Me and Myself

Chapter Two

9 months ago...

"Dad, dad, am okay. I'll be alright, here talk to mom." I pass my phone to my mother who's walking beside me carrying my box. We're on our way to my dorm room, room number 14. I recieved the keys from our Proctor which introduced herself as Ms.G, weird. Who in the world introduces their selves as 'Ms.G'. I am half American, but my dad works in Uganda so we live there just to be close to him. My mom is Ethiopian. That's why am here. My dad wanted me to study abroad and my mom offered somewhere close, less expensive plus a good society with better college options. There is this school in Ethiopia named, ISI (international school of images), it consists of high schoolers from 9 to 12. I am senior year which means I'll be in college the following year and the thing I like and the reason I agreed to come to this school and learn is that you'll get the access for full scholarships. And it only picks 15 smart students and I know am not that much of a grade person, but good thing it didn't consider just grades. The evaluation have steps, procedures and techniques. Only your grade won't get you nowhere, interesting, right? Well if not just grades what are the other evaluations. We'll see. Mom finishes talking with dad when we arrive at my dormitory.

"Bye babe, call you later." Mom hangs up the phone and pass it back to me.

"You ready" mom cheers.

"Do I really have a choice" I sigh.

She slams the door open and barge in. Which fortunately doesn't take me by surprise because she's always like that 'hyperactive' so, nevermind. When I enter the room following mom there was a girl sitting on a bed with crossed legs and a phone on her hands, giving us the 'Are you from another planet?' Look. Mom's fault.

I clear my throat and greet "Hi" smiling towards the girl which I think is my dorm mate.

"Hi" she says going back to what she was doing, texting? I think. I hear this sound click, clack, clock, clerck, k, k,...because her fingernails are so long that she don't have to use fork to eat. Exaggerating.

"Uuukay" mom mumbles, slowly turning towards me. "Please don't grow your nails" she begs. Mom got things with nails. She hates growing them. I don't know why, but it's cool, I don't care. I smile back at her holding her hands.

"Okay mom don't worry." And we start unzipping and unpacking my luggage and organizing my stuff. After we finally finish, it was almost 3pm and moms flight is 5pm which means she got to leave or else she'll be late or even miss the plane.

"Mom I told you it's okay plus maybe she's just shy. I'm sure we'll get along tonight. Mom I like my room. It's quite and peaceful like my old room, the only thing that's different is that I have a friend to share it with." Mom turns me to face her,

"Baby girl, she's not your friend and definitely not shy nor your type," she releases a long air that she was holding

"you know we can talk to Ms. 'Proctor' about it and switch rooms with somebody else who's your type."

"Mom I don't wanna switch or change my room or my roommate. I know I can do this out and you gotta let me figure things by myself and in my own way. And am not a baby." I pout.

"Yes, you're not a baby for some other person, but you're my baby even if you turn 56. Look sweetie, I believe in you because I raised you. And I know you can figure it out. It's just am worried about you" cupping my cheeks with her hands.

"Well don't be. And we'll be in touch, okay." I hug her

"Fine. I love you, my baby be safe and take care." And answers my hug with similar, but breath taking one.

"Mo..o..om I can't breathe," tapping her hands to let me go "in order to graduate I need to breath first."

"Sorry baby" she let's me go, flourish me with her kisses and fixes her hair drying tears from her cheek.

"Mom are you crying?"

"No no honey, it's just dirt got into my eyes" the worst liar.

"Please," I scoff " you know you're not good at lying"

"Yeah, well maybe a little" she admits.

"Well stop crying, I'm not gonna die you know" she chuckle giving me a quick peck on my forehead.

The ride we called has arrived so it's time for mom to leave me and fly back home. Speaking of home I missed it already, but mom don't need to know that.

"Mom I think we're running out of time. The ride is here so," I hug her again "I'm gonna miss you" I whisper

"I'm gonna miss you too." She releases me, "but we'll be in touch and I will come visit you anytime. It won't hurt our pockets." She smile "I love you"

She gets into the ride waving me goodbye and left.

"I love you too" I turn around and saw a lot of kids and parents saying their farewells. I felt something running on my cheeks and it felt wet so I touched it to make sure what it was. A watery liquid. I look up to check if it was raining but it wasn't.

