PRICELESS EXCHANGE

Let me start by telling you a little about myself. Am Sophia Euodogan,aged 16, I live in a small county called Mariossa. A lot of people who lived there were mere peasants who work assiduously to earn a living. My parents Mr and Mrs Euodogan have a small farm where we do peasant farming, we live in a small house close to the farm. I have no siblings, and so I'm always lonely anytime my parents are away. I love music, in fact the whole family loves music, I guess grandma Cecelia had passed on the music legacy to her children. Everyone loves grandma Cecelia who lives at the outskirt of the county. Her voice is something you couldn't ignore when she sings. People says I took from her, and no doubt they were right. Every time I feel lonely, I go to grandma's place and we practice music together. On one of such visits, grandma said, Sophie I have something to show you, she said with a fragile tone what grandma? I asked with curiosity. I've always learned from childhood that when an older person asks to show you something, know that it is always important. I looked at grandma carefully as she got up supported by her walking stick, she walked to the old bookshelf in the room and scrambled for books. I smiled as I saw her having a hard time searching for a book. I walked up to her and helped her search for it. All the books at the shelf were old and dusty. It took us a long time to find what she had been searching for alas! she exclaimed holding a pink leather covered book which had an inscription boldly written as " THE POWER OF FOUR" It was quite big and it looked quite antediluvian. Grandma had a big grin on her face as she dusted the book side by side what's so special about it, I thought as I watched grandma handle the book with care. here my dear, open it, she said handling it over to me. We both sat down on the couch and I opened the book only to be amazed by what I saw. Inside the antediluvian book was a picture of four teenage girls dressed in pink ballet dresses with tiaras on their heads. They all looked same age, same height, but with different complexions. Some where blondes while some were dark ebony. Who are they grandma? I asked These are the quadruplets of Methosa, it was believed that these four possessed musical powers which could change the world at then, but it was all a myth though, grandma laughed I ain't finding it funny, I said to myself as I saw grandma laughed, right now am so curious to know more about these four. Who are their parents? I asked They were daughters of king Lucas he was then the king of methosa, he never had a male child, these four were the only children he had. Their songs could melt hearts, and it could even bring down the pride of a haughty man. It could change evil for good and also could make the greedy man altruistic, They made a lot of impact all over the kingdom with their music and a lot of people believed they were gifted by the goddess of music who sent them to change the world for the better, grandma narrated wow, I said excitedly looking at their picture on the book again. turn over, grandma told me and I nodded while flipping over to the next page. I was caught up in a frenzy by what I saw. In there was an Archy mansion probably built in the early 90's. It was painted pink with so many musical instruments crafted on the walls of the mansion. A lot of teenagers could be seen dressed in a uniform some were holding guitars while some were playing the violin. where is this grandma? methosa's first musical school. It was formed by the quadruplets who saw it as a way of passing their gifts to the society. I was once part of the school, and I worked under my mentor Princess Sapphire, she thought me all I needed to know about music, everyone passing out from that school was made a princess and also a mentor to others so did you become a princess grandma? I asked with wide eager eyes Hmm... we could save that story for another time, grandma said smiling as she took the book away from me no grandma I want to know more, I argued There are some things that are better left in secrets, as you grow, you'll learn a lot she said patting my blonde hair. I frowned and she laughed Sophie,Granny needs to rest now, let's go home, I heard my mother say from the outside. She had stopped by to pick me up I guessed. bye granny, I said to my grandma and rushed out of the house. I clung on my mother as we walked away from grandma's house. I was about to relate all that grandma had told me when she said, Sophie the duke is coming home today, my mother said what! after so many years?!!I exclaimed. The Duke is a middle aged man who left the county a long time ago while I was just 10, he loves children and I could recall the memorable times at his mansion when I was a kid. He is the only one who owns a mansion at Mariossa, he had no kids but his love for children made a lot of people see him as a father. Anytime he returns from his trips, he would gather the whole children at the county together and made sure we had a lot to satisfy ourselves. A lot of kids would love to spend time with him rather than their parents I heard he is throwing a party at the mansion tonight and I would love us to be there, mom said I giggled in excitement at the thoughts of seeing the duke again. I also knew for sure that I wouldn't go home empty handed after the party. mom we should walk fast so I could dress up early for the party, I said rolling my brown eyes Mom laughed, you're so funny dear, she remarked as we both walked