If this is a real mirror,
I should be better than this.
Mama's last words were "you are the best of your kind."
Papa's last words were "you are the apple of my eyes."
Maybe those last words were lies,
Or are they mere encouragement words like motivational speakers will do?
This world is cruel; I must confess,
Here and there; I am oppressed,
And bullies got me more obsessed with survival.
Is happiness equivalent to parent?
Hey you! Before I raise my head to see who yelled at me, the person already lunges towards the paper I was writing my poem, and behold, it was big Josh again. I cowered as if I could walk through the wall behind me, but he lunged towards my direction, grab my hand with his giant hand, and took me to a corner, then he read the content in the paper he high jacked as fast as he can. "Yes! Happiness is parent," he screamed. He then moved closer to me as if he wants to walk through me, and he whispered into my ears, "I will kill you if you don't bring your dinner to my table tonight." He gave me a solid knock on my head and he walked away. Tears were endlessly rolling out of my eyes not because of the pain from the knock alone, but "no food tonight" kept on reverberating in my brain, and the pain of missing my best food after missing that of last week made my eyes keep spilling out tears. "You better do your crying in the rain, if you try to report him the way you did last week, I hope he won't kill you today." This was what came to my mind as I shed endless tears. I stood at that corner till when I was tired of crying, then I grab my bag and head for the hostel. Big Josh has been my most feared bully right from my first day in high school, and his hidden card is his ability to target my reading time. He knows I love reading in a secluded place, and he knows I get carried away whenever I am reading; so I won't be able to notice him whenever he approaches me. Big Josh is a hunter who knows where, when, and how to find me anytime he wants me.
My usual routine of no good meal, no friend, and no companion continued until the end of the first term. However, my result made me remember the last words of my mom at the moment I was recognized as the overall best student amidst the hundred-plus students in junior secondary school one. I was very happy as I walk majestically to the podium to claim my price. The kind of happiness I saw on my uncle's face was indeed an uncommon one, and the welcoming smile I got from him as I walk down the rostrum was a unique one. I moved my belongings into my uncle's car and confidently hop in for a nice ride after months of being within the school premises. After all, it's holiday time. Did big Josh wave at me? No, I said to myself as my uncle ignites the engine.
Just like a twinkle of an eye the holiday varnishes and a new term kick-started immediately. However, unlike the previous term, I became famous, and I had a lot of people wanting to become my friend. The most shocking part is Joshua; a bully who proudly gave himself the nickname "big Josh" now protects me rather than being a bully. Wow! this is amazing.
Mama!
Though you are far away from me,
But your last words are indeed true,
And the mirror I hold in my hands now reflects the true me,
Even though it failed to withhold my genesis.
Hey man, I turned towards big Josh who was fast asleep behind me, "take, here is the remaining part of the poem you read last term." Big Josh smiled at me and stretched out his right hand to get the poem. Now I feel complete, good grades, multiple friends, companions, reading partners, and big Josh's protection. These are what run through my mind as I smile back at big Josh.
THE END
Thanks for sharing your story in The Ink Well, @oluwashinaayomi. Dealing with bullies is terrible, but it's certainly amazing when one decides to change his ways.
Be sure to read and comment on the work of other writers in The Ink Well community. Thank you!
Hello @oluwashinaayomi. You have a powerful story here that deals with bullies. How your character turns his life around amidst the bully waiting to disturb his quiet time is interesting. However, it has been proven that most bullies are not that tough. Big Josh needed a true purpose in which he gained something in return by eventually becoming a protector and shedding the facade of bullying, at least with your character.
I notice in your story that you frequently change from past to present tense. Did you know what the Ink Well Community has numerous resources to assist with your story writing? Just check out the Community page and locate the published posts with varying topics to assist its members. I've taken advantage of numerous tips and suggestions.
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm happy that the situation turned around for your character.
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