Jojo woke up with a jolt, his body drenched in sweat, his disoriented mind clinging desperately to reality. His heart was beating so hard it seemed like it was the only sound that existed on Earth, and in his confusion, he felt terrified. Terrified and horrified, his body was trembling, the sticky sensation covering him showed he was sweating far too much.
He… felt sick, sick enough to die, his whole being seemed to scream that something was wrong, and the young boy was sure it was because of that nightmare. But… what was that nightmare about?
Jojo was trembling without knowing why, his body growing numb in the bed that was somehow both hard and soft, his breath struggling against the pressure, yet the boy had no idea why. Trying to recall fragments of the dream seemed impossible; he tried once, then a second time, but all it gave him were sharp pains in his head and a feeling of rejection and disgust that made him want to vomit. Everything had vanished…
Everything except for that sensation in his right hand, that cold feeling contrasting the warmth surrounding him…
Jojo felt a sudden tightness in his chest.
"Wow man, you really look sick."
Jojo was surprised to hear someone else in the room and sat up, feeling his irrational emotions slowly fade just from the realization that he wasn't alone. Sitting on his bed, a familiar, thin face emerged from the dimness of the room whose windows and door were closed, blocking the daylight. Clearly, someone had been there during the seconds before he woke up—seconds that had felt like an eternity.
Jojo focused on the familiar silhouette, confused because his half-asleep mind struggled to place a name on the person he was sure he knew.
_ Hmm…
_ ...
As Jojo grumbled slightly in an effort to concentrate, the person facing him sighed softly before moving abruptly. There was a blurry black flash, followed by a dull thud and a sharp pain on Jojo's skull.
_ Ow, damn it, Daniel!
_You're awake now, right?
_ Shit, Jojo mumbled, rubbing his head, his eyes misty with tears while Daniel got up and flung the windows open, letting in a sudden burst of light. Jojo winced, shielding his eyes.
Once his eyes finally adjusted, Jojo opened them fully to take in his surroundings. The room was dull and lacked charm. It was quite small, and the cramped feeling it gave was likely due to Jojo and Daniel's two beds occupying 50% of the space, while a wardrobe full of clothes took up the rest. There was barely any room to move—just a narrow path separating Jojo's bed from Daniel's and the wardrobe. The beds were placed on opposite walls, and Jojo's side had the door, making the layout logical. Daniel stood in the middle of this narrow path, his gaze impatiently fixed on Jojo, probably waiting for him to get up.
_ Can't you let me sleep a bit longer, damn it?
_ Sorry, Jo, said Daniel, the usual vein on his temple pulsing slightly as it always did when he was annoyed. But Inés told me to wake you up or else you'd miss breakfast, and on top of that she'll come wake you up herself.
Jojo groaned again. Inés wasn't exactly known for her patience. He muttered a "Fine, I'm coming," and started to get up, his eyelids sticky and his yawn threatening to unhinge his jaw.
Once on his feet, stretching lazily, Jojo towered over Daniel, despite Daniel being a year older. Daniel shot him an annoyed look.
_You're growing like a baobab, I swear, he grumbled angrily.
Jojo could only laugh awkwardly. Daniel had a complex about his height, so being compared to Jojo, who was already close to 1m70 at 13 years old, must be painful.
Jojo headed for the wardrobe, rummaged everywhere on the pile of clothes, being careful not to mess them up, and finally got his brush and toothpaste. He reached for his towel before suddenly stopping.
_... I don't need to take a bath now, do I?
_... Go wash yourself.
_ But it's super cold! Besides, we're going to play soccer right after, aren't we?
_ Cold? Stop lying!
_ It's always cold in the morning!
_ Man, it's 10 AM.
_ That doesn't change the fact that we're going to play soccer right after!
_ …At least pour a bucket of water on yourself, Daniel replied.
_ I'll just wash my face.
_Ah, Daniel sighed, putting his hand on his forehead in a characteristic gesture, do as you wish, but do it quickly!
_ Okay.
After this seemingly meaningless back-and-forth, Daniel stepped back to let Jojo pass and went through the door with him. Daniel immediately turned right towards the living room and Jojo continued straight to the backyard, dragging his feet, internally cursing everyone. He could already consider himself lucky to have slept so much, he thought with a touch of humor, if Pierre Alex were here…
It's better not to think about it, Jojo inwardly judged, slightly shivering despite the morning sun. Pierre Alex had always been a bit extreme.
The yard was located right next to the kitchen and extended to the back of it. Two basins and a bench were set to the side, surrounded by bowls and dirty dishes—remnants of the previous night's meal still crusted on some of them. Jojo headed to the back and bent over the faucet. The leaves and branches of a tree that extended beyond the courtyard wall completely shaded the area, letting only slivers of sunlight through. The cold water on his palm was enough to fully wake him. Taking a deep breath, Jojo splashed his face with water, splashing the surroundings with each slap on his face. Feeling much better now, the young boy quickly brushed his teeth, put his things away before heading to the living room. He barely had time to go through the door when he heard an irritated voice from the side.
_ Georges Badji, next time, I'm going to wake you up with my belt since you love sleeping so much.
Sitting on her eternal armchair, Inés gave Jojo an irritated look as she saw him arrive.
Without a word, Georges began his usual round of salutations with her. Inés was still a young woman in the prime of life, she was in her thirties; her light skin color, her proud face and her fine, piercing eyes shone with real beauty, one could read in them the still fresh vestiges of smiles that life's displeasures would not have been able to destroy. Her hair was pulled back in a chignon, as whenever she prepared to go into the kitchen. For the moment, she seemed too focused on her romantic TV series.