OMG

It's my tears that made my cheeks wet. I didn't know I was crying. Wow, someone need to learn how to control their body responses. Do they have a subject related to this matter, because I got to attend one.

'It's okay' I tell my self. It's been 10 minutes since mom left and I was simply standing there and scanning the school, it's quite big. I start walking back to my dorm until I saw them. A tall handsome looks like a Calvin Klein model with a sobbing mom on his chest and a man talking on a phone holding a back pack on his hand beside him, I think it's his dad and a baby girl which I also think is the little sister wrapped around his leg, so cute. I didn't know I was staring until I saw his eyes are on me. I was startled at first so I quickly blinked and looked away. And when I turn back again he sends me a wink and I felt something running all the way down to my spine. I roll my eyes, whisper 'whatever' and start my journey to dorm. Speaking of handsome boys, beware! You should stay away from them. If not, they'll stab you on the chest, send their hand inside, rip you're blood pumping heart out and cut it in a half. I'm sure you don't want that, it's too messy and too b****y. No one loves b****y.

This school has been through 6 very successful years. It's located around Lebu, varniero square in Ethiopia. The dean is also Ethiopian which makes my mom a huge fan. It holds different citizen peoples together. The school looks like a park. The trees, the soccer field, the basketball field, the dining area, the meeting hall, the conference room, the classrooms, laundry room, everything looks perfect. But something caught my eye from far. A place where you can see everything. Kind of a cliff, I think it's outside the school. Anyways I want to go there, but not alone. I don't know the country yet, which means I don't know when I'll be able to see it. Wow time flies, it's almost 7 now and my food craving stomach has waken up. It's growling so bad that anyone can hear it from a certain distance. I need to get back to my room, grab my purse and if possible take my roommate out for a dinner, maybe get to know each other?

"Ouch!" I yelp. I turn to see who in the world would dare on hitting a woman's booty these days. Isn't this called s****l harassment?

"Oh my God, I am so sorry. Am really sorry, are you hurt? Please let me take you to the clinic."

WHAT! I mean seriously who would say that after s******g a B, U, T, T. If I was a foolish blind not be able to recognize his true sympathy and shock, he would have earned a slap on the damn face. But I did, so I let things slide a bit.

"Oh no I'm fine. It didn't hurt that much" I weirdly blushed on that.

"It's all my fault. I didn't mean to hit you. I was just looking around and my stupid eyes were looking behind, so my stupid legs walked a little faster and that caused my stupid hands move and made my stupid guitar hit you on the wrong place." He explained.

"Owwwkay, umm... let's make this simple. Forget all the stupids also what just happened and let's continue doing our businesses, shall we?" When he opens his mouth to speak I cut him off "Good then, have a nice time." I started walking away until someone grab me by the arms.

"Look am sorry I didn't mean to scare you by being weird. It's just I panicked. You know I've never done that before and I don't wanna do it in the future too..." he started looking on the ground. I cut him off again.

"Yeah I get it. It's cool. I'm hungry now, I gotta go."

"I'm Greck by the way" he extends his arm just for me to shake, cute and gentleman.

"Olive" accepting the handshake.

"I'm new here and I was looking around"

"Oh really, same here"

"Junior?"

"Nah, do I look like one of those kids who brag about buying a new cloth?" I question with a smirk and a raised brow.

"You don't, I'm sorry" he chuckles "I thought it was just me. You know a new senior"

"Believe me you're not "

"Oh, I do believe you now"

"Well nice to meet you Greck I'll see you around then. Oh, I'm sorry am not being rude, the thing is I haven't talked to my roommate yet and if I wait any longer I might miss dinner too." I smile

"Mentioning about meal, where are you eating?"

"Cafeteria, obviously"

"On our first day?"

"If you haven't noticed it's already dark. That makes it our first night." He laughs at my correction.

"I was about to eat as well. Why don't you join me? On my expense." Yum, who would say no to that?

"If you say so" I agree and we start heading to the lounge.

The lounge wasn't that far, but through our way we talked about various things like where we came from and why we chose to learn here out of all the various places. It's funny, but I feel like I already know him for years. Does he feel it too? We grab a sit near the window and wait till the waiter shows up to take our orders.

