"Serena ! Wake up,mum's calling you".
I heard my third brother Kingsley popularly known as "King"call on me but I didn't budge . It's a Saturday morning and like every Saturday morning, is clean up day and trying to keep the environment clean but I didn't feel like it. I felt heavy maybe due to the amount of fufu ( A popular Nigerian food ate with soup) I had last night but that wasn't the problem, the problem is that I didn't feel like working this morning and knowing my mom she wouldn't hear it.
"You are still lying down, wait till mummy gets up here".
King said as he roughly push himself out of the small room I managed myself. I have three siblings and I myself,to be more detailed three brothers. Imagine living with three brothers, hell right? My first brother Wisdom, is having his NYSC( National Youth Service Corps) in Kaduna State. He is the child of my parents youth age if you know what that means. My second brother Precious,is in his finial year in University of Nsuka (UNN). Studying Chemical Engineering and my last brother King ,as I earlier introduced is in his second year at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) studying Biotechnology or whatever that is. Then you have me Serena, sixteen going to seventeen which is a few months ahead and also in my final year in high school (secondary school).
Am brown skinned ( not too dark,not too fair),5'8 inches tall. Am not thin neither am I too fat am just normal or should I say moderate. Cat like eyes,one sided dimple also not to forget that am not curvy nor flat just okay I could say.
I made my way to the living room expecting to see my mom seating on the couch counting her steps as she marched the floor repeatedly while frowning at no one in particular just being her moody self I guess. But she wasn't there so I made my way to the kitchen somewhere I know she would surely be and that's when I heard her voice nagging about the leftover food that wasn't covered as instructed by her yesterday night. Mothers and thier dramas.
"So madam, you've finally decided to wake up"?
My mother,a fair pretty lady in her late forties glared at me.
" I thought I would bring a cow to wake you up today, you've forgotten that today is Saturday and there's work to do".
I sighed internally, there's always work to do. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't the household chores type I preferred to cook than to wash and do other things but being the only girl I had to deal with it .
"Mum, Good morning".
Was what I said instead and didn't dare to respond or comment on what she said earlier because I know were it would land to.
" Oya,oya carry yourself and start work, I have to leave before it clocks nine".
And that's how I spent my Saturday morning working my ass to death and my mom who said she would leave by nine left by ten claiming that she had to make sure the house is clean and blaming me for her lateness, typical mom.
And today finally, being Monday am in school sitting on my chair, looking out of the window thinking about whatever floats through my mind.
" Babe, how far? You don come school already"?
(Babe, how are you? You are in school already)?
That's one of my friends Emmanuella . Always late to school, I've never seen this girl meet morning assembly.
" Babe , this one wey you dey like person e husband no give money for food wetin the sup"?
( Babe,this one you are like someone the husband didn't give money for food what's wrong)?.
" See time wey you use dey come school the first thing wey you go tell me be say babe how far ,as if you go give me money make I chop"
(Look at how late you are to school and the first thing you tell me is babe how are you doing as if you would give me money for food).
I sighed and move my gaze to some of my classmates trying to busy my eyes.
" I know you are a punctual human being, you don't have to rub it on my face. So tell me , anything"
She said expectly and I rolled my eyes
" Nothing, life is just normal no new thing toy with or put interest too".
I said plainly, my expression could show how boring I find this topic to be.
" This is you, indirectly saying that you've not found any scholarship program on the internet".
"You know me too well"
I chuckled and leaned on her while she pushed me away putting on a disgusting face.
" I've told you a number of times that those things aren't real the are all fake, scammers looking for people to scam. Don't be a victim because I won't sympathize with you".
I frowned at what she said but didn't comment on it. She threw her bag at me as I watch her leave the class to God - knows -were probably, trying to go brew up trouble like she do. Since I entered my senior year all I do is to surf the internet looking for scholarship grants but I've never gotten one even if I applied for it but I never gave up hoping that I will get one. This is ss3( senior secondary school three or twelevth grade) and every normal teenager would be trying to enjoy there last year in secondary school but not for me instead I felt pressured. I had WEAC( West Africa examination),NECO(National examination council) and JAMB(Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination ) to think about so why should I enjoy when I had books to read.i know what you would be thinking, that am the "all serious type" you are not wrong ,I preroritize my education more than anything probably why my life is soo boring.
