Novels by Roseane Clare

Emelie's POV Whenever I look at Zara, the guilt in my heart engulfs me. It gets difficult to breathe and my only solace is seeing her smile, seeing her being happy. I know what I'm doing is wrong, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right? The way she limped up the stairs still disturbs me. Kaima was simply careless and I couldn't stop myself from throwing daggers at her with my eyes... she was too occupied to notice, anyway. She sat opposite me on our study table but she was too engrossed and at some intervals too excited to be the same girl who always groans at the sight of her books. Even I wouldn't and I can say for a fact that I love studying, except... I zoomed my sight on the book in her hands. That wasn't her basic technology textbook. It's a novel, one that isn't part of her literature class and the title- 'One night with the playboy' "A night with the casa nova?! Seriously?" She jolted but quickly recovered and looked at me with a shy smile as she closed the novel,

Sneakily, Taiwo tip-toed into his grandfather’s study, being as quiet and stealthy as he possibly could, his eyes constantly gazing around to ensure no one had seen him. Quietly, he opened the lowest drawer lock with a pin he had found outside and, to his utmost surprise, after a few twists and turns, the lock snapped opened. A victorious grin spread across his face as he laid eyes on the documents inside the drawer, his international passport, birth certificate and all the original copies of other important documents needed to leave the country and start anew. He took them out with a smile and carefully put them into his backpack along with the flight tickets he had secretly bought a week ago; finally, everything he needs is complete. He left the study coolly with his usual grim expression plastered on his face. He couldn’t let anyone notice his happiness. Things were finally going his way this once in his life and yet he could not show it. No one could know, or it would be a waste o

Yes, it’s Sunday which means we are going to church. We had to drive out of the estate and it was my first time being amongst so many people after I came home. I noticed the way strangers had their gazes lingered on us, some in admiration, some in confusion and others in emotions I didn’t pay any attention to. I tried my best to ignore it and block off the curious gazes. I am pretty sure I am not the first fair complexioned person they’ve seen all their lives. I remember being called ‘witch eyes’ by the other children in primary school because everyone else had brown eyes and I didn’t, they said whoever looked into my eyes would get cursed. Worst days of my life. Being biracial isn’t sugar and honey. I know how many times I silently asked God why I didn’t get beautiful dark brown skin and brown eyes like mom or Kaima’s caramel skin and bright brown eyes. I wanted to be normal, to be like everyone else. But being different is what makes you unique and what makes you, you. We should l

No matter how many times I’d tell Kaima that it was fine, the fear vividly written all over her face never disappeared, even once. She was mumbling to herself and her breathing was rapid. It pained me to see her in that state and being unable to do anything about it made me feel even worst.As expected, mum and Emelie made a huge fuss about my ‘injuries’ and even scolded my little sister for not taking good care of me “I knew I should have gone with you two. Now look what happened to Zara. Kaima what were you thinking? Ke ihe ino neme?” that was the very first time I heard him speak in our local language Igbo, and he sounded furious. Now that’s uncalled for.“But I…” Kaima tried explaining herself but she was directly cut off by Emelie“But nothing, you were careless ““Emelie stop it! I fell on my own, it not like she pushed me down or something. And besides, what exactly d

Kaima was right. The fresh air I breathed in, the wind gently kissing my skin, it all felt perfect. I did need to step out and it helped clear up my messy mind. We didn’t go too far, only walked a few blocks down. No matter how good and free I felt I still couldn’t get that tinge of worry within me out of my system. It continued looming in my mind like some wronged spirit seeking vengeance without any thoughts of stopping till its goals get accomplished. I sighed heavily… “Zara are you okay?” the concerned voice of my sister pulled my out of the reverie I had let myself get lost in. I beamed at her “Of course I'm fine.” “It must all be confusing-” she suddenly stated. Her eyes were looking straight ahead yet they were not focused on anything in particular. She looked so wise and much more mature. She must have noticed my confusion so she explained further “Waking up to two years in the future...” “Technically I woke up five years into the futu

“She really likes Emelie but he is still in denial.” I looked at her wide eyed. But on second thought, I reminded myself that she was no longer a little kid and of course she would know about stuff like this so no need to be surprised. “Don’t tell him I said that though, he always gives me the cold shoulder whenever I say that.” She said whispering in my ear. It was surprising that the smart girl in front of me in fact is the same child who always raised her hands in demand to get carried. I smiled at the memory, too bad I’ll never get to see her that way again. Surely, time did fly, very quickly I might add. “Of course I’m not going to say a word to him.” I assured her. “Does she always come here?” “Not really but she lives in the next house so we get to see her every day.” Kaima’s answer made me happy. I wanted to meet Lisa again. I wanted to ask her what exactly statement meant. I very well remembered what she had said and with the way my ‘big’ brother shunned her