The new beginning
976 Words
"So you are going to university now," Stella's friend, Blessing, said with a smile.
It's been over a year since both of them graduated from Christ Morris High School in Texas. After their graduation, they both decided to rest for a year before continuing their education at the tertiary level.
"What do you think? I can't wait to be a university student," Stella said with a big smile, her teeth shining.
"I see that you're overly excited about going to university, Stella. I hope mine comes soon too," Blessing said.
"Don't worry, darling. It’s going to come early, just like mine," Stella replied.
"So, are you going to come and see me when you're back after the first semester?"
"What do you think, baby girl? I will do that as my first assignment, but for now, I can't wait to go to the university."
Blessing saw the happiness in her friend's eyes. They were both coming from a computer hub where they had printed some of the documents Stella would need for university.
As they took the U-turn that led to Blessing's house, she felt a weird sensation. Her best friend, with whom she'd shared many great moments, was leaving her behind. It wasn't easy being at home, watching most of her friends gain admission to university and leave her behind.
Engrossed in her thoughts, she looked at the tiled road as two buses drove past them. Being the breadwinner of her family had not been easy. Blessing remembered those days in secondary school when Stella would fight for her whenever bullies rounded on her. That was what had made them so close.
Tears wet her face, and she wiped them away. "Yeah, I am going to miss her big time. Very big time," she thought.
"Hey, are you good?" Stella asked, noticing her friend's mood change.
"Yeah, I am," Blessing said as they got closer to her house, just two blocks away.
Stella paused, and so did Blessing. She understood why her friend's mood had changed, but there was nothing she could do about it. Taking a deep breath and exhaling quietly, Stella moved closer to her friend and hugged her.
"Darling, I'm sorry I am going to leave you, but I need you to understand that we are going to be together no matter what. We promised to be best friends forever," she said as Blessing broke down fully into tears in her arms.
---
"Mum, I'm back," Stella said as she got home with her folder filled with the documents she had gone out to print.
"Can you drop that and come help me in the kitchen?" her mum said.
"Okay, Mum," Stella replied, dropping her documents on the table.
"Did you get everything right?" her mum asked.
"Yes, Mum. Blessing and I went—" Stella immediately stopped herself, realizing what she was about to say.
Her parents did not like Blessing and had warned her several times to have nothing to do with her. They just didn't like Blessing's personality and felt there was something bad about her, even when they couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
As best friends forever, Stella had sworn to Blessing that she would never reveal her secret of being a lesbian. She often questioned whether it was normal for a girl to love the same s*x and have intimate feelings, but she had given up trying to change Blessing’s mind about it.
"Get me the big spoon," her mum said.
"I'm sorry, Mum," Stella said as she went to look for the spoon.
"There's nothing to worry about, Stella. I just hope you stay careful when you're with her," her mum said.
"Yes, careful," Stella repeated the words in her head as she handed her mum the spoon.
"So, did you manage to print everything?" her mum asked.
"Yes, Mum, I did, and I can't wait to get into the university," Stella said, her excitement evident.
Her mum smiled. "Too excited, right?"
"Yes, Mum, I can't wait to go to the school and see all the things I've heard about university life," Stella replied.
"I understand that you're excited, curious, and eager, but I want you to know that university is full of stress," her mum said as she chopped fresh vegetables.
"I don't believe that, Mum," Stella said. "University is going to be full of fun and lots of great things to see."
Her mum nodded. "Your father and I have been lecturers for ten years now and have seen the university from different perspectives," she said.
"I know, Mum. You and Dad are great people with a lot of experience in the tertiary education system. I should always look up to you to learn more about it," Stella said, bringing a bowl for the cut vegetables.
"Thanks, darling," her mum said as she collected the bowl.
Stella said nothing but watched her mum begin to cook the vegetable soup they were going to eat for dinner.
---
So here’s a little bit about my family. It’s funny and weird, but to be frank, I am the only daughter of my parents, who have been married for twenty years, and I am seventeen.
Most times, I wish I had younger siblings, but it's not happening. My parents are busy people who don’t have time for making babies anymore, and it makes me feel angry sometimes.
My dad, the gentlest man I’ve ever seen, Mr. Richard Wilson, is the head of the Department of Arts at Washington University. He is very caring, and unlike my mum, who is strict, he takes things in a very slow and gentle way.
I really love my family, especially my parents, because they are quite funny and cool. Sometimes, they can be harsh, but that only happens once in a while, and I always hate it when it does.
- Writer