to the house On getting home, I dashed into the bathroom at once to take my bath. I searched for my favourite dress which was a short blue dress gifted to me by my aunt. A lot of girls at the county make jests of me every time I wear that dress, some already sees it as a uniform cause I love wearing it all the time to occasions. But not to blame me, I had no other better dress than this one. I was about wearing my dress when Barbara rushed into my room. Barbara is the only friend I've got in the county. She is of same age with me, fair in complexion with dark ebony hair and a slim stature. Her house is just a block away from ours. Her parents were quite well to do, and so she gets partially everything she wants. That evening, she was dressed in a white summer gown and a small hat with white loafers shoes to match. My esteem dropped low on sighting her. She changes her clothes often not like me who wears a dress over and over again You look good, I remarked. She giggled are you wearing that dress again? she asked pointing at my dress ye..sss I replied with low esteem um.. OK, maybe the Duke's gonna get you a new one you never can tell, she remarked I forced a smile on my face and nodded. I dressed up and left the house with Barbara leaving my parents behind. As we got to the mansion that evening, I noticed a lot of people at the party were mostly not from Mariossa. They all looked classy and well polished. Most of them came with flashy cars. Barbara and I saw girls of our age flaunting around with flashy clothes and jewelries. All my life I've always wanted to be among high classy people. I've always admired their lives and I want to fit in somehow. They look so good, I said to Barbara who was feeding her eyes too I don't think the Duke's gonna pay attention to us anymore, let's get out of the party, she said what? no let's meet him first I said, can't you see the people around here are well polished people? while we are just a bunch of antiquated people who just wants to fit in, she remarked I kept silent thinking about what she had said. Come on then, let's go home I said sadly. On turning back to the entrance of the yard, we heard a voice hey girls where are you both heading? we heard him asked. We turned at once only to see our beloved Duke dressed in a black fitted suit staring at us. We jumped into his arms excitedly at once easy girls.. you've both grown.. he said laughing so hard. He looked so aged now but still as handsome as when we last saw him We thought you weren't coming back, I said with cloud of tears forming in my eyes I would always come back for my children, he said smiling we missed you, Barbara said hugging him you ain't children any more look at you guys, so big now, what school do you attend? he asked I attend Geneva's high school, Barbara answered excitedly what about you Sophie? he asked and I kept mute. I had been a drop out for a long time now, how do I tell him? Sophie? he asked looking at me She stays at home, she doesn't school anymore, Barbara chipped in. I frowned at her while she smirked OK kids, we will talk about that later, come on there are enough seats at the party, make yourselves comfortable OK? he said and walked away to attend to his other guests you have a big mouth Barbara, I said angrily you wanted to lie so I told him the truth, she protested what is your business If I had told him an apocryphal story? I don't care, but you shouldn't lie to the Duke she said so she is a drop out uh? I heard someone say from behind. Barbara and I turned to find three girls standing behind us all looking well polished and well dressed. The others giggled. I felt ashamed at once and turned to Barbara. I'm not with her, she's alone, Barbara said and walked away from me. I bowed my head in shame what was she doing with the Duke? looking for a scholarship? one of the girls asked and they all laughed again probably trying to make him feel pity, the third one added. I couldn't take it anymore, I walked away in sadness with tears dropping down my cheek. I found Barbara seated close to her mom who just arrived the party you left me, I said sadly oh come on Sophie, you don't know who those girls are do you? she asked and I shook my head they're from Queens high school and we are no match for them, She said. I've heard a lot about Queens high school, and it had always been my dream school all my life, but it's only for the rich so I heard and I killed those dreams right away. you shouldn't have left me still, you're fond of leaving me every time I need you, I said so? I should fight for you? come on Sophie you know I can't do that, she said waving her hairs backwards. I wiped the tears off my face and sat close to her. I had no other friend so I had to manage Barbara. my parents weren't here yet, seems like they were having a hard time shutting the front door at home which looked so old and scrappy I thought. The party began with a lot of food and drinks, desserts were also served and I made sure I ate a lot cause the foods tasted so good. I would have come with a food flask to take some home for granny I thought. she lacks eating manners too, a familiar voice said behind me. I turned and saw the trio seated behind me eating like peacocks. My heart skipped and I turned away at once. I heard their laughter behind me but I couldn't do a thing. As the day grew dark, a lot of activities began at the party. There was a bonfire, a lot of girls came to perform a dance around the bonfire, people watched in amazement while some