"So you said you're from Canada huh?" I ask

"Well I am. But I'm originally from Brazil."

"Brazil? Wow, details Please."

"My parents are from Brazil. They moved to Canada because mom always wanted to live there. So we ended up there. Nothing special."

"I thought you were Mexican" I blurt

"Oh no no no" he started laughing and I joined him.

A few seconds later a young beautiful lady with a beautiful smile reached us.

"Now what can I do for you two?" The beautiful lady asks

"I will have...vegetable pasta with coke" he orders with the same smile as hers. She writes it on her notepad and faces me.

"What about you sugar?" Wow. I blink my eyes in disbelieve.

"I, I will have 'Tegamino' please."she writes that down too.

"Anything to drink?" She asks

"Water"

"Okay kids I'll bring your orders as soon as possible." She leaves us after wiping our table.

"She's nice." Greck says trying to break the silence that occurred since she left.

"Very." I agree

"I'll be back. I'm gonna wash my hand. Excuse me." He apologizes standing up from his chair fixing his sleeve.

"Yeah sure, I'll be fine."

After he left, I turn my head to face the window. The view is priceless.

"I was about to come and hug you too, but you left." A man's voice startled me. I look up to see who it was.

"Excuse me? Wait you!" I point my finger to the boy standing infront of me with a smirk.

"I see you missed me already, pumpkin" taking the seat beside me. And eww I hate pumpkin and eww again cause I hate that nickname too.

"Don't call me that plus keep on dreaming." I blurt

"Ah, that hurts" faking the pain on his chest.

"Wish it was real."

"Aww that hurts again sweetie" repeating the previous act "you want me to die?"

"I would've loved that. And stop giving me nicknames, will you!" This dude is getting on my nerves.

"Why are you getting feisty, baby? But you know what? I don't care. I love the way you do things." His arms resting on the table getting even closer to my face.

"Would you stop flying those weird nicknames and get up from that chair, its taken!" I command with furry visible in my eyes.

"Why? Are you saving the seat for the cute boy?" Trying to look the bathroom behind me. I swear I can feel my patience running low. My feist was ready to throw a punch. But before I hit him with my best insults someone cuts in.

"You two know each other?" Greck.

"No we don't. He's a stalker." I blurt.

"Keep denying that sugar" he argues. God. I don't even know his name! "You see Greck, she was staring at me while I was in a time of 'farewells' with my family and she was staring which was rude by the way. Continuing, she winked at me." Pointing his index finger on me. Woah. Yes, I know he's arrogant and a stalker, but a liar too? Damn.

"What! He's lying. He's the one that sent the wink in the first place." I protest

"No, I am not." He protests back.

"Oh My God. Know you're a liar too."

"Am not lying. She started it." Looking back at Greck.

"I started it?" I scoff. "And how did I start this?" I push.

"Well for starters, you was the one staring. And lied about me stalking you." He sits back with crossed arms.

"You're the one who came to talk to me first. And hiting me with your stupid nicknames. Plus you're the one sending winks to strangers."

"You're not a stranger babe" he tries to hold my hand and I refuse.

"You know what? ..." Greck cuts me off before anything worse happens. Yeah he better or else I'm gonna kick his a*s.

"You know what? It's better for you to go sage. Why are you here in the first place. I don't mean the lounge, but this table?"Greck asks

"I was here to say hi and she..." he cuts off again.

"Well you did. Know leave us alone we're trying to have dinner."

"Tell me it's not a date, then I'll leave."

"Why do you care?" I spit.

"Okay, okay, come on, let's go." Greck drag sage by the arms and make him leave. Sage turns around and yell.

"Goodnight, sweet pie."

Eh, I slam my head on the table trying to hide my face which is obvious that I am embarrassed by the scene created a minute ago. Greck comes back after having a quick chat with sage. I wonder what it is. Then the waiter comes back with our orders on her hand. Thank God it felt like centuries. I quickly went to the bathroom, washed my hands and sit back on my chair.

"You seem hungry." Greck comments.

"Well I am." I quickly tear my 'injera' and dipped it with my favourite stew, 'tegamino'. Hmmm it tastes so good.

