CHAPTER 2
JASON'S POV
2 YEARS AGO
my dream is to become the world renowed artist. i have loved drawing since when i was 4, because of how cruel and business minded my family was, my sktechbook has become my refuge and i have found peace in them. my beother james was my bestfriend, he did everything for me even when i thought i could not be happy in this family my brother was always there for me and always makes me laugh. he is older than me with 2 years but we acted like twins. he has alsso been my saviour from the wrath of my father anytime i wanted to get scolded or beaten. i love him alot, he is going through alot on his own but that never brought him down, he is always smiling, and that makes me happy as well.
its 7:30am in the morning, i'm up and ready for school. i love going to schol even though i get bullied, like i'm rich i'm not supposed to be bullied but they did it either ways, i always confronted them to ask why i'm being bulied and their rsponse was " yiu are too quiet, and rich people like us are not suppose to be quiet, you can have everything you want but all you do is draw" that response was really stupid and now i know why they behaved like that, they wanted me to be like them but i refused, its like the saying "if you can't beat them, join them". i could not tell my parents that i was been bullied in school because they would call me a loser and i hated losing even though that was the only thing that was frequent in my life.i couldn't even tell james because i know protective he is of m, he doesn't like to see even a single scratch on my body.
After getting ready for school, i took my bag and went downstairs to eat my breakfast, i saw the maid putting some toasted bread and butter spread on the table with some bacons and apple juice. that was what i love eating for breakfast, i sat down on the dinning chair and took some sliced of bread in my mouth and brought out my sktech book to draw. " how many times have i told you to stop drawing on the dinning table" my dad said as i immediately covered the book and put it inside my bag." this table is for eating not drawing, how many times do i have to remind you of that" he said putting some bread in this mouth. " sorry sir" i shivered and avoided eye contacts with me. "looks me in the eyes when i'm talking to you" he said rasing my jaw with force and it hurts and my eyes are already teary. " you look alot like me in face but in character you are no where close to me" he said releasing my jaw. "dad stop it" i turned my back to see james coming towards us. "as usual, your big brother always comes to your rescue" my dad sat down and continued eating his breakfast. " are you ok jay?" james checked my face to see if i was hurt. " i'm fine" i said as i got up from the chair. " i'm late for school" . " wait let me drop you off" james got up from the chair nd followed me to the garage where is car was parked. "you won't eat breakfast" my dad asked. " i rather go hungry than eating in the same table as you" james said as he walked out on him. james was the only one that can standup to my dad, and knows how to make him angry.
As we approached school, my heart began to beat fast because i know i was going to be bullied today, but i tried not to make it obvious that i was scared, so that james won't find out. james went to the parking lot to park, then i got down from the car and waved at me. "should i walk you to class" he said as he reveresed his car to go out.no, thanks, i'm not a kid" i laughed and waved him goodbye. "i will pick you up after school ok? " fine, take care" i said as i walked to my class " another day to withstand these bullies" i said to my self. " hey loser" someone said as i turned back to see who it was, oh, great, it was oliver the bully and his minions " so you had your brother drop you off huh?" he said as he and his minions laughed at me " go away oliver, i don't have time for this" i waled past him as he draged my bag making me fall the ground " now, who's on the floor now" he mimicked me. i bowed my head in shame as everyone stood there watching me, some were laughing, some were recording " hey look at me when i'm talking to you" oliver held my jaw and punched my face. everyone gasp, i had the urge to do something but i can't. " LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!" i heard a familar voice from afar, i looked up and saw james who was walking towards me with my lunch box, i had forgotten it in his car. as he approached closer, oliver stepped away and he changed his facw which was now looking innocent like he did nothing wrong. "are you ok" james said as he helped me get off the floor "i'm fine!!, you did'nt have to rescue me" i said as i ran away and went to the boys restroom and locked the door, i looked at my face in the mirror and saw that i was bleeding, i took some tissues and wiped it off my face "jay, jay, are you in there" i heard james banging the door from the outside.' i'm fine, go away!!!" i shouted "please jay, open the door i'm worried about you, just open the door for me" his voice softened and i opened the door and let him in"why did you let them do that to you" james walked towards me with tears in his eyes "i...." i could not say anything and just stood there crying like a kid, james came close to me and helped me with my wounds and helped me bandage it and led me out of the bathroom. he was reaching to the principals office "hey-hey, wait where are you going to?" i asked as