Episode 7
**GAME OF Highschool**
Silence got so boring when it hung around too long. It was especially stuffy around old folks. Naime Sultan shifted her gaze from the TV series she was watching, scanning the room. They had finished dinner; the table was cleared, and the dishes were done. There was nothing left to do. She took a deep breath, at least intending to make some tea to pass the time.
She called out to her granddaughter lounging on the couch, glued to her phone.
"Get up and make some tea, let's drink."
Ayça didn’t even lift her head from her phone. "Yeah, right, I'll do just that," she replied sarcastically. Last night, she had uploaded photos of people from six different high schools to a new account she’d opened. Most girls had sent their prettiest pics. Only Rabiya hadn’t, acting all 'I couldn't care less.' Pretending not to care, Ayça had picked and posted a photo from her social media.
Mustafa and the other high school boys had done their part. Early in the morning, they went to school and wrote 'gameofhighschool' on the blackboard.
Curious students checked out the account and told others about it. Soon, all the classes knew about this account. Some liked photos as a joke, others because they genuinely found someone interesting.
While Ayça was busy reading the likes and comments coming in, her grandmother started nagging her for refusing to make tea.
"What kind of child are you!?"
Ayça briefly looked up from her phone and grinned. "I’m an adult, grandma. The government says so."
Adulting and Ayça... Her grandma scowled.
"They should call you a devil’s advocate."
While they bickered, Feride, Ayça’s aunt, came out of her room, exhausted. After work, she had been out looking for a wardrobe. She had bought a small one for Ayça.
"I’ve put a little wardrobe in your room, make do for now. I’ve also arranged your stuff."
Ayça made room for her aunt to sit down next to her.
"You shouldn’t have bothered, auntie. I wouldn’t have."
"What are you so engrossed in on that phone?"
As soon as her aunt sat down, Ayça excitedly showed her. "Let me show you, and you vote too, auntie. Like this photo, mine. Don't go liking someone else's. See, this is me."
@gameofhighschool
Ayça Anday... If you want to vote, hit like...
While her aunt examined her photo, she also pulled out her phone. "You look beautiful in this."
Ayça immediately grinned, holding her chin up, showcasing her face.
"I know. Because I'm gorgeous. It’s just a fun thing these students are doing. Type in Gameofhighschool, and it pops up."
Her aunt liked the idea as she searched for the account on social media.
"Fun is good... Helps you relax from school and homework stress."
Naime Sultan chimed in from where she sat.
"Ask the Apocalypse Pony if she’s stressed?"
Mimicking her grandma with a scrunched face, Ayça replied,
"So stressed, I’ll end up wrinkled like you."
Naime Sultan, irritated, shouted, "You little hussy," and threw her slipper, which narrowly missed both Feride and Ayça. They ducked just in time. Feride was used to her mom’s antics, and Ayça wasn’t a stranger to them either.
Laughing, Ayça stood up; if she stayed, her grandma wouldn’t leave her be. She taunted her further.
"I’m gonna tell dad, Naime Sultan." As her grandma bent down to grab another slipper, Ayça headed for the door. She needed some fresh air and informed her aunt,
"Auntie, I'm going to the pond. Also, hide that slipper; I’m presenting it as evidence in court. I’m suffering violence from my grandma."
__
Letting her hair out from under her jacket, she walked briskly in the cool air. Looking up, she admired the stars, only the brightest visible.
She loved the 24/7 Road Cafe and the pond. The artificial pond, with its lights and nearby trees, was quiet and beautiful. Road Cafe, run by a guy who resembled a crack in the pavement, was her kind of place. Close to the entrance and exit of the town, it was a preferred stop for travelers.
She liked sitting among those just passing through because she felt the same. Only here temporarily.
At the pond, she ran into a familiar face from class, whose name she remembered but had forgotten. They didn’t talk much but exchanged morning greetings and well-wishes.
Not wanting to just pass by upon seeing his suitcases, she sat down beside him.
"What’s up?" she asked.
"Good, you?"
"What’s with the suitcases? Leaving town? Can I come too?"
Her playful remark made the boy laugh. Shaking his head, he replied,
"No, just moving houses. Got caught up with schoolwork. Now I’m waiting for a message from Mr. Akif."
Confused, Ayça raised her eyebrows, which only deepened the lines on her forehead.
"What does changing houses have to do with the principal?"
The boy, wanting his gratitude to be as evident in his voice as in his eyes, sweetly explained,
"When I moved to town, he recommended the realtor to me. I asked for his help again."
Ayça wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or suspicious of such dedication from a teacher.
"He’s helping you find a house?"
"Mr. Akif is a good man. You clashed with him once, but you’d like him if you gave him a chance."
Ayça waved off the suggestion with a gesture.
"Doubt it. So, you’ll live alone?"
"Yes."
"Isn’t it hard? Managing food, cleaning, rent?"
"No way. Rent isn’t too bad, and my family covers the expenses. Plus, living without anyone nagging is awesome."
Imagining that freedom, she couldn’t help but brighten up. "Actually, living alone sounds pretty great." She seemed to yearn for something she hadn’t considered before.
The boy, aware of this luxury, elaborated,
"No parents to hover. Whatever I want, whenever I want."
Ayça pouted like a child, turning to him.
"I’m so jealous. I want that too."
The boy leaned back, as if expecting a request from her.
"You’re not hoping I’d offer to be roommates, are you?"
Realizing the misunderstanding, Ayça quickly clarified. "No, I want my own place.”
Just as the boy was about to respond, his phone chimed. He had received the awaited message. Getting up, he grabbed his suitcases and said goodbye.
"Got to go, the message came. By the way, I voted for you in the beauty contest."