"Yum huh?"

"Yeah, you should try it." I offered Greck

"I've never tasted this type of food before" Pointing at my order.

"Greck, its not 'this' it's called 'tegamino', and the thing you eat with the stew is called 'injera', here try it." I push my plate closer to him.

"If you insist then," he tear the 'injera' and dipped it into the stew. It was obvious that he never tried Ethiopian food before. His hand was stewed, I couldn't control my laughter so I burst.

"You're not holding it right." I continued laughing and he blushed in embarrassment. I tried calming him down and show him how it's done. After several failed attempts he finally made it.

"Oh My God this is amazing. But the holding system is hard, it's actually harder than chopstick. But how do you make this thing. Sorry, 'tegabuio' and 'ijera'?" I laughed at his weird accent. And why is he making it a big deal? When all you got to do is roll it with your fingers. Done.

"First of all it's not 'tegabuio', it's called 'tegamino' and it's not 'ijera', but 'injera'. Second, it's not that hard you'll get used to it and it'll be simple from now on."

"Practice makes perfect." He adds

"Exactly, and thirdly if I tell you what it's made of, you'll probably have dozens of questions which I'm sure I'll end up regretting. As a beginner just know that 'tegamino' is prepared from 'ater', 'shimbra' and 'bakela' well you might add other cereals if you want, but this are the most common. And also there are spices you gotta add. Like onion, garlic, pepper, and so on. Then you will dry and grind it. At the end of the day you'll get 'shero' or 'tegamino'. And for 'injera' its basically 'teff'. It's also grinded. And follow several steps before it's served." I sighed and pretended like I was running out of water. So Greck reached out for my glass and handed me. I took a sip from it, pretend like my life has returned. What a drama queen. When I look up Greck's face was priceless. I am sure he's going to ask dozens more which made me regret telling him already.

"This is not 'a beginner' at all!" He says. Air quoting on a beginner. Didn't expect that. I laughed, but his face was dead serious so I continued.

"Well 'teff' is 'teff' it doesn't have an English word. But 'bakela' is bean, 'ater' is pea and 'shimbra' is called," I tried remembering, but couldn't so I gave up "I forgot what it is. I'll text you when I remember it." I gave him an assuring look.

"Nevermind. It's above my understanding capacity anyway." He shrugged and I chuckle. "How did you know all those stuff?" Curiosity visible.

"My mom, she's Ethiopian." Proud patting my back.

"Oh really, wow. How about your father?"

"American."

"If you lived in America why did you come here. I'm sure there would've been better options."

"Yeah they would've, but the thing is we don't live there. I'm from Uganda." Taking another sip from my glass I answered him honestly.

"Oh that's great, but I'm afraid I'm gonna ask you to elaborate."

"It's just my dad works there and mom wanted to be close to him so we settled there."

"Oh I get it know. Your mom wants you to be close. That's why you're here?"

"Yup" I continued "And you, why here? I mean I'm sure you had choices back in canada too." Curious to here his story.

"Well, I wanted a change."

"Pffft BS! If you wanted a change you would've chosen any other country other than Africa. Specially why Ethiopia?" Rejecting his first answer.

"I don't wanna learn in America. Or any other 'the world strongest' countries." He sighed, but something seemed off. He opened his mouth to continue, but the waiter cuts in.

"Here's your bill." She handed us with a smile and left. Greck paid and we left the lounge.

While we were walking none of us spoke a word. I was rehearsing the conversations we had and the last one I guess was personal for Greck. I needed to come up with another conversation or else I wouldn't change the mood I mixed.

"So..." we said in unison. We both laugh at the coincidence.

"You go first." He gives away his chance.

"I was thinking about asking you, Emm how did you know 'Mr. Arrogant'?"

"Who?" He asks half frowning and half smiling.

"Sage. How did you guys know each other?" I clarified.

"Oh sage. He's my dormmate."

"He's what?" I am surprised now. How could that even be possible? I blink my eyes in disbelieve.

"Yeah. What's wrong?"

"Well he's arrogant and you're nice. He's stupid and you're smart. You're funny and he..." Greck cuts me off.

