Never Will I Ever

The alarm from my phone went off hurting my eardrums. "Lena! get down this minute!" Mom called out, I got up not feeling school today. heck! Who am I kidding? I don't feel school every day, not that I don't want to go at all, just- I prefer to sleep and not be disturbed. can’t life be that simple? walking the path to my bathroom I got down to business. I am Lena Brooke. Odd? Because I find it to be, why didn't my grandfather just add the 's'? anyways not that it matters now. I turned 17 this year, in my last term of high school and I believe in women's empowerment. I would say my philosophies about feminism is way higher. I don't like boys, no I am not gay, I just don't like boys. Or I could rephrase that and say I don't have time for them. I have a very strong perception when it comes to love, let's just say there is nothing like forever, it always ends in tears. Sure I have a lot of male friends if you're wondering... I am kind of a loner so when I said I had a lot of male friends I meant my kid brother, Dad, cousin Blake and Eugene so yeah, welcome to my life. Least I forget, I get indecisive everyday about what to wear to school- no please I am not in any way fashionable, I just can't decide. After throwing out my wardrobe I settled for a blue jean and a light pink top. I put my hair in a ponytail before turning to the half cracked mirror plastered at the back of my door.   I went downstairs ready to take my leave. I don't normally take breakfast because I think it is a waste of time probably because my stomach reacts to early food. I kissed my 4-year-old brother and waved my parents bye before stepping out. The cold wind brushed my face making my body react as I felt shiver and goosebumps take over but that didn't stop me. I got to the bus stop as usual waiting. I always felt irritated especially when I had to wait five minutes before the bus came but God! my mom being a morning person made my life a little complicated. I got in the bus and sat at the left corner by the window side making sure to avoid talking to anyone. Getting to school after the summer break felt like I needed to be a new person, like being cooler in my own ways. Not that I was ever cool or something. I went straight to my locker trying to avoid any pending contact. "You never called me!" I turned my attention to Gifty. She didn't change a bit still beautiful with the right amount of curves. "Your voice is annoying." I said like it took all the strength to open my mouth. She narrowed her hazel eyes at me "Well if you don't miss me, I do!"   Uh gosh why can't I pretend I am infuriated by her?  "Fine Gift you win, I missed you too" I couldn't hide the smile anymore, I practically squeezed the life out of her before heading to class. Class was fine but long as always, it was finally break and I was glad! I met Gifty at my table just because I had a habit of hiding from the crowd.  "So you coming right?" she asked "Going where?" I asked a little in a daze trying to recall anything she probably might have said  "Um hello" She snapped at me pulling me back to reality "Hmm?" "Party, you know Walker is throwing a welcome back to school party" "So? I am not going and besides when did you start going to people's party?" I said chewing on some biscuit. "Okay, the fact that you're a loner doesn't mean you have to shut your social life! Please give it a chance to explore" she said raising her hands for emphasis. "If you mean explore by going to a dump party-" I paused trying to create an effect "I'll pass" She faked hurt at that "What! It's so not dump Its Walker, girl wake up okay? It is Walker" Gifty kept snapping her fingers in my face whilst repeating that name, honestly I got bored. "Fine I give up! who is Walker?" I asked rolling my eyes a thing I didn't like doing except around Gifty, she has that effect! "Well thank heavens you asked! So he is the tagged to be notorious, he is a brilliant student and one of the famous brutally handsome guy in the school and he is giving everyone the chance to come to his party this time!" she squealed "Okay, so you're going and you want me to come with you? to explore my social life right"? I asked trying to appear interested. She let out a sigh of relief probably exhausted. "Finally Someone’s senses decided to fly back!" "Mm no thank you, look Gift I've had enough of you trying to open up my social life, I know you care, but parties are not my thing okay?" as if on que launch break was over. "Sorry I got to go" I took my water bottle and turned just to clashed into someone. I immediately muttered a sorry before blotting away in seconds. After my last period I realized I had 4 new messages from Gifty, hell was she that desperate? I scrolled through them quickly Gift: omg! I can't believe it! You're so lucky! The wait was fruitful I guess heavens were keeping you for the best! Omg did you see his face!!!! What's up with her? anyways I decided to walk home, my way of exercising since it was just 20 minutes walking distance. I saw distant boys fighting but well guys always fought and end up hugging but as I got closer the guy in the black jacket was actually scaring the s**t out of his opponent, why do people have to bully others?   I felt so bad for the other guy he looked hopeless somehow I could feel his pain. I started to get angry at the site of them both, the fact that he was still kicking him occasionally and scaring him broke my heart. "Leave him alone!" Why did I say that? "Excuse me?" he said glaring in my direction Lena it's now or never! Just leave! My mind screamed at me. "You heard me mob head! leave him alone! Stop bullying! it's old school, it makes you look desperate" I barked back but s**t he looked angrier than before. wrong move He started to move closer, very closely till he was an inch away, unfortunately my senses grew numb forcing me to stay rooted "Now listen here little thing, I don't normally get interrupted because I don't take it lightly when I do, so thank your stars you're a girl now move!" he said in a threatening tone. "I hate you! I said startling the both of us. Way to go Lena. “It is not good to bully someone please." I said more like a whisper plea. surprisingly he stumbled back turning to the hopeless guy "Get the hell out of here!”  