5 Joan: Guardian Angel

Joan : 13 years

"Joan wake up. You'll be late for school", my aunt says placing the coffee on the table beside my bed.

I could hardly fall asleep the other night. The reality was too hard for me to handle.

School....More like a dungeon.I have no one there. This pain isn't forever.God will show a way, he always does. Stay strong Joan. I assure myself.

I slowly rub my eyes and get out of bed. Sipping my coffee, I open the curtains to see the rain drops hit against the glass panes of my bedroom window.

"Joan can you please feed Pinky breakfast. I need to pack your lunch box."

"Okay, aunty."

"Hey sis, where's Clinton ? I heard he's sick." Pinky says clutching onto her teddy bear.

"Clinton is not sick. In fact, he went for a picnic with my mom and dad. He'll be back soon. Okay kiddo? " I tell her trying to hold back tears.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Of course. He said he'll buy chocolates for you. You happy?"

"Yayyyyy.. Chocolates "

"Oh no. Look at the time. Come on. Hurry up. Pinky, did you do your homework." aunt says looking at the clock.

"Yes mama."

"Here's the lunch and eat it this time Joan. I don't want to hear any excuses like the one's you made up yesterday. If you fall sick, everyone's going to blame me. They'll say I did not take care of you. So you better eat it. "

"Yes "

Day 2 of school.

I enter the classroom and walk towards the empty table. There was a window behind the bench I was sitting in. Since the bench was placed against the wall, I could easily lean against the wall and at the same time enjoy the view outside the window.

The sprinkles of rain drops that creeped through the iron bars of the window hit my body making me shiver. I get up to close the window, that's when I noticed the school bag.

"Hey" whispered a sweet voice. I turn to face the owner of the voice and I was shocked.

It was her. It was Liza.

I could see that she was also surprised to see me. I could read it in her eyes.

"Hey umm.." I tell her eyes wide open.

"Oh I know you... Joan right? We've met. You remember me?"  She asks excitedly.

"Yeah.. Umm..Liza right? I.. I.. I.. do" I tell her trying my best to gather words and speak up.

"Is this seat taken? Can I sit with you?" Liza asks me smiling ever so gently.

"Yeah of course. Come on." I tell her smiling ever so cheerfully.

I cannot possibly explain what I was feeling when she asked me , "Can I sit with you? ". For Liza it would have been five simple words but for me it sounded like that of a guardian angels. Suddenly I felt as though everything was finally falling into place. The classroom looked a little brighter. My heart a little lighter. The walls a little lovelier.

I want to cry. Not because I was sad but because I was happy. I look at Liza and lock eyes with her and smile like a crazy idiot. She smiles back at me.

Ecstasy. Joy. Happiness. Euphoria. Suddenly it all spelt the same.

Liza...