i digged him back, "we are going to report this case to the principal, they are harassing you, and i am sure this is not the first time, they have done this to you", "but....." "no but jay, we are reproting this and its final", james said so in so much seriousness in his face, i was happy someone had my back and just let him have his way. We walked to the principal office and james did not even bother to knock and just baged in "and who do you think.....you are?", The principal sturtered when he say james. The principal knew who we were and definitely knew james, not only did they know him, but james have the charm of making people stutter."mr thornton, what are you doing here?", the principal stood up and walked over to where we were standing, "have a seat," she said as she tries to adjust her self making it look like she is seducing james, but james didn't even mind her and sat down. "so what brings you here mr thornton" the principal sat close to us trying to act professional "look at my brother face," james shouted pointing at my injured face, "how can students bully other student because they are quiet and don't talk. "who did this to you?", the principal now had a serious look on her face "huh.....it's" i stutered because if i revealed their names they will beat me up again. "say their names," james said with a pleading look in his eyes. "it's oliver and his friends," "oliver again" the principal said as she got up and went to her chair, dialed a number on the telephone, "bring me oliver and his friends," she hung up on the phone. Few minutes later, oliver and his friends were standing in front of me and james."so why did you guys bully jason?," the principal stood up and asked them. "huh...." oliver stuttered and james stood up from where he is and gave them a slap each and we were all left surprised, "the next time you lay your filthy hands on my brother and i find out, then i will chop off those hands," he said as he pointed his fingers at them, they were all scared
"and you principal, if i see a scratch on my brother's body again, i will sue the school and withdraw all the donator," he said to the principal and dragged me out of the office and me to his car, "get in" he said as he opened the door "but...school," i said trying to reason with him "i will not let you stay home, so get in?," he shouted at me, i could not take it anymore, so i just enterd the car and he drove off. I looked otr of the window and let the wind blow on my face and it felt free and alive. "So how long have this been going on for" james said still looking at the road to avoid accident, "Since my filrst year, ever since they know who i am, they wanted me to join them and believe them but refused, so they started bullyiing me and making my life miserable," the car suddenly came to a halt and james made me look at him in the eyes "why, did'nt you tell me " he said and it looks like he wanted to cry again "because i knew you would behave this way, they are still going to bully me after today, it's inevitable" i said trying my best not to cry but the tears just fell off my cheeks like they have a mind of their own. "should i change your school?, i can get you admitted in any school of your choice, and even move you abroad if you want," james was really making an effort to make sure i was okay. " i'm fine james, i can manage besides the art room is really nice and i have a competition coming up, and i have to represent them," reassuring him i was ok. "fine, let's take a day off and have fun" james said and smiles as he starts the car and drove off to his spot, which was the basketball court. I have always loved playing basketball, especially with my brother, because he makes it more fun by playing his best and still losing, he sucks at playign basketball, few hours after playing, we got ice cream close to the basketball court. I love chocolate flavour of ice cream with sprinkles as topping and james love the vanilla flavour of the ice cream. After we had the ice cream, it was 30 minutes past 5 in the evening we sat down on the bench a the basketball court, "so where should we go again," james asked and turned to look at me waiting for my reply "what about the amusement park." said as i stood of dodging james alone "hold on, wait james said trying to control his laughter, "you are acting like a kid, haven't you gone to the amusement park before?" he sloped and looked at me "yeah, going to the amusement park always make me happy and feel like a child again", "but you are still a child" james laughed at me, " stop it i am not a child, i'm 18, and 18 is a full grown adult" i whined and he just laughed it off " fine, big boy, let's go" he laughed again and we went to where we parked the car and drove off. 30 minutes later we arrived the amusement park and i was so happy seeing the ferry wheel, the merry ground, and the other game, my eyes lighted up with joy " are you that happy?" james looked at me and i could see how happy he was. "of course i am" i pulsed for a minute and then pointed ath the ferry wheel, "let's ride that, i heard if you at the top of the ferry wheel and you make a wish, it will come true" james laughed "so you believe in superstations", "it is not a superstation, it's true and i want to make a wish". i rushed and paid for a ticket and then it was our turn to ride the ferry wheel we entered "wow, i can see everywhere from up here" i shouted and pointed at the glass for james to see. " yeah i know" james