll soon be Anna's first time all alone in a place that caters only to k-8th graders.

Shanelle wasn't excited, she was just ready to get it over with. The only thing that excited her was the thought of competing on a highschool swim team. Who knows, maybe she could get a scholarship for it. She was one of the best on the team.

"Nelle, did you finish Mrs. Avery's All About Me project? I've yet to put anything on a poster," Jasmine groaned, trudging on. Anna skipped a few feet ahead.

Shanelle raised her eyebrows. "Girl, you still ain't do that project? That thing was so easy. You're literally writing about you. " She started to laugh. Come to think of it, the main difficulty Shanelle had with the project was getting the poster... And finding things about herself that weren't all negative. She found it easy to write mostly about Honey, Mila, and memories she shared with her mom when she was younger.

"It's not funny Shanelle! There's been so much going onnnn, and with the Michael thing and the dream I had when I was awake, and your mom and the girlllss and my birthdayyy, I couldn't possibly focus!" Jasmine sucked her teeth.

"You so full of excuses Jas," Shanelle chuckled. "And what you mean my mom and the girls?"

Jasmine inhaled sharply, almost as if she forgot something. "Oh, come on! I don't see how you get anything done. And you know, with you moving in for now, and the robbery... It's just a lot ya know?" Jasmine shrugged. Shanelle noted how she rushed with her words. What was she lying about?

She didn't feel like imploring the details of what lay hidden behind her best friend's nervousness. The day was already starting great, and she didn't need anything changing that.

The hours went by pleasantly for Shanelle. For the first time in her life, she walked through the halls without disgusted looks following her. She didn't reek of urine. Her clothes were clean. The only person she had to worry about looking after was herself. She ate a warm flaky biscuit with strawberry jam before leaving the house, and when she turned on the shower to bathe, the water was on. And hot.

Shanelle did her algebra work, listened to American history lectures with peculiar interest, and even enjoyed the novel her English class had been finishing up. Ms. Janice swept up and down the classroom with her yard stick, grey dress breezing by desks as she asked different ones questions, clearly for comprehensive purposes.

"Henry... What character in the novel appeals most to you, and why?"

There were snickers as Henry slouched low, embarrassed to be called out.

"Um... I dunno', maybe Kevin."

Laughter erupted from the class. Shanelle struggled to contain her own. There was no way Henry could even think to connect himself with football star Kevin! It was too out of balance.

"And why, I ask, do you choose Kevin?" Ms. Janice asked, a small grin curling on her lips.

"Because he's who I wanna' be when I get to highschool. He has the girls, the money, the fame.... Oh yeahhh!" Henry banged his desk as the class laughed even more.

"Alright class, let's settle down....settle down!"

Smiling, Shanelle sketched along the margins of her paper.

"Okay... Miss Tole!"

Shanelle snapped her head up. "Yes ma'am?"

"What character appeals most to you and why?"

"Marta." She nearly blurted out her answer. It was no guess work. "Marta goes through a lot, and she, to me, even though she's in the back and behind the scenes... Is the strongest character in the book. She never complains... She's a hero."

Ms. Janice raised her eyebrows. "Good observation, Miss Tole. Very keen too."