You know, even though I want to study Abroad that didn't stop me from pushing ahead of the one I had in hand which is Nigeria schools.
I wanted to study in Abia State University (Absu) and I wanted to study Theater Arts precisely script writing. So even if I couldn't study Abroad, I could at least study here. Although my parents didn't see my course as something worth the money the couldn't let there only daughter be an under graduate so the still had to see me through.To my parents, Theater Arts is something anyone could come out and do and you don't even need to read to gain it. Maybe all Nigerian parents saw it as the same thing but not for me , because to me there's a huge difference between something you read and have the certificate to boast and brag about it, not some talent. Moreover, it's script writing we are talking about here not acting.The rest of my first term went normal with nothing much happening except teachers making emphasis about our WEAC and NECO and before you know it first term was over. All final year student were given newsletter which contained details of our next payments and how it shou
I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice someone tapping me or should I say, I was dreaming that I didn't notice. "My love,my love, why are you sleeping? Wake up"I repeatedly felt someone calling out to me but I didn't budge not until the tapping got worst that I woke up to see a tall fair skinned boy standing beside me with a high afro hair cut. His hands raised up probably getting ready to tap me again. "James"I said drowsily and positioned myself well in my chair while he sat down on my locker,placed his palm on my neck probably to check if am sick before removing his hands. He stared at me for a moment before asking. "Why are you sleeping this early in school"?Trust James to know when things aren't going well with me. James is the only male best friend I had in school,we became friends our tenth grade (senior secondary school one) during our school end of the year party. In all my friends,he is the only male am extremely close to t
"OMO, only this short two or three weeks break they give us , you don fine finish"(Just this two or three weeks break that we were given and you've become this beautiful).I laughed and pushed her a little. " As if you don't know you are the most beautiful girl in our group if not our class".That is the honest truth, Linda, is an epitome of beauty. She is tall, slim, brown skinned,curvy and has a nice flat tommy,infact ,she looked like a model. I am beautiful but compared to Linda ,I can't even get five points. Sometimes I wonder how we became friends because people like her are who we describe as"classic babes". I and Ella's relationship are quite relatable due to the fact,we both started schooling at Albert High school at the same time. So we kinda bounded fast, it's normal between new students. My school Albert High school (AHS) is the second best school in Lagos and also in Nigeria at large. I transferred from Imo state to Lagos,back then in Imo State,my family were
"So Linda,all you are trying to say is that all your stay in London, you didn't get any white boyfriend".Ella said smiling cheeky at Linda because she knew she has hit her weak point. "That side is nonsense,on offense,I wonder what Serena sees in that place. It's just that if you live there you will die single".We burst out laughing at her comment " It's not funny ooh, if you see the way people were just minding there business eeh,It was as if,I was an unwanted fly even after all the make up I did and seducing clothes I wore yet no fair boy looked my way".I kept on laughing, seriously, this is priceless. I wonder how she stayed that long over there . Linda stood up and showed us the walking step she used over there just to get a boy to ask her out and the step itself was hell. To crown it all, today's school is the best and I pray other days would be like this.Two weeks went by fast and currently am in the administration office about to pay half of my fees. I watched
After what happened at the hallway I decided to go to the library and rest but not to read, I can't read with all these mess on my head ,all this frustration is getting a better of me these days, maybe it's the frustration of the scholarship that I applied which e-mailed me asking to pay a specific amount (five hundred thousand naira) for scholarship advancement and the worst part is that I don't even know where I would get the money from,am not even sure if it's legit or scam. "No, I don't have to be all negative about it instead I should be positive if I want it to work out". I ruffled my hair in frustration "I can't back down now, at least, not when I've gone this far,that would be insane and disturbing". The worst part is I can't ask my parents for the money, not with my school fees being incomplete,I can't work either, at least not now , even if I get any work now,my parents won't let me go for it. I don't even have enough savings ,what a shame.
The door opened reviewing three boys. One with low cut and the other two with afro high cut hairstyles. Upon seeing the scene inside,the boys at the door were staring at the two with mouth agape, it's not like it's every day you come across such scenes. Adiguin had to coughs before speaking. "James so you've been here and we were searching for you all over the place". James is backing them to cover Serena's flushed face. "Why look for me when you know am somewhere in the school. Why do you always have to act dump all the time ?". Adiguin immediately facepalmed himself. That's expected of James, to always act stupid when he is with Serena. So he instead shifted to not disturb their moment. "so, you were here doing love"? This time it's Kelvin that spoke up since no one wanted to talk and Golden is just there smiling cheekily. "Who is the girl sef"? Golden finally spoke up still having that cheeky smile on his face.
