Chapter 10- Moving in

“Good morning mom.” Junior said as he walked into the house with all his belongings.

“Madam! Can I call you mom.”

“Oh my God what is this. I know you too well Junior.”

“So you are still the old mom I knew. The one that would watch bubble guppies with me because I said so.” It was weird because I don't remember any of those. I felt left out when I heard Junior laughing hard.

“Hey people of Abraham Block. Come amd see this person. Junior that died long ago is back again.” Mr. Benson of all people called out. He looked very excited.

“Is that you Ben.” Aunt Maggie and Mr. Ben stared at each other for a while before I spoke.

“Seriously,you know him?” I said

“Please leave us alone. Just move away because every single day you come to our porch to insult us. You are just my teacher and nothing else.” I gave him a death stare.

“Whatever.” He said and walked away.

“You wanna take the bus with me this morning?” Junior held my hand.

“Of course.”

It was test week. That scary time of the year where everyone was serious. I got to school still holding Junior’s hand. We chatted for a while and we had so much more in common. The smile on my face never seemed to dissappear throughout the trip.

“Junior? You are walking with a prostitute.” James walked to us in the hallway.

I felt bad and sad, because people still remembered everything. I know that people wouldn’t stop talking. I wanted to walk away but Junior held my hand. “Stay here and watch him suffer.” He let go of my hand and stared at James severely.

“How dare you say that to my sister.” He held his collar.

“So you can now admit it.” James smirked which made him angrier and to raise his voice.

“How dare you? You are supposed to pay for what you did! Disgusting! This girl you call a prostitute told me to leave you alone.” People in the hallway gathered us.

“ Shut up!” That statement made him go bananas. He held James collar tightly and pushed him to one of the lockers. “I hope you get more than the head injury my sister got that day. She was crying terribly that day.” I decided to stop them. I screamed at James to stop but I only got a slap on my face.

“What the hell?” Junior gave him a harder one, twice.

“Into my office… now!” Mr. Benson our neighbor commanded us. I looked at him as if he had grown two heads. “I'm sorry.” Junior pulled me closer for a hug. “It's not your fault Junior.” I said squeezing my shirt.

“Come in now!” Mr. Benson cried out.

When we entered his office, he smirked for no reason. “Why did you beat him up.” He said as soon as we sat down. I gave him a death stare.

“He called my sister a prostitute and he slapped her. And this is not the first time sir.” Junior tried to sound as respectful as possible in his tone but it came out wrong.

“I will forgive you for now. But you will have to clean the school compound till the end of the semester.” Mr. Ben said looking at the newspaper he was reading.

“What! That can't happen!” I protested.

“For that miss you and Junior will do it. James is free. You can leave now.” He stretched out his hand to the direction of the the exit. I had no choice but to go through the foolish punishment, because he could do something worse.

“It's all your fault!” I screamed as soon as we got out of Mr. Ben’s office. I wasted to beat James up, but Junior held me by my waist. He was stronger so I couldn’t move.

When the coward James had already ran off, he let me go. “Why didn't you let me show him what I am made of.” I whined.

“You need to control yourself. As long as I remember, Mr. Ben was my dad's best friend so what happened. Why is like this?”

“ That monster was my dad's best friend?” I widened my eyes.

“Come on go to class.” Junior said chuckling.

“See you at closing time.” I said as I shake his hand.

“Why closing time?”

“If you really need me, meet in the library.” I said.

“ Guess we meet at closing time then.” I chuckled at his statement.

The next morning

“What the?” Junior cried out. I was in my room so I didn't pay attention.

“Harley why did you put these pads or tampons here.” He looked irritated as he held the pad with the tip of his fingers.

“It's a pad.” I collected the sanitary pad from him.

“Harley you have to be organized and clean during your period.” He said as he sat on my bed.

“Now you have gone from amazing brother to boring grandpa. I don't even remember you like that. I am starting to think if we are siblings.” I walked out of the room and went to my mom’s room.

Junior’s pov

I am sure that she is my sister. She is still the same. I was 5 and I clearly remember everything. Aunt Maggie made everything clear to me. I had to take a decision I wished I never thought of.

“Mom. I would like for us to take a DNA test.” I said. Harley turned back at me.

“Just to be sure to clear everyone's doubts. Because I am starting to feel like an outsider.” I stared at Harley while making the statement.

“What! No.” She looked like she was going to cry. “What if the results aren't what we expected.” The tears were running down.

“Get ready for school my children.” She said and went to a bathroom for a bath.

“Why do you want to do this? I only said said that because I was angry.” Harley said when mom slammed the door. “What happened?” I asked simply out of concern.

“Ugh. Henry is dating Liv now.” She bowed down her head. I pulled her closer for a hug. “I hate you!” She said.

“I love you too dear.” I gave her an affectionate pat on the back. “So tell mom you are not doing this anymore.” I was actually determined to do the DNA test.

“Let's do this.” I said and she was still hugging me. She let go of me immediately she heard that.

“This is stupidity Junior. I hate you now and forever.” She cried out.

Mom decided to take us to school and it was very very awkward. None of us said a word. “Junior we used to do something when Harley got to middle school.” Mom broke the silence.

“Okay mom continue.” I stared at Harley as she just rolled your eyes.

“This should guide your day. Cain and Abel were brothers. They were not on good terms and they suffered for that. Whatever you do, don't ever hold any grudges especially your family. Now go.” She stopped the car and I ran as fast as possible to open the door for Harley but she went through another door instead. “Okay guys I need a tiny part of your hair.” Mom said when we got outside.

“For what?” She said it as if she didn't know what she was talking about. “For the DNA test silly.” Mom had a light smile on her face even though she was in pain. I quickly cut a tiny strand of my hair, mom did like so but Harley stared at me first then gazed at mom before cutting a strand too. “Oh and saliva.” We did as she told us to.

Students stared at us in confusion as they walked into the campus.

“Mom do you have enough money for the DNA test.” I asked mom.

“Never mind, Maggie will help me if there's need to.” “Bye for now my dears.” She stretched her hand out for a hug. Harley didn't hug her like I did, she just walked away.

“Harley! Harley don't just snob me.” I said as I walked briskly in the hallway. “Don't you dare talk to me at school.” She said and walked away.

Meanwhile June who was already close to us walked towards her direction. She made eye contact with Harley but she just continued walking to her class.

I didn't see the reason why we couldn't do the DNA test. I always had nightmares about my childhood. The person I missed after Harley was my mom. That day, I first saw her at the house. It was very awkward.

“Junior is that…. yh yh you.” When she said that I was terrified. I just overlooked it.

“Well madam I am a friend of Harley. And she wants to go to that party.” I pleaded.

“Come in and sit.” I sat down on the couch nearest to me and I was seeing some unclear visions. My mind went directly to my mom and my nightmares.

“Why do you think I should let her.” I didn't pay attention to what she was saying. “Are those pickles?” I said picking up a jar of pickles.

“I love pickles with everything single food in the world too.”

“Really?” She looked pale suddenly.

“Of course.”

“Oh sorry back to what I came for. I promise to take care of Harley during the party.”

“It seems like you care about her very much.”
© Dairo