Yep! he was gone just like that. Now I was left alone with this stranger! "I err I will go" I quicken my steps not in a way he'd notice though. I smiled as I neared my house. at least I saved a soul, if only these four walls could save me to. I got home feeling exhausted from all that drama, ugh good heavens! Home sweet home. "Lena, you're back! good because we're going to welcome our new neighbor" my mom said and I was a little surprised. Honestly when did mom start this meet and great thing? I shrugged knowing I had no say in the decision made. I quickly changed into something comfortable before taking the nicely package bowl of light soup. The front door of the two storey-building swung open revealing a slim figured woman. She looked like she was in her early thirties. Upon seeing us her lips widened. “Lydia! Oh my God come in, it’s been like what ten years?” she said directing us in. The house was not just huge but a dream, it looked like that of a famous celebrity’s. Unlike ours, they actually had a hallway, dinning place and I'm guessing a guest room. "This must be your daughter, she's grown big and very pretty. Hi, I'm Julia your mother’s class mate" she said taking my hand. Looking closely at her she looked at lot younger and God she was beautiful. "Please I'm Lena, I like your hair" I could feel the shyness radiation from my body now "ha! Thanks, my son thinks otherwise, knew he was jealous!" "Julia we made your favorite soup to welcome you" my mom said handing the neatly packaged dish over. I didn't know if she did that because she was hoping to have Julia taste her dish in case of a business opportunity or she just wanted to genuinely welcome her old mate. . "That's nice of you, we were excited to move here and I am already loving it! Thank you. oh! I almost forgot, Lena do you school around here? "Yes, I go to joys-land" her smile widened at that "Sweet! my son goes there too!" "Oh, finally she would not walk alone" my mom said almost relived! "Why don't you go and talk to him whilst I talk with your mom for some minutes, we have a lot of catching up to do" she said the last bit turning to my mom. Oh, but I'll be fine alone "Sure, baby you should get to know your new friend" mom said already dashing out with Julia Really now? Okay. "His room is on left of the hallway, it's noticeable" I smiled at her "Thanks, I'll get going" Sure! It was noticeable. His door was plastered with a note that read your son is still mad at you I found myself grinning at that. I mean, who does that? Is he a baby? I knocked waiting for a welcome address but none, maybe he didn't hear me. I knocked again this time a little louder but no answer, I was about to knock when the door swung open "He-" "You!?" we both said in unison. The stranger "I- I my -your" "Did you follow me? gosh! What do you want?" He threw his hands up expressing distress. "Huh? no! Not that, my mom wanted to welcome the new neighbors and I - Your mom told me to come say hi to his son since we're going to the same school I didn't know it was you I am sorry" He stood still watching me sternly "So you're here to say hi? okay then hi, are we done now?" On earth?   "Can I come in? they seem to have gone somewhere and I really don't want to - ugh just let me sit here till my mom is done okay? It's no big deal" So it took him two minutes to let me in two whole minutes, I mean 120 seconds, 120!! "Thank you" I said trying my best to smile. His room was very big with a whole lot of boyish posters but kinda cute. I sat on a chair near his computer and I loved the silence that was surrounding us. I didn't want to talk to him. Hell I was afraid he might throw a fist, he looked angry like always,-not that I saw him all the time but twice in a row still angry. Did it have to do with his mom? the note on this door? Or ah well. "Hey!" He literally snapped his fingers in my face and without questioning I bit it! "Ouch! What are you a vampire?" "Why do you have to stick your hands in my face!" "That's because you zoned out!" "No I didn't!" I defended. "Yes you did and for the second time thank your stars you're a girl" the said word triggered something in me, maybe the facade not to appear vulnerable. "Ha funny, like you would do something! What's with you and your anger problems? you think violence is a way to solve a problem? Besides stick in your lane. You touch me strange and you're a dead man!" I threaten holding my forefinger at him. "Look, I was asking when you'll be leaving" "Very soon before you know it“ I snapped at him, well everyone got attitude. "Okay" he said going back to his previous position. Good! Not long I heard my name being called. Finally. Thankfully I found my way back to the great hall, Julia and my mom laughing without a care in the world. "I'm here!" "Oh, so you met Emmanuel"? "Who's- ah, sure I did" I said smiling sweetly at her to cut things short. "Alright Lydia, it's nice meeting you and your beautiful daughter, thanks for coming I really appreciate it a lot" Julia was a nice person I could feel it but how's she so nice and have a son like that? I wondered on our way back.   We finally left Julia's. In my home we did not necessarily have dinner together-well we did, but not the big family sitting at the dining, mom ate with dad sometimes and feed my brother in the process and I ate separately in my corner, not that I am distancing myself in my own home. It's just one of the normal things you would find in a south Saharan African home.   I did the chores as usual, went through my notes before I scrolling through my messages. Gifty: Why are you not texting back! Lena: HI gift! Gifty: Finally, I can't stop thinking about today at school! Lena: Ugh what? Gifty: Omg! You're so clueless! You bumped into walker!!!!!!! Lena: I'm going to bed, I had a long day let's meet at school okay? Gifty: Whatever, bye I gently placed my phone on my study table, slowly drifting to sleep.