Lela's POV

  It's Monday again, the start of another horror week of school. I'd try as usual to ignore Edith and her minions. Those girls didn't know anything better to do, they just followed her about like maidservants. There's also that boy, Temi. He's just so full of himself, because girls followed him like flies, he expected me to do the same.

  'Boy am I going to enjoy disappointing him.'

  I stood in front of the mirror and pulled my hair up in a bun and I glanced at my dressing table.

  'Wristwatch. Ugh. This table is always a mess.'

  I ruffled through the bottles of perfume, cream, powder and some other stuff in the search for my wristwatch. If the air-con wasn't on, I was sure to be sweating right now. I spotted a white leather.

  “Finally.” I muttered to myself and scooped up the wristwatch from the table and to my wrists with a smirk on.

  I looked at my fully dressed reflection in the mirror and smiled. I have been wearing a smile since Saturday and I even woke up with a smile.

  Daddy had returned home and he bought me some colors and paint brushes. I was so excited when he gave them to me,  but it wasn't just that. He gave me the best news ever.

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

  “Daddy? Mommy said you wanted to see me.” I lifted one of the cushions and sat beside him, placing the cushion on my laps.

“Ah, yes,” he said wrapping his arm around me and I leaned into him. “How have you been Lela?” His husky voice asked. I had missed that, a lot.

  “Well, fine daddy.”

  “How is it at your new school?”

  “Well, it's been fun. Made new friends, again.”

  Daddy moved back a bit and pushed me lightly away from himself. “What do you mean by again? Why do you sound that way?”

  I looked at his face with its rough edges, still, he was good looking. I entwined our fingers, his was a darker brown than mine. “Well, when we move, I'd start all over at a new school and then, I'd make new friends. Probably, I'd forget about these ones.”

  Daddy frowned and said, “Is that how you feel about the travelling?” His voice was calm and slow.

  “Before now, I thought it was fun. I mean, we went to really amazing places. We did things, but lately, it doesn't seem to be much fun anymore. I change schools always and leave friends behind.”

  “Hmm. I'm really sorry that you feel that way dear,” daddy pinched my cheeks. “Believe me, all we want is for you to be happy and comfortable.”

  “I know that daddy.” I smiled and placed my head on his shoulders.

  “Would you like to stay here?” I heard daddy ask and I furrowed my brows.

  “I don't understand daddy.” I raised my head to look at him.

  “You don't like the moving anymore, so, would you like to stay here?”

  'Tell me I'm dreaming.'

  My mouth gaped open, I tried talking, but no words came out.

  “Lela?” Daddy called, he had a worried expression.

  The next that happened was me, squealing. “Yes daddy. Yes! I'd love that more than anything. Not really more than anything, but I'd love to stay here.” I kept blabbing.

  He grinned, “Then, you can. Your happiness is more important, Lela.”

  I squealed again and gave daddy a bone crushing hug. “Thank you so much daddy. You are the best.”

  “And me?” Mom asked. She was descending from the stairs with a big smile on.

  “Mommy! You won't believe what daddy just told me.” I walked to where she stood and grabbed her hands. “He said we are staying he—”

  “Here in Port Harcourt. I know dear.” She cut me off. Her hands were on my cheek and she was smiling at me.

  I was puzzled, “You knew?”

  She nodded her head, “yes.” She led me back to the sofa and we sat beside daddy.

  “Well, for how long?”

  “Since we moved here.” Daddy answered and both I and mom turned to look at him. He smiled and mom smiled back at him.

  “Why didn't you tell me then?” I asked.

  “It was meant to be a surprise.” Mom answered.

  'Oh. It is a surprise. Like they've known this for the past three weeks and I have been feeling miserable. Well, deed has been done.'

  “It turned out to be a real surprise.” I said simply.

  “You remember first day I dropped you off at school?” Mom asked. I wondered why she was bringing that up.

  “Yeah.” I answered a bit unsure.

  “Well, if you can remember, I mentioned having an appointment. ”

  “Oh yeah. I remember. You never said what it was really about.”

  “Well, I'm starting up a business of my own. Marketing and supplying of goods. That was what the appointment was about.”

  'That's another surprise.'

  “That's amazing mommy. So, is everything about the business ready?”

  “A few minor issues are left. It'll all be settled by the coming week.” She answered.

  “Okay mommy. I'm just so excited we can stay. Thank you mommy, thank you daddy.” I grinned.

  “It's okay Lela. We love you a lot and we will make sure you enjoy a happy and comfortable life.” Daddy said and gave my hand a squeeze. I smiled. This was the best news I've heard in a long time.

