Athena Kelly

"How would you interpret The Yellow Wallpaper?" Mrs. Harvey asked the class. If it wasnt for her loud voice, I would have definitely fallen asleep ages ago. AP Lit wasn't the easiest class but I still found myself carrying a solid A in it. Regardless of the strict, unfairness of the teacher.

No one answered her question. I shrunk down in my seat trying to avoid being called on. I didnt like attention but it always seems to latch onto me. Every teacher bragged about me without my permission causing all of my pupils to dislike me.

Call me stupid, but I was one that had to fake not knowing things in order to preserve myself.  In middle school, I could have shouted out my answer or proudly raised my hand and given a full explanation.

My freshman year of high school here at the worst school in the county managed to teach me that it wasnt the way to go. I had gotten beat up and jumped numerous times by students that felt intimidated by me. This was an F school and as the Principal liked to put it, I was the top student. That also made me the number one target. Everyone hated me.

"Miss Kelly.." my worst fear was brought to life when Mrs. Harvey called on me to answer. All eyes landed on me, including those of Boyd, a guy I had crushed on since my freshman year. He didnt like me though. He made it known when he started dating my sister. He made sure to ramble on to her about how unappealing I was to him.

I glanced around at everyone before my eyes focused back on Mrs. Harvey. I felt pressure building behind my eyes and my leg started to shake out of nervousness.

"Miss Kelly we only have five minutes left of class. You want to share your answer or not?" she said with her eyebrow raised. I knew she would be disappointed if I didnt answer, but I also knew the torment that would come about if I gave a good answer.

"Uhhh.." my voice got caught in my throat.

"Smart ass bitch know da' answer she just dont wanna say shit cause she know she uh get her ass beat" Jamina said. She was probably the person that has hated me the most all of these years. Her and her best friend had made it their mission to fight me every chance they got.

My sister would only help when we were in our neighborhood. If it was at school, she'd let anyone beat me black and blue to keep up her reputation. She was a junior, but was the most popular girl in school and loved for people to love her. In this case, it meant disowning me on campus so that was what she did.

I decided to go against answering the question. "I'm not sure, I didnt read it yet" I lied.

Mrs. Harvey chuckled. "Well, thats funny seeing as you were the only soul to turn in your homework assignment in which I asked the same question" she spoke in a matter of fact tone.

Everyone started laughing. The pressure build up in my head became stronger.

"For a smart girl, you sholl nuff stupid sis" some girl said loudly.

"Quiet. All of you should follow the leader and do your homework" Mrs. Harvey said sternly as the bell rang. I quickly threw my things into my bag and hopped up aiming for the door.

Thank goodness that was the last class of the day and it was time for me to go home. I dashed out of the building and caught my breath as I headed in the direction of my apartments. I was guessing my sister was staying after to do her boyfriend or engage in extracurricular activities. It was one or the other. On top of her being a dancer in the band, she was also the body count queen. But that was a topic for another day.

The walk to my house took a shorter amount of time than it usually did. When I got to my building, I cringed at the sight of all the dope boys and crackheads around. We didnt live in the nicest part of town. We lived in the hood. I hated it, but i'd rather have a roof over my head than to be homeless. I ignored the numerous cat calls and stares from people on my way up the stairs.

The paper taped to the door didnt phase me. I already knew what it was. I snatched it off with a sigh and proceeded inside. "Is that you Amaru?!" I heard my dad yell.

"No! Its Athena" I shouted back. He rolled out in the living room in his wheelchair with a sandwich in his hand. My dad was diagnosed with multiplesclerosis six years ago so alot of the time it was hard for him to walk and he'd be in pain alot. Thats why my mom was the breadwinner for the house. She had one job and was trying to find another. I would have one too but she likes for me to stay home and help take care of him when her and my sister Amaru cant.

"Is that an eviction notice?" he asked pointing to the paper in my hand. I nodded. This wasnt the first time we had recieved one. Hopefully my mom would have the money to take care of it.

Hopefully.

She would probably have to hold out on some other bill for the rent. I felt as if it was normal for us to play eenie meenie minie mo with the bills every month.

If the lights were on, the water was off.

If the water was on, the phone and internet service was off.

And so forth and so on.

"How was school?" he asked me.

"Fine" I said wandering into the kitchen to find something to snack on. I wasnt ever big on talking. My family already knew that, so one worded answers were something they had gotten used to from me.

I heard the television come on and figured my dad was tuning into family fued. He watched it everyday.

I grabbed a bag of chips and went to sit down next to him. The answers these people gave on this show were horrible. So horrible that they managed to make me giggle though so I guess that was why my dad found joy in watching it everyday.

The phone started ringing so I went over to answer it. "Hello?"

"Just making sure you got home safe. Is Amaru there too?" my mother asked.

"No. She had band practice" I told her. I wasnt exactly sure if that was where she was but it made sense.

"Okay. Well tell her to call me when she gets home. I'll be there around ten. I'm working a few extra hours. Cook dinner please."

"Okay. We have a notice mama" I let her know.

"I'll handle it. Just do as I asked. I love you. Bye" she hung up.

Time to start dinner.

A/N: unedited. & Athena is Jessica Jarrell. I would have posted a picture in the mm just in case yall dk what she looks like, but the way wattpad set up, its been giving me issues with MM. So i'ma try to put a pic under this. If you dont see it, dont say I didnt warn you💀