Hard Love by Mis Understood (small books to read .txt) 📕

I don’t want to be rude so I say, “I'm Jazielly, also known as her best friend ever.”

She nods and she says something with her hands. I look at Shane hoping he’ll translate for me.

“She said, ‘nice to meet you best friend’."

I look at her. Making sure to make eye contact.

“Likewise.”

She uses her hands again.

‘Man I need to learn this language.’

With worried eyes I look at Shane again. He says, “She says, ‘my name is Savanna, sorry about that’.”

“Oh, it’s okay. But please have a seat. My mom is on her way home from the airport.”

They have a seat on the couch in my living room. I sit and change my music to something appropriate. We sit there in silence. The music filling the room. It’s not awkward, though. Just then Stacey comes down. She forces a smile on her face. Weird. Then she uses her hands. Yes, her hands, to speak to her mom. How did I not know she knew ASL?

I stare in fascination as they all speak with their hands. I keep thinking how much I wanna learn this beautiful language. It’s amazing how they use their hand to communicate. It’s like they have their own little world and everything.

“I know, but I like it here. And I wanna stay!” Stacey yells, not using her hands.

“We need your help,” Shane says harshly, pointing at himself and his mom.

“I send you most of my money from my paycheck,” she informs him, pointing her thumb at her chest.

It’s like they’ve forgotten that I am right here. This seems way too private. So I make my presence known by clearing my throat. They all whip their necks, as if I was Dracula and magically appeared on the sofa. They all look embarrassed except Stace.

“I'm so sorry, Jazielly.” Shane says, with guilt in his eyes.

“It’s okay.” I shrug.

Suddenly, I hear the door open. I jump up and sprint into the hallway. I automatically see the back of my dad’s brown trench coat. He turns and I instantly lurch forward and embrace him tightly. I put my head on his chest. Strong arms hug me back and we stand there for a while, letting it sink n. The happiness I feel is so intense. Tears fall from my eyes and my breath hitches.

“My baby,” he whispers.

“Daddy, I missed you so much.” I croak.

He takes my face in his hands and looks at me. His eyes shine with unfallen tears. He looks at me like I’m his world. Which he always says I am.

“You look beautiful, like a young lady.” He says proudly.

“Thanks pa,” I smile at the compliment. But he always calls me beautiful when he comes home.

“So are we going to eat or what?” My mom speaks up.

“Of course, love.”

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       We walked to the dining room. I hollered for Stacey to come get her butt over here. She entered a moment later with her family. There was a bit tension. But it quickly fades away when her mother grabbed Stacey’s hand and give her a tiny grin. My mom went into the kitchen, I went to get all the plates and everything necessary. My dad grabbed the extra chairs we kept in the closet and put them in their place. I set up the table. My mom came in the dining room with the turkey.

Savanna went to help my mom to put the food in the table. There was mashed potato, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, yellow rice with beans, pork, and more. For dessert we had flan, cheesecake, brownies and chocolate mousse. There was so much food.

We all sat. My family facing Stacey’s. We said a prayer.

“I wanna say something,” I declared.

All eyes were on me.

“This has been a very long year. For me─ at least. I’ve been through so many things. I regretted so many things, too. But if I had to go back and relive all the stuff I have gone through. I would, in a heartbeat. Because it has brought me friendship, love and taught me to love myself. And when I went through those rough times in school, I never once felt regret towards my family. They’ve done everything for me. And I’m thankful for that. I am thankful for my mom who would go through hell and back for me. My dad for always being there, even if he’s miles away. And I'm thankful for you, Stace. For being a good friend. And I hope to see more of your family.” I finished, with tears in my eyes. I looked around everyone looked at me with so much love.

“I am thankful for you too, Elly.” Stace said. I knew that was her way to express her love. And my mom blew me a kiss and daddy winked. Stace’s family looked at me with respect. I have to say this has been a great Thanksgiving.  

We dug in, ate so much food.  You can almost taste the love that my mom put into the food. It tasted heavenly! I looked around. Even though Savanna couldn’t speak, when she was done eating she spoke with her hands. Either Stacey or Shane would translate. Mom was surprised when she found out that stacey knew American Sign Language. But we all laughed and enjoyed our time together. Looking around, I realized I was loved.

