PRICELESS EXCHANGE

THE SONGS IN OUR HEARTS

It was a bright Monday morning when Tonia woke me up from the bed

lazy cat, it's morning already, she said taking the duvet off my body

oh...I'm feeling sick...I grumbled as I opened my eyes to the sunlight penetrating through the windows

oh sorry... so what are you gonna do now stay home? she asked sitting beside me

I yawned and sat up straight on the bed. I can't stay home, I said and shook my head

but you're sick... she protested

I need to be strong so Cassy and her friends won't think they've won, I need to give her a taste of this..I said pointing to the wound on my head

hey.. that's enough, come on go take your bath and let's get going.. she said

After breakfast, we both left for school with Andrew. As we walked into the premises, I saw Molly and Cassy walking out of their car, Cassy smirked as her eyes met mine.

jeez I can't believe I did that... she mocked and they both laughed

hey do not mind anything they say or do, let's go, Andrew motioned to me

no Andrew I need to smack her dirty face! I yelled

Sophie... Tonia called holding my arms

let's go, she said softly. I acquiesced immediately and we all walked out.

Hey guys... Tony said walking towards us as we walked into the lobby

Andrew frowned and walked away leaving Tonia and I.

hi Tony, I greeted

hi Sophie how's your health? he asked

fine.. thanks a lot for everything, I said and he smiled.

how are you? he asked turning to Tonia who turned away immediately

I'm fine, she mumbled

can we meet after school? he asked and she shook her head In disapproval

I'm busy, Sophie and I need to work on the upcoming competition, she replied

but... you can... I was trying to speak when Tonia interrupted

um... please we're late, bye... she said and dragged me away.

what was that? I asked and she frowned

what? can't you see I don't wanna hang out with him? she asked

why? I thought you guys were getting back together after the party, I said

what? getting back together? why would I do such a thing? she asked

well, I thought you like him

no I don't, I don't wanna have anything to do with a gangster she said

wow, so it has to do with him belonging to the wildcats? I asked

come on Sophie we're late, she said walking away.

As we got to the hallway leading into the classroom, I saw Jeff walking towards us with his headphones on. My heart sunk as I recalled all that he did to me at the party. I stopped and Tonia turned to look at me

what? she asked in surprise

wait right here... I said and hurried past her to meet Jeff

hello... I said angrily waving my hands across his face as I blocked his path

hey... he said as he stopped and took his headphones off

I never knew you were so mean, so clumsy, so ungrateful! I yelled

what? i... I.. don't know what you're talking about, he said

you invited me to your party and almost got me killed without even bothering to check on me!! what kind of a person are you uh! why did you even invite me in the first place uh? to humiliate me? jeez... you're so pathetic!! I screamed into his face and walked away from him

um.. Sophie... he called after me but I was gone, I walked into the classroom with Tonia following behind me. Everyone stopped to look at us and I didn't care what embarrassment I may have caused him

what was that? Tonia asked as we took our seats. There was no teacher in class yet, so everyone was busy chatting.

I.. I.. don't know I just felt like pouring out my heart...I. confessed

hmm, that was so bold of you.. wow.. you're so amazing, she said smiling

um I guess that was rude, I shouldn't have spoken to him that way.. I saw the way he looked at me, he was so sad and I guess he's sorry for what he did... I said

really? so what now? you want to go after him? she asked angrily

um.. I don't know, I'm so confused, I said as I exhaled deeply

well, if he's sorry like you said, he will come after you, she said and I looked at her and nodded.

your tests are coming up two weeks from now, everyone prepare so hard, the literature teacher announced before walking out

what!!! Everyone exclaimed and began to murmur

how are we gonna prepare for a competition and a test all together? Sara asked behind us

that's right, gosh... it's gonna be all f****d up .. Tonia said and we both sighed

Music class was the last class of the day, I was already feeling so tired when miss Gina finished with the class.

you know your test will be coming up in two weeks time, and the competition is just few days away, please take your time to prepare for both ok? and try to work hard.. she said with a smile

when is the princess coming? any news about her? Zoe asked

um... not yet, but we will still prepare awaiting her arrival. And I have Good news guys, the Queen has promised to take everyone who wins this competition into the secret royal room! she announced excitedly and everyone screamed out for joy

what's that? I asked looking at Tonia

um, the secret royal room contains most of Queens history, she said

really? that sounds amazing I grimaced

plus, we will get to see the Princess royal gift even before she sees it, it's gonna be a privilege for us all to see princess Tanya's 18th royal gift! miss Gina added with excitement and Everyone screamed happily again

She's getting her 18th royal gift? what does that mean? I asked

well, history states it that, the Queen's granddaughter will receive a gift from the royal household when she turns 18. Tonia related

wow... I would love to see it oh my gosh we really need to prepare for that competition, I said excitedly

yeah.. come on, I believe we're gonna make it, she said and I smiled

We got home that afternoon and broke the news to Andrew.

wow, that's nice, but I'm really not interested in any princess.. he said

you've never been interested in anything nor anybody except.... Tonia said and turned to me

what??? Andrew and I asked I unison. She laughed and walked away.

she's crazy, I said and Andrew smiled

so what are you doing? I asked sitting beside him on the sofa.

um... doing my home work, he said turning away from me

why don't you do music with me? I asked looking at him

me? I don't do music... he said laughing

I will teach you.. I said

I'm not interested, he said turning to his books

oh ok, I guess I'll ask Jeff if he's interested in doing music with me.. I said looking intently at his face. He frowned and looked at me, our eyes met and he turned away at once.

um... ok... he muttered. Wait... why don't you teach me...um.. a song... he said

great!!! exactly what I wanted to hear!! I screamed standing up on my feet

what...what? he stammered as I held his hands

stand up... I urged dragging him up. He stood up and I placed my palm in his. We stood in a dancing position with our body so close to each other

what...um... what are you doing? he stammered

just close your eyes and listen to the song in our hearts... I whispered to his ears and shut my eyes as we both danced slowly to empty sounds. I felt his body vibrate again and I wondered what kind of effect I was already having on him.

wow!!!! I didn't see that Tonia said from her room

you'll never see... I said and we all laughed.