9. What?

Gabriella Richardson
Hotel Suite, Dawn Beach, St. Maarten
5:00 A.M, Tuesday
______________________
 I automatically woke up at this hour because, I have school. Any normal teen my age should be in school. I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom. I took a shower, brushed my teeth and so on. I then put on my uniform and packed my bag.  I walked into the dining room, turned on the light, and took up the phone to call room service, but then I hesitated. Would Nicki mind? I sighed and knocked on her door. No one answered. I didn’t want to barge in so I literally banged on the door. Still no answer. I started kicking the door. No answer. So I did something I never in my life did before. Zaire does it all the time to get her parents attention. I screamed. Immediately the door shot open, Nicki came out with a flat iron. Sinds it was dark in her room and she was squinting, when she swung it, it hit me directly in the face. The impact was so hard, I passed out.

“Gabby?... Gabriella?...” I was hearing someone call my name. I squinted then slowly opened my eyes. I looked around. I was in my room with an ice pack on my head and a worried Nicki infront of me.  I groaned. My head hurt. “Hey ladybug, are you alright? You like went out for like 10 minutes.” She said and giggled a little.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little headache. Next time please try to come to the door when I knock.” I said with a little attitude.  I got up slowly and went into my bathroom. My forehead was red, but thank God it wasn’t a bruise.

“Baby girl, do you need anything?”

“No!” I yelled. “Just go away.” I whispered to myself.  I was abit cranky. Why was I having so much bad luck? I quickly re-washed my face and made sure my uniform was right. I walked out to see Nicki sitting on my bed, looking at her hands. Did I hurt her? I walked up to her and moved hands. I pulled her up so that she was standing. Her eyes were glossy. Damn, I was abit harsh. I hugged her tightly. At first she didn’t hug me back but slowly she did. And she rested her head on top of mine.

“I’m sorry mom, I’m just abit upset. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” I said. It was abit muffled because my head was in her stomach. She giggled.

“It’s okay, I’m always here if you want to talk.” She said watching me in the eyes.  I nodded. I just wasn’t ready.

We ate breakfast and when I looked at the time, it read ‘6:40’.

“Oh my, I have to get to school!” I yelled and ran to get my bag. Nicki just looked at me confused.  “What?” I asked irritated.

“You just got out of the hospital, don’t you want to rest?”

“No, I don’t want to miss any more school.”

“Well, I’ll take you. I have to speak to your principal anyway.” She said casually before going into her room to get ready. She was pretty quick. She was dressed in a sweater that covered her tattoo and sweatpants. Her hair was down. No make-up.  And she had shades on.  It kind of reminded me of my mom. I shuttered. I have to stop thinking about them.

We went down to the lobby and she rented a white Range Rover. I directed her to the school. And I went in first. I waited for her to park and meet me. Meanwhile I received tons of hugs and ‘Welcome back’s’. It made me smile. Then I frowned. Zaire isn’t here. Nicki walked up to me and scared me abit.

“Hey babe. You ready?” she asks me while putting an arm around me. I nodded and smiled. Thank god nobody really noticed who she was. But ofcourse you had the immature boys that were whistling at her. She ignored it. I just shrugged.  I looked at the time. It said ‘7:23’.

“Uh ma, I have to go to class. Just ask the receptionist for Mrs. Scott.” I said while getting up.

“Oh okay.” She said and turned her head. I looked at her funny.

“What are you doing?” I asked and giggled alittle.

“Waiting on you to kiss me bye.” She said. I laughed and kissed her cheek just as the bell rang.

“See ya, mom!” I said and she smiled. Then I rushed to class. My favorite of all, History.

Zaire Healy
Airport, Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
8:00 A.M, Tuesday
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I’m here at the airport. A private jet was coming for me. I wasn’t feeling any better. Everywhere hurt. I miss Gabby. She’s probably depressed and it’s all my fault. I didn’t mean to but I didn’t want her to know. I just really wished this was all a dream. My parents look like Zombies. And they look as if they haven’t slept at all. Eyes puffy, nose red. I sighed.