"So next week is February "? Is that a rhetorical question or what, I asked myself. We were outside since it was break taking a stroll. "This one you are talking about next month, do you have plans "?. Emmanuella asked while keeping quiet listening to them. "Are you guys that dump, don't you know what normally do in February ". "You are the one who keeps the tag of that". Ella rebuked her and immediately they both began to argue. "Serena, won't you say anything "? Linda called out to me but I pretended not to hear her. They are not dragging me into their childish argument. "Fine, you win, what's so special about February that you won't stop blabbing about it"? " Am also interested in knowing Linda". I finally joined the conversation. Waiting for Linda to explain the big month. "Well, ladies, February is the month in which we celebrate Valentine's, and the school always through a lavishing party f
"Attention everyone " Kelvin's voice rang through the room intending to grab everyone's attention and sure he did cus in no minute the room is as silent as a graveyard with just a few murmuring here and there. He talked about the Valentine's celebration that is fast approaching and what they plan on doing on that particular day. He urged James to come to take over from where he stopped since James is the Social prefect. "Good day everyone, hope you guys are having a splendid day as I am ". He smiled and just at that moment noise erupt from everyone mostly from the girls in the room. "How stupid " Serena suddenly said, she didn't seem to understand what the girls in their school see in James he is not even handsome enough to be compared to Golden Smith who is biracial. "Show off" Alexander said in unison with what Serena said. They both turned to face each other and immediately burst out laughing not knowing that they have created attention for themselves. Everyone in t
After what happened between I and my parents I have decided to let go of my dreams of studying abroad and focus more on my Education . Since I can’t have that I should hold on to the one I already have. Things have become a little bit different at school. Actually, things have changed and these days I am more on my own than with friends except for a particular student who is always around me at times. My face flushed red when I thought of all the times we've spent together "What are you smiling about " He raised an eyebrow and eyed me suspiciously "Nothing " I answered still smiling sheepishly Alexander, that's his name . His being the guy who had been keeping me company and he's kinda cute. He was the guy I met at the prefect Meeting and my date on valentine’s night party. “You are wired at times. Well, that's your own cup of tea”. "You still don't want to talk about the reason why you came to school on Monday with a slap mark on you cheeks " I suddenly felt rigid
MENTION OF ABUSE AND FLOGGING, PLEASE IF THIS DON’T SIT RIGHT WITH YOU SKIP Getting home was one of the things Serena feared because knowing her father,he won’t let anything pass him. “Get to your room and don’t come down until you are called “ Serena didn’t even wait a second moment and was already halfway through the stairs but stopped when she heard her mother’s conversation with her dad. “Don’t be too harsh on her she is just a kid” “ just a kid you say? Do you know what this kid of yours have done” Her father’s voice rang through the house. “ Do you not understand the gravity of what she has done , she probably stole that money or she either slept with a man to get it” “ I am not only disappointed in her but in you as well. Because I can’t seem to fathom the reason why your daughter would be acting this way “ “ She is also your daughter “ Her mother is almost on her limit. Serena couldn’t even remember the last time her parents had an arguments but now they see
Serena sat on the chair waiting patiently for the woman but her wait was interrupted when two officers came to her. "Are you miss Serena Williams" She nodded her head wondering why they came to her or was it also among the procedures she needed to follow but when she looked over to the woman she once spoke to only to find her glaring daggers and looking at her with disgust it was then that she thought otherwise "You are under arrest" Upon hearing that her eyes widened,why? She haven't done anything wrong, then why was she under arrest . Seeing the confusion in her eyes one of the police men began to doubt the accusations laid on her. "Why ? What did I do?" "You are to remain silent for every word you say would be used against you in the law court". The other police man said sternly not banting an eye. Serena turned to the other officer with plead in her eyes begging him to help her out but he didn't look at her. Before she knew what was going on she was already cuffed
