Isabelle sat still, her opened Bible resting on her laps, as she stared straight at her mom's moving mouth. Juliet kept talking, but Isabelle couldn't hear a thing she was saying.
This used to be her favourite time of the day. Up until this moment. Every morning, she and her parents would sit, after saying a short prayer to the Lord, to rub minds as they discussed the word of God.
Presently, it was just the two of them — Isabelle and her mom. Her dad hadn't returned the night before, after taking his mom to his sister's. Neither was he picking their calls. It made Isabelle wonder, with a sad heart, if he hated them for what they did.
Her mom would give her a look that asked if she was listening, and as if on instinct, she'd nod, then blink because tears were starting to blind her sight.
One would think the calmness exhibited by her mom was a sign that she wasn't the least bit bothered. But that was far fr
Emily wasn't just Isabelle's best friend. She was also her sister, gist-partner, buddy, partner-in-crime.It was impossible not to know someone so well after spending ten years with them, living close-by, going to the same school and having almost the same group of friends. So, it'd be utterly wrong if Isabelle couldn't tell when something was seriously bothering Emily.Ten years, and barely nothing had changed.Whenever Emily was bothered by something, like she had always been the first time she moved in, she'd have this lost look on her face while biting her nail. And that was exactly how Emily was, seated beside her in the classroom.Watching her exhibit her usual disturbed look, Isabelle couldn't help but remember the day they started talking.It was a sunny, Sunday afternoon, and the move-in had just been completed. Isabelle's mom had invited Aunt Jane over for a glass of juice
¶¶Always expect the unexpected.¶¶Anyone who had been watching Isabelle and Kelechi would think they were having a normal conversation, where Isabelle had said something she had no idea was funny.Kelechi staggered a little to the right, holding up a hand.Isabelle frowned."I'm sorry." He straightened, wiping the corner of his eye. "It's just what you said. You sounded like a kindergartner. I couldn't help but laugh.""You're insane." Isabelle didn't know when the words tumbled out of her mouth, but they had already hit home before she could take them back.The smile on Kelechi's face had disappeared now, and a frown that made him look ten times scarier had taken over. There was no need for anyone to tell Isabelle that she had not only insulted him, but also his personality. Which to him was a wrong move.Kelechi had alread
Now, more than ever, Isabelle needed to talk to Emily.Her hand reached for her breast pocket, ascertaining the presence of the paper Mr. Franklin had given her.She would've gone in search of Emily, wherever she may be, but extracurricular activities had already begun, and she was already late.The drizzle had ceased, permitting the use of the various sections for sport activities.Though the pitch was wet, the soccer team were more than determined to continue with training, since the interschool football tournament was commencing in a few weeks' time.The boys had been paired in two's and were making quick passes to each other.Isabelle spotted Bankole and quickly looked away, before he could meet her gaze.A group of boys, wearing uniform red tracksuits, making slow rounds on the track were headed her way, so she had to stepp to
¶¶Metanoia (n) ~ the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self or way of life.¶¶Aside from Mr. Stanley, Joel was also permitted to sign Isabelle's form.This was because he was the President of the Literary Club — an information Mr. Franklin had passed across the day they discussed what club she was to join.Joel was the second reason she had been procrastinating signing her form. Because aside from needing her counsellor's signature, she needed the signature of one of the heads of the club. And since Mr. Stanley was always unavailable, she'd have had to go to Joel. Something she had dreaded.Joel was seated on one of the tables, a couple of distance away from her,
Isabelle needed to keep her anger in check before she did or said something she'd regret. Because the more she heard Joel speak, the more she wished to slap him again. And she didn't want to ever do that to anyone. Never again.The atmosphere eased a little, thanks to the silence they shared. But Isabelle had no doubt that she'd never want to be friends with someone like Joel. His blatant atheist character was already a big turnoff.Thunder rumbled like it was doing so in a distance and she lifted her gaze from the ground.Suddenly, it started to rain heavily."No, no, no," she muttered, running towards the opened window.Twenty minutes after extracurricular activities was Biology class. And from the look of things, twenty minutes must have passed a long time ago.Turning from the window, shivering, she saw Joel seated comfortably in one of the chairs, his phone in his h
