Chapter 3

The next day.

Alicia was sleeping when she heard a knock on her door. She sigh and answered  "Who's there?"

"It's me darling. open up, it's 10am, have you forgotten we are going to the grocery store. She flew out of bed hearing what her mother said, she almost forgot it's Saturday, she goes groceries with her mum sometimes, and she's hanging out with Tessa afterwards. She dragged herself out of bed to go freshen up. 

"Today is going to be a long day." she muttered underneath her breath. She turned on the shower and allow the warm water to cascade down her body, she closed her eyes and felt really good. 

Minutes later, she turned off the shower and went to her room, lotioned her body and changed into a dark jean trouser, a tank top, and blue jacket. She tied her hair into a ponytail and went to the kitchen to check out what her mum was making for breakfast. 

She got to the kitchen only to find out her mum made pancakes, she paused for a while and gaze at her mum for some minutes. She shouted, "mum"

"Yes."

"You know I don't like pancakes for breakfast." She said pouting her lips like a child. "Ofcourse, I know, that's why I made you sandwich, just go to the dining breakfast will be ready soon." Alicia did as instructed, she got to the dining and found her brother already seated.

"Goodmorning sis."

"Morning Alex, hope you had a wonderful night rest?"  She asked with a smile plastered on her face. "Yes sis my night was awesome." Alex replied grinning. Mrs kate came in carrying plates, "Breakfast is ready." She announce. Alicia noticed she hasn't seen her dad since she came downstairs. 

"Mum where's dad?"

"His upstairs," she replied Instantly, feeling nervous. The thought of what happened last night came back like a flashback. She remembered what he told her and tried to act cool to avoid suspense from Alicia.

"There he come's." Alex said as soon as he saw him coming from the stairs. "What took you so long?" Mrs kate asked.

"I'm sorry I had to finished some work on my laptop." Mr Anderson apologized.

"Goodmorning Dad," Alicia and her brother said in unison. "Doing well kiddies?"

"Yes Dad, we are okay," they replied.They chatted for sometime before their mum interrupted. "Food is served, let's eat." Their breakfast was quiet and peaceful. Later they were done. Alicia helped her mum to clear the table, and wash the dishes. Mr Anderson and his son returned upstairs.

Mrs kate urged her daughter to be fast.

"I'm almost done mum." She took out her phone and dailed a number. "Hello Tessa where are you?" She asked as soon as the recipient picked.

"Alicia I'm so sorry I woke up late and I had to finished some stuff for my mum, just go ahead I will meet you there." She said and Alicia sigh.

"So much for a welcome school mixer, I also woke up late, but please don't be late, I'm still young to be in prison, I don't want to commit murder." Tessa laugh at her silly joke before she hung up. She went to pick up her bag. Her mum was in the living room waiting for her. "Mum I'm ready."

"Okay let's go, we are taking a cab."

"Why a cab?"

"I don't feel like driving."

"Okay."

They hailed a cab to the mall, It was a thirty minutes drive to get there. They chatted and giggle on their way. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the grocery store. "We have arrived," the cab driver informed them. They were both carried away that they did not notice they had arrive. 

"Oh! Please forgive our manner's, we were carried away" Mrs kate said. "I understand ma'am, no need for apologies. And I must admit you have a very beautiful daughter."  She smiled, paid for their ride and thank the cab driver. Mrs kate held her daughter's hand and off to the store. When they got to the entrance she notice Alicia was a bit hesitant to go inside. "Anything wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing serious mum, Tessa is supposed to meet us here but I can't seem to sight her."  Mrs kate sigh. 

"Over there, isn't she the one going to a different direction?" She turned and saw her walking to an unknown direction. "Hey Tessa over here," she yelled. Tessa saw them and ran up to them. 

"Good Morning Mrs kate."

"Hope you are doing well Tessa?"

"I'm fine" She responded.

"Okay Ladies, Let's go."

They went inside, Alicia took a shopping cart and followed her mum while Tessa accompany her. They went round the grocery store picking item's they needed. 

Soon enough they were done. Mrs kate took the items to the cashiers desk, after paying for the items, they picked the bags up and exited the store.

"Mum I'm going out with Tessa, go ahead I will see you later at home," Alicia said as soon as they were out.

"Alright, you both should takecare of yourself and don't get into trouble, and do not forget the exhibition is next weekend you girls should prepare yourself."

"We haven't forgotten mum, and we won't get into trouble," Alicia replied. They waved her good-bye, she took a cab back home.

"Where are we going to Alicia?"

"Oh yeah, to the park. Break is over and lectures commence next week. Once we start attending lecture's we won't have enough time, today is our lucky day let's make good use of it."

"I know, I'm just a little bit scared. Just attending that school mixer got people whispering about us. Only God knows what would happen when we start attending lecture's."

"Calm down Tessa, nothing is going to happen, everything will be fine, stop getting worried over nothing, besides I was the victim, and we have less than a year to graduate, we just need to prepare ourselves." 

Tessa was a little bit convinced, she believed nothing of such will ever happen.  But deep down within Alicia she was also scared. But something tells her to hang in there, they will get through it.

"Alicia where do you want to go?" She was deep in thought that she did not know Tessa was talking to her. 

"Alicia, Alicia, I'm talking to you."

"Huh, She snap out of her thoughts, sorry I didn't get what you said."

"Where do you want to go?" 

"Ohh let's go grab something fast I'm a bit hungry and thirsty, and I already told you we are going to the park."

"I'm sorry I totally forgot."

"It's okay, let's go."

They went to a nearby restaurant, quickly order for food and drinks. Immediately their order arrived they dig in. Minutes later they were done eating and went to the cashier's desk to pay their bills. The cashier kept staring at Alicia, he thought of a way to ask for her contact but he couldn't come up with an idea, finally he spoke. 

"What's your name?" He asked with a smile on his face. Tessa chuckled and turn to look at Alicia.

"I'm Alicia," she responded. "Your name is as beautiful as you are, if you don't mind can I have your contact." She wasn't moved by the compliment, this isn't the first time neither the last time someone told her she's beautiful. But if she is, just like they claim why isn't she lucky when it come's to being in a relationship, she thought.

"I would have love to, but I'm sorry I don't give strangers my contact, but when next we meet I promise to give you my contact."

"Okay if that's your rules, I won't break it. I hope to see you soon." He was a bit disappointed but kept a smiling face. She smiled at him and thank him, they came out and stood at the road side to get a cab.

"Alicia, I have something to say," Tessa said rolling her eyes, and she just shrug.

"I bet you do, I was expecting it," Alicia responded with a smirk.  

"What's with you and guy's?" they are always drooling over you, can you please do me the favor of telling me was the secret behind it?" Tessa asked.