chuckled "you are really funny you know," honestly i never thought you could be this happy coming to the amusement park, if not i would have brought you here along time ago. "yeah, amusement park always remind me of the time when we were young, when mum and dad was really caring and not scary" i said with a sad look on my face. "we are already at the top of the wheel, you can make a wish now" james said, i knew he was trying to make me forget about the past "ok it's time", i smiled to myself, put my two hands together and wished, after sometimes, i opened my eyes and smiled, "so what did you wish for ?" james asked me "um....if i telll you my wish, it won't continue, so i won't say anything," i smiled and then it was time to get off the wheel, we came down and went to where our car was parked, "i'm glad you enjoyed your day" james smiled and hugged me, "it was thanks to you bro, don't know what i would do without you," i hugged him back and smiled, "thank you bro, i love you too", "i love you too jay," he said then he drove us home, just to find my father furious in the living room, "where have you guys been?" he shouted, "and you jason, why were you in art class?,"he shouted and did not even give the oppurtunity to talk. "i can explain..," james cuts in "and you caused this, why did you go to his school?" do ou know your son was bullied in schoool, he was beaten, look at his face" james pointed at my injury, "interrupted my father "so they bullied you jay?," my dad does not call me jay, "you are a loser, you are literally the owner of that school and you let them bully you, i am so dissapointed," "Dad!!!, how could you say that to your own son?," james shouted and ran out to my room, i locked my door and cried myself to sleep, thank God i ate before we came home if not i would have sneaked into the kitchen and eat the food that was left in the kitchen.
I got up from my bed and went to the bathroom to have my bath and get ready for another day of school, i looked at the mirror and my face was swollen, it looked like i cried myself to sleep. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, bath and got ready for school. When i was done getting ready, i went downstairs and saw m y mom sitting there with my dad smiling. I don't know what they were talking about exactly, but it sounded funny from the way my mom was smiling. It was really gross, "my beloved baby come here," my mom said smiling as she opened her arms for me to embrace her. I embraced her, "Good morning," "Good morning my baby boy, hope you had a great night?", "Yes i did, thanks for asking," i broke off the embrace and greeted my dad not maintaining eye contact with him, "don't forget, your art competition is taking place soon, don't forget to win, and lastly, don't fail me or else...," that was the reply i got after greeting him, " i know he's gonna do great," mom responded to my dad "right jason?" she turned to ask me but her eyes were saying otherwise "yes i won't fail you, i promise" i said as i left for school, "won't you have breakfast?" my mom shouted after me, i did not even bother to reply her and just headed for school. I used a public transport since i could not find james at home.
My journey to school was very lonely and bored, i just sat there thinking about the life i y had before my dad hit the jackpot we were united, and my dad was the best dad anyone could ask for, i was brought back to reality when the bus came to halt, i alighted and stood in front of the gate, took a deep breath before entering the school, it was a lonely walk but it was worth it. Oliver was no where in sight and i was surprised to see that i walked to my locker and saw people looking at me, i was very uncomfortable when walking, then i saw oliver in front of the class, "Hey" he said but he was different, he was cool and calm and did not know how to feel-happy or sad. "Hey" i said, i felt scared but had to display courage, "I wanted to apologise for bullying you, " i have been jealous of you and you refused to be my friend and that is why i bullied you," for a moment i thought he was joking, but it was sincere , "it's ok, i forgive you," i said and walked past him, immediately, i fell and slipped, i fell on the floor, and oliver began to laugh, "you thought i was going to be friends with you, are you kidding?" oliver and his friends started laughing and this time the whole hall joined the jest, i ran to the toilet and stood there for a while. I was literally tired of getting bullied and needed it to stop, i had to forge a plan to pay them back for what they did, i needed them from bullying me.
I stood up and cleaned my eyes and left the bathroom, what could i do?- i didn't even know what to do, so i just walked up to oliver "Hey loser," oliver laughed and tossed me around, i got so mad and took a wooden chair from the class and hit him with it, immediately, he fell to the ground ans started groaning, i quickly took my chair and sat down, opened my sketch book and started drawing, plugged my earphones and listening to juicewrld album, i continued drawing and when i looked up i saw people walking to and fro, i saw the principal walk towards me, i pretended to not notice her, "So why did you do it?" the principal asked me, i was able to hear her because my earphones where no longer plugged in my ears, i did not even reply her, and i continued drawing, i knew she could not do anything to me because my dad was the sponsor of the school.