Isabelle tapped Emily's shoulder, and she looked up. “What's wrong?" she asked.Emily hadn't been in Biology class, and only returned when the class ended and Mrs Douglas had left. When asked, Emily had replied she had been in the bathroom."The whole time?" Isabelle had asked, but Emily said nothing since their next teacher had already walked in."Nothing," Emily replied now.The final bell of the day rang. And this meant Isabelle had to be at Mrs Douglas' office before going to the library's storeroom, where her punishment awaited her."Why are you packing your bag?" Is
As soon as Miss April was gone, Isabelle's smile faded away as what Mrs Douglas had told her parents crept into her thoughts: immoral actions and indifference towards her studies.Of course, her parents wouldn't believe such. They knew her well to know she wasn't like that.The air grew chilly, bringing the one large window in the room to her notice as a shudder ran through her."I see you're enjoying this," Joel said."Sorry?"Shifting her gaze from the window, a little to the left, she stared at him. He was still standing where he had been when she entered, a book now accompanying the clipboard in his hands.He shot her a look from under his eyelashes. The way his left cheek stuck out as his jaw tightened, fused with the serious look on his face, made her know he was upset.She waited for him to say something or repeat himself. But he kept
¶¶Am I inconsequential to it all,a random, forgettable moment in your delicate, pastel existence?~ John Casey¶¶As Loveth commenced pulling Olabisi's hair, heading towards the door, Nneka ran to grab a hold of her arm, which she dug her teeth into."Yay! a aja ni yi girl (this girl is a dog o)!" Loveth exclaimed in Yoruba, rescuing her arm after Isabelle ran to pull Nneka away.Nneka then turned to grab Isabelle's bag, shaking her violently, as it was Olabisi's turn to grab the end of Loveth's braided hair."What is going on here?!" Miss April demanded the moment she yanked the door opened.Isaac came from behind her to separate Olabisi from Loveth, whom had started to slap Olabisi's arm and face. Isabelle was then rescued by Miss April."Oooh!" Loveth shouted, stomping her feet as she slapped Isaac's firm grip around her arm. "Lea
Everyone had decided to start all over again.Martin had been discharged and since Badmus High was on a temporary lockdown, he decided to use the free time to intern at an automobile workshop.BHS' football team had been automatically disqualified from the soccer tournament, giving Bankole a tough time to decide what to do with his time. Soccer was all he knew. Since he had decided to abandon his vulgar ways, he couldn't go to the bar or visit any of his old friends.A few days later, his mother showed up again, and this time he had sat down to listen. She hadn't remarried since she left (she couldn't bring herself to do so, she had said) and would love to take him and his sister, Gbemisola, with her. Bankole hadn't been sure at first, but after a few more visits and during a loud disagreement between both his parents, he decided to move in with his mother. Gbemisola wanted to follow her older brother, but Mr Davies wasn
Tope was doing fine, although she felt too ashamed to face anyone. Her parents, especially her mother, had been very disappointed in her but later concluded pointing fingers would do them no good.Loveth was forgiven and so was Joel, but Tope also pleaded that they gave her time to gather herself, to which they agreed.A few days later was the death anniversary of Joel's mother. The whole family — Joel's uncle's family included — had gathered for dinner.Joel had wanted his friends to come along, but they believed it wouldn't be logical if they did. It was their first dinner in a long time as a complete family, which meant there was a lot to talk about. But they promised to tag along in the next one.It was a nice evening, where everyone put aside their differences and had a good laugh. There had been a kind of silent agreement that Victoria Edochie wouldn't want their first dinner as a family to be
Bankole walked into his father's establishment, determined to speak to his father and get to the bottom of this absurdity he had just heard."I'm sorry, but you can't go in. He's in a meeting right now," the receptionist told him, but her stare kept flickering from his face to behind her.His right eyebrow rose slightly at her panicked state, and a mix of laughter suddenly broke the silence in the tensed air as he also heard the elevator doors closing.The receptionist's head snapped to the back as he also looked the same way.A wave of fatigue long-gone returned with an incredible force, almost knocking Bankole off his feet as he found his father's arm draped over a lady young enough to be his daughter.His father's eyes had widened for a split second before they narrowed shot his receptionist a hard glare.~~~Bankole couldn't tell wh