_
Dragging her feet back from where she’d swung them, Ayça realized what she truly needed was her own place. Without much thought, she called her dad to make her request. However, her idea wasn’t well received.
Approaching home, she tearfully reiterated her demand to her dad on the phone.
"I want to live alone. I’m moving out
."
"You can’t manage alone, don’t be silly."
"I absolutely can, dad!"
"How will you pay the rent?"
"You’ll send me the money, obviously."
"What, do I look like a bank to you, working to cover your whims?"
"You’re my dad. You should cover these expenses."
"I’m not your slave, kid. Besides, aren’t you an adult according to the state? You’re of age. Go get a job, then rent whatever house you want."
"Think I can’t get back at you because I’m far away? Remember, my name is the Apocalypse Pony. I can work even between cities."
"Are you threatening me?"
As she reached home, still arguing, she plotted revenge against her dad. Entering the house, she called out to her grandma,
"Grandma, dad just called you a hussy!"
Her dad panicked, "What! I did no such thing." But it was too late.
"But he doesn’t know that, dad."
Inside, Naime Sultan was watching TV, awaiting her granddaughter’s arrival. Hearing the accusation, she exploded.
"Son-in-law! You scoundrel!"
__
From Ayça
Leaving the account's likes count for the morning, I moved towards the wardrobe to get dressed. Opening the doors, I was glad to see everything neatly arranged by my aunt. I love it when others do my chores, so I don't have to bother.
Spotting a red scarf that seemed to grin at me from the corner, I remembered Uncle Göktuğ putting it in as a farewell hug before I realized how odd it was for summer. Why a scarf now?
Pulling it out, I noticed it was heavy. He must’ve hidden something in it, something he slipped into my suitcase without my dad noticing.
Unfolding the scarf, I found a metal box. Turning it over, it looked old and ordinary. Curious, I opened it. The first thing I saw was money. I almost shouted for joy but managed to contain myself.
Here I was, wishing for an eye, and God gave me two. Then they say evil doers get their comeuppance eventually. Never have I seen a more incorrect statement. Here I am, stumbling upon money.
I was this close to calling Uncle Göktuğ 'dad.' About to count the cash, I noticed the photos inside. One was from a fun day we spent together. Ah, wouldn’t be complete without a touch of romance, right? There had to be tearful moments.
Another photo was of my mom from her school days. She had always been beautiful at any age. I set that photo aside and looked back in the box. Nothing else inside, though what more was I expecting...
Why didn’t he leave a note? He should’ve explained why I needed these with me. I called him up. When he answered, I went straight to the point.
"A scarf in summer?"
"I thought you’d get it, being the smart cookie you are. I mentioned it while saying goodbye, you should’ve caught on."
"Honestly, I wasn’t fully listening when you were giving advice. What’s all this for, uncle?"
"Your dad told your grandma he wanted to cover any expenses for his daughter. Since you’re staying there, he wanted to give her money, but Naime Sultan refused."
"She said, 'I don’t want your money or your daughter,' right?"
"No, witch. I won’t take your money while I’m taking care of my granddaughter, she said."
"Didn’t see that coming."
"Ayça, my little moonbeam... You’re a bit different."
"Welcome to the club, a bit off."
"Not like that. You laugh through tears. If upset, you don’t show it, just lash out at everyone. You practically grew up under my watch; I know what’s inside you. You’re not a bad kid. You’re just having fun."
"I’m not having any fun here, uncle!"
"I put that money and the photos in there so you’d grow a bit. Take a break from fun, help Naime Aunt with the house. Use the money I gave for something for the kitchen, maybe."
"You gave me the money, right? I’ll do what I want with it. You can’t dictate what to do with given money, or God will strike you."
"Ayça, you think life will always stay the same. But it won’t, girl. You know why you and Naime Aunt can’t get along? Neither of you thinks. If you thought, 'she’s grieving her daughter,' and she thought, 'she’s lost her mom,' everything would smooth out."
"Everything’s fine as is for me, no need to fix anything."
"Forget the family. What about your future? At least finish high school."
"I’m going to, anyway."
"Changed your mind? You like going to school now, right?"
"Yes, I’ll go to that high school. But I won’t stay with my grandma. I’ve got plenty of money now, I can rent my own place."
"Ayça, I didn’t give you the money for that!"
"Too late, uncle. I’m hanging up, need to look for rentals."
"Ayça!"
Hanging up, I was about to start counting the cash when I noticed my mom’s photo again.
Putting the money aside, I took the photo of my mom. Losing her as a child was hard, I admit. But as I grew up, it wasn’t so bad. You realize many people grow up without moms; it’s not just your personal tragedy.
Besides, I had an awesome dad and uncle. I’ve always lived life my way. I miss my mom and sometimes wish she was here. But I never considered her absence as a major deficiency, a lost battle from the start.
It was fate, and I was living it. My mom was beautiful and kind. Despite a conservative and dominating grandma, she raised herself well and made her own decisions. I was proud of her.
I took a photo of the picture with my phone, wanting to show off my mom’s beauty on social media. Let everyone be envious of where I got my looks from.
Posting the photo, I wrote, "Mom copied and pasted her beauty onto me. 😌"
Episode Addition 😌
Naime Sultan, making sure her daughter had gone to make tea, picked up the phone left on the couch.
Putting on her glasses at the tip of her nose, she unlocked the phone. Feride never bothered with a password, thinking no one would use it. Opening the lock screen, she examined the photo her niece had talked about.
Holding the phone a bit farther, she could see Ayça’s photo better. Talking to herself,
"Look at that beauty. Don’t search on the dad’s side; she clearly takes after us. Who else would my granddaughter resemble? I birthed her mother just as beautiful."