The day wnt by and nobody spoke to me or even came near me, so i ate my lunch and went back home in peace, when i got home i saw james in the sitting room with david and his friends, "hey, hey..." david said as i walked up to him and hugged him tight. "How ahave you been?" david asked me with a wierd smile on his face, i didn't like it. "Why are you smiling like that?" i asked him, "I don't know, maybe i just missed you" "i missed you too dave," i asaid switching my attention to james who had his gaze on me, "How did your day go?" james asked, "My day was fine, at least i wasn't taunted today," i said as i walked to my room, "I will be right back," while walking to my room, it dawned on me-what i had done today in school, i was really scared that the principal might call my dad and tell him what i had did. I needed to tell james what i had done, besides, i was just defending my self. So i quickly took my shower and went down in time. James was the only onw left in the sitting room, he was on his PC , "Hey james, " i said as i walked down thte stairs to where he wa, "Hey jay," he said as he took is gaze off his pc screen to look at me, he was really cute with his glasses o. "I need to talk to you, " i said as i sat down close to him and looked at him in the eye, "I beat up oliver and i think the principal is going to tell dad," i said as i looked down avoiding eye contact with him, "That's good, at least you stood up to him today, i'm so proud of you, so how do you feel?" james said as he seemed really pleased that i did that, "I feel pretty relieved, and funny enough nobody else bullied me today after what they saw i did,", i said with a big smile on my face, "Of course not, i'm so happy, you should have done that a long time ago," he said tapping my back, "Good job," he said as he resumed work on his pc. I went upstairs to carry my sketchbook andd began to draw for the competition, it was only one week left, i was anxious, i did not want to fail because i knew that would be the end of me, dad would really kill me, few hours after i was done, james walked up to me, "Hey, let's go play basketball and get dinner outside," Ok taht's a good idea, the house was starting to bore me, " we both laughed, and went upstairs to change into my basketball kits, i came downstairs, james was waiting outside beside the acar for me, we entered and zoomed off to the basketball court, when we got there, there were so many other basketball players there, "Do you think we can play here james?' i asked because i have never played basketball with any person aside my brother, "It's going to be fun, i promise," james said as he approached one of the players, i didn't know what they discussed, but i saw the person nod i agreement, james walked up to me "let's join them," he said as he pushed me onto the, shoulders, i staggered for a while before i got my balance.
We started playing for a while, it was really interesting, especially when i scored, how my team members would hug and smile at me. It was the first time associating with other people besides james and they were no bullying me instead they were playing with me, i felt so happy.
After several rounds of playing basketball, we all got tired and rested while some of them decided to go home, "good job today," one of the players said to me tapping me on my back, "thank you," i said feeling fufilled. "I'm sure you enjoyed the match," james placed his hands on my shoulders, "yes, i did, thanks for taking me out for basketball today," i said to him, "You are most welcome, common bro, let's get dinner," he continued as we both drove off to the restaurant, had a good dinner, and went home. When we got home, i met my parents in the sitting room watching a movie, we tried sneaking past them, but mum already saw us, "Hey kids, come join us for movie," she said, "No thanks, i'm tired," james reply, i didn't even bother to say anything and just walked out on them, "Hey, " my dad shouted behind me but i did not bother, "make sure you make good art that won't fail me," that was the next thing i heard.
I went to my room brought out my sketch book and began to draw at a point, i got tired and slept off.
2 DAYS TO THE COMPETITION
My week has been really tiring, going from school to the art class, and coming bac home, my , fortunately the bullying in school sopped for a while i guess, but it was good, at least nobody to disturb me, so i was really focused on the art competition. It was really my last chance to prove that i was not a loser, but someone with a good chance to succeed in art. Thank God for james, who was always supporting me and making sure i was comfortable during those times.