Goshh, I love Thanksgiving.

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Couple hours later, Daddy stayed home not caring if he had work or not. I went into Stace’s room. I wanted to know she and her family were arguing about but I didn't want to push her. And I wouldn't. We layed there in silence. Her family were going to go to a hotel. But my mom insisted for them to stay. My room was taken by Savanna and the guestroom by Shane.

It was quiet. I was so full. But I couldn’t wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the football game and Homecoming. I can feel something coming. I don’t know if it’s good or bad but it better be interesting!

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Hey Bookrixers!

I am so sorry I haven't updated. I have had a hectic couple months. Still am but it's all good. 

I also had a mean writer's block. Some people say it's a mental thing, it may be true but I don't know what was wrong with me. I written this chatpter over and over and over again. I couldn't get it right. It didn't feel good enough for my readers. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I stood up all night, writng. I was on a mission. I promised myself I'll finish this chapter. And I did and I'm proud of it. 

Did you like Stacey's family?

Are you excoted for homecoming?

You better be! (: 

There's only two parts in chapter thirteen. 

Thank you for reading! 

Comment/heart <3

Author's note: This chapter is one chapter but it has two parts. Also, Jaz and Dave switch POV's in this chapter. Pay attention lol. Okay, have fun reading!

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Chapter Fourteen: Nivana

Jazielly’s POV: [Part 1 Football game]

“Now the room is all hazy we're too lost in the fumes, I feel like it's just me & you─ yeah, we got nothing to lose. It's too late to run away from it all. It's too late to get away from it all. I'm done with running so I give it to you. This moment has caused a reaction, resulting in a reattachment. Will you take me to Nirvana? I don't think this will last 'cause you're here in my arms.”  -Sam Smith

It was cold and we were late. I wanted to bring my dad to the airport with mom. I said my goodbyes to my dad. He promised me he’ll be back for New Years Eve. Then we had to pick up Lena from her house. We were all going to get ready at my house after the football game. Stacey brought her brother to the game, too. We were frantically looking for somewhere to sit. Where it wasn’t crowded. I looked around, all the way in the back there was an open space. Where I used to sit my sophomore and Junior year.

I tap Stacey on her shoulder and point up to the seat. We jostle around the crowd, some were standing for some unknown reason and most were sitting. Finally, we sat down on the bleachers. Stacey hollered, encouraging her team. Lena and I sat down. Lena seemed into the game. I, on the other hand, had no idea what was going on. So, I got into a deep memory.

FLASHBACK

Sophomore Year

Crap!

I couldn’t go home. No way! Mom would notice I’ve been crying. My nose is red and my eyes are swollen. And my lips are a bit puffier from biting and sucking on them to keep me from screaming. Because that’s what they want, to hear me yell. I try hard not to give them the pleasure of hearing me yell. I also needed to finish my homework. One would think for what  I went through a few hours ago would lead me to forget about it. But no. I remember because I have to get the perfect grades to get the heck out of this school. Far, far away. And be free. Be able to breathe again.

I have to go somewhere they wouldn’t even imagine to look. The most obvious to me. But honestly Mels is so stupid, that she wouldn’t even think to look here.

The football field.

There are some people hanging around. They don’t pay mind to me though, they never do. I sit all the way up in the bleachers. I take out my binder and start with English. It was my favorite subject. I had to read ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel. It was about the holocaust. Very sad book, for my very sad mood. I was into the book, when I heard a whistle and  running.

I knew this is where the football team practiced, I just didn’t know it was today. I hope David doesn’t see me. Or Matthew. Maybe I wasn’t that smart. Maybe I’m the stupid one. People come here to study. It’s better and quieter. That’s why I came here.

I couldn’t breathe. I was so scared. I don’t think David would tell Melanie, in a way I feel like he hates it when they treat me badly… well, ‘badly’ doesn’t even cut it. But anyway, he still let’s them get away with it. But Matthew. I have to watch out for him. He will tell Melanie I was here, without any hesitation.

Sometimes I wish I lived up North with my dad. He says New York is a little cold in October. In Florida, October still was up to ninety degrees sometimes. So it was waaaaay to hot for a sweater to cover me up. I just hope I’m far enough for them not to see. I decided to answer the questions on the packet for the