// Chapter five //

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"Can I sit here?" Ashton had asked, holding his blue plastic tray of food close to his chest.

Serabi had shrugged her shoulders implying that she didn't care if he sat there.

"What's your name?" He asked her when he set his tray down and sat opposite her.

Serabi removed her eyes from the triangular sandwich and stared at the boy sitting before her. His eyes as if pleading with her to keep up the conversation to make the uncomfortable awkward air between them shift.

"Serabi." She replied in a melodramatic voice listening to his pleads.

"Where are you from?" He took a bite from his apple.

"I'm African American." She said proudly, enjoying the way African American rolled off her tongue easily and Ashton nodded like he had totally understood what the term African American means.

Serabi didn't mind and she didn't care whether he understood what it meant, she was content with his nodding.

He kept on nodding as she spoke about her background and upbringing just enjoying the sound of her melodramatic voice and swift gestures.

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Serabi pulled herself forcefully back to reality. She directed her gaze to the door where her elder brother, Cree, stood in a plain white shirt and dark jeans.

"I could use some help with the groceries." He smiled weakly at her. This was his own little attempt to draw her back to reality and Serabi was fully aware of this fact. She was aware of the fact that her mother, father and elder brother thought she was mentally unstable and needed help. She was aware of the fact that they often talked in soft whispers when they thought she wasn't listening about admitting her into a psychiatric hospital but they weren't aware of the fact that she wasn't mentally unstable and that she was just grieving. They weren't aware of the fact that she didn't need any therapist or psychiatrist, she didn't need nor want anyone to waste their time or more importantly hers saying that she needs to open up and stop bottling up so much emotion. They all had their little attempts to draw her back. Cree would ask her to follow him to places. Her mother,  Kelly, would ask her to help with cooking or gardening. Her father, Rolan, asked her to watch the game with him.

On a normal day, Serabi would roll over in her bed and pretend she hadn't heard them, they all knew she heard quite well but she had no idea what motivated her to get up this time and put on her shoes.

"You're coming?" Cree asked shocked. She was shocked herself but she didn't let him know that.

"Didn't you ask me to come?" She gave as a reply instead.

"Of course, I'll just grab my jacket." Cree said and left her doorway.  "Let's go." He said when he returned.

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Cree and Serabi circled round the supermarket, walking in between isles.
Cree kept looking down at the list in his hand, checking an ingredient off the list when he picked it and dropped it in the cart.

"Oh!" Cree had said staring at the paper with wild eyes. "I forgot the milk. Could you grab it for me?" He asked Serabi who just stood beside him with her hands down the pocket of her hoodie.

"Sure." Serabi's voice was low but the nod she gave along with her response allowed Cree to know her answer.

"Meet me at the check out point." He said and rolled the cart away.

Serabi walked in and out of the isles trying to find the one that held the milk. She finally found the milk on a shelf in the fourth isle.

"Serabi!" A voice exclaimed, sounding like they were in shock but also excited. Serabi spun around and saw Julia speed walking towards her. "How are you dear? It's been too long." Julia pulled her in for a long hug that Serabi didn't want. She could smell the jasmine shampoo conditioner on her hair and the rose scented perfume she wore too much of. "When will you come and see your future husband? I've missed my daughter in law." Julia laughed loudly, throwing her head back and gripping her stomach as if it were the funniest thing ever.

Serabi stood there awkward, just nodding. Julia was definitely oblivious to her discomfort.

"You do know he is back? Haven't you seen him at school?" Julia asked, her loud laughter dying down.

"I must get back to my brother." Serabi picked both powdered and liquid milk from the shelf, she hadn't remembered to ask Cree which one she should pick. "Lovely seeing you again, Mrs Wave." She added quickly not to appear rude before she dashed to the check out point to find Cree waiting in line. She dropped both milks into the cart and didn't say anything till they got home.

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Serabi found herself in a field with flowers cultivated all around. She stood there aimlessly, just scanning the area when she saw a little boy at the end of the field.

He sent a tiny wave with his little hand and a small smile spread on his lips. He seemed so close enough for her to reach out and touch him but when she did he turned into a smoke of air and appeared behind her.

She turned around and saw him still smiling. She tried to reach him again but the same thing happened.

"Try harder." He had said like it was so easy and all she needed was a little more push.

She didn't push though. She sat on the ground between the rows of flowers. Adrian sat beside her, placed a hand on her shoulders and repeated, "try harder."

Yes, it's Saturday!!! Brand new chapter out!!!

To be honest guys, I haven't been on Wattpad except to read books and I haven't checked my notifications so I want to apologise if you sent me a message or anything and I have not gotten back to you. I will check my message board to ensure that I reply if any.

And if you want to reach me, I am definitely active on IG. Send me your handle and I will definitely follow you back. Look forward to hearing from you guys.

Also, don't be afraid to drop your views on the chapter.

Okay I'm talking too much now, so I'm going to go.

Thanks all for the love!!! Some might not see it as a lot but I do and I appreciate it with all my heart.