"You sure you don't want one of us to walk you home? It's not like any of us have anything better to do." Zenobia appreciated the offer, really, she did, but she couldn't accept. She had to say she did misjudge the little band of outcasts.
Yes, they did stupid stuff like ditch class and argue with teachers which led to lots of detention. However, considering the way they're treated...it wasn't a surprise to see why they hated school. With the proper guidance and patience, they soared during their tutoring session. She was pleasantly shocked to find out how smart and capable they were.
Which really made her feel like shit for how she treated them. Just like when she first spoke to Phoebie this morning, she was dedicated to making up for it. Even if she didn't agree with them on things or got annoyed, she would be civil. Her father used to always say respect was a two-way street, it was time she started doing her part.
"It's all good. My mom said she was going to pick me up. No need to wait around." Unfortunately, the same could not be said about her mother. If she caught sight of them, all hell would break loose. She could already imagine the deadly glare she would shoot their way while berating her on her terrible choice of friends.
"If you're sure?"
"Absolutely. Knowing her she'll honk the moment you guys walk away, we don't live far from here." All three of them cast a glance at one another. She noticed hints of skepticism before Phoebie gave her a quick hug. The moment she pulled away she adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
"Alright. Then I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, bright and early for another session." Satisfied with her answer, she left. The two boys still stood there, reluctant to move. Renzo sent a look Zenobia's way. What it meant she had no clue. Then he opened his mouth.
"You seem...different."
"Is that right?"
"Renzo? What are you-"
"I mean no offense! It's just, you seem less on edge. I mean, this is the first time you've talked to us about things that weren't just polite pleasantries. I was just wondering...what changed?" She had to give it to him for being upfront about it. Though she wondered why he waited until after Phoebie left. She would worry about that later, for now she had to figure out how to answer.
"Honestly it was a couple things but the biggest was Phoebie. After she helped me to class we talked." She shrugged then, struggling with her words.
"I guess in the end, I didn't like how I was feeling and wanted to do better." The teen wasn't sure if she was better, but she was trying. Liam opened his mouth, ready to say something when they heard a loud honk.
"Zenobia." No one could say she didn't know her mother. Just like she thought, the older woman was waiting for her in the parking lot. It was a good thing she cared so much for customs to keep her mask on...because she could tell from her mother's eyes and tone alone, she was pissed.
"I'll see you." Turning around, she nestled herself on her crutches. At great strides, she hopped away. She faintly heard them say goodbye, but she couldn't afford to look their way. She had a mama lion to deal with.
Without a word said between them, Zenobia got into the car and strapped herself in. Her school bag and crutches on the floor. Her mother's gaze lingered for an extra minute before putting the car in drive. The engine roared to life while they followed the road out of the school.
"We need to get Zora." All she could do was nod at her mother's words. The daughter was tense, waiting. It was like sitting with a ticking time bomb. There was no telling when the older woman was going to release her anger. Just that when she did, the results would be catastrophic.
So, all she could do without risking an early blow up was turn towards the window. She watched as the trees blurred into shades of greens, browns and grays. There it was again. That damn fox! Zenobia twisted her head as she pressed against the glass. It was sitting there, staring at her. What the hell was going on?
"Sit properly." She winced, returning to her original position. A small sigh escaped her as the sign for Angelsweet's Elementary popped into view. A swarm of innocent faces beamed at the trail of cars. Zora was no different.
The yellow eyed youth, much to Zenobia's amusement, was hopping up and down next to the aid charged with her. The teen heard her mother's car shift gears while they slowed. They pulled right up in front of them. Zenobia lowered her window.
"Need a lift kiddo?" Even if she was going to get a tongue lashing, she could pretend things were fine. Zora didn't need to have her happy bubble pop. The five-year-old giggled, hugging her aid goodbye before she leaped into the back seat.
"Buckle in, Zora."
"Yes mama." A quick click of the seatbelt and they were off. Their mother followed the snail-paced cars in front of them out of the lot, taking a sharp right towards home. Not even five minutes and they were home.
"Zora, get inside and start working on your homework. I'll help your sister." Something told her that wasn't exactly going to be the case. However, it did the trick in getting the kindergartener to skip ahead, going inside. The temperature in the car dropped a few degrees instantly.
