LIFE AFTER DEATH.

NOT-SO-GOOD-FIRSTDAY

I woke up by 6 the next morning. I should have been up earlier, but I wanted to be sure that Curly was out of my room before I woke up. I didn't know why I felt that way, but I sensed that he would have wanted me to be asleep when he left. I felt he loved his privacy. He refused to tell me about Tess, so that was a sign.

I was right, he was gone. I heaved a sigh of relief but still wore a smile on my face. The instant I noticed the smile, I wiped it off. I strolled over to the window where I first encountered him, but this time his window was shut. Maybe he didn't want history to repeat itself. A knock on the door startled me.

* * * * * * * * *

" Amaka, are you up? "

I heard my aunt's voice, " I'm up! " I yelled.

" Breakfast will be ready by 7, please be down. "

I kept mute when I noticed that she'd left my door and turned around and continued searching for Curly, but I didn't find him. I failed to accept it but I felt a tad disappointed. Heeding my aunt's advice, I began getting ready for my first day at Crenshaw Academy.

About fifteen minutes later, I was standing in front of a mirror fully clothed and admiring myself. I chose a long black gown, stretching down to my feet. The sleeves were also long, just the way I wanted them. To top it all up, it was a turtle-neck gown with absolutely no opening.

I had to protect myself on my first day. That meant, I didn't have to draw attention to myself. I can't leave an open door for others to have some sort of opinion about me, whether it was good or bad. I didn't want any form of socialization whatsoever, I wanted to be invisible.

I know what it meant for a black African girl to be amongst others who are not what I am. My hair was already giving me away but I could still salvage what I had left. As I turned to retrieve my bag, I spotted something from under the cushion that Curly slept on.

It was a black and blue beaded bangle, a mixture of my two favorite colors. It was beautiful and I liked it, so I wore it. I was aware that it belonged to Curly, but before I returned it, I can as well put it on for a while, he's not going to know.

* * * * * * * * * *

I could see that my aunt was purposely trying to buy back my trust as she made custard, my other favorite meal.

" Why are you looking at me like that? " I had to ask, as it was becoming highly uncomfortable.

" Good morning to you too. "

I ignored it and continued eating.

Seconds later, she excused me and went up to her room. I was relieved, then I could eat and mentally plan my day in peace. But she came back almost immediately with a cloth.

" Can I have that black dress for a minute? "

I arched my brows in surprise, " What? "

" The black dress you're putting on, can I please have it for a sec... please? "

She got closer to me.

" Why do you want it? " I was perplexed.

" I promise when I get it back you'll see. "

She handed the cloth over to me, " You can just tie this around yourself and continue eating. "

I stared at the cloth and the food on the table, still confused as to why this was happening.

" Amaka... " She touched my shoulder, " Please... just trust me this once? "

I suddenly felt calm, " Fine. " I answered without hesitation.

" Thanks. " She did a little jump and clapped her hands shortly, but I didn't understand why I was pleased with myself.

I was done with the food when my aunt emerged with the gown in her hand.

" Quick, put it on, we're running late. " She dashed towards the door.

Following her speed, I began wearing the gown. As I progressed, I noticed some changes.

" Why is it... why is it tighter? " I asked as I continued to adjust it.

My aunt just smiled at me.

" What did you do? " I shot at her in shock as I got a full view of what the gown now looked like.

Not only did she make it tighter, but she also gave it a long slit, exposing my lap down to my feet. The only thing she didn't tamper with was the sleeves. She cut down the turtle neck and converted it into a V-shape, giving me a little cleavage.

" What happened to the gown? " I was enraged and shocked at the same time.

" I made it better! Now quick! " She ran out of the house and I followed her. Smart woman she was. She got the right timeline to execute her plan.

" How did you make it better? " I yelled behind her as I too got into the car.

" Just trust me, Amaka. "

" Trust you? trust you? " I was losing my s**t, " Who said I needed your help? it was better as it was! " I forcefully drew out the seatbelt and buckled myself, " You... you made it worse! just like every other thing you've done! "

A cold silence filled the room as we drove off.

* * * * * * * * * *

Everything I feared was happening right in front of me, and there was nothing I could do. I got so many stares, some jaws dropped and I could even hear the whispers. It was like being cold but walking through hell, goosebumps were bursting out of my skin. It was then I remembered that I needed information from my aunt. From behind me, a hand wrapped around my shoulders and a voice whispered into my ears.

" Come with me. "

I followed the subtle pull and later found myself in an office.

" You're Amaka, right? "

A tall white woman with long black hair asked me. She had dark brown eyes and a firm chin. Her brows were narrow and her fingers were long. For a second, I thought she was Gal Gadot, she looked like a goddess.

I lost the strength to open my mouth so I just nodded.

" That's great! I'm Sandra Griffin, the principal, and I'll be showing you around the school. "

I squinted. Did I look so out of place that she noticed I was new?

" I know you're wondering how I know you. Well, I know that Crenshaw high gave out scholarships for senior year__

" I'm sorry ma'am__

" It's okay, and call me Sandra. Now, we just have fifteen minutes until your classes begin. "

* * * * * * * * * *

Physics was my first class and I was there on time, thanks to Sandra for getting me there early. She filled me in on my classes, timetable, and location. Those were the only things I considered of importance. She told me to see her anytime I needed help and somehow it was comforting.

I chose a chair at the back of the class with the aim of, once again, concealing my identity. There, I watched and observed my surroundings. Every person that walked into the class went through my detailed scrutiny. Their hairstyles, their dress sense, how they talked, walked and even laughed, I had to know EVERYTHING.

Just then, the teacher walked into the class and disturbed my thoughts. It was a short, dark man with spots all over his face.

" Some of you know me, some don't. I'm Mr. Dave Wright and I'm your physics teacher, welcome to senior year. "

His voice sounded scrawny and tired, " I wish you suckers good luck. "

The sudden uproar and hitting of tables that ensued right after startled me. Just as it started, the class went back to calmness as Mr. Wright gave the class a stoic look. He backed the class and later turned with speed,

'' least I forgot, welcome to Crenshaw high, our scholarship student.''

That was my cue! The response of the class got me on edge. Although he didn't mention my name, the students were able to find me.

" Onto our first order of business__

Mr. Wright stopped abruptly as two students walked into the class.

" Gustavo! " Mr. Wright yelled.

Only that I didn't know him as Gustavo, I know him as curly. My heart stopped and I gasped loudly, drawing attention to myself again. Before Curly got the chance to speak, Mr. Wright spoke.

" Don't tell me that's how we're gonna start the semester? "

" Sir__

" Not a single word from you. "

Mr. Wright snarled, " And you too, Tess! "

This time, I heard a loud thud inside my chest. I'd finally seen Tess and I knew right then and there that things wouldn't go smoothly.