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My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent

             – Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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I'm outside my tutorial. Na to walk in be the goal oo. But I just couldn't move. Sandra glares at me from her car and gestures that I go in. I shake my head. She groans and slides out of the driver's seat, her legs dropping to the pavement. She stomps to me.

"Go in na," she whisper-yells.

"I'm scared"

"Of what?"

"I don't know," I say, my voice quavering. "Is my dress okay?"

"Are you kidding me?" she gasps. "It's mind-blowing. The pattern of the skirt, the colorful blouse and then a white sneakers? You are looking beautiful, baby".

"Are you sure?"

"Yes na! Did you even look at the mirror?"

"I did"

"And what did you see?"

I pause and let the question sink in. "I saw a beautiful girl"

"Good girl! Now, catwalk in"

I smirk and hug her. "Thank you. You are the best friend ever".

"You're welcome. Now, gerrat. I don't want to see your face"

I shake my head at her and she burst into laughter. I begin to take slow steps towards my tutorial. I glance back and wave goodbye to her. I get in and the moment the receptionist sees me she exclaims, "Excuse me!"

I pause. "Good morning ma"

"Good morning," she says and eyes me suspiciously. "Are you new here? Can I see your receipt?"

"Oh! I'm not new here"

"What's your name?"

"Ifunanya Dora James"

She raises a brow and mumbles, "That name sounds familiar".

"Mr Ibe paid my fees"

Her eyes go round. "Oh...You?"

"Yes....Me! Don't I look like my previous self?"

"What?" she gasps. "You look different now oo".

"In a good or bad way?"

"In a good way. Please, you can go in"

"Thank you"

"You are welcome. You look beautiful"

I stare at her hesitantly and then reply, "Thank you ma".

She smiles genuinely while my heart races. Someone I didn't know so well is calling me beautiful. Wow!

As I walk down the hallway, I hear our maths teacher's voice echo from the class. I freeze and suddenly feel the urge to run away. Class has started and that means if I walk in everyone might turn their attention to me. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I spin and I'm about to head out the door. I pause and shake my head. I can't allow myself to run away from this. I need to be more confident in myself.

I square my shoulder, adjust my skirt and sashay into the class. I greet the class teacher. Indeed, the students' eyes are on me.

"Good morning sir"

"Good morning, go take your seat" he tells me. He notices the students are mumbling. "You haven't seen fine girl before? You all should behave yourself".

If my face could turn red, it would have. Everyone is staring at me if this was their First time seeing me. It then come to my mind that they might not recognize me. Even Precious was giving me a welcoming smile. I see an empty chair between Precious and Simon and I target it. I'm sure it's kept for a friend that has not come.

"Sorry sir," I tell the teacher. He gives a friendly smile. "Is anyone sitting on that empty chair?"

The class eye the chair.

"No!" Simon replies, eying me with interest.

"Yes. A friend," Precious snaps.

"Where is the friend?" The teacher asks.

"She went out to buy something!"

"You are lying" he informs her.

"No..no...no" she stammers.

"Excuse me," he points at some students. "Did you see anyone sitting there?"

"No!" Someone replies.

"It has been empty since" another adds.

"You can have your seat," he tells me, gesturing to the chair. I smirk and go to sit down. "What's your name?"

"Ifunanya"

"Is this your first time here?"

I chuckle and glance at Precious' reaction. "No! The students here know me".

"Oh! Okay! Let's get back to class"

"Ifunanya?" Simon quizzes.

I ignore him and Precious and concentrate in my class.

After class, Glory and her friends come to me. We talk and make plans for our reading timetable. Compliments are serve to me with a bright smile. A lot of people apologized on how they had treated me before.

"You look so beautiful," Busayo exclaims.

"Azin ehh," Glory joins her.

"Oppression!" They both chorus.

"I love your dress," Rose discloses.

I cut them short, "No mind me. I wore long sleeves today. Tomorrow won't be so".

I scan their expression and they do their best to be neutral but I still see through it. I don't allow myself to be hurt and change the topic.

"Wait you are Ifunanya?" Precious' voice slice us.

"Yes! I answer her," I reply.

She eyes me. "How?"

"Jamb question"

"I don't understand"

"Try to understand, you daft"

"Shut up!"

"Hmm..." I nod. "Useless".

She eyes my dress.

"Sorry but this kind of dresses aren't for lame people like you. It needs true beauty and not fake," I snarl and give her a disgusted look.

She gasps. "I'm not fake".

I know I shouldn't be saying this to her but I don't know why I desire to see her hurt. It's annoying but refreshing.

"Why are you even wearing such colors? They are so wrong on your skin tone. I thought you know about fashion, I guess I was wrong. You don't look good today. Work on that," I disclose and shake my head.

She gasps and glares at me.

It's not like her outfit is bad oo. I just wanted her to feel bad. Of course, her pride and confidence is high so she isn't affected. She hisses and walk away. I hold no grudges against her. Her wickedness actually forced a change in me. Now, I appreciate myself more.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Pls Vote and comment. Thanks. ☺️♥️