"Zenobia...you know what I'm going to say."
"Yep."
"So, I don't need to repeat myself."
"No, but it's not what you're thinking."
"Oh, and just what am I thinking?'' Great Fates, she hated it when her mother spoke like this. She just had this way of sounding condescending. It always made Zenobia feel stupid no matter how much thought she put into her argument.
"You're thinking about how typical it is for me to hang out with a bunch of delinquents. How I'm never going to make a good future and the usual bullshit. For the record, at least one of those people you saw with me is Coralin. On top of that, all of us were studying for midterms today and we'll continue tomorrow, regardless of what you say."
Zenobia exhaled, all the tension leaving her with that one breath. It was going to come back in the next few seconds, guaranteed. By the end of this conversation, she was going to be drained to the point where she was going to pass out on her bed. Skipping dinner and her own homework was a possibility. It was incredibly draining arguing with her mother.
"I don't understand why it's so hard for you to listen to me. Once you're in the real world, you'll see how cruel it is. Those who hang with the wrong crowd get washed away by the waves of society." How many times did she hear some iteration of this?
She understood what her mother was saying. Of course, she knew that the world wasn't sunshine, and rainbows like in Zora's drawings. How she also knew that it was more than who you affiliated with.
"What about the people who are immediately judged and shunned? They haven't done anything wrong yet are treated horribly?" Like dad...like her.
"Then they drew the short straw in life. They have to accept the struggles they're given." Zenobia flinched at that. To hear that out of her own mother's mouth hurt. So, she expected her to let people keep shunning her? To accept the cruelty presented even though it wasn't right?
The only reason her high school life was for the most part ok was because of Ms. Mude's policies and the hard work she put in. In elementary and middle school, it was a completely different ball game. People took her stuff, laughed at her whenever she made a mistake and called her names.
A vampire, a weirdo, a freak...no one wanted to interact unless her misery was involved. Every day when she came home her dad would be in the kitchen, ready with snacks and a warm hug to cheer her up. He would sit her down and listen to whatever troubled her.
'Everyone is different, my little Bia. All of us are special, however people tend to judge before they find out. If they can't look past that, then they're not worth being friends with.'
'But I want friends, daddy! How do I find someone willing to look past my eyes and mask?'
'I'm afraid I can't give you an answer to that kiddo.'
'Why not?'
'Because I'm not them. Somewhere out there, there are people who will see you. When they meet you and learn who you are, an unbreakable bond will form between you. Until then, you just have to be patient.'
'I don't want to wait!'
'Haha. Then you better keep doing your best. Go out there and show the world who you are. There's no better feeling in the world than knowing that you have people who care.'
"Are you listening to me, Zenobia?"
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"I said no. I'm done listening. I'm not going to let society or whatever beat me down. They may've gotten away with ruining my childhood schooling, but I won't let them take my dreams away."
"Zenobia what-"
"If you think people like me drew the short stick or whatever, fine, but that's not going to define me. I'm going in."
"Wait! What are you-" The injured girl didn't bother to wait. She opened the car door and rushed in. She offered a short glance her sister's way but otherwise kept going. Her mother was catching up, ready for another round of lectures.
"Zenobia!" It killed her entire body, but Zenobia was already hobbling up the stairs, risking her life just to reach her safe haven. Her crutches clicked faster and faster on the ground, propelling her forward before being dropped to open the door to her bedroom. The teen sighed as her back hit it, slamming it shut.
Immediately she locked it, sliding down on the floor while catching her breath. A difficult thing to do when her mind kept repeating the conversation she just had with her mother. It hurt. Everything within her hurt. Not even a minute later she felt harsh knocks reverberate against her back.
"Zenobia Ashlin Moniker! You will open the door this instant." No, no she'd rather not. Instead, she lay on the floor, quieting her sniffles. Against her will, tears descended down her cheeks. Growls erupted from the other side, the doorknob rattling.
"What is wrong with you!?" That was a good question. One Zenobia didn't want an answer for. So, she closed her eyes, turning out her mother's shouts. She didn't need to hear how much of a disappointment she was anymore. There was relief when the darkness eventually came to swallow her whole.