𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌

CHAPTER 2: Unfinished assignment

A wise man once said, being tired doesn't mean giving up, sometimes it means you have fought longer than anyone knows.

Morning came too quickly. The sun slipped through the small window of the bedroom, dragging me back into a world I wasn't ready to face, endless lectures,house chores and school.

I lay on the mattress staring at the ceiling replaying that evening in my head.

The restaurant,

the quiet corner

and him.

“Fries are better than the burgers” i raised eyebrows

“ you sound experienced” he laughed slightly

“I come here often”

silence settled between us, not uncomfortable, just shared.

"Are you a student?” he asked after a moment

“ Yeah,just started collage here” he nodded

“ Same area?” he asked pushing back his black silk hair .

“ Not really, I moved recently ” he nodded again as if I explained everything.

“ Lina”

My auntie's voice cut through the house like a knife, cutting my thoughts, a harsh reminder of my storm.

It's barely even twelve she started “ you're such a disappointment, do you know the things I do to make money for bills. Do you expect me to do chores too, can't you be for real once, it is a logical thing to think…..”

I dragged my body to the bathroom ,opened the water tap ,all I could hear was the comforting flow of water.

After a few minutes I came out of the bathroom refreshed , ready for the day ahead, it was still dark outside.

Dark circles under my eyes are permanent like a birthmark.

I started the cleaning, the breakfast and prepared Jordan's lunchbox. I helped Jordan prepare for school , and we had breakfast.

“ Mommy goodbye,”Jordan called out . Auntie Jemima emerged from her room , with a full smile.

“ Take care baby” Auntie kissed her child , Jordan ran toward me and we started heading out. Just before we were outside.

“ Take your time young lady whoring around thinking the dinner would cook itself” my Auntie said more like accusing.

“Ok stay safe Auntie”

We left the house, and Jordan took the school bus. I took public transport to college.

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater walking through the college hallways , desperate to enter my first class today. The hallway was full of people,calling , shouting.

“Kenzy”I heard someone shout my name , I looked around and I saw nobody.

“Kenzy” I heard that again and now I couldn't ignore it because it was truly me who was called. I looked around and saw the petite figure approaching.

“are you deaf or something”

“ Good morning too, Kira, how are you?” I said to my friend

“ Ooh Girl it was a really good morning, you know” she said while giving me a heart warming hug .

“ Ooh I get it” I said, ready to listen to her testimony about the night she had, while waiting for a chemistry lecturer to get in.

A lot of people say I am a good listener ,no, more like AKira says ,That's how we become friends . We met during orientation course , she was a total mess at the time . We were sitting in the same row in one of the lecture rooms, she was having situationship in her friendship so she was ranting about her mess to me and I gave the best ear to listen which she found sweet .

“ It was really fun. I wish you were there. Kenzy, you need to be out once in a while because the air is cool at night. Just one night do care what the world holds for after that , you're a free spirit” now she was giving the advice which she knew I'll never take, yet she won't give up.

Mr .lingtone entered the lecture room teaching the worst nightmare for all medical students, chemistry.

“ The assignment is due on the 14th after that day, I don't want any student in my office collecting assignments.

“ What day is today?” I turned to ask Kira .

“ 12th march ,babe” she answered grin , she knew I have already f****d up .

“ Ooh God, how come I forgot?” I said full of panic .

“ What do I do now, ohh God”

“ Calm down babe, It gonna be ok” she said soothing me

“ How can I?” Asked her in disbelief.

“ There is this store down the road not too far , they helped me with graphics and all things, with free internet so you can search anything you want or any book

“ Oooh” I was looking at her like some treasure from the Egyptian pyramids that was hidden from the world.

“ I will take you and I will help you get an assistant from Mr Brown , he is so experienced.

“Ooh thank you, you're a sweet friend” giving her a side hug .she was smiling and I love making her do that.

Mr. Brown, that name rings a bell that I didn't figure out what it is. I shrugged it off .

“ Let's go Babe Mr . Brown might be busy , we must hurry up” she said, dragging me to the store, I think.