< Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future >

- John F. Kennedy

╔═.✵.══════════╗
          Ramson
╚══════════.✵.═╝

"How pathetic!" Mom uttered, switching off the television and tossing the remote to the galss stool near the couch. We watched the news about Zion, it's such a shame. I've already blocked him, Jae, Caesar and Peter.

I don't want to have anything to do with them! I heard Jae got arrested by Damilola's dad, because he raped Anita. He deserves it! I feel mostly satisfied that Zion is mentally unstable.

It just feels right. Karma is a real bitch, and it dealt with Zion quite well. Although, I felt bad when I heard that his dad passed away due to heart attack.

"And you," mom turned to me, my head hung low in shame. I could feel my mom's eyes on me, I braced myself for her long speech and lecturing.

A lecture I don't need right now. A lecture she should've enlightened me on when I was younger.

"Ramson, I need you to explain what happened?" she asked, her voice firm but concerned.

"I got expelled, Mom. I think you're already aware of that," I muttered, not meeting her gaze.

My mom sighed, sitting on the couch and rubbing her stomach. The bump was now visible. "Ramson, you can't just go around doing drugs and expect nothing to happen. I'm so disappointed. Is this how I raised you?"

"Did you raise me at all?" I voiced inside my head angrily. Because it was the plain truth. Instead of paying attention to me and my emotional wellbeing, she was busy chasing men. Inorder to satisfy her loneliness.

My mom's expression turned stern.  "You're throwing your life away, and you're setting a bad example for your unborn brother."

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that my mom was pregnant and that I should be setting a good example for my unborn brother. But I pushed the guilt away, feeling angry and resentful instead.

"Why are you on my case now, Mom?" I snapped. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

My mom's expression turned to that of anger. "Ramson, I want what's best for you, and I know you can do better than this. Don't end up like your useless father!"

I scoffed, feeling a surge of anger. I hate hearing about him. "You don't know anything, Mom. You don't know what it's like to be me."

I ignored the lump in my throat. For the first time in my life, I felt like crying my eyes out. But I held back those threatening tears.

My mom sighed, shaking her head. "Ramson, I may not know what it's like to be you, but I do know that you're better than this. You're a smart kid, and you have so much potential. Don't throw it all away on drugs and bad behavior."

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that my mom was right. I didn't want to end up like my dad or Eric. I needed to set a good example for my little brother.

As I sat there, seething with anger and resentment, I couldn't help but think about Damilola. I had been in love with her for ages, but she had chosen Ivan over me. I felt a surge of jealousy and anger towards Ivan, and I couldn't help but wonder why Damilola had chosen him over me.

She refused to even look at me on the day I got expelled. It hurts to see the one you love with someone else.

It hurts so much!

I stood up, feeling energetic and angry. "I need to get out of here," I said, grabbing my phone and heading for the door.

"Ramson!" My mom called after me, but I ignored her. I just needed to get out of there and clear my head.

I walked through the streets, I felt angry and resentful. I was angry at Ivan for stealing Damilola away from me. I was angry at Damilola for choosing Ivan over me. And I was angry at myself for not being good enough.

I walked for hours, feeling angry and wiping my tears. Yes, I cried! But as the sun began to set, I started to feel a pang of sadness and regret. I realized that I had messed up, and that I needed to make a change.

I thought about Damilola, and how much I love her. I thought about how much I want to be with her, and how much I want to make her happy.

And I knew that I needed to make a change. I needed to stop doing drugs, and I needed to stop being angry and resentful all the time. I needed to be a better person, for myself, for my little brother and perhaps, for Damilola.

That's if she'll ever love me again. I wish I never hurt her, maybe she would have still be mine. It's all my fault for joining Zion's gang, I was being delusional. I wanted to take his place, but at the end of the day, Tyler Ogbe got the position as head boy!

All my hardwork went in vain, and here I am suffering for my actions.

As I walked back home, I felt a sense of determination and purpose. I was going to make a change, and I was going to start by apologizing to my mother. It's high time I get my life together.

And as I walked into the house, I felt a sense of hope and optimism. I knew that I still had a long way to go, but I was ready to start making changes and becoming a better person.

My mom looked up at me as I walked in, a mixture of concern and hope on her face. "Ramson, I'm glad you're home," she said. "We need to talk."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination and purpose. "I'm ready to listen, Mom," I said. "I'm ready to make a change."

———————
A/N

Aww, I still like Ramson small. What about you?

So guys, Yung Lies is slowly coming to an end 😭. This book has been a beautiful journey with you all♥️

CiCi 🌹