To tell the truth, Jojo, like Daniel additionally, had become a little too addicted to this type of series. They had ended up making it a guilty pleasure, which greatly amused their grandmother, whom they affectionately nicknamed ''Ma''. She was the next to receive Jojo's outstretched right hand, and she welcomed the young man with a small mocking smile, as with each of his blunders.
Ma, whose real name was Sylvie Diatta, had the same fair complexion as Inés, and the same vestiges of smiles that blended harmoniously with the wrinkles that old age had given her. She wore her light boubou, as when she intended to stay at home and her widely white-streaked hair was pulled back in simple braids.
_Saalamu-aleï-kum, Ma.
_Your aunt doesn't spare you, huh, she said with a wry smile.
Jojo gave her an embarrassed smile in response before approaching Daniel Carvalho, his cousin and best friend.
Looking at him, Jojo saw nothing or almost nothing similar between Inés, his mother, and Daniel. His skin color was black, the vein on his head was slightly visible and his eyes were a little wider than his mother's. His mouth was wide, like a laceration if one compared it roughly or caricaturally, but the effect, combined with his proud jaw, was rather beautiful on him. He had a calm and serious air that showed great intelligence and maturity for his 14 years, even if anyone who knew him long enough would know that there was a part of foolishness buried somewhere in his head.
Daniel was not really a ''cousin'' strictly speaking, but Jojo's parents were close friends of the Carvalho and Diatta family, so, after their death, Inés and Gaby had adopted him…
Jojo greeted his friend with a quick tap on the head and dodged his attempted retaliation with a smile. Daniel tried to get revenge again but Jojo simply held his hand before it reached his skull. They struggled for a long time like this, Daniel trying to pull his hands away and Georges clinging to them with all his might, until Inés's irritated voice resonated.
_ STOP ACTING LIKE IDIOTS!
_ Sorry, Inés, Daniel and Jojo replied in unison.
_ Sit down!
_ Yes Inés.
Daniel called his mother ''Inés'' because he was used to hearing people call her that since he was a baby. It had become a habit that really shocked no one, least of all the person concerned.
Jojo cooperatively sank into the armchair next to Daniel's, turning his head to his left to better see the screen when suddenly, a dull, muffled sound was heard below him.
_...
Without a word, Jojo contemplated the origin of the sound, in this case his stomach, and felt a slight feeling of panic rising within him. He had completely forgot to have his breakfast which must currently be waiting for him in the kitchen, majestically placed on the worktop. Small problem, to satisfy his hunger he had to get up, and Inés had just ordered him to sit down…
Pff… the hell am I doing? Jojo thought, smiling to himself, if I'm that hungry, I just have to get up. Inés won't be that mad for so little…
Jojo placed his two hands on the back of the armchair, and bent over, preparing to get up but… his legs refused to move.
… Damn it…
Jojo's stomach rumbled, implacable. To be honest, there was no risk for him, Inés was not a monster, and her severity was mild by the house's standards. Yet… Jojo couldn't move, rooted to the spot by a fear he couldn't understand at the moment. Because if there was one thing Georges didn't mess with, it was food, especially the one he rightly considered the most important, breakfast.
Yet… he was afraid? Not of getting a slap when going through the door, no; and Inés being angry was highly unlikely given the situation. But he was afraid…
Ever since I woke up, I haven't felt well. It's ridiculous.
Another growl sounded and Jojo gritted his teeth. At this point, the young boy seriously began to consider skipping breakfast.
_ Man, is that your stomach making that noise?
Daniel's voice cut short Jojo's delirious thoughts.
_... What are you talking about, man? Jojo asked.
_ The noise I heard, it's coming from your stomach, isn't it? Daniel retorted.
He heard my stomach rumble?
Jojo felt deeply embarrassed by the fact that his stomach's rumbling could be heard by his cousin right next to him. Seeing no reason to deny it, he simply nodded.
_ Yep, that's me.
_ You haven't had your breakfast, have you?
_ Uh, no?
_ Well go get it! Daniel concluded with the air of someone stating the obvious.
Jojo hesitated a little, turning his head to see Inés's reaction. The latter, who had been staring at the TV a moment earlier, turned back to the exchange. A slight air of confusion gently shook her features as she scrutinized Jojo.
_ Jo, haven't you had your breakfast yet? she asked, her voice as soft as usual.
_ No Inés…
_ Well, go get it! Inés repeated, the confusion becoming more and more visible on her face. What's stopping you from doing it?
_ Uh… Nothing, Jojo said, getting up, ashamed to answer the question.
Disturbed, he passed in front of Daniel to leave the living room and the latter naturally took advantage of it with a heavy pat on the back.
_ Hurry up, he said with a smile, pointing to the outside window just behind him, I'm sure the guys will start playing soon. And besides, we'll have a long day ahead of us.
At a loss for words, Jojo simply nodded curtly before rushing towards the living room door. All along the wide room separating him from the kitchen, he felt his heart beating more and more painfully, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace, the kitchen entrance seeming strangely out of reach.
A feeling of the most alienated panic guided him.
Why?...
Jojo quickly rushed into the kitchen and closed the door, plunging the kitchen into semi-darkness. He could distinguish the reliefs that made up his surroundings, the bowls and pots piled up under the worktop, the jars and bottles overflowing the top, the stove in the corner where a pot of an enchanting smelling broth was bubbling…
But Jojo didn't care. With a slight sense of relief, he went to the worktop and crouched down, his head resting on its bumpy surface. The coldness of the stone seemed to comfort him for a moment, and he gently let himself be lulled by the sensation. His breathing slowly began to calm down, and the oppression that seemed to outrage his heart and lungs disappeared. He remained like this, feeling cold sweat drops bead and run all along his trembling body.
It's going to be okay… it's going to be okay…
He could only repeat these words over and over again, without knowing why, without knowing if he was lying to himself. He could only keep repeating these words to hope to calm down.