10. Say Something

Gabriella Richardson
Milton Peters, South Reward, St. Maarten
12:45 P.M, Tuesday
______________________

I had tons of free periods so I’m out of school early. Normally I would wait on my parents to get me or go with Zaire. But none of those options were open. I would have to end up calling Nicki. I didn’t want to call her; she disrespected me, something that you just don’t do. I tried holding in my tears, but they fell anyway. I felt so hurt, I know what she said was right, but it doesn’t change the fact that they were my parents, even though I’m now in her care.

As I was sitting debating if I should call Nicki, a girl yanked my arm so I faced her.  It was Shamilah’s sister. I instantly froze up. She seemed so upset.

“I heard your ass is adopted now.” She said and smirked. I just kept my head down and stayed quiet.  She laughed. “That was always you, the one that couldn’t defend herself. You always needed that slut Zaire to have your back.” She yelled at me and people started looking. Again no one came to help. She shoved me before leaving. “It’s just goes to show, no one wants you.” She yelled at me.

“Ohhhh!” was all you heard people saying. I just held my head down. I couldn’t let them know that they got to me. The bell rung. I really just wanted to leave. I saw Gabe running towards the gate. He’s a kid in my class and lives near my parent’s house.

“Gabe wait!” I yell while gathering my stuff. He stops and looks at me. “Can I ride with you?”

“Shure, c’mon.” he says.

The whole car ride was silent. He dropped me at the house and I walked up to the front door. It was locked. Duh, no one’s home. I always kept a spare key out because I tend to forget mines inside. I open the door and look around.  Everything was left the way it was. Including my blood on the foot of the stairs. It brought back memories. I cried. Why was everybody I know hurting me?

I went into the kitchen and got the cleaning supplies. I cleaned off my blood. I didn’t like it. I went around the house looking for more blood stains. When I finished and went back into the kitchen and looked for snacks. Nothing much had spoiled, but I threw away the things that were. I wasn’t leaving here. This was home anyway.

Nicki Minaj
Hotel Suite, Dawn Beach, St. Maarten
2:00 P.M, Tuesday
______________________

It was getting abit late. I was expecting Gabriella to call at any moment. I felt so guilty. I couldn’t even look at Safaree when I came back. I just ignored him. He got fed up eventually and went down to the pool, so that leaves me here alone. I decided to call the school. Mrs. Scott answered.

“Good afternoon, Milton Peters College. Mrs. Scott speaking.”

“Uh, hi. It’s Miss Maraj.” I said abit unsure.

“Oh, yes?”

“It’s Gabriella, she hasn’t arrived home yet.”

“Oh, well she was seen leaving the premises what a boy from her class. He lives where her parent’s house is in Dawn Beach.”

“What?!?” I said and stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again. “Oh okay, thanks. Bye.”

I hung up without even having to hear what she had to say. I was pissed and hurt. She chose to go back to them instead of just speaking to me. Well, trying to speak to me. Did I really hurt her that bad? Because we both know what I said is true. I didn’t think she would take it to heart like that.

As I was weighing my options, Safaree walked in.

“Hey.”  I say to him. He just stays quiet. Well, guess he’s ignoring me as well.

He goes into our room to shower and change his attire. He comes out and it took every fiber of my being not to rip his clothes off right there and then. The shirt was kind of tight so you could clearly see his abs. I bit my lip and looked away.

“Uhm, where is Gabriella?” he asks me. I turn to him slowly. I had to tell him.

“W-well she’s ignoring me. I said something that was abit out of line. She didn’t call us but she’s at her parent’s house.” I said abit unsure. I was playing with my hands refusing to look him in the eyes. He lifted my chin to face him.

“What was it about?”

“Her parents.” I whisper. His whole expression changed. He was angry and it was my fault.

“How dare you.”

“I know and I’m sorry.”

“Sorry will not fix this! She is maybe in there bleeding to death because she self-harmed or something!” Why would you do that? They are still her parent’s! She spent 15 years with them. You can’t just pop up and change that!” he yelled at me. I just sat there and cried. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. Now my babies are mad. And may not come back.

“I’m going to get her. Don’t come. Just stay. When I reach back don’t speak at all. I don’t want to hear you. I can’t believe you right now.” He said before slamming the door shut. I just stayed where I was and cried.

Safaree Samuels
Dawn Beach, St. Maarten
4:30 P.M, Tuesday
______________________

When I arrived at the house, all was quiet. I walked up to the front door. It was locked. I walked to the other doors. Also locked. I then decided to call out to her.

“Gabriella!”

I saw a window on the first floor open. I saw a little puffy red face. She saw me and sobbed.

