"Can I come in?" She asked me. I hadn't even noticed I was an obstruction. I nodded. What did Mandy want? Why was she here? I had done a LOT of talking for a day and even though my throat had had a long rest for the past one year, it wasn't enough. Also, even when I was... normal, normal enough to communicate with people, I found difficult to converse with people I wasn't familiar with which was what the online test I'd used as a point to buttress why they believed I had, no, have selective mutism.
I motioned to my reading chair for Mandy to sit and she did. She was wearing a set of black and white checkered pajamas.
"I heard from Vance that you'll be leaving for school tomorrow" I don't know why, it wasn't a question but I nodded affirmatively. Mandy used a hairband to secure her hair into a rough bun before saying "I'm willing to help you pack up if you don't mind" I smiled in both relief and appreciation. I had so much to pack and so little help not to talk of the small amount of energy I had left.
We started with my school supplies and filled the first compartment of my box with a miscellaneous accumulation of random stuff. Thereafter, we moved on to my toiletries, underwear and skin care products although I didn't have much of the latter.
I believe an hour or two already passed since Mandy and I started packing my clothes. We were currently in the kitchen having hot chocolate and cookies since it was quite cold for some reason. We were slowly getting closer to each other and I was already talking to her, I guess she made me feel quite comfortable.
"Wow, it's when we finally got along with each other that you're leaving." Mandy said.
"I don't leave until 10am tomorrow. Wanna go out?"
"Alright" Mandy replied and we were quiet till we both finished our Chocolate. We then retired to our bedrooms for a good night rest.
* * *
I'd barely even slept when my alarm went off. Lazily, I hit the snooze button before kicking my comforters off. Still in my grey pajama shorts and tank top, I made my way down the stairs. A pleasant and satisfying aroma of what I supposed was pancake hit my nostrils so I took in another breath.
"Morning Mandy" I voiced out when I reached the entrance of the kitchen.
"Oh Jun. Good morning to you too. How was your night rest?"
"Not enough" I said rubbing my eyes like that was gonna take the sleep away.
"How about you sleep for a few minutes, about half an hour" Mandy suggested. I really needed that but considering the fact she was really supportive the previous night, I refused.
"Nuh-uh. I'll stay right here and help you." After this statement, I received a charming smile from Mandy. She then put an apron on my neck like some sort of medal and I gracefully turned so she could help me tie it behind my back. I can't believe I was avoiding her. Of course, I still love my mum and she's irreplaceable but Mandy is a real angel. And then, for the next few minutes, we spent it being really productive.
"Want a taste?" Mandy asked me putting a plate of waffles and pancakes in the center. I nodded.
"I'll get the syrup" OK? If I thought I knew how to cook, I really needed to learn from Mandy. Damn, this is the type of healthy meal whose taste explodes in your mouth.
"The guys will be down soon. Let's set the table." Mandy said.
"Good idea" I replied.
VANCE'S POV
I rested my hand on the wall as I watched Jo and Mandy. They were finally getting along. A small smile crept to my face and I wiped the stray tear that threatened to make its escape down my cheeks. All I wanted was for J to be happy and for our relationship to grow but after her mum, the tie that bond us, died, our relationship died alongside her too. She stopped talking, just a few words daily, then she stopped eating often but she never smiled not once... Only if you'll count those bitter and dry smiles which was more of a mask than a proof of her inner feeling but here she was talking to Mandy about God knows what. She gave Mandy a fist bump and Mandy winked at her. My cover was ruined by a sneeze. Almost immediately, they both turned with wide eyes
"How long have you been here?" Mandy inquired with a pout as she walked towards me. I wrapped my hands round her petite frame.
"How long have you been this pretty?" She gave me a shy smile and I hugged her even tighter.
"Good morning" Romano said from behind. "You didn't have to leave the bedroom, you know?" He said walking towards J.
"Hey J"
"Sup Ro" She said in what sounded like a whisper. He cocked an eyebrow, his gaze fixated on the plate of waffles and pancakes. She let out a low chuckle before giving him some in his already open mouth. I walked towards the duo.
"Daddy wants some too." Romano and Juno exchanged a look I couldn't decipher while cocking their heads to the side.
"Please excuse us" Romano said pulling Juno away through the back door.
"Ew!" "Gross" I heard them both say. I turned to Mandy and she shook her head whilst patting my back.
"Do you know how inappropriate "daddy wants some" sounds?" My eyes widened in realization and I pulled away.