"Wow wow wow, you gotta chill big mama. You're hitting me with the big words." I roll my eyes as he continues "What was that about though?"

"You've seen him how he was earlier. Don't make me tell you again." Disgust clear in my voice.

"I don't know why he did that to you, but he's kinda cool guy, actually nice." He defended him. How dare he.

"Well keep telling yourself you that. I on the other hand know that his arrogant."

"As you wish my highness, but am sure you'll regret it ones you get to know him more." Oh my God is he still trying to convince me? Unbelievable.

"Darling abandon your foolish idea and join the team." I open my arm and he chuckles.

"Well Ms. Olive this will be our destination for today's evening." He bow. What an actor.

"Well thank you for your service. I would've loved giving you a tip, but my purse is not with me right now. I will make sure to compensate for the next time." He chuckles.

"It's really nice knowing you." He admits.

"You too. Know I got some work to do."

"Work?" He asks

"Yeah. I didn't get the chance to personally introduce myself to my roommate."

"Oh well you better work on that real fast."

"Hell yeah I will." I started waking backwards to my block waving at him "Good night."

"Bye." He replies.

I turn around and start walking towards my dorm. Is it weird that I didn't shake his hand or hug him? I'm sure no one does that on the first day, right? But he was nice. Will he be my friend? Speaking of friends I don't have one. Yet. And my dormmate, God help me. I arrived safely, but the breath was cold enough to make me fumble on finding my keys. They escaped from my grip and fall on the ground. I bend to pick them up and when I finally insert them. Unfortunately without my need of turning the key the door swung open. A girl with her hand on her hip, chewing a gum face me with 'where have you been' look.

"Hi" I greet with a flat smile.

"I thought you wouldn't come." She cuts to the chase. Smart move.

"Why did you think that?" Confused plus curious.

"I saw you in lounge earlier this evening and I thought you was on a date. So..." she elongates the word.

"So?" I push

"You know"

"You know I don't do telepathy stuff so spit it already." I groan cold eating my bones

"Take you to his dorm, watch movies together and share the same bed..." I get where this is leading. Oh my God how dare she? Do I look like a s**t or something? I'm just wearing pair of blue jeans and a long sleeved grey shirt. Is that what hoe's wear? Definitely not. So who the hell gave her the permission to think about me that way? Does she even know my name name? It's our first day in school, who would do that?

"Wait. What? No no no I don't do that plus what did I do to look such a person?" I counter.

"Girl I dunno. I told you it's just a thought." She shruggs typing something on her phone.

"Oka-a-y can I come in know? I'm feeling like my heart is freezing." I say rubbing my hands.

"Frozen? Really? You're such a dork." Letting me in with a smirk. She closes the door ones she checks me out. Wow so rude. I covered my booty, but oops too late.

"Did you just check me out?" I ask frowning.

"Yeah whatever. It ain't that big anyways. You need some fitness girl or else that a*s will start making fun of you." Sitting on her bed crossing her leg yoga style.

"Rude." I spit

"You know it's true." She challenges

"Okay. One frozen is dope. Two nothing is wrong with my booty so stop checking me out." I take of my shoes off, jump on my bed and lay on my back. I turn to her direction wanting to know more about her.

"Who was you're date?" She asks still on her phone taking a quick glance to my direction.

"I told you it's not a date. We accidentally met..."

"Accidentally?" She looks me with arched brow.

"Yes accidentally." I assure her.

"How accidental?" This time she grabs her bolster arranging herself to comfort then "continue" she orders. Ha what a drama empress.

"I was walking and something hit me from the back I turn around and he was there shocked. He started apologising and explaining himself. I admit it was weird, but after a little chit chat we found out we got a lot in common. I told him I needed to leave because I was hungry so he offered to buy me one. Then I agreed, why not? Right? That's it nothing more." I say with a sigh. She don't need to know the whole story.

"Wow okay. One, as you're story implies it's definitely a date, though how you met is pg 13." I gasp. "Two, he looks good girl. Snatch him. And three, don't talk like that, don't you ever talk like that. You'll end up blowing out the air out of your lungs and die." WHAAAT WOAHHH.