"So why am I invited here again "Linda sat down facing me,I had invited her to one of the restaurant well usually go to eat so we could discuss on the new e-mail I got but I only wanted to share the good news with her. " C'mon you just got here ,chill"She eyed me before calling on the waiter to come attend to her. " Chill? You want me to chill? Just tell me what brought me here "Why is she sounding so angry I didn't call her to get yelled at or for her to throw her frustration on me but I knew something was wrong for her to sound like that. "Spill it" "Spill what?"She's definitely hiding something and she couldn't even make it less obvious. "What's wrong? Why are you yelling?" "It's nothing okay, let just get into business so I can go home,I got a lot of things to do "Things to do? Linda ? She never has things to do at home literally nothing,she is always free and now she is using t
"Have she gotten the news about my accident" "No,am not sure. I just don't know why you are still persistent on not letting her go,just let her go and free yourself out of this conflict and confusion she put you into".James had an IV drip on his hand as he lay down on the hospital bed with his thought drifting back to Friday night. He has been in the hospital for two days straight and heading to the third day and all he could think of was Serena. He wanted to know how she felt now that he is hurt,is she happy? Is that the reason behind her not visiting him in the hospital. "I know you love her but she isn't worth it, look what she made you do".James turned away from Adiguin he couldn't help but feel like all Adiguin had ever wanted was to sour his relationship with Serena and perhaps, he was actually getting what he wants. "Just wake me up once she comes"Adiguin wanted to protest and tell his friend that she won't be coming but before he could ev
ON VALENTINE'S NIGHT "Serena look me in the eye and tell me yes and I promise you that I won't talk nor approach you again"James heart was palpating as he gazed at Serena scared of what she would say next and then she said it. She threw the bomb. "James am..... Am sorry, I think.. I think we should break off whatever we..." "No no no no no"He pushed her away while yelling like a psychopath. He pulled on his hair,he couldn't take it, even though he wanted to his heart couldn't. "Am sorry"Serena was on the floor shading tears and apologizing but James couldn't hear her as had lost his mind knowing that the more he stayed besid
Everything became cold and dry for Serena after that Valentine's night. Things changed and probably life itself changed . She has finally registered for her Jamb Examination and began to kill herself with books. To her, things has gone back to how the used to be before her final year and the difference there was that there was no James and Ella to make her think that life's a bitch or frustrate her so she taught herself to leave through it and let it all go. Waking up this morning, she felt sore and sick she didn't know why ,but she didn't have that urge to attend classes. She felt as if something was missing but she couldn't figure out what so she decided to waste her time and then use it as an excuse not to attend school. She was tired but she knew she had to make ends meet so she pushed herself sluggishly walking to the kitchen while rubbing her eyes. Getting into the sitting room she looked towards the dining to see the messed up table and she smiled 'perfect' now she c
It was this particular scene that James met as he drove into the parking lot of the building with a smug look on his face as he stepped down from the car and so did Ella his date for the party. Ella was dressed in a purple ball gown with black gloves , light make up and a purple sun hat . She really looked amazing unlike the Ella Serena knew. On the other hand ,James was putting on a red tuxedo, his hair curled and also shinning it was obvious that he applied gel on it and that he putted a lot of work into it. "Fancy seeing you here"Alex bowed slightly with a smug look on his face and that's when I knew he was out for trouble but James didn't spare him a glance instead he look towards me with an angry look. "Why are you here"That question took me off guard it made me furious. What does he mean by that question, don't I have any right to be here. "What do you mean? Can't I be here?" "You don't attend this kind of things but n
A/N: HAPPY NEW MONTH TO YOU ALL AND AM REALLY SORRY IT'S COMING LATE FROM ME. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS BOOK BUT PLEASE COMMENT AND LEAVE A REVIEW FOR THIS BOOK. PLEASE TELL ME YOUR MIND AND WHAT YOU THINK FOR IT'S THE MOTIVATION I NEED AND ALSO WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER SO FAR. After the incident at the hallway between James and Serena they both haven't talked to each other and they weren't planning on doing that any time soon and now it's finally Valentine's day. Mrs Williams ,Serena's mother was in the room helping her daughter get ready for the After Party since she refused to attend the Valentine party hosted by the school but instead wanted to attend the one set up by her classmates. "So who is this Alex guy" "No one special ,just a close friend of mine"Serena's reply showed her lack of interest in the discussion or probably the party. She didn't plan on attending this party since she wasn't the party type but Alex and Linda found a way to make her go and no