"No no no, I'm not... I did not-" I was interrupted when I felt Mandy's lips on mine. Before I could react, she pulled away. "It's alright let's eat breakfast"
* * *
My two jewels, Mandy and J, made their way down the stairs. They were both wearing white tees although Mandy wore a blue jean trouser and a white Nike while J wore a thigh skimming jort of the same color alongside white and black Retro sneakers. Mandy had a small black purse as an accessory plus bracelets and necklaces of silver color. Juno had a black mini backpack whose strap rested on her shoulders. She didn't have extra accessories, just her regular earrings and the necklace ger mum had given her since birth.
"We're off," Mandy said walking towards the door, her hands locked with Juno's. I knew I shouldn't speak, that I should shut up and as much as I wanted to shut it, my curiosity had the best of me.
"To where?"
"Girls' outing" I waved my hands in the air as I continued to watch my game. " Just come back soon enough, Hendrix is far from here"
"Alright" Mandy replied and closed the door.
END OF VANCE'S POV
JUNO'S POV
"So where are we going?" I asked Mandy. "We only have three hours before I leave"
" So we'll get ice creams and popcorn, watch a movie of about an hour and a half then, I'll take you shopping" I gave her a bright smile.
"Thanks a million, Mandy" She locked her fingers with mine. "Don't mention, I'll make sure it's the best outing ever so you'll never forget"
We were making our way into the mall already. We decided to just do everything there instead of moving around, which indeed was a great idea.
"Umm, chocolate for you and vanilla plus strawberry for the young lady?" The girl over the counter repeated our orders.
"Yes" "Hmm" Mandy and I replied.
Now, we were waiting for our turn to watch a movie. Mandy had already booked the tickets for the movie, so we were just sitting here idling away. I checked my phone, ten minutes more.
"Booooo!!" Someone from behind me said. I got so startled I nearly dropped my phone hadn't it been Mandy caught it in time.
"Fucking hell, who's that idiot?"
"Language Jun" Mandy said and I tossed her an apologetic smile. My main aim at that point was to figure out who the idiot was.
"Cedric?"
"Hey momma" I scrunched my nose
"Never call me that" he nodded turning to Mandy. "Oh my goodness, who's this beauty over here?" Giving me a quick glance, he added "Jo, I don't think you should sit here, the contrast is obvious" I rolled my eyes before rubbing my throat. Mandy gave me a bottle of water. The previous day, we'd gotten really close. I confided in her about one of my most sensitive and discrete topic, my mother's death and its effect on me- being mute. I'd explained to her how speaking seemed like a big thing to me and I sometimes wonder if I can still speak and when I do, it seems like the voice isn't mine, like the words aren't mine. I took a final gulp of the water before covering it.
"So, why are you here little guy?" Mandy asked.
"Just decided to come to the mall. If I see anyone I know, we'll hangout"
"Your life got no direction bro" I thought to myself. Mandy just nodded. She then put her phone into her purse.
"Well, Jun and I need to go now."
"Huh? Let's hangout" Cedric said, a few feet behind us.
"Geez, who's that kid?" Mandy asked.
"An idiot." I replied. I let out a sigh before giving Mandy the answer she wanted. "He's my classmate." Mandy simply nodded.
"Those two" Mandy said pointing to two seats at the third row from the front. We made our way there through the maze of people before we finally got to our destination.
After about five minutes, the murmurs stopped, the lights turned off and the movie begun.
> > >
"The last box" Dad said and I gave him. After closing the car's boot, he turned to Mandy and gave her a tight hug.
"Where's Ro?"
"Music practice" She then turned to me "Bye Jun."
"Bye Mandy" I replied opening the car's door.
"Wait, do you have my number?" I shook my head and gave Mandy my phone to input her digits. Thereafter, she gave me a quick hug.
"Bye-bye" we both said and then we took off.
I stared at the trees and grasses through the window, this part of town had little or no human residence at all. Boredom drowning me, I brought out my laptop and decided to try writing at the impulse of my emotions but it wasn't helping so I decided to challenge myself. The first challenge was to write a poem, but this poem would be quite different. The first line would start with 'A' the next with 'B' and on and on till I got to the letter 'Z'. I closed my eyes searching for inspiration from within and when I finally did, I started typing.
A-Z
And now my heart's left to bleed
Because there's no joy anymore.
Can someone save me?
Dare to free me from this
Entanglement and bondage
From this frustration...
Genuinely, I feel dead within
Having no one to lean on,
Insecure, broken and injured
Just trying to act like it's all right
Knights of darkness already murdered me
Long ago, leaving me to live like a dead,
Melancholy and sorrow cascading my...
I wasn't feeling the vibe for this poem at all. It sounded so dry and it seemed like each letter was laced with forced emotions and that was something I didn't like so I decided to just journal, just write out stuff.
