She looked shocked and even a bit sad for a second before returning to a cold stare.
- Greatings and good morning teacher Maya, is there anything we could help you with?
Ren said while gently smiling. She seemed to completely ignore my presence, like I was someone she'd never met.
- This young man says he is your brother and that he has important medication you forgot this morning.
She looked at me, seemingly disappointed in my actions.
- Why yes! Of course, thank you for coming here. Why don't we go over to the yard to speak a little in private, dear BROTHER?
Walking towards the school yard felt like an eternity. What was really going on here? And why isn't she saying anything? Walking out a giant doorway, I see a big open space with a lush garden filled with all kinds of colorful flowers.
She stopped walking and turned back towards me. I don't think I have ever seen her look this serious before.
- Hey Ren, what's going on? You never told me you got into a fancy school like this. I'm so proud of you, but you could've at least said something. I've been looking for you everywhere all morning.
She looked towards my feet. Looking very blue she slowly started speaking.
- Look... Tobi, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I really should have, but you see-
- Don't worry, it's all good! Gonna be kinda hard to walk to school together now, but I'm sure we'll figure it out though!
- Tobi! You're not listening, I'm trying to tell you that we aren't going to be seeing each other anymore. I'm sorry.
- W-what? What are you talking about?
- I don't have time to hang out with you all day. Studying here while working part time to support dad will already be enough stress as it is.
- B-b-but why did you enroll if it's that stressful, huh? What do you mean?
Cold sweat started seeping down my hands and my heart dropped to my stomach violently. I swallowed, waiting for a reply.
- I have to pursue higher education if I'm going to support both myself and my dad. We can't live like we do forever.
- What the fuck did that piece of shit dad ever do deserve all of that?!
I started panicking and could feel my eyes swelling up with hot salty tears. Ren, after hearing my harsh criticism towards her father, she frowned at me.
- He's my family, my only family. Please don't talk about him like that.
- What about me then? Am I just not worth your time and effort, you're ditching me for him? When he's been nothing but a nuisance simply just because he's your fucking family?
- It's not just that. In the beginning, I thought, as time went by, you'd learn to fend off bullies by yourself and grow some self-confidence. In the end, you just grew dependent on me, our friendship unhealthy Tobi.
- So do you mean to tell me, you've just seen our time together as babysitting me or what?
I was now fully bursting out in tears as I could feel my heart shattering in her hands. She started trembling, and a teardrop ran down her cheek. She bit her lip and then shakingly said.
- Of course not you dumbass! I love being with you… I love-
She stopped herself, then took a deep breath.
- We just can't anymore, Tobi, that's my final decision. You have to leave now before my class begins.
My vision blurred and I completely zoned out. I can honestly not even remember how I got home or when. It's like she said those things to me and the world just froze in place. Like time stopped moving linearly and just did as it pleases, like all the color in that garden suddenly dried up and turned black and gray. I lay in bed with a thousand thoughts and memories running through my head like a flashbang grenade.