hback

*

A

t of my family’s private jet. I inhale deeply the

e Back

od to b

rs—I miss all of them. I get inside of the black Rolls Royce of

e anxiousness starts crawling in my skin. Now that I’m here, I want

finished college, I will be back—that

tesy; he turns to me and nods from the driver seat. “I’m Edmund Russell. Your dr

call me Bash if you would

tant, “when your family is not

ood. Now, let

e replies wit

ray colors as we pass by, the colossal skyline buildings that stand tall from afar, the neon lights that

g about New York that you can’t find in any place in the

. Indeed this city never sleeps. The yellow cabs and the c

enthouse, but first, I will drive you to Hughes’s man

you can say

actually from Mrs. Hu

“Of course. Her

m her only son, and she almost died giving birth to me. She got into complications during the

long flight, Edmund. I h

e respons

a 90’s song. I can’t help but hum as

on the floor in her room while I’m on her pink bed. I start separating her tangled curly r

worry. Lizzy won’t let me try it on her hair though,” I say, separating the first s

ut make sure you do it fast. You still have to help me choo

you want me to finish this fast.” I

iger!” She whines, h

laughs. I do the first braid perfectly. “Look at thi

she looks at me. “It’s perfect, Bash. Th

*

ity has chosen three dresses she likes. I cross my legs and tap my fingers on my

itting room, wearing a bab

e. “What do you

t expression on my f

ue.” Her sho

color-blind,” I sn

ke blue,”

a deep

not to annoy and bully her sometimes. Okay, maybe most of the time. She cried and hid away from me for days until I apologized. I needed her

ing colorful. You have nice skin

ate my hair and my freckles,

t say translucent. Ms. Jenna, can you please help my girlfriend here.” I stand

erfect dres

for her. She got a beautiful skin with redhead and green eyes.” Ms. Jenna scans

The size fits

etimes, I think of her as a lesbian because she never dates anyone. Unlike me, I dated some girls, bu

, Alesha yelling at Trinity in the gym during their P.E class. I just finish practicing football when I

around!” Trinity responds. Her face turns red with anger. She tel

’s why I’m telling you now. Do you even have a date for prom? I bet

at’s for brainless cheerleaders who want to

smile. I can’t

oser of a maid!” Alesha yells again. Students are alrea

nd and not my maid. I sprint toward them and push two students to give me away. Alesha’s eyes widen when

rowd, but I manage to catch

osen my grip and starts crying. My

I hear Alesha’s whin

from Trinity! If I see you near her agai

et out o

*

und announces after ope

e was three years ago. It’s just me who gets three years older—

h my sister, Lizzy. A sweet scent, a hint of

voices and the flickering of li

st. “I could die right now with a

erally sprints towards me, and I

o, mom,” I say,

trong traits that I got from him. After hugging him, I move to my be

er,” she sings with the br

her from the floor, causing her to shriek. “Y

. Everyone comes to welcome me, except for the one person

. I take a long deep breath and swallow hard, pushing

disap

my waist and whispers in

uddenly drains out of energy while everyone is enjoying my come back. I take the cha

guys. I’