Chapter 7
765 Words
The morning felt too bright.
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Too normal.
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Queen stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dress with shaky hands.
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“Today is your first day,” her mother said from behind her, smiling. “You should be excited.”
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Queen forced a smile.
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“I am,” she replied softly.
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Her father, a respected professor at Amsted, stepped into the room, holding his glasses.
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“Education is an opportunity many don’t get,” he said firmly. “Don’t take it lightly.”
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“I won’t, Dad,” Queen answered.
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He studied her face for a moment.
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“You look tired,” he added. “Did you sleep well?”
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Her heart skipped.
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“Yes… I just stayed up a bit,” she said quickly.
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Her mother frowned.
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“Don’t start bad habits early,” she warned. “University is not an excuse to misbehave.”
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Queen nodded.
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“I understand.”
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But inside—
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She felt like a fraud.
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Because while they were proud of her—
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They didn’t know the truth.
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Later that day—
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Queen stood at the entrance of KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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Students walked past her, laughing, chatting, full of excitement.
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This was supposed to be her new beginning.
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But all she could think about—
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Was the baby.
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Her baby.
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She pulled out her phone and dialed quickly.
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Darren picked up after a few seconds.
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“Hello?” his voice came, tired as usual.
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“How is she?” Queen asked immediately.
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“She’s okay,” he replied. “She just finished crying.”
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Queen exhaled deeply.
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“Did she eat?”
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“Yes.”
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“Did she sleep?”
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“For a while,” Darren said. “Queen, relax.”
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“I can’t relax,” she said. “I’m not there.”
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Darren sighed.
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“You’re in school,” he said. “Focus on that.”
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“How can I?” she replied. “Part of me is here… but the rest of me is with you.”
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Silence.
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“Queen,” Darren said more gently, “you chose this.”
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Her chest tightened.
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“I know.”
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“Then trust me,” he added. “I’ll take care of her.”
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Queen swallowed hard.
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“Okay…”
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But she didn’t sound convinced.
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“Call me later,” Darren said.
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“I will.”
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The call ended.
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Queen stood still for a moment.
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Then slowly slipped her phone into her bag.
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“Hey, are you okay?” a girl beside her asked.
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Queen turned.
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“Yes… I’m fine,” she replied quickly.
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“First day nerves?” the girl smiled.
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“Something like that,” Queen said.
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But it was more than nerves.
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It was fear.
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Fear of being exposed.
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Fear of losing everything.
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Fear of failing—
Everyone.
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Later that evening—
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Queen returned home.
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Her mother was in the kitchen.
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“How was your first day?” she asked.
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“It was good,” Queen replied.
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“What did you learn?”
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“A lot,” she said, forcing another smile.
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Her father looked up from his book.
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“Good,” he said. “That’s how it should be.”
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Then suddenly—
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Her mother frowned.
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“Queen,” she said slowly, “did you take money from my purse?”
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Everything stopped.
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Queen’s heart slammed against her chest.
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“What?” she asked, pretending not to understand.
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“My money is missing,” her mother continued. “And you were the only one home yesterday.”
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Her father’s eyes lifted.
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“Is that true?” he asked.
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Queen’s throat went dry.
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“I… I don’t know,” she said.
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Her mother stepped closer.
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“Don’t lie to me,” she said firmly.
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Queen’s hands began to shake.
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“I didn’t take it,” she said.
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Silence.
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Her parents exchanged a look.
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A look she knew too well.
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Doubt.
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And for the first time—
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Queen realized.
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Her secret wasn’t just heavy.
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It was starting to c***k.
- Writer
