Monday again. I studied all weekend while Jessi was out partying. My aunt bought us ice cream, and we watched a couple of movies, laughing at the ridiculous plots of today’s horror movies. But after that, it was all studying, notes, schedules, exams, etc.
Last night, I searched online for how to get to my school by bus and found a stop four blocks away from home, so the next morning, I showered, put on some jeans and a black t-shirt with the RHCP logo, a jacket, and grabbed my bag. It was already 4:30.
I tiptoed out of my room, trying not to wake anyone up. I didn’t want my aunt to scold Jessi for not taking me and hate me even more, potentially leading to her killing me at any moment.
I left the house, grabbing some cookies from the kitchen, and walked to the bus stop. Luckily, the bus arrived almost as soon as I did.
I’m so tired, and this is going to kill me every day if I have to take the bus to a place that’s at least 35 kilometers away from where I sleep. I need to find a job, and fast. I need to afford a taxi because going out alone to go to school when it’s still dark outside is not very safe.
The bus dropped me off a few meters from the school entrance. It’s 6 a. m., and it’s still dark. The other students will probably come around 7, and I have an hour to read. I sat on a bench near the entrance light and opened a novel that I’ve been wanting to finish for about a month but haven’t been able to. I’m always busy doing something else… Before it was my mother, now it’s school. I don’t have time for myself, and if I did, I wouldn’t spend it on anything other than reading or writing. Nothing else interests me.
Well, yes, I’m interested in learning various things, but I know it’s not the right time yet. When I’m in college and have a stable job, I’d like to learn to play the guitar… I’d like to take singing lessons, maybe a photography course, write books. I have so many damn things I want to do, and hopefully, someday, if I have some time, I’ll do them.
I only had 20 pages left to finish; it was already getting light. I started hearing laughter coming from the street across. I glanced over, and a couple of stumbling guys were walking towards me, clearly drunk. My heart was racing; I won’t lie, I’m scared.
I see them, and I sense their intentions as they approach me. I couldn’t run, like that night, I was defenseless, and even though they don’t have weapons, there are five of them against one. I don’t think I have much of a chance. Maybe I asked for trouble, maybe this is what I deserve… Fucking shitty life.
“Hey, babe,” one of the bastards says, now just a step away from me. I’m praying that at least one student shows up and these idiots run away.
“What are you reading?” He sits next to me and snatches the book from my hands.
“Wow, how clever of you,” I say without thinking. I’ve got a big mouth.
“I like sassy girls. Don’t you, Luis?” He laughs, looking at his friend.
“I’m more into the quiet ones, but nothing a hand over her mouth can’t fix,” the guy named Luis responds, looking me up and down and biting his lip.
With that comment, I snap out of it and kick Luis in the crotch and elbow the guy next to me in the stomach.
When I stood up to run, another guy grabbed my arm and stopped me. The damn guy could withstand my blows.
“You little bitch,” Luis says, straightening himself up and getting closer to me. A punch is coming, I know it.
“Let her go, and zip up your pants, guys. Tonight won’t be your night,” a deep voice interrupts from behind us. We all turn to see who it is, although the sound of his voice sounded familiar to me.
“Den, come on, buddy. A little fun,” the guy I elbowed approaches Donovan and points at me as his source of amusement.
“I’m not your buddy. Go find a prostitute and leave. Don’t mess with someone who doesn’t want to be a part of your game,” Donovan looks between the guy and me.
“She hit me; she has to pay,” the bastard named Luis responds.
“Do I need to repeat myself, or would you prefer my foot up your ugly ass and one less healthy arm? Along with a combo of black eyes for each of your buddies. You know who I am and who I’m with. Don’t mess with me, and let her go.” They all looked at each other and released me. As soon as they did, I ran next to Donovan, fearing they might change their minds.
“Fine, man. Calm down.”
“I have to go, and so do you. Get lost.”
“He’s in a bad mood today,” one of the guys in the group murmurs, and they all leave, laughing and stumbling. Just as they came towards me.
“Thanks for that,” I manage to say to Donovan. If he hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what I would have done.
“You’re an idiot! I should have kept going because of your stupidity. What the hell are you doing alone at 6 a. m. here at school? You’re a dumbass! Didn’t your parents teach you anything? Or were they only good for coddling you when you threw a tantrum?” He started ranting as soon as I thanked him.
“You’re an asshole. You wouldn’t have helped me if you didn’t want to. Nobody forced you, you know.”
“Believe me, if it happens again, I won’t save you.”
Donovan turns around and walks quickly in the direction he came from. He’s so grumpy and moody. A version of me but male and a hundred times worse.
Despite his words, one thought lingers in my mind. Why did he help me in the first place?