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

I was in euphoria and I needed to share this news with my friends. They didn't really know about the issue, still I had to tell someone. I kept smiling to myself as I climbed up the stairs. I paid no attention to the things happening around me.

  Someone pushed me from behind and I almost lost balance. My heart pounded really fast in my chest when I had regained balanced.

  'I swear, that was on purpose.'

  I heard cackling from behind and I turned around to see her. I should have known, only someone as crazy and jobless as she was would do such.

  “I don't think anything is funny about what you did.” I frowned. I felt like slapping her hard across that stupid flawless face of her's.

She smirked and her minions giggled behind her.  Students ascended and descended down the stairs,  but it felt like we were the only ones here,  having this useless confrontation.

  “Hi, Lela.” She said with contempt. I shook my head at her foolish gesture.

  “What do you want? You would have been charged for murder if I had fallen. Seriously,  what is your problem Edith?”

  “It's you who have a problem. I just wanted to let you know that Temi is mine and mine alone, so you should stay away from him in order to avoid any ugly situations.” She sneered at me.

  I stepped closer to her with a smirk on my face. “Well,  my dear Edith,  I have nothing to do with your Temi and I have no intentions of doing that either. Unlike you,  my parents sent me to school to learn,  not chase after some boy.”

  She gasped, “you did not just say that.”

  “I did.” I still had the smirk on. It felt so good putting her in her place.

  “You should be careful in the manner you speak to me. I have connections you know.”

  'Who asked you?'

  “And I don't? Get a life Edith.” I patted her shoulder and turned to walk away.

  “I'm going to deal with you Lela.” She snapped at me. I turned my head to glimpse at her angry figure.

  “By making up stories? Setting me up? I'd love to watch you try.” With that I walked away from there, I heard her groan.

  I passed through noisy classrooms before I got to mine and mine turned out to be no different from the classes I went past. The students were chattering. Some sat on their lockers, talking and laughing and making a whole lot  of noise. If Mr Caleb was to walk in right now, it would become a graveyard in here.

  'I should play a trick on them. I remember doing this at my previous schools.'

  I glanced in the direction of my seat,  Judith and Huoma were lost in whatever they were talking about.  It's a good thing they didn't see me walk in.  I stepped back,  towards the door.

  It was time for Mr Caleb's class anyways,  so I was sure I would pull this off. “Everyone!” I yelled. Their attention turned to me. “Mr Caleb is on his way here right now!”

  With banging of lockers, screeching of chairs, ruffling of seats and feet and fast muttering of words, everyone found their way to their seats. I saw Huoma hurrying to her seat. Her skirt got caught in a protruding nail and she fidgeted as she tried to unhook the nail from her skirt. I fought the urge not to laugh, in just a blink of an eye,  the whole class was silent. Like a graveyard and I strolled over to my seat.

  “Good morning.” I smiled at Judith and I sat down.

  “Good morning.” She whispered, “you saw Mr Caleb on the stairs?”

  I smirked, “nope.” My bag clinked when it hit the locker.

  She blinked, “but you just said—”

  “I know what I said, Judith.” I said casually. I wanted to piss her off.

  “Stupid girl. You pranked us.” She said and she slapped my arm playfully. We both burst into laughter. Just then, Edith walked in.

  “Hey! Edith is Mr Caleb coming?” That was Joel's voice.

  'Uh-oh.'

  I exchanged glances with Judith and she gave me a look that said, you-are-so-dead. 

  “No.” Edith said casually and she and her minions strolled to their seat.

  The whole class turned to face me.  Even Huoma joined them in shooting daggers at me with their eyes. I forced a smile to my lips and I put up my right hand and waved, “Uhm, hi guys.”

  “Lela!” I turned to see a frowning Joel standing beside me. I swallowed hard. The scar on his forehead gave him a scarier look when he was mad. This wasn't the Joel with the cute dimples.

  “Mr man! Why are you standing?” I turned around to see Mr Caleb standing by the door.  As usual, he had his canes.

  'Phew.'

  “Good morning sir. Sorry sir.” Joel said as he hurried to his seat.

“You are fortunate dear.” Edith whispered and I turned to smile at her.

A/N

Hi everyone reading Mirrored hearts. I really hope you are enjoying the book so far.
I want to thank you all for your support.  I'm really happy that you guys took your time to read, vote and comment on my book.  I am grateful. Thank you so much guys. I love you all.

So,  what do you think about this chapter? Lela gets to stay in Port Harcourt which means we will be seeing a lot of drama soon. Lol,  what do you guys think about her conversation with Edith and the prank she played? I did that a lot back then in school. It never gets old.

Please remember to vote, comment and share.
Like I always say, your support counts.

With love, Anna💜