Eliza's Pov
       Chiomas' house has always been the talk of the town. It's like the houses in banana island in Lagos. But it's much bigger than that. It's exactly like the ones in the Hamptons, you know, in the movies. It's so majestic with pillars and a fountain in its exterior. It's like the fountain of living water. The halls are like the ones in the white house, with paintings from different artists and artifacts from countries they've travelled to.

The very first time i went to her house with Ebube and Amaka for a sleepover, I felt like i've gone to heaven and I didn't want to come back. We were in Jss1 then.

I knew i've found my best friend. She was so sophisticated, organized and beautiful. She had this air of grace and nobility about her. Yeah, our school was for the rich, obviously. But she was so much different from the others. I knew I had to stick with her. Ebube and Amaka later joined us but not after a much thorough screening from us.

Her father is lobbying for the Governor's seat and her mom is a well known designer. They're supposed to live large, right? Their house always appear on TV. They're just like the Kardashians.

I almost envy them. Who am I kidding? I envy them. I wish my parents never got separated. I wish my dad was still with us. We were once like that. I once lived Chiomas' life. We never lived in that cramped box called a house. That box will never be my home. Our previous house was exactly like Chiomas. Well, not exactly but at least it was spacious, grand and very comfortable.

My dad is a well known Doctor, respected in his field. So the money was coming in. I lived like a Princess. I had my parties there with my friends.

But everything changed when my dad left. Everything changed when they got divorced. Leaving us in the custody of my mom. I miss my dad. I miss him a lot and i hate that plastic mannequin he's living with.

I wish my mom was not a nurse. I mean, Hello? This is Nigeria, for crying out loud. Nurses don't get fat paychecks. I don't know why they stress themselves to take care of patients anyway. Because of our circumstances, I was forced by my mother to apply for a scholarship because the fees were too expensive and we couldn't afford it anymore.

My dad, a kind and gentle soul offered to help train us but my mom blatantly refused. She's to blame for making dad to turn his back on us. She drove him to marry that witch. I wish she would be more humble enough to accept dads assistance. I mean, I have needs. It's not all about you mom!!

No one knows about my parents divorce. Not my friends, no one. I have to keep my reputation intact. I'm supposed to have this perfect life and that's what everyone sees and I prefer to keep it that way. My mom agrees with me and she was the one that brought up the idea, to keep the whole divorce issue a secret. She still bears her husband's surname. Good call mom!

I know this particular chapter is short but I'll do something about it later. But that shouldn't stop you from continuing with the novel.
There are more exciting chapters ahead.

Thanks for coming this far with me.