1 Weary.

2016

June 5th, Friday

Atlanta, GA

6:00 P.M.

Like a breathtaking sunset view, the summer season never lasted long but surrounded the atmosphere with a memorable nostalgic feeling which longed to be restored. On hot days like these, beings dwelled on the thoughts of the outdoors. It was a time to trademark memories that would last lifetimes. Alycia fell short of creating those and every day followed the routine which regulated her life. Like a caged animal roaming in the same space. Just like every other day, she sat in the same bus, on the last seat at the back and involuntarily overheard Tinesha's mother, who was the little girl staying in her apartment complex, bickering and complaining about the horrific events of her day to the other ladies. It may not sound like something to relish, but the passing views from her window seat made it something to enjoy. The running of children, the clashing of the dark and lit sky as well as the numerous interactions between people created a sane mind space for her. The ride was always a bit short-lived for her liking, like the bus couldn't get to her destination any slower. The screeching sound of the bus as it had just arrived at her stop initiated the incline of passengers in the bus as they'd get off one by one and as predicted Alycia got off last. She continued her now short journey home. Walking into the rowdy building she'd lived in her entire life. She moved up the multiple stairs to the second last floor. Dragging her heavy feet toward the last door down the end of the corridor to which engraved the numbers '196'.She was immediately hit by the fumes of a daily home-cooked meal. Alycia directed herself straight toward the kitchen where her mother occupied the stove, whilst lowly chirping a gospel tune.

"Good evening mama" she projected with a stiffened body. "You seen the time lil girl ?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the pot she aroused. Not receiving the usual returned greeting her mother would relinquish inflicted a fear. The racing of her heart nearly ignited an explosion, just by those 6 words she had not to expected. "No ma'am" she responded, making sure to deliver eye transmission even while mom never turned to look back. "6:05, you was supposed to be back 5 minutes ago" she placed the wooden spoon neatly beside the stove before gradually turning to face her trembling daughter. "I'm sorry mama" with a gut full of fear, disgust and heavily packaged eyes holding back tears, she asserted. Debra looked her daughter up and down with a face of evident revulsion, "get out of my sight" she shooed her daughter away like a disturbing stench. Without question, Alycia scurried off to her room with nothing but a sense of relief that it didn't go further than she knew it could've. Kicking her shoes off and neatly tossing her book bag to the corner which stood beside the door, she pulled from under her mattress the millionth book she'd borrowed from the library and went on to her hidden routine of sitting by the window seal to proceed from the page which she'd left off. Those romantic and adventurous tales that always had a happy ending she found herself more intrigued in. They embarked her imagination on a journey she'd never understood even though she yearned to experience them. Today was one of those days where it ached the most. She sauntered slowly to the door to hear mothers motions and her singing could be directed to the kitchen downstairs. She walked back to the window to open it, making sure to not make the slightest sound. The light warm breeze of the summer season instantly surrounded her body. She stepped out onto the emergency stairway exit and bent over against the railing with her book in hand. Turning the book to the cover page and admiring the great works of Sydney Sheldon's, "If tomorrow comes" she continued to the next chapter from which she left off in the book. Processing every word in the book with understanding she was highly intrigued with what would happen next. Looking up from her book for a second, she spotted 2 of the cities most dangerous men across the park. She didn't know them to be dangers of the city like everyone else did, she barely even knew her own neighbours. Closing her book, she paid close attention to them seeing how some females tried to get their attention, with their exposed bodyparts, showing off a bit too much thigh and cleavage almost hanging out of their dresses whilst their body languages were forcefuly seductive as they threw themselves at the men who seemed unphased. It were as though they'd become accustomed to it. After 20 minutes of reading and occasionally observing the actions of a few people, the sun was almost gone which indicated that dinner was approaching. It was time to get back inside.