The day finally came, the day i was waiting for. Finallly its here i got ready in time in my finest outfit that day, went downstairs looking smart in my black pair of jeans, white T-shirt and a black pair of sneakers, black scarf around my neck and a black face cap, i was really excited but i coould not express it to avoid my dad taunting me that morning, "i hope you are ready for the competition?" my dad asked while gulping and orange juice from his glass and reading newspaper, "yes sir, i'm ready for the competition," i said as i sat down in silence and ate my breakfast, "hey, yo!!, how is my young artist doing?" james came with a basketball in his hands looking like he's going to play basketball, "i'm doing great, as you can see," i smiled and continue eating, "I will take you there, so hurry up with your food, so you won't be late," james said as i hurrriedly ate my food, i was happy at least some nice atmosphere before the competition, was all i needed, i also needed some words of encouragement from someone on my way, few minutes later i was done with my food, and i left with james, we sang on our way there, which was really nice, "How are you feeling?" james asked as he reduced the music, "What if i fail?" i said with my voice which was quite shaky, "That's OK, even if you fail, at least you tried your best, and that all that's matters" james said tapping my shoulder, i knew he was always going to be there for me, "thank you james, you are the best," i said as we continued our journey.
Few minutes later we arrived at the hall for the competition, it was a really big building painted white with some shades of yellow. At the side a big art was crafted there, and at the front of the building there was a painting of a bird, i don't know which one exactly, but it was really beautiful, " this is it, then i will be waiting right here for you," james said, "go in and do your best," he said as he presented my drawings to me and left, "thank you," i shouted behind him and he did the peace sign and left.
I went inside and saw some of the competitors and their drawings, they were amazing, i saw some of them trying to make sure thier work was ok, i located the gallery that had my name displayed on it, and placed my painting there, "nice drawing," i heard a voice come from behind, i turned and beheld the most beautiful girl i have ever seen, she was on a pink top and black joggers, and wore a black pair of sneakers, her hair were properly laid on her perfect skin, she was very beautiful-though she looked older, but who cares? "thanks," i said trying not to stutter, "so what was the inspiration for this?" she asked "i got the idea from leonardo da vinci," i replied as she looked impressed with my work,"Good luck," she said as she walked away, "what's your name?" i quickly asked before she got further, "Emily, Emily Davies," she also had a cute name, "Jason is my name," i said trying to avoid eye contact with her "nice to meet you jason, see you around," she waved and left.
After many hours the competition started, the judges started going from one stand to another, finallly it got to my turn, they looked at my name "jason thomton?," one of the judge asked, "yes, that's my name," i replied, "cool name, how's your father?" he said "he is doing OK," i replied, after that statement he made a jest about something and left with the other judges. After the competition ended, the judges had already made their decision, though it was a hard one because all the competitors had their A-game on display, "It was a hard call, but the winner is..." he paused, which added a little bit of tension, i closed my eyes, praying i would hear my name, "Skylar flare," they continued, my whole world felt like it came crashing down, i did not even care about anything at the moment, i felt the hall looking devastated and i saw james sitting at the step close to the hall, i walked up to him, "hey jay, how did it go?" he said as he saw i could not reply him, he gave me a hug and cried his eyes out, "i did not win james, dad is going to kill me," i kept in crying and he just left me to sober till i was done. "let's go home," James said. "don't worry i wont let dad hit you" he added as he led me to where the car was and we drove home. When we got home i was so scared of entering the house but james gave me a reassuring smile "it's OK Jay," he said as he took my hands and we made way to the living room where my dad and his friends were sitting there. Immediately we entered, he called for me and my heart skipped a beat "Jagon, come here," he said as he stood up from his chair, i looked and james and he gave me a sign that said go ahead, i approached where dad was"yes sir?, you called for me," i lowered my eyes because i was so scared of him, "so did you win?," he asked as he removed his watched from his hands, "no.....sir i did not win," i replied, and the next thing that happened was i felt a hard slap to my face, i could not feel my cheeks, my eyes were hurt, and i could not even cry, "you are such a loser, 15 competitions and you could not even win one, i am so ashamed of you," my dad yelled and just stood there. Immediately james grabbed my hands and left the place with me, "i am still talking to you, you are both losers, is this how you will take care of a company?," he kept yelling, james ignored all of it and took me to his room, i began to cry immediately i got to his room, i sat on the bed and cried my eyes out, james managed to console me, and i slept off.
I woke up in the middle of the night and saw james sweeping close to me. He was the best thing life gave to me and for the decision i'm going to make it will affect him the most...i left his room and went to the garage, took james car and drove to the national gallery, i had already put petrol and lighter inside the car, i was so mad that i could not think of anything else my dad was right i was a loser, 15 competitions and i still lost. i looked at the art gallery and took the petrol and poured all of it on the buildiing and on my body. i took the lighter and lit, my last words were,"i'm sorry james," and it all came to an end.