“What do you want?” she asks me through sobs. My heart was breaking for this little girl. All she wanted was to be loved and they just kept hurting her. I wasn’t going to do that.

“Ay, listen babygirl, can you please come down and talk to me?” I ask her. She shook her head ‘no’.

“Is ‘she’ with you?” she asked.

“No, I’m alone.” I say.

“I don’t believe you. Just go away.” She yelled and closed the window. I called out to her over and over again. She didn’t answer.  I just sat on the front steps and waited. I soon fell asleep.

At around 8, I felt a pair of little hands place a blanket over me. I slowly stirred. It scared her. She quickly got up and ran to the door. I ran after her. I was able to place my foot into the door so it wouldn’t close. She screamed and ran up the stairs to her room. She was able to lock that door before I made it. She sobbed louder and louder. I was feeling so bad for her. I suck down on the outside of the door. I listened to her.

After about 15 minutes, she stopped but then she started talking.

“You know in the bible said to honor your mother and your father. I always did. They just had it hard doing that to me after I was raped. I loved my parents and took my blows. I never complained. I was always humble. They would disrespect me and hurt me, but I still loved them. I remember that almost every year my parents would take me on vacation. It would be Holland or New York or even Puerto Rico. We had so much fun. We’d laugh and take courses. We were so happy. I want that again. Just to be happy. Is that too much?” she asked and sniffled.  I was in tears.

“W-well, I’m here. I know it may not be so convincing but I love you. From the moment I saw you, I fell in love with you. I felt the urge to protect you. Nurture you and teach you. I want to see you smile. I don’t want you to have to suffer anymore. Please Gabriella, please come out.” I said with emotion.  It took a few seconds before she opened it. I stood. She ran to me and cried into my shirt.

“I-I love you d-daddy.” She sobbed into my shirt. I rubbed her back. Sinds she’s about 4’3, I lifted her up and placed her legs around my waist. I continued to rub her back and hair. She cried for about 5 minutes. All that time I didn’t move.

My stomach and her stomach growled at the same time.

“I guess we should head back. We are both hungry.” I say.

“No!” she yells.

“Okay, well what are we going to do?”

“I’m going to cook. There are still edible things here. C’mon.” she said and I put her down so she could walk.

We walked to the kitchen. She opened a few cupboards and took out everything she needed.   

“What are you making?” I ask.

“Chicken Pasta. Want to help?”

“Sure.”

I helped and around 9:30 we ate. We talked and giggled abit. I saw her smile once again. I was happy. Happy to see her happy.  We ate quickly then washed up. We turned off all the lights. And locked all the doors. We left for the hotel.

Nicki Minaj
Hotel Suite, Dawn Beach, St. Maarten
11:00 P.M, Tuesday
______________________

It was late when they walked in. I stood up and opened the door. Safaree just brushed past me. Gabriella just looked at her toes. I stepped out of the way and she walked in.

“G-Gabby?” I say softly.

“NO! Don’t call me. It’s Gabriella to you.” She yells at me. I have had it.

“GABRIELLA, WE BOTH KNOW WHAT I SAID IS TRUE SO STOP IT!” I yelled back. She and Safaree looked at me in disbelief.

“IT DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE MY PARENTS. YOU JUST CAME. WHY ARE YOU THIS WAY? YOU WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY IF IT WERE YOU. YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT HELD ME FROM THE MOMENT I WAS BORN. MAYBE IF YOU WASN’T TRYING TO FILL THEIR SHOES SO SOON, YOU’D UNDERSTAND!” she yelled back. I was taken aback. A tear rolled down her cheek. Then she ran to her room and slammed the door. Safaree just shook his head at me. And walked in our room slamming the door as well. I guess it’s the couch for me.

It was 1 in the morning. I couldn’t sleep and I could hear Gabby sobbing. I couldn’t do this anymore. I had to stop this stubbornness. I walked into her room. She had her back turned to me.

“Gabby?” I ask and got no reply just sobs. I walked up to the bed and crawled in. I put my arms around her, embracing her. I just let me. And cried harder. I cried too. I hurt her and it was hurting me.

“I-I’m so sorry.” I say through sobs.

“I-I know.” She said and I hugged her harder.

“I promise never to do that again. I guess I just really wanted to be your mother. So I could see you smile and show you the world.”

“Well all I want is to be happy and loved.” She said and cried. I soothed her. And sang to her. I sang ‘Say Something’ from Great Big World. She slowly fell asleep. Before she fully slept she whispered to me.

“I love you mommy.”

“I love you too ladybug. I love you too.” I say and fell asleep soon after.

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