PRICELESS EXCHANGE

FAR FROM HOME

Who would ever thought that I would be back at school so soon,not just any school but my dream school, everyone's dream school!, . A lot of the girls at the county were jealous while some tried making me friends. In fact I've grown so popular ever since my performance at the Duke's party.

The Duke invited us to his house for dinner the next day, and he handed me a later to give to the principal of Queens high school when I get there. I was so overjoyed when we got home, I went in search of Barbara to share the news with her but her mom told me she wasn't home. In fact I haven't seen nor heard from Barbara ever since I won a scholarship to Queens, She doesn't even come around any more and grandma told me she was probably jealous and I shouldn't let it weigh me down

who cares any way, I'm going to become a Queens girl and that is all what matters right now, I said to myself

On the said day I would be leaving home for school, I got up as early as possible even before a c**k could crow. I took a cold bath and went to dress up. I took a black jumpsuits gifted to me by the Duke and a boot Barbara's mother got me as a gift yesterday, I dressed up so happily because the clothes were new and I wouldn't have to wear same clothes over again. I packed my hair in a bun and arranged some of my clothes in a black bag mom bought for me, I don't have a good luggage bag, and so mom had to work so hard to get me a new one. I wanted to look like the other girls when I get to school cause I've heard a lot about the girls at Queens how they dress so flashy, so trying to fit in isn't a bad idea, I thought.

I looked in the mirror and smiled, I really looked good in this dress I thought as I looked at my slim figure in the mirror. I decided to wear a cowboy's hat to match the jumpsuit so I let my bouncy blonde hair fall on my shoulders as I wore the hat. It seems good to me, I said to myself and hurried out of the room to have breakfast. I don't wanna be late, I need to get to Queens early so I could be approved on time and also get a place to stay

mom, can I get my breakfast now? I asked sitting at the dinning

here you go daughter, mom said bringing my breakfast to the dinning in a small tray. Breakfast was Quakers oath my favorite.

where is dad? I asked with a mouth full of oath

He's at the farm, he needs to sell some produce to sponsor your trip to Queens, mom said

I could feel the sadness in her eyes as she spoke, I felt like a burden to my parents already.

Not long, dad came home looking so dirty in an overall and a boot. I jumped on him and he catch me like a kid

oh daughter... he laughed as he held me, you're so big now you should know that, he said

I giggled. Am never going to be so big in daddy's eyes, I said happily,

Let me go take my bath first OK? I'll be back soon, he said and walked out. I looked at my mom and she winked.

We were almost ready to go out when a messenger came from the Duke's mansion, he handed us an envelope, he said it's a courtesy from the Duke. My dad opened the envelope as soon as he left and what we saw was a sight to behold. It contained a lot of money which we couldn't have imagined, I cried in excitement and hugged my parents who were almost crying too. I carried my luggage and mom stuck my bags with some carrots and potatoes

mom, this isn't necessary, I grumbled

hey, let me do my thing OK? come on we need to visit grandma before you go, she added

I giggled at once as we all head out of the house to Grandma's place.

A lot of people stopped to look at us as we walked, my shoulders were high and my esteem was back. Some of the girls whispered my name but I just waved at them and continued walking

my girl is going to Queens my dad would say to anyone who passes by. I received a couple of gifts from people too and my bags were so filled up already.

Don't forget who you are Sophie, the greatest singer in Mariossa! I heard a fat lady scream from her stable. my parents and I laughed

yes Madame Bambose, I replied happily

We got to grandma's house and we saw her sitting on the bed smiling as we walked in. I hugged her as soon as we walked in. I'm going to miss her so much, I thought.

I'm going to miss you dearie, make sure you always remain the good girl you've always been, she said in a fragile tone. I smiled again and tried to hold back my tears.

Here is a gift, as you get to Queens, there are so many things you will need it for, she said handing a small sealed box over to me

what's in here? I asked trying to shake the box but it was heavy

come on dear, when you get to school, you'll unravel grandma's gift, my Dad said. I nodded and hugged her again before we left.

As we got to the bus station where I would catch a bus to the city, my dad bought me a ticket and they both sat closer to me before the bus would get ready to depart. Mom and dad took that opportunity to pass me a few lessons and gave me some advice

remember Sophie, you're a girl from Mariossa, you shouldn't forget where you come from, learn to be yourself and never try to fit into any body's shoes, my mom said and I smiled

Not long, the bus got ready to depart and I hugged my parents so tightly that I became scared to let them go. This is my first time leaving them, this is my first time going out of the county. I cried a lot and I saw mother cried too

we will miss you, I heard dad whisper into my ears, Mom couldn't speak. She was crying so hard and dad had to hold her close like a baby. I turned back severally as I climbed into the bus and I saw my parents still watching me, as the bus departed, they turned to leave and I waved them goodbye. But then I saw someone from a distance watching me with big sad eyes

Barbara!!!! I screamed from the bus and everyone turned to look at me

She turned away at once and ran away. Could it be that she had followed me all the way to the station? I asked myself. Barbara could be sometimes capricious, I exhaled deeply and leaned on the seat's headrest. I thought of composing a song right there in the bus to pass away the time

A new life awaits me.....

a life far away from home..

what would it be like for a girl from Mariossa to live outside her county

without the fields and the farms surrounding her

A new life awaits me... and it's a life far away from home.....

Before I knew it, I was singing out so loud and everyone were looking at me in amazement and some where nodding to my rhythms. Some joined me in singing and even the older ones sang too.

A new life really awaits me.. I thought and smiled.