Despite the crazy things happening, the soccer tournament was going great for Badmus High; and at this rate, coach believed they'd be taking the cup home this time, just as Bankole would be recruited by coaches of national teams.Pumped with excitement and determination, Bankole increased his pace, covering more ground as he ran round the school's track. Although it was getting late that Saturday evening, the anticipation hadn't allowed him to sit at home or do anything else. If all eyes were on him this season (being the highest goal scorer on record), he needed to be at his best.It was almost eight when his muscles finally gave in, and he slumped on the grass, beside his bag-pack, panting. After drinking from his bottled water, he sat there for a while, his hands stretched out behind him as he threw his head back, drinking in the cold air that also cooled his skin.As he remained that way fo
¶¶To whom it may concern, be careful of the decisions you makebecause they don't just affect you.Be careful of the path you choose,'cause when a fire is left uncontrolled,it consumes everything in its path.Everything!~ Amberdorn.¶¶Loveth knew her first visit hadn't been accepted with open arms, but what she didn't know was the horrifying effect it brought upon Tope.Joel could tell Loveth was as nervous as he was as they approached Tope's home. Although he had never seen Loveth nervous before, and this did no good to his nerves. She kept running her hand up and down her bag's strap as she stared at the ground beneath her feet.Pushing his emotions aside, he held her hand, stopping it midway down her bag's
She was quiet as he kept his head down. He stole a glance at her face and saw her smiling."It's stupid, right?""Of course, no.""It's stupid. Forget it."She slapped his arm lightly. "No, it's not. Chef Joel."He let out a soft chuckle. "You really think it's a good idea?""Yeah. How long have you known you wanted to cook?""I don't know. I guess because Isaac kept suggesting it and it kind of stuck. At first, I cooked to survive. Then I realized I enjoyed doing it. It became a habit to check magazines for new recipes and also try them."But I never really realized it was something I wanted to do until I looked around and saw we all can't be doctors and nurses. Someone has to make the bags we carry, like Loveth does. Someone has to mix the drinks at the bars or events, like Isaac. Someone also has to teach girls and women to be wise and stan
The past three months at Badmus High had not only been daunting but also life-threatening. Lives were tweaked by fate and their owners either danced well to its tune or broke a leg while dancing very differently.Those who had danced well were rewarded with new perspectives and another shot at being a better person; those who broke legs weren't sure if a future existed for them, and these people included Emily.Emily had finally recovered, physically that is, and was discharged to go home to her family. She came out with her hand in a cast and a mind twisted with horror, but everyone advised her to be at least grateful she came out alive. Many had lost their lives in cases like this, but God had been faithful to her.Emily wanted to believe God had been merciful, but after all, she caused herself and everyone around her, could that be true? Sadly, she didn't believe so.Her parents, being too scared because of
Isaac had gone to his workplace to request for leave since exams were coming up, and he needed more time to read. But it was mostly because he was more concerned with finding Emily and was starting to feel a little ill. His boss had granted him the leave, albeit reluctantly, and he had been leaving the place when he saw Jide emerging from his car.Jide had stopped to get something at a pharmaceutical store close by, and Isaac only crossed the road when he saw a female seated in the front seat.It had taken him a while — after he crossed the road — to recognize that the girl was Emily. Her face was battered up, malnourished, and she was coated in an oversized jumper. Isaac had been attempting to open locked the door when Jide came out.When he confronted Jide, the two had got into a huge fight that attracted passers-by, who were the reason the fight was ended.While Isaac tried to explain Jide was a kidna
Loveth wasn't so discrete in hiding her disdain for Jessica, neither was she trying, and the same went for Jessica, who glared hard at her before returning to what she was telling them.“Look, I know this might be hard to believe,” Jessica said. “Especially since it's coming from me—”“I'm glad you know,” Loveth interrupted Jessica for the umpteenth time since she began talking, and if it wasn't for Jessica's need to prove she was telling the truth, she would have shut Loveth up the hard way.“Isabelle,” Jessica called softly. “I know what I saw, and honestly, I don't see what I'll be gaining by lying to you.”Isabelle had felt light-headed by the news Jessica relayed to them and, with the help of Joel, had sat on the bench.They had reached the bus-stop —where they found Lovett who was waiting for them, so they'd go to Joel's house and see what else they could come up with — minutes ago, when