The sound of tears made Moyo stop on her way to the kitchen. She wasn't used to having dinner with the whole family yet, so she hardly ate with them. The only time she ate was when everyone had gone to bed. She had spent a week in the Adeleke mansion but felt more alone with each day she spent there. Her parents were always busy, and Cassandra didn't acknowledge her existence.

She sneaked into the kitchen to take some snacks into her room. Her room was next to Cassandra's, and the person crying was Cassandra. She tried to knock and ask what was happening to her when she heard another voice.

"It's okay, Cassie. You are my favorite daughter. I raised you and I know you better."

There was a sound of clearing of throat, "But I am not even your real daughter. Very soon, you will return me to those poor people and focus on your daughter. Mum, promise you will never let me go. Promise you will pick me over her anytime."

"That is never going to happen, Cassie, and I will never give up on you. I love you so much. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I promise to never let you go."

Moyo thought she had heard enough, so she moved from the door, suddenly losing her appetite. She missed her mother so much. In this big mansion, she had no one to talk to. She had no one to relate with, and according to her new parents, she would start school with Cassandra tomorrow. She was not looking forward to attending King's Crest High School. She had researched the school, and it was filled with rich, spoilt brat. She didn't think she could relate to them in that school in any manner.

Instead of going to her room, she moved outside. The mansion was silent, and Moyo stared at the gate, wondering if there was any way she could escape from this new home. She would never get used to this. If she were home, she would be helping her mother with her student's assignment by now. She wished there was a way for her to contact her mother.

"What are you doing here?" A voice jolted her.

Moyo turned towards the direction; it was one of the staff in the mansion. She stood beside Moyo, "What are you staring at out there?"

Moyo sighed, "I just missed home."

The lady nodded as if she understood her. "I know how it feels; this place looks huge and lonely. There is no feeling of familiarity but this is your new home. You'll get used to it."

She looked at the lady; she looked young, like a few years older than her. She looked beautiful, too. She reminded Moyo of some of her neighbors back at home, someone she could speak to and confide in. "Do you think so? I don't feel like I'll ever get used to this place."

The lady smiled, "I'm Anu. My mother worked for the Adeleke, and I also work whenever I am on holiday. It helps me earn extra."

Moyo forced a smile back; at least she could relate a bit about working to earn money. "I'm Moyosore Zamani."

"You mean Moyosore Adeleke, everyone in the mansion had been talking about you."

Moyo shrugged. She would never get used to the new surname and didn't want to let go of her parent's surname. It felt like a bind, and the moment she let go, she wouldn't lose a part of them again. "Really! What are they saying about me?"

"They're discussing how lucky you're to be the biological child of the Adeleke's. They wish they are you."

Moyo snorted, "I would be willing to trade positions if it means I could go back to my parent."

Anu smiled at her; she held her shoulder, "It's not that bad being the Adeleke's child. I think you'll soon get used to all of this. It's a pleasure meeting you."

Before she could respond, Anu turned and disappeared behind the main building. Moyo stood outside for some minutes, staring at the stars in the sky. After a while, she moved back inside. There was no sound coming from the room beside her. Moyo walked inside her room; it was bigger than she needed. The bed, too, was softer, and she wasn't used to it.

Moyo pulled the blanket off the bed and sprayed it on the floor. She lay on the floor, her stomach rumbling, reminding her that she hadn't eaten dinner.

***

A cold bucket of water jolted her awake. Moyo frowned, wiping off the water to see Cassandra smiling down at her with the empty bucket in her hand, "Dad asked me to wake you up. I did my part."

She laughed out of Moyo's room while Moyo stared at the mess she had made in her room. She got up and started preparing for the day. It was a day she wasn't looking forward to at all; she would be starting King's Crest.

Moyo took her time to arrange her bedroom like her mother had taught her; she dressed in the clothes she had worn when she was taken from her family. If she were going to a strange place, she would like to have some sense of familiarity with her, and her clothes were the only familiar thing.

When she got to the dining room, the family was already seated. Her father had his nose buried in a newspaper while her mother chatted with Moyo – she was dressed in what Moyo assumed might be King's Crest uniform – none of them had noticed her arrival at the table.

Just then, Anu came in with a bowl of food; she waved to her after she dropped it, and Moyo waved back. Her father dropped the newspaper and smiled at her, "How are you doing today, Moyosore? I hope you're getting familiar with your home."

Moyo nodded.

Her father's eyes moved to her attire, and he raised a brow, "Florence, didn't you get Moyo some new clothes? Why is she wearing that?"

Florence finally looked at her. Her beautiful face set in an ugly frown, "Moyo dear, don't you know you're starting school today? Why are you wearing that instead of one of the clothes I got you?"

Moyo stared at her clothes, "I like these cloth."

Cassandra snickered, "You called that cloth, it's more like a rag."

"Cassandra..." Her father raised his voice, "You don't talk to your sister that way. You show her some respect." He turned back to Moyo, "Moyosore, you can't wear that to school, people would mock our family thinking we can't afford to cloth you. Please, change out of this and wear something better."

Moyo could feel tears at the brim of her eyes. Her mother had saved up to get her this dress, and here they called it a rag. Slowly, she stood up and went to her room to change. She kept the clothes in a safe place in her new wardrobe.

When she returned downstairs, the family was already eating; they didn't feel her absence on the table.

When Cassie dragged back her chair, Moyo hadn't swallowed more than two spoons of food, "Mum, I'll be late for school if we don't leave now."

Florence also looked at the clock, "That's true." She turned to Moyo, "Moyo round up, I'll be taking you both to school today. I need to get you registered."

Moyo looked longing at the food, "But I am still eating."

Cassie frowned, "Do you have any idea what the penalties are if you come to school late? I can't afford to get punished on my first day in senior year."

Florence nodded, "Moyo, you can just eat during break at school. Let's go."

Before Moyo could protest again, Cassie pulled her, waving bye to their father. He stood up and hugged them goodbye, giving them tips. He gave Moyo more because she didn't eat her food.

On the way to King's Crest, Florence told them to watch out for each other. She placed Moyo in Cassie's hand, believing she would take care of her.

The registration was smooth and fast. It was a pleasure to have the Adeleke at school. Cassie smiled at Moyo until their mother left, hugging both girls goodbye. She gave Cassie more tips because she complained her tip was too small for her.

Moyo turned to her, "So, where's the class?"

Cassie's smile turned to a smirk, "Do I know you, Pov?"

Moyo raised a brow, "Pov? What does that even means?"

Cassie smiled, "It's means poverty, Pov. Don't think you can come into my family and owned it. Don't act like you know me in school. Don't think mum will love you because you're her biological daughter. You're nothing but an opportunist."

Moyo frowned, "What did I do to deserve all these names calling? You showered me with water but I didn't say a word. What's your problem with me?"

Cassie eyed her, "It's your problem to figure that out. I can't keep sticking with you, Pov. Bye."

Cassie turned without another word, leaving her to find her way alone in this huge school. Moyo remained where she was and sighed. 'What a great way to start her first day at school.'