"One, it's definitely not a date. I don't know him that much cause we just met. Two, I don't wanna snatch nobody. I love the way I am. Three, you asked for the story and I let you have it. What's the fault in that?" I counter raising my hands in the air.

"As you wish. By the way I was about to call you and ask if you wanna have dinner together, but I realised I didn't have your phone number. I waited and you never showed up so I went with some dudes I met and I saw you there." She admits.

"So you were on a date too." Evil smile appearing on my face.

"No I wasn't." She denies.

"Puh-lease" I scoff.

"Is that suppose to be payback?"

"You see how lame you sounded."

"Ha ha I get your point." We both laugh by admittance of her lameness.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Laura. You?"

"Olive weinmart." I extend a hand.

"Ooh girl you're so clichè." Kicking my extended hand by her leg. Hmm I think I like her.

You think?pfft (inside voice).

Fine I do, you happy? Why is she not answering? Where did she go?

"Screw you." Laura spits waking me up on her way.

"Excuse me?" I ask confused if she was talking to me.

"Go to hell!" She yells this time.

"What did I do?" I fire back.

"Are you okay?" She asks worry visible on her face. It took me by surprise how her mood changed by a second. Does she have a mood swing problem?

"Why are you yelling at me?" I yell.

"No one yelled at you. I was talking to myself. You know just texting." She shows me her phone. Oh wow how did I miss that? I hate inside voices. They always make you miss out things that are happening infront of you.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't see that." I admit shyly.

"It's fine." She chuckles going back to what she was doing. What it she doing on that piece of electronics anyway.

"Whatcha doin'?" I ask.

"Nothing." Lie

"Come on." I whine.

"Curiosity killed the cat." And still typing.

"Woah, are you hiding?" I push

"Why would I?"

"Scared of losing him?"

"What?" She looks at me and I smirk. Gotcha.

"Is he cute?" I push harder. We both laugh.

"Yes he is. But no worries I'm breaking up with him." She admits. I laughed, but her face looked so serious. I corrected myself.

"You're serious. Okay, but why?"

"Since I'm far away from home I wanna keep my options open."

"Someone's a player huh?" I smirk

"No I'm not a player. It's just I couldn't see our future together." She shrugs.

"And what is the case that made you say that?"

"Distance?" Leading her index finger closer to her chin.

"Oh God." I groan shaking my head in disagreement.

"Okay enough about me. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Huh, BOYFRIEND!" Making it look obvious.

"Well it's simple."

"How simple?" She push.

"I don't do boyfriends." Rolling my eyes at the word 'boyfriends'.

"You're joking, right?" She scoffs in disbelieve.

"Actually it's the other way round." I assured her. But she kept staring which I couldn't stand.

"What?" I whine.

"You gay?" She asks frowning and a bit worry visible on her face. Her question shook my whole body.

"Hell to the no!" I declare "I don't do boyfriends doesn't mean I'm gay. Girl what the hell? Boys aren't our basic needs."

"Fine fine, I was just worried you know incase."

"Don't be. There's nothing to worry about." For a while we kept silent. I think I was a little harsh earlier.

"I didn't mean to be harsh. Sorry." I apologised.

"No no it's my fault. I never thought girls our age would stay away from boys." She admits.

"Oh, I don't date doesn't mean I don't do boys at all." I corrected.

"Huh?"

"I might, you know sometimes it's normal for a woman to talk to her opposite sex." I stutter and she laughed.

"The clinical term for what you just said right now is 'flirt'." We both laugh in unison. "Who's the player now?" She adds.

"Shut up. I'm not." I laugh.

"Save it." She laughs. I grab a pillow and throw it in her direction. Missed. I have to admit that I'm the worst in throwing things. Specially on meeting the goal.

"Sell them out!" Indicating my hands, she laughs at my poor now failed attempt.

"Hey! It's still my hand." Defending.

"Oh yeah? Tell him to catch." She throws back which it did hit me straight on the face and I fall back. She laughed hard that she almost fell off her bed. I struggled to get up, but couldn't so I gave up.

"Girl give me my pillow back!"

No answer.

"Hey!"

No answer.

"Okay that's it." She gets up marching towards me. Oops she didn't find what she was looking for. I've already passed out. Sorry, I just had a long day.