MIRAGE

High School Struggle

My mornings are usually the hardest for me as I struggled to get out of bed. Mom is tired of waking me up and since I turned Sixteen(16), she lets me bear the consequences of being carefree and sleeping so much into the morning that has caused several strokes from Mr. Phillip long whips. Mr. Phillip is one of the the most dreaded teacher in my school. He is our Chemistry teacher and God knows I dread that subject so much. The cafeteria is usually the safest in school where all deviant students like me hide.

This morning was going to be different because I pledge to turn a new leaf this term. The main reason for my change was because all students vying for prefect positions in the school would be under probation.

I stood up to the standing mirror in my room. It showed a perfect reflection of me. I wore my favorite night gown, it is sleeveless and very curvy; it showed all my curves.......a perfect depiction of what daddy calls a "Melanie Princess" . I smiled in content.

"Good morning Mommy, Good morning Daddy", I greeted my parents as I hurried to the kitchen.

Aunt Shade was preparing toasted bread and Oatmeal

"Aunt Shade,how was your night?",I asked

"It was fine and yours?

"Mine wasn't that bad",I responded.

"Oh that looks yummy, aunt please can I have some of that?",I said while stretching my hands for the bowl of Quakar Oat.

"No Shelia,take your hands off the bow;Go and have your bath first then you can have your meal",She said while giving a glaring look.

"You're so rude!",I said with a grin as I took the steaming water to go have my bath.

Bathing was not one of my fun activities, I have to summon momentum each time I had to bathe to school.

"Shelia! Shelia!, Aunt Shade calling out my name

Common on, ain't you done yet?"

"No am not,just give a minute", I said as I hurriedly button up my uniform shirt.

While making my way downstairs I bumped into mom.....

"Wow! Mom you look so nice in your suit"

"Thank you dear, it was your dad that bought it for me"...Mom said

"Dad surely has a superb taste when it comes to fashion", I said

"Wish you all the best ", said Mom as she gave me a good bye kiss.

Bing ! Bing !

The time keeper just rung the bell

I quickly looked at my wrist watch and gosh!....I saw it was already 7:15

I hastening rushed to my class, dropped my school bag and then moved to the assembly arena.

All the students gathered at the assembly ground. There were few talks concerning our school and so we rounded up with the National Anthem.

The School Principal came on stage after we sang the National Anthem.

"Good morning Students"

"Good Morning sir,we responded

"Today, newly appointed prefects will be made known to you all. I urge you all to corporate with them"

"Listen attentively as I call out the names:

"Bello Jamil-Labour prefect"

"Ella Phina- Sanitary perfect"

"Joseph Moses- Compound prefect"

Everyone clapped and then suddenly there was a brief silence as everyone waited anxiously to hear who will be the Senior prefect.

"Shelia Andrew - Senior Prefect and for the position of the Assistant Senior Prefect, it is

David Stephen."

"Oh my God, am the Senior pre...fe..ct", I barely muttered as I jumped for joy and headed for the stage."

"Congrats dear, you have numerous duties now to perform as this School's prefect, am expecting the best from you"

The principal said to me while extending his hand for a shake.

"Thank you sir, I will do my utmost best sir", I said

There was something I noticed when David walked to the stage, he had this glaring and disappointed look.

Well what's my business with him, all I know is that I have made it as this School Senior Prefect.....Now, I just can't wait to go home and tell mommy and daddy about my new achievement.

As we all matched to our various classes.....

David Stephen deliberately stepped on my shoes

"Hey, what was that for?", I said in pain as I leaped my left foot

David has always been a thorn in my flesh since my Junior Class and even now. Though he's Cute but unfortunately trouble some and harsh.

Time for tutorials!

The Biology Teacher came in and the class went smoothly, all other teachers took their turns teaching in accordance with the timetable.

.....................

And finally, time to go home.

I sighted David from afar.

He stood in his blazer suit, well ironed trouser he had a sly smile as he waited patiently for his driver.

The sun wasn't friendly at all today, it's rays were very harsh on my skin and I could barely raise my head up because it affected my eyes so badly.

It is 3:30pm and the school compound is almost deserted, safe for Kunle, Chris and of course David my ultimate rival. The score between I and David is never ending, I could extend a hand of friendship though; but what makes a woman virtuous is her ability to refrain from pursuing irrelevant things. I was deep in thought when a black camry car halted in front of me. I inquired with my eyes but the glasses were all tinted.

The car window wine down slowly, to my utmost surprise; Da..vid! I barely muttered out .

What in the world does he want from me now, I am just a tired hungry school girl who wants to go home. I can not stand yet another fight with this jerk.

"Hey!...

Hey, I responded looking abroad the car because I could stand gazing directly at he's prying eyes.

"I could give you a ride, remember we reside in the same estate"

"Come on, hop in, I can't stand a lady in distress; most of all my worst enemy"

David said with a wild grin. The spark in his eyes were very suspicious, but I couldn't bare another one minute under this scorching sun.

"I will only ride with you only if you wouldn't freak me out", I said

"That's a condition of which if it is being declined I wouldn't have a choice but to compromise", I added.

"Alright fine, I would respect my old age", David said

I walked into the back of the car, off we went.

The background music that came from the car mp3 buzzed and suddenly a slow tune erupted.

"Perfect!, by Ed Sheeran.

I love this song I could not help but blurt out the lyrics

David looked all surprised, that I could ever be caught off guard because I don't speak unless I am being questioned.

"We were just kids when we fell In love....

Not knowing what it was....

I will not give you up this time ....

Baby just kiss me slow"

I was lost in the rhythm, I didn't even know I had reached my house.

"Here we are", David said, oh right !

"Thank you", I said as I made to alight from the car.

"My regards to your parents", said David and they zoomed off.

As I made my way up stairs to Inquire, why I was not picked up on time today, I couldn't help the thought of riding with David today.

Like how did it happen?

"Is anyone in this house", I said running up the stairs furiously. Mom.....mom! there wasn't any reply. I dashed into my room, only to find a lovely dress laid on my bed. In awe, I examined how beautiful the dress was and how perfectly well it will suit me.

"Is this mine? who must have dropped it here?....

"It should be mine in fact it is mine, else it wouldn't be in my private space.

"Aunt Shade!, I called out.

"Yes Shelia,I am at the balcony"

I hurried to the balcony with the dress on my shoulder.

"Who does this dress belong to?, I saw it on my bed, is it mine?" I said with a smile expecting with all anxiety that it belongs to me.

"Yes it is yours, 'Prom' is in a week time remember ",She said

"Oh wow, it is really lovely, I like it in fact l love it ", I said

"By the way Aunt, where is everyone and why wasn't I picked up from school today?

Well I am very famished now. what am I having for lunch?, I asked

"Porridge plantain, you will love it I put lots of periwinkle in it", She said with a smile

"Oh, thank you Aunt shade, I will be at the dining table once I undress.