Lela's POV

  “How was school today, dear?” Mom asked. We were driving home. She had picked me up a while back.

  “It was fine, mom.” I told her without looking up from my phone.

  We weren't allowed to use our phones or other devices, within the school's premises. But, most students ignored those rules. Like heck, they wouldn't be students if they didn't break the rules.

  Hey, I'm not a rebel. Okay, maybe I am. But, I only used mine outside the school's premises.

  Okay, fine. Maybe I used it within the school's premises to take selfies with Judith and Huoma after school, today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “Let's take a selfie, girls.” Judith grinned.

  “What? We aren't allowed to use our phones in school.” I told them.

  “Oh please. Rules are meant to be broken.” Huoma scoffed.

  “Come on. That shouldn't be our way of reasoning all the time. Rules aren't meant to be broken.” I explained.

  “Lela is right about the rules stuff, Huoma.” Judith added.

  “Whatever. Just...are we taking the pictures or not?” Huoma asked in a curt manner.

  I heaved a sigh. “Fine. Just this once.” I said with a small smile.

  “There you have it. I knew that deep down you wanted to take selfies too.” Huoma pinched my arm. Then we all burst into laughter.

  “Whatever, let's take the pictures quickly. My mom will be here soon.” I said with a smile.

  “Let's use your phone, Lela. I'll give you my number, then, you can send the pictures on whatsapp for me.” Judith said.

  Huoma nodded her head, “Me too.”

  “Okay girls. No problem. So,  selfie time.” I sang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “So, making any friends, yet?” Mom asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  I stopped to think about Huoma and Judith. Mom had glanced at me. That meant she was waiting for my answer.

  'I think I have.' I smiled to myself, thinking about Huoma and Judith.

  “Yes mom.” I finally answered.

  “Really?” She sounded doubtful.
  “Yes, mom. Really.” I smiled. I wanted to convince her.

  “That's great, dear. Who are they?” She asked with a smile.

  “The girls who waved goodbye at me when you came to pick me up.”

  “Oh. They seemed friendly and nice.” Mom smiled.

  “They are.” I confirmed.

  “So, when is daddy coming back?” I asked.

   “He said he'd be back, next week. Your daddy, called today, by the way.”

  “Really?” My eyes lightened up in excitement.

  “Yes.” Mom laughed.

  “And what did he say mom?”

   “Well, he asked about you. He said you should give him a call when you return from school.” Mom smiled.

  I clapped my hands in excitement. “I sure will.”

*****

  “I'll ask Ekaette to prepare something for you to eat.” Mom smiled as we entered the living room.

  It was chilly in here because of the air-con and the room air freshener made the living room smell flowery and pleasant. Mom's heels clanked as she walked on the sparkling marble tiles. She threw her purse which made a thud on the dark brown leather sofa which complimented the walls,  having a lighter shade of brown. The sitting room looked like a modern throne room.

   “Okay.” I smiled.

   “Eka-ette! Eka-ette!” Mom called.

  “Yes madam.” Eka-ette answered with her thick Calabar accent.

  “Madam. You called me.” Ekaette said when she entered the living room.

   “Mmekòm o, aunty Eka-ette.” I smiled at her.

  “Oh my dear. Amedi. How was school?” She asked with a smile. The accent was there still.

  I was used to it already, though. Eka-ette had been with us for a long time. She travelled around with us as well. Mom had got her for assistance since I was a baby.

  'Yeah that long.'

  But, she didn't look old at all. She was so fresh.

  'I meant her skin.'

   I admired her shape, an hour glass shape. She smiled always as well.

  She took care of me,  from since I was a baby. So, we were close. I had even helped her brush up on her English. She had told me a lot of tales about her life and why she wasn't able to go to school.

  “School was fine, aunty.” I smiled.

  “Lela, go up stairs and freshen up while Eka-ette prepares a meal for you.” Mom smiled as she squeezed my shoulder.

  “Okay, mom.” I said as I ran up the stairs.

  “Stop running, Lela!” Mom yelled and then I heard her give Eka-ette some instructions in Ibibio.

  I smiled to myself and continued running up the stairs.

  'Told you I was a rebel. Hahaha.'

*****

  It was sunset and I was up in my room. I lay on my bed and was scrolling on my phone, laughing at the pictures I took with the girls at school.

  There was one where we stuck our tongues out. Funny. I kept scrolling when I stopped to look intently at one of them. Something in that one caught my attention.

   'Temi?'

  He was at the background, smiling at something, maybe. But, he was so handsome.

  'Get a grip on yourself Lela. Those kids are bad news.'

  I couldn't help it still. I cropped the part having his face and saved it.

  'Why did you do that?' I smiled to myself.

  I wonder why he was staring at me at the cafeteria. Even when I glared at him, he kept staring.

  Judith had said a lot of things about those kids but, I think there's more to Temi. It would be wise on my part to stay away from Temi, according to the things Judith had said. Still, there was more to that boy.

  I'm not trying to make this sound like some movie but, that boy seemed like he had a lot going on. Like, the first time I saw him, there was a story his eyes told. A story he didn't want anyone to know about. That was the reason why I couldn't believe at first that, he was a bully,  a bad person. He looked so innocent.

  'Well, maybe he isn't.'

  I have to stop thinking about this boy and study. I got up from my bed to get my books from my backpack.

  “Can't take over daddy's business someday when all I did in school was to think about a boy.” I whispered to myself.

A/N

Hello my people. So, I'm here again with another chapter. What do you think about it?
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