Celeste

When I get home, I spend the entire night poring over the poetry book, reading every line until the words blur on the page. I tuck it away in a drawer—somewhere Uncle Kunle won’t stumble upon it. The thought of talking to Mr. Dominic keeps swirling in my mind, haunting me with what I should say.

The next day in class, his voice snaps me back to reality. “Any questions?” he asks. Before I know it, I’ve sprung to my feet, hand shooting up. The whole class turns to look at me, and I freeze, suddenly aware of my mistake. Why did I even raise my hand?

Mr. Dominic’s eyebrow arches as he waits. “Well, what’s your question?”

“I… just remembered the answer,” I mumble, forcing a sheepish smile as I sit back down. Laughter ripples through the room, and my face burns.

“Okay then. Class dismissed,” he says abruptly and strides out, leaving me staring after him. My embarrassment morphing into frustration. I watch him make his way to the parking lot during the break. I see him pull out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Without thinking, I march up to him and snatch the lighter from his grip.

“Hey, are you crazy?” He glares at me as he pulls a cigarette from his sleeve. “Hand over the lighter. Now.”

I dodge his attempt to grab it back. “Smokers are liable to die young,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

His frown deepens. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Celeste.” He reaches for the cigarette, but I snatch that too, holding both out of reach.

“Scientifically, smoking is basically suicide,” I add, my voice trembling. “It’s a shame you’re even addicted.”

“Shut up and give me my stuff,” Mr. Dominic snaps, his voice low and dangerous. “This is why I came here—to be alone. Mind your business, okay?”

The words I want to say get stuck in my throat, and I find myself nodding instead. “Fine. Suit yourself.” I toss the lighter and cigarette back at him and bolt, my heart hammering as I duck behind the school building. I catch my breath, my hands on my knees, shaking with a mix of adrenaline and humiliation.

Just then, I spot Kyomi and Blake walking toward me. “There you are,” Kiyomi calls, her voice laced with concern as she pulls me to the café. “What’s going on?”

We order—her with her usual hot donuts and milk, me just a cupcake and water.

“You’re practically living on cupcakes these days,” she teases. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just… thinking.” I shrug, but my gaze drifts to the scrap of paper in my hand, where I’ve scribbled a note. “I’m scared to tell him,” I write, folding the paper and sliding it across the table toward her.

Before Kyomi can open it, a hand snatches it away. I look up, and my stomach sinks—Hayvin’s smirk is the last thing I want to see.

“Well, well, well! Let's see what the class's Black Sheep what's to tell Misses Molatto!” she sneers, reading aloud, “I’m scared to tell him. Tell who, Celeste? Mr. Dominic?” Her eyes gleam with amusement as she glances at her friends, Aria and Yara.

They reply her with the same gleaming eyes.

“Give it back,” I snap, reaching for the paper, but she holds it just out of reach.

“Hey, Hayvin, cut it out,” Blake says, standing up for me, but I hold him back.

“It’s fine,” I say, forcing a smile. I sit down and calmly bite into my cupcake, pretending Hayvin isn’t even there. But then she leans over, grabs the cupcake out of my hand, and crushes it in her fist, her eyes sparkling with pride.

“Look, you’re finally paying attention,” she taunts.

Anger bubbles inside me, and before I can stop her, Kyomi stands up, glaring at Haven. “Girl, you must really be struggling mentally to go around messing with people like this. Get a life.”

“Me? Mental?” Haven scoffs, her expression hardening. She raises a hand to slap Kyomi, but I catch her wrist just in time.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, my voice low. “Your parents may not care about how you act, but I’m not putting up with it. You don’t scare me, Hayvin, so get over yourself.”

Before she can retort, the bell rings, signaling the end of break. The hallways fill with students heading back to class. Hayvin stalks off with her friends, still fuming. I, Kyomi, and Blake walk away too, but I catch the faintest insult muttered under Haven’s breath.

“That Bitch—”

“Yeah,” I murmur, just loud enough for her to hear. “Maybe I am a bitch… but I’m not yours.”

Kyomi gives me a curious look as we head back inside. “So, about Mr. Dominic… what are you going to do?”

I take a deep breath, already feeling the weight of my next move settling in. “I’ll write him a letter,” I say. But as the words leave my lips, a chill runs down my spine, and I realize this is just the beginning.

Whatever I have to say to him might change everything—whether I’m ready or not.

***

A big thank you for the massive turn up on our first week of update. I want to use this medium to thank rishikesh_kalita and OmaPhinaPhire for the love and support. ❤️❤️❤️
Don't forget to vote and comment on this chapter. Have a blessed weekend!

Name: Kyomi Aina
Nationality: Nigerian-American
Age: 16-year-old
Class: 11th Grade

Name: Celeste Fayeni
Nationality: Nigerian
Age: 16-year-old
Class: 12th Grade