Colourblind

Colourblind

by

Nailah Folami Imoja

Copyright 2011 Charmaine A Gill

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

It was hate at first sight.

Ajani Burke didn’t try to hide the scowl that slowly spread across his face as he stared at the new boy.

He couldn’t decide what he disliked most about him: the shock of long, sun-bleached blonde hair which sprung from his head; the unusual pallor of his skin; the nonchalant way he stood facing the class, one hand in his pocket, body slouched as if he wished he was anywhere but in this classroom; or the slight smile he wore, laced with arrogance.

The boy was more interested in taking in his environment than in meeting and befriending his new classmates. Ajani could tell by the way he was looking around the room that he was seeing all that was wrong with it: the water stains on the dingy white ceiling panels; the walls, scraped clean of paint down to the plaster in parts; the graffiti on the notice board, the gaping hole in the wall by the door. And he hated him more because of it.

He doesn’t want to be here any more than I want him to be here, Ajani thought. Anymore than I want to be here. And what’s he doing here anyway? It’s Week three of the third term. A really weird time to be joining a school. Plus he’s white! White people don’t come to Tri-P!

Mr. Blackmore, the form teacher for 1A1 stood with his hand on the boy’s shoulder as he introduced him to the other boys in the class. Next to the white boy, Mr. Blackmore looked like a caricature. Short and stout, Mr. Blackmore was aptly named – his skin being the colour of uncreamed coffee. He seemed the exact opposite of the student standing next to him.

…Alec Sinclair. Ajani roused himself from his thoughts long enough to catch the boy’s name.

I’d like one of you to volunteer to show Alec the ropes here at Tri P, Mr. Blackmore continued.

None of the boys of 1A1 raised a hand. Some even employed the age-old tactic of avoiding eye contact with the teacher in order not to be noticed.

Don’t all rush forward at once, Mr. Blackmore said. After a brief pause he added: Come on, boys. We haven’t got all day. Someone volunteer or I’ll volunteer you.

The threat had no effect.

Ajani Burke, you’ll be Alec’s guide until he settles in. Anything happens to him, I come to you. Got it?

But, sir, I….

But what, boy? Are you a goat? I don’t want any butting around here. You’re his keeper and that’s that. And wipe that scowl off your face, boy before I give you something to scowl about! Usually a patient and friendly teacher, Adolphus Blackmore couldn’t stand being contradicted and his stern tone reflected this.

Undaunted by the teacher’s harsh words, Ajani continued his protest.

But, Sir, I don’t want to do it.

Why not?

I just don’t, sir.

Well, I’m sorry, Ajani, but that’s not a good enough reason. Sometimes in life you have to do things you really don’t want to do. School is as good a place as any to learn that. Unless you have a legitimate reason for not looking out for Alec for the next few days, you’re my ‘volunteer’.

Is a legitimate reason you want, sir? I could give you that. I don’t want to look after no white boy. I don’t like white people.

The other students gasped in shock. Not so much at the sentiment since many of them felt the same way, but at the fact that Ajani Burke was so bold as to tell the teacher so.

You know any white people? Mr. Blackmore asked calmly.

His reaction surprised the students even more. They’d expected him to explode in anger as he did rarely but memorably.

Ajani nodded. Yes, sir. There are some who live near to my house.

Mr. Blackmore was surprised by Ajani’s answer. He knew Ajani lived in Mangoville, a small village so remotely situated in St. James that it was not even on a well-serviced bus route and, when travelling, residents usually had to catch two buses – one to town and the other to their final destination. It was an unlikely place to find caucasians since they tended to reside in the more up-market areas of the island.

Where in your village do they live? Mr. Blackmore asked disbelievingly.

In a big house near the junction that would take you to Bibby Lane, Sir, Ajani replied.

Mr. Blackmore cocked his head and thought for a moment. He was trying to picture the location Ajani had described.

Ah, yes! You mean that huge, three-storey house right on the edge of your village, Mr. Blackmore said.

Ajani nodded.

Okay, what are their names? Mr. Blackmore asked.

Ajani shrugged.

Pardon?

I don’t know, sir. Ajani said sullenly.

Well, have you ever spoken to them?

No, sir. They think they’re better than everyone else in the neighbourhood. They don’t speak to us.

But have you ever spoken to them?

Not me. I don’t like white people I tell you.

"Are these the only white people you ‘know’?

Ajani nodded.

How many times have I told you I don’t speak nod? Speak up, boy!

Yes, sir.

Well, Ajani, if you don’t know this family’s name and you’ve never spoken to them, how can you claim to know them? If you don’t know them, how do you know whether you like them or not? And even if you got to know them and didn’t like them would that mean that you should dislike all white people? Do you like all black people? That would be racist.

Although he understood the illogic of his stance, Ajani refused to back down. The scowl etched deeper into his face as he repeated: I still don’t like white people and I still don’t want to be his keeper.

He flicked his eyes at the now-grinning Alec Sinclair as he spoke and scowled even more as his gaze encountered the taunting grin which exposed crooked teeth which looked as if they had not been brushed that morning or many mornings and nights before this moment.

It’s okay, Mr. Blackmore, this is a small school compared to my last three schools and I’m sure I’ll find my way around without any problems.

That may well be, Alec, however, it is school policy that each new student be assigned a keeper and I’ve assigned Ajani. You’ll let me know if you have any problems. And I mean any, Mr. Blackmore said, his emphasis on the last words making it clear he meant any problems with Ajani Burke.

Ajani, Blackmore turned his attention back to the twelve-year-old boy who sat glowering. You’re going to get to know a white person. I’m sure it’ll be quite an education for you. I trust there will be no problems. Make it so.

Turning back to Alec, Mr. Blackmore announced. You may take that empty seat over there. At break time move your desk and chair next to Ajani’s. You guys need to stick together.

Okay, class. On with today’s Integrated Science lesson.

Ajani sat glowering as Mr. Blackmore resumed the class. Drawing a diagram depicting the life cycle of a housefly was the last thing on his mind as he thought about what had just happened.

Through eyes slitted with anger, Ajani took sidelong glances around the classroom to see if anybody was watching him, mocking him. Everyone was engrossed in the day’s assignment and the part of Ajani’s anger which was made up of frustration at his powerlessness to refuse Blackmore’s assignment as Alec’s keeper melted away. That is until his eyes encountered the blue-eyed stare of the boy sitting two seats behind and three across from him.

Flashing Ajani a saucy crooked smile, batting his eyes coquettishly and waving at him secretively like a besotted schoolgirl, Alec was pleased to see the tightening of Ajani’s lips and the anger flashing in his eyes. He’s easy to irk, Alec thought. I’m going to have lots of fun with him!

Mr. Blackmore missed none of the exchange between the two boys. I wonder what makes him tick, Mr. Blackmore thought watching Ajani. His mother tells me he hasn’t been the same since his father died. I guess it’s only been six or seven months now, so he’s still got some things to work through. And as for Alec Sinclair, you can just look at him and tell he’s going to be a handful. Can’t fool me with all the pretty speech and good manners. I can see he’s going to be a challenge for Ajani. Nothing that Ajani can’t handle, but I’ll have to monitor them closely.

CHAPTER 2

So what’s your problem, anyway?

Ajani mentally sucked his teeth in disgust and continued to ignore the boy beside him. Alec trotted to keep up with Ajani’s pace.

"I know you’re trying to ignore me but that doesn’t bother me. I’ll just keep talking to you as if nothing’s wrong until I wear you down. I’ve got an older brother and two older sisters who I get to torment. They can’t ignore me and I’m sure you’ll be easy to crack