showered them with money. A singing competition would take place tonight I heard the host announced. If you know you can sing properly, get yourself prepared for a show down, and the winners would go home with awesome rewards tonight. I heard girls giggled from different corners. Barbara looked at me and smiled. You going for the competition? she asked no, I replied at once. I can't compete with the people around here, I added well it's good you know that, cause the girls from queens high school are sure gonna win tonight, she said and I forced a smile on my face. She is right, I thought. The students from Queens are always known for their great performances when it comes to music. More reason why I picked Queens as my first choice. The competition started with girls from different backgrounds coming out to perform, they were really great especially one of the girls from Queens. She was among the bullies earlier. But I couldn't stop admiring how she sang so beautifully to the amazement of everyone. She beat the other girls to it and no one could match her. People clapped and showered money on her as she sang. I stood up in awe to clap too. She was just so good, I thought. After she must have finished singing, the host came up and we were all expecting him to announce her as the winner when he said, We will announce the winner but.. the Duke wants a girl from Mariossa to perform tonight before the winner would be announced. Everyone began to murmur in confusion. The announcement sounds ambiguous to me as I tried to comprehend what he really meant Come on is there any girl from Mariossa who could really beat her to the prize? he asked,Some of my county girls turned to look at me, I saw my parents at a distance urging me to come forward Sophie.. give it a try, I heard a girl from my county say behind me. Almost everyone from Mariossa were now looking at me. I felt confused at the moment. I was still trying to think when a hand from behind pushed me to the front. I lost composure and almost fell in front of the girl from Queens. She sneered and almost pushed me away. I composed myself and looked around. Some people were laughing already. My brain stopped functioning at once, seeing the crowd around me made me almost puke. sing baby sing, I heard my parents voices Sophie sing!! I heard girls from Mariossa say behind me I couldn't find the words, I opened my mouth to sing but the words were stuck, my throat was dry and I couldn't think at the moment. I saw the bullies from Queens all staring at me disgustingly and I could hear my heart pounding fast. Then I remembered a song grandma taught me while I was a kid and we do sing it a lot whenever we were together. I smiled as I thought about the title of the song which was " your darkest moments ". once in your darkest moments I lit up your small world dark and scary it was and I held you in my arms feeling me by your side could take the darkness away the time we spent together could make the darkness go away if only wishes were horses then I would wanna fly with you till your darkest moments fades away hold me tight and feel me close when your world gets dark do not be afraid cause I'm here to keep you safe no one knows what tomorrow would bring so I ought to keep you safe with me and hope tomorrow never comes once in your darkest moments, I'll forever light up your world. I ended my song and opened my eyes. The whole place was calm so I guessed they didn't like my song, it was like a lullaby and I shouldn't have sang it I thought. But then the shouts came. Everyone stood up and clapped like forever. I heard people scream my name and I never knew I was this popular that's my girl! .. I heard my dad screamed from the crowd The Duke walked up to me with a grin on his face. He hugged me tightly I was waiting to hear your voice you know, he whispered into my ears. I giggled at once I saw the bully girl from Queens walk away angrily due to the attentions I received from the crowd. The cheering didn't stop until the host announced And the winner is... Sophie! Sophie! Sophie! people screamed before he could finish Sophia! the Girl from Mariossa! the host announced excitedly I couldn't believe my ears when the host said my name. People rushed towards me and they threw me up into the air. I was overjoyed at everything happening around me I know you will always make me proud, my mom said smiling. I giggled excitedly and hugged her. attention everyone,the host announced and everyone took to their seats. Mr Duke came forward and walked towards me smiling. Now that you have won the prize dear, mention anything that you want me to do for you and it'll be granted right away. My eyes widened in surprise as I heard his words. I looked at my parents and they smiled at me. My brain was numbed as I thought of what to request for. Everyone looked at me in curiosity wanting to hear my reply first of all I want to say a big thank you sir for the opportunity you gave me to display my talents in front of everyone. There is one thing I have always dreamed of which is to be back at school again. I want to go to school, I said and everyone murmured. she's making me so emotional right now, I heard a lady say from behind your wish is granted my dear, get yourself ready to be a student of Queens high school I heard the Duke say. I couldn't believe what I heard. Everyone cheered again you mean..... I'll study at Queens ? I asked in bewilderment yes Sophie, Get prepared he said smiling Queens here I come!!! I screamed in excitement.