" I don't understand myself anymore. I'm struggling with self hate, anxiety and mutism. Aside that, I got spirit friends and it's... everything's just wrong and so confusing when it comes to me and I hate that. I remember the last shooting star and my wish on that very day. To be normal and for all this darkness to fade away but it seems like it didn't. I became even more abnormal, and instead of all this dark shit to fade away, the good ones did. I lost myself to the darkness, I lost my friend, Jude to the world.
But on the bright side, I met Mandy and Ro. Ced-"
I was interrupted when the car came to a sudden halt.
"Juno" Dad said turning to me. "You good?" I nodded, closed my laptop and looked up to observe my new school's building. Wow, it looked terribly good and bad at the same time.
"Alright, let's go to the office. We need to be quick so you can settle down before 6pm." I checked my phone. 5:02 that was the current time. I slipped it back into my short pocket as I followed dad's steps.
I was a few steps behind, not because dad had long legs even though that was part of the reason but mainly because I was walking slowly so I could observe my environment.
"J, you need to be quick. You can take a walk around later" Spotting truth in what dad said, I hastened and after a final turn, Dad and I found ourselves in front of a door that had the inscription 'Admin.'
Dad knocked the wooden door twice before we finally got a reply. Opening the door, dad ushered me in before shutting it behind him.
"Halo Mrs. Stone" Dad greeted and I gave her a low bow as my curtsy. "My my, Juno. Welcome to Hendrix Academy." I gave her a dry smile.
"Oh, sit down" She said gesturing to the chairs and immediately after that statement, she and dad dove into boring adult conversation. Looking at the wall clock in her office, it was already 5:45 and there was no way I'd settle before 6pm at this rate.
"Alright, Mr Black." Mrs. Stone said.
"Farewell Mrs. Stone" Dad replied with a cold face. Turning to me, his expression softened. "Bye J, be good. Alright?" I nodded "Bye dad".
After dad exited the room, Mrs. Stone turned to me.
"Juno, I've asked someone to take your luggage to your dorm. Lucerne already prepared a room of two for you. You'll meet your roommate there. For now-" She said standing up. I wanted to do the same out of respect but when I saw how much of a dwarf she is, I decided it'll be a better idea to remain seated. Mrs. Stone had dark brown skin, which somehow didn't contrast with her grey hair which was packed into a rough bun. She had dilated grey pupils which was caged in the black round glasses she had on. She wore a green and white gown which was designed as a wrap around just like a bathrobe. She also wore grey flat shoes and if I was being entirely sincere, I had no idea if I liked her dressing or not. "For now, I'll call your house mistress to take you to your room. Tomorrow around 10am, tell your roommate to bring you here so I can give you your essentials" I nodded. A few moments later, a lady which I presumed was in her mid thirties walked in. She wore brown cargo pants and a light brown fitted round neck which was kinda cropped, a inch or two above her waist. She had black crocs on her feet and a silver ankle chain. I let my gaze land on her face. She was blonde and had plump pink lips. On her neck was a necklace with a 'K' pendant.
"Katie" Mrs. Stone begun "This is Juno Black."
"Is she the one Lucerne reserved room D7 for?"
"Yes, please take her there and introduce her to the girls "Katie nodded and we walked out.
"I assume you know this isn't a normal school?" I nodded but remembered the promise I'd made to myself that I'm trying my best to shove my mutism aside and interact with people.
"I only know little based on what Lilith and Lucerne told me."
"Oh, try discussing with your roommate this evening." Katie said and we basked in the silence.
"Alright, this your room. Your luggage is already in. Just unpack and-" Katie was interrupted by her cellphone ringing.
"Hello....OK.. I'll be there" She slipped her phone into her pocket before turning to me. "I need to leave now."
"It's alright, Bye Katie"
"Bye." She replied shutting the door. Letting out a sigh, I started unpacking my things. The normal me would've just stuffed everything into the box since I was still going to unpack them but Mandy insisted I arranged my things neatly. I let out another sigh and got to work. Toiletries and cosmetics on the first layer, trousers on the second layer, shirts on the third and my only gown- I just left it in the box. I arranged my shoes beneath my bed and my books on the black shelf. I made my bed with my grey sheets and slid my box beneath my bed.
Since I'd finished arranging my stuff, I decided to take in the appearance of my new room. The wallpapers were grey in color with a few dots of black and silver. The bed frames were made of fine mahogany that was painted black and there were about six bulbs which illuminated the room. A few portraits were hung on the wall but I didn't really bother. I brought out my laptop and just as I was about to turn it on, I heard the door creak and I knew my roommate had walked in but what I didn't expect was that my roommate will be...her.