“Dear God, please let me and Gabby meet again. I want this to be easy for her. I don’t want to let her down. Father I ask you to protect her. In Jesus name, Amen. “I prayed silently to myself.

“Ready to go?” the flight nurse asked me. I gave a small smile as my reply. I started to get sleepy. Am going to need a bed, this wheelchair isn’t cutting it.

Nicki Minaj
Milton Peters College, South Reward, St. Maarten
8:15 A.M, Tuesday
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After waiting for over a half hour, my name was called. I walked down this Hall and into a room. There sat an older lady with long curly hair behind a desk. She gave me a warm smile before standing and introducing herself.

“Hello, my name is Reshelda Scott, but the students here call me Mrs. Scott. You must be Gabriella’s new guardian I take it in right?” she asked me while sitting down. I was abit shocked that she knew that already. Did she even see Gabriella yet?

“Uhm, yes I am. I’m Onika Maraj.” I stated and gave her a smile.

“Oh okay, so what’s the reason that we’re here today?” she asks, getting right down to business.

“Well, it’s Gabriella. But first I want it to be known that we are leaving Sunday to the States. I’m actually here on vacation. I was wondering if there would be any recommendations for Gabriella?” I asked abit uneasy. Mrs. Scott’s brow raised.

“Well, here’s the thing, we’re almost at the end of the first trimester. Test week is starting next week. Gabriella’s in the Dutch system and it wouldn’t be wise to pull her out and enter her in an English school.”

“Well, could I homeschool her with a Dutch teacher and you send up the work? Because I don’t play with education either.” I said. She looked abit more relaxed now. We talked abit before we closed that subject then I asked the question.

“Can you explain me why Gabriella was suspended last week?”

“Well, she fought someone.”

“Oh, but that’s not really like her.”

“I know, but rules are rules.”

“Do you maybe know why? Because I tried asking her but she keeps hiding it away.” I say abit worried.

“Well, now that it’s got my interest, we’ll find out now.” She said and made a few calls. About five minutes later, Gabriella knocked and walked in. She had the worried look on her face.

“Yes, ma’am?” she asks Mrs. Scott.

“Take a seat by your guardian please. I would like to speak to you.” Gabriella obeyed and sat next to me. She looked abit tensed. “Gabriella, I wanted to ask you something about the fight.” Gabby just looked wide eyed. She was scared. I held her hand, which was icy cold.

“W-what about it?” she says softly.

“Why did you fight her? Don’t worry, what’s said here stays here. I just want to get to the bottom of it.” Mrs. Scott said, looking directly into Gabby’s eyes. I looked at her as well and her eyes were brimming with tears. She took a breath before answering.

“W-well, we all know I have Spina Bifida and all the complications it brought. I was teased a lot and when I came to MPC, it was worse. People would trip me up. Boys would try to see if they could feel my butt and end up hitting my sensitive spot on my back.” She said, and then stopped.

“Sweetie can you show us where that is on your back?” I asked and she stood. She turned and lifted her shirt. This was the first time I was seeing this. It stung. This little girl had no control over this. Why were people so cruel? She quickly put down her shirt and sat down again. Then she continued.

“Shamilah was the worst of them all. She’d push me all the time. Steal my money at canteen and no one would stop her. She would curse me out. But just this time she took it too far for my liking. She called me a bitch and said that my mother was one too. I don’t care what all I went through with my parents, but you will not disrespect them.” She said and I was abit confused. I said something, without giving it a second thought.

“But Gabby, why do you care so much. Gabby she beat you and watched your dad beat you. They don’t deserve to be called your parents.” I said then put my hand over my mouth. Mrs. Scott just watched me amazed. Gabby, just watched me angrily then stood up.

“I’m going back to class Mrs. Scott, if we’re done here.” She says not even looking at me. I could literally feel the hurt she was. I messed up, and I don’t know how I’m going to make up for it.

I soon left after and went back to the hotel. Safaree was still sleeping. Good, I was abit tired still. I took off my sweater and replaced it with a t-shirt and took off my sweatpants. I needed to make things right. Why in the world did I say that?!?