Chapter two ( I always survive.)

           I got back home at 2 am. My mother and sister are probably in deep sleep and they have no idea that I am still out working. If my mother found out, she would scold me for my reckless behaviour. But what can I do? My father died 5 years ago leaving us in serious debt and as much as I am happy that he is finally gone. It angers me that he had to leave us to pay back such a large amount of money, not like the money was used on us. The money was spent on alcohol, women and clubs. But we are left alone to suffer it. My mother is sick and her little store doesn't provide enough money for us to feed not to talk about paying our house rent, school fees and debts. My little sister in middle school doesn't even have good shoes and keeps having issues in school because of finance. I have to take it upon myself to also support the family and I will take any risk, as long as it brings me money.

           I made my way through the back window and jumped into the room. The dark tiny room which was meant for my sister and me. She was fast asleep. I took off my shoes, putting my bag in a corner. I quietly changed into a more comfortable outfit then went to lie on the ground, next to my sister. My little angel, I watched her sleep peacefully, admiring her beautiful face and listing to her breath as it rise and fall, it sounded like a melody. I didn't even realize when I went blank

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...Brrrrrrrrrr... '' Maria!!'' that familiar voice echoed my name, forcing me out of my sleep while the ringing alarm made me feel like, hell, has come down to earth to look for me Brrrrrrrr...Brrrrrrrrr '' Maria!!.... Malisa!! '' the voice called again

    '' Oh fuck it '' Malisa grumbles in a sleep. Brrrrrrrr '' Maria, can you please turn off that stupid alarm '' not pleased to be awakened from her beauty sleep. Brrrrrrrrr... My eyes fell on the clock on the table. 4 am. I got an hour and a few minutes of sleep. The way I have always lived my life. An hour's sleep was just enough for me

    '' Maria!!!'' that voice called again. My mother. I struggled out of bed walked up to the table and turned off the alarm '' Maria''

    '' Yes mummy!! '' responding as loud as possible

    '' time to get up for the day'' she said

    '' Got it '' my eyes fell on Malisa on the ground, attempting to go back to sleep '' Hey lazy ass '' I kicked her feet '' Get up ''

    '' Let me sleep '' she grumbled

    '' Malisa? '' I scold '' Get up. You've got to get ready for school ''

    '' Leave me alone ''

    '' Maria!!'' I yelled angrily. I hated it when she gets reluctant about school

    '' What ? '' she jumped to a sitting position, giving me that death stare '' What Maria? What? '' breathing like she just finished some hard labour.

    '' Get up. We got to clean up and go to school '' I reminded. She rolls her eyes at me

     '' Not like you are going to school as well '' I watched her throw the blanket off her body as she murmured out loud and stood up. She walks to the door, opens it aggressively and shuts it the moment she stepped out. I smiled at her actions. She's just so cute when she gets mad. I quickly cleaned up the room while I planned my day in my head.      

           I haven't told my family the Good news. Yesterday morning, I got an email that I have been given a scholarship to A&S high school ( Art & Science ) the school is one of the top high schools in the country filled with talented wealthy kids. And is only for sciences and art. People like me are only Lucky to go there through a scholarship, the scholarship is given to only one student, a year. And graduating from such a school will give me the upper hand when applying for college, that is why I took the risk of quitting my old school and applying for a scholarship there and got lucky, really lucky. I haven't had the time to tell my family since then. I planned on telling them at breakfast this morning or else, there may not be another time.

           I got out of the room when I was done cleaning. The moment I stepped out, at the right corner of the apartment, I saw Malisa coming out of the bathroom. She seemed to be less on edge, I guess she has gotten over what just happened. '' Where is mum?'' I asked

    '' I think she is at the store, cleaning up ''

    '' Oh '' nodding in understanding

    '' I will go get breakfast ready '' she informed me before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast while I entered the bathroom to freshen up and met my mum. '' Maria. Come help me with this '' that tall, black hair, dark brown Asian eyes, full lips, glowing skin. Even in the hardship, my mother's skin still glows and the voice of an angel. My mother called out to me the moment I entered the store. She runs a small food place. Her cooking is amazing, and the place is always filled with customers. But because of the rural area, it is located and 90 per cent of the people here are poor, the food is sold at a price that everyone can afford. '' As long as we can eat '' my mother always says whenever I talk to her about a solution.

           '' Mum it's not like that '' Malisa argue with my mum about a movie they watched last night. While we ate breakfast. I didn't know the movie, I have never seen it. In fact, I never watch movies but when you ask me about a movie I will tell you everything because of my mum and sister. They watch movies a lot and always analyse them later on '' He knew she was coming and pretended not. He was trying to protect her ''

    '' I am your mother, I am telling you that he is not a good person, stop trying to back him up '' mother spoke, trying to use her authority to win the battle

    '' it doesn't matter who is my mother right now mum... you are getting this wrong '' I smiled at both of them

    '' Grr..grr '' I cleared my voice trying to gain their attention

    '' Malisa... listen to me '' They ignored me and went on. I decided to give up and waited for them to settle down

           After about 30 minutes. The room was taken by silence. They refused to come to an agreement. '' Are you two done? '' breaking the silence.

    '' Yeah '' they said in union

    '' Good... Malisa about your school trip '' Malisa turns to me with an excited smile

    '' Am I going ? '' her eyes glowed due to how excited she was

    '' Yea, you are. Mum will sign the form and I will give you the money to prepare '' I explained. She punched the air in victory

    '' Yes!!''

    '' look at you'' my mother said calling my attention '' I knew you would raise the money. Sometimes I wonder between you and me, who is in charge of the house '' spoke with proud eyes. I grin and went back to eating '' So when are you leaving for work? You seem relaxed. Do you plan on going late today ''

    '' NO... I got to go to school '' I spoke reluctantly, surprising the room. Both of them pause with eyes focused on me while I continued eating. Lifting my head to look at them, pretending to be confused '' what?.... is there something on my facing '' I put down my spoon and used my sleeve to wipe my face.

    '' What school? '' My mother's surprised tone

    '' A&S?'' the even more surprised Malisa asked while she leans closer to my face

    '' Yes... I got the scholarship '' flashed a smile the room was instantly taken by screams of excitement

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  Malisa and my mum danced while I continued eating my food, smiling at their silly reaction. I don't blame them for being this excited. The day I told them that I would quit my old school so that we can use the money for Malisa, they were furious and scared that I am done for. This scholarship is my only hope and for the first time in a long time, I got lucky. '' I got to go get dressed '' I got up and left them.

           6 Am. I was ready. Dressed in something neat. I began walking. The school is quite far from my home town that is why I have to leave early. I didn't have enough money on me to take the bus to town and bring me back. My only option is to walk there and take the bus back so that I will not be late for my work at the convenience store.

           I arrived at A&S high school, at 7: 29. only a few minutes late. I immediately made my way to the Administration office. To get my Admission letter, school uniform, textbooks and student schedule. There, I got introduced to the staff as this year's scholarship student. A few of them were friendly while the others had totally no interest in me. Before I left the office, a staff commented'' Good luck, I hope you survive in this hell. The others couldn't '' The others he talked about were probably the previous scholarship students

           Survive this hell? All my life, I have been surviving hell to get to where I am today. I may not fit in, in this place dominated by the rich and powerful but I always survive.