Athena Kelly

"Bitch pulled up in somebody Mercedes the other day. I guess she think she better than everybody" some random girl said to her friend from behind me. I thanked goodness that this was a half day. The last few days have been hell for me. I was the talk of the school.

Everyone keeps going on and on about when Cato dropped me off to school the other day like its the most interesting thing in the world. I was bothered by it because I hate attention and him pulling up to my school in an expensive car didnt help one bit. People have been speculating who it was while simutaneously being rude and snarky.

This school week was a tragedy for me. On top of that, our electricity was off at home. It was a week full of L's. 

The bell rang and I thanked God that I could finally leave the classroom and head to the gym. I never ate lunch. I always just went into the gym and watched the guys play basketball as I ate snacks that I usually brought.

I made my way in, ignoring people's stares and took a seat at the top of the bleachers. There were a bunch of freshmen playing dodgeball on one side of the court and on the other side were the dudes playing basketball. I pulled out a bag of chips and a water and began eating.

To my surprise, Amaru walked into the gym. Usually she'd be off with her friends somewhere. I watched as she talked to a few of the guys on the court. She then looked up and saw me. She started walking to where I was.

"Hey" she said when she got to me.

"Hi" I waved at her.

"Sooooo" she sat down. "Umm, tell mommy i'm going to be home late. I'm going to Sonnie's house but just tell her i'm at Raina's working on a project."

"You want me to lie for you, so you can go sneak off with a grown man?" I raised a brow at her.

Amaru sucked her teeth. "No one talked about the fact that you went off with a twenty year old the other day."

"I'm eighteen years old. You aren't and on top of that, i'm not the one dating a drug dealer."

"Don't act high and mighty Athena because little do you know, your nigga works for my man" she scoffed.

I paused my chewing and looked at her. Cato worked for her boyfriend? "What are you talking about? And he's not my 'nigga'."

"Whatever. And it doesnt matter. You ask him. Its not my business" she smiled and stood up. "Anyway bye." Amaru walked away.

Amaru was the biggest dumbass. I swear.

-----

"Where's your sister?" dad asked as soon as I stepped in the door. He was sitting in the living room, reading a book.

"Wow. No Hi Athena, how was school today?" I joked.

He face palmed himself. "Sorry. I just noticed she was missing." Amaru was my dad's favorite, though he'd never admit it.

"She said she's working on a project today with Raina or something like that" I told him. I hated lying but imagine if I told him where she really was. Not only would she get in trouble, but i'd get blamed for not stopping her. It sucks being the older sibling. Even when its not you doing the dumb thing, you still get the blame.

"Oh okay. Well the power is still out so if you want, you can go to a friend's house or something too. No sense in you sitting around here doing nothing" he said taking a sip of the water that was in his hand. I thought about going to Mrs. Grimes' house but it was 3:26pm now and it gets dark early. I wouldnt want my dad sitting around in the dark alone.

On top of that, the last time I went out, I got myself into a bad situation.

"Nah, i'll just go hang out in my room" I walked off.

"Suit yourself" he mumbled.

As usual, I busied myself with homework. Math was the subject I was best at so I started on the review that I had to do for a test in there.

After an hour or so of working on the problems and studying, I was finished and had nothing to do at all. It was times like this that I wish we were doing better financially. Then the power would be on and I could at least watch tv.

Or I would have a cellphone to scroll around on.

As if on cue with my thinking, my fan started up and I shot up from my spot. Maybe my mom had paid the bill? But with what money was the question.

"Athena!" I heard my dad call so I walked out into the living room. My mom was standing with her hands on her hips and her face screwed up in confusion.

"Yes? Hey, I didnt know you were home" I said to my mom. 

"Yeah Yeah, where is Amaru?" she questioned.

"She went to Rain-"

"Don't lie to me Athena. She's not there. I called when I was still at work earlier" she said sternly.

"Well I dont know then. Thats what she told me" I lied. I was bad at lying so I was hoping she believed me. She stared me down for a while.

"I dont know where my child is nor do I know how the hell our electricity bill got paid, but i'm not going to question the latter" she waved me off and walked off into the kitchen. My dad looked at me and I shrugged. He shrugged too and turned on the tv. 

I sat down next to him. "What other schools did you apply to?" he asked me while flipping through channels. I heard pots and pans clinging letting me know my mom was about to cook something. Pretty sure everything was spoiled so she must have stopped and bought something on the way home.

"FIU, Florida State, Georgia State, Kennesaw, Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and FAMU" I told him. I had made the most of my options and applied to any schools that waived my application fee.

"Thats alot of schools. Now that option one is out, which one you aimin' for?"

"Clark."

"Good choice. HBCU for the win" he smiled. My dad was pro-black so he's set on both Amaru and I going to HBCUs.

We talked a little more. Suddenly, the door opened and Amaru walked in. She let out a breathe and kicked her shoes off by the door. My mom came storming out of the kitchen with a glare directed at her.

"Where have you been?" she folded her hands across her chest.

Amaru looked over at me. "I told Athena to tell you I was with Raina."

"You werent. I called. Neither her or her mother knew where you were."

Amaru didnt flinch. She sighed. "Okay, I didnt want to say anything because I wanted it to be a secret. I wanted to surprise you guys."

My mom looked at her unamused. "Okay....so what is it?"

My dad and I looked at Amaru waiting for her answer. I wanted to see what she came up with. "I got a job!" she grinned as if she was excited. A job? What the hell? There was no way in hell Amaru of all people would go and get a job.

"Oh my gosh!!! Where?!" My mom hugged her and grinned happily. My dad congratulated her too.

"A housekeeping company. Thats why I've been sneaking off and things. Today I went to pay the lightbill" she continued her lie. This didnt seem fishy to my parents? She didnt even lift a finger here at home.

They continued talking while I eased away into my room. I was annoyed.

A knock came to my door. "Come in" I mumbled and flopped down unto my bed. In walked my beloved little sister. She shut and locked the door before sitting down on my bed.

"How was the job?" I said sarcastically.

She scoffed. "Oh shut up Athena."

It was quiet for a while before I spoke again "Did you really pay the bill?"

"Of course I did. That was the only thing true about my story" she shrugged. I squinted at her.

"Where did you get it?"

"Get what?"

"The money Ru. Where did you get it?"

She pulled at her ear like she did when she was nervous before mumbling something.

"What was that?" I cupped my ear.

"Sonnie gave it to me" she rushed out.

My mouth dropped. "Are you kidding me? The bill was almost $400 Ru. How are you going to pay him back?!" I whisper yelled.

"I already did. Its taken care of."

"The last time I checked, nobody in this house had a random $400 sitting around. What did you do?" I raised a brow at her.

"Calm down. It doesnt matter what I did. All that matters is that there's money in my pocket, someone is taking care of me, and our fucking lights are on Athena. If it wasnt for me we'd be in the dark right now!" she said to me angrily.

"You're selling yourself out to this man who probably doesnt even take you seriously!!!" I said to her. She obviously wasnt thinking straight.

"Listen, if all you're going to do is judge me, I dont want to hear it. I'm out" she stood and left, slamming the door behind her.

I swear she didnt use her brain at all.