Lela's POV

  It's been a week already, but it sure did take forever to get here. A week of silence spent up in my room studying and sleeping. I hadn't even be in contact with anyone outside the house.

  Dad had travelled again, as usual and I was still grounded. The suspension ended after one week, but I still had to go another one week without my devices.

  Anyways, it was a Monday morning and I was going back to school. I was a little excited only because I would be seeing my friends and apart from that, I loathed the thought of going back to that school and having to see Edith.

  I stared at my face in the mirror—my forehead wrinkled and my brows almost meeting each other.

  “You should smile because you look really ugly with that frown on.”

  I turned to see Eka-ette's head poking through the door, she was grinning and I smiled at her.

  “I wish I didn't have to go back to that school.” I sighed and walked to the bed to grab my pullover.

  “You were really happy when your dad said you could stay.” She reminded me. She pushed the door slowly and walked in.

  I let out a deep sigh, “I know. Guess I don't have a choice.”

  “It will be okay dear.” She smiled reassuringly. I stared at her for a while, then I nodded my head with a small smile.

  I tied my pullover around my waist and walked over to my wardrobe to get my backpack. I looked myself up in the mirror again. I couldn't make up my mind as to whether I should wear the pullover or leave it on my waist.

  “What do you think aunt?” I turned to Eka-ette. “Should I wear the pullover? I kind of look different.” I looked at the mirror again.

  “It looks fine to me,” she smiled. “Come have your breakfast, your mom is almost done.”

  “Okay.” I shrugged and followed Eka-ette out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

  Mom was having breakfast when I reached the table. It was a normal breakfast and I knew what it was right before I got to the table—toasted bread and tea.

  “Good morning mom.” I said without looking at her.

  “Good morning.” She answered, taking a bite from her bread. I pulled the chair beside her and sat down.

  Since the fight, the air at home had been suffocating and I always wished I could just get out and get some fresh air to breathe. It was always silent and the silence said a lot. Mom didn't speak to me, only Eka-ette did and it still remained so today.

  I poured myself some tea and I helped myself with the bread. We both ate in silence and I contemplated whether to say something or not. I wanted to ask her about her business, but I couldn't get the words to come out. The glasswares and the clock  in the dinning seemed to be the only things allowed to talk.

  'So frustrating. I was really sorry and that was the only word I kept saying to mom and dad for the past one week. I guess what I did was too hard to forgive.'

  I heard mom's chair screech as she pushed it away, getting to her feet.

  “Let's go.” Mom said. She grabbed her bag, swung it on her shoulder and walked away with her heels clanking as she did.

  I was only halfway through breakfast, but I had no choice. I stood up and followed almost immediately.

  “You are going already?” I heard Eka-ette ask behind me.

  “Yes. Bye aunt.” I said hurrying out the door without looking at her.

  Immediately I got into the car, mom started the engine. Ete'bong was already holding the gate open and she drove out of the compound.

  The car was so silent with mom only concentrating on the road and I wished we could get to the school quickly. At least Judith and Huoma would be happy to see me and be willing to talk to me.

  Mr Genie must have had earplugs on because my wish was not granted—we were stuck in traffic.

  Minutes had gone by without any of us saying a word to each other. I was watching the hawkers from the window. They kept pushing their goods through the windows of vehicles for people to buy. They would be doing so to our car, but mom had the glasses wound up. They were only tapping on the car.

  I felt the car move and I was happy and turned my eyes to the road, but again we stopped.

  'Oh no. Please move.'

  We kept moving and then stopping again without covering a reasonable distance. I glanced at the window again and almost averted my gaze when I saw my favorite biscuit—pure bliss. I almost asked mom to buy it, but the smile disappeared from my face when I realized what I was about to do. I watched the hawker pass by.

  I would buy with my lunch money, but I didn't know what her reaction would be like. She had changed her attitude towards me since the fight. There was no longer the pampering she gave me.

  I felt the car move again and I waited for it to stop, but it didn't and I let out a relieved sigh. We kept driving and mom sped up a bit. Still, we didn't talk to each other and I had had enough, so I decided to speak up.

  “I'm really sorry mom.” I said and mom turned to me a bit startled. Then again, her face showed no expressions and she turned to the road.

   “Saying sorry whenever you do something wrong doesn't mean you won't do it again, Lela.” Mom retorted. I almost gave up with the conversation, I had no idea she was going to answer me.

  “I do mean it mom...I'm sorry and I won't fight again.” I answered almost immediately. She was finally talking and I wasn't going to give her a chance to be quiet again.

  “That's what you said the last time,” she turned to look at me and then her eyes went back to the road. “You were just fortunate enough that the girl's parents let it slide....thanks to your principal.”

  My mom kept praising and thanking Miss Clara for making sure the case ended smoothly. I wasn't as grateful as my mom. I just wished judgement was meted out fairly because I wasn't the only one who was at fault.

  “I understand mom and I am promising you that I won't fight anyone again...I just want you to stop being mad at me.”

  I heard her breathe out a sigh, “I'm not really mad at you, Lela...just disappointed.”

  I let my head drop, “well I'm really sorry mom.”

  “I've heard you.” She said, smiling at me and I smiled back.

  “That means I'm forgiven?” I needed to be sure.

  “Yes, just don't fight anymore,” she warned. “Why were you even fighting in the first place?”

  My mouth suddenly went dry. How was I to tell mom that we had been fighting over a boy? Just then, I realized we had just driven into the school.

  “Wow, we are finally here after the hold up.” I said rather than answering mom's question.

  “Yeah.” she answered and that buried the topic of why I was fighting Edith.

  “Stay out of trouble Lela.” Mom told me.

  “Yes mom.”

   “Promise?”

  I smiled, “cross my heart and hope to die, if this day I tell a lie.”

  “What was that?” Mom dragged the words with a grin plastered on her face.

  “It means I promise...I read that stuff in a book.”

  Mom gave a small laugh and shook her head, “you could have just said 'I promise.'”

  “I know,” I laughed. “Bye mom.” I said, stepping out of the car.

  “Bye Lela.” Mom said, right before I shut the door.

  I had a smile on my face as I walked to class. I was glad that I had talked things out with mom. It meant no more silence at home.

  “Lela!” Judith yelled as I stepped into the classroom. It felt like she had been waiting for me to just step through the door. She threw herself on me almost knocking me down.

  “Judith...I missed you guys.” I said.

  “Welcome back Lela.” I let go of Judith to see Huoma. She looked a bit pale and dull.

  “Huoma,” I sang and gave her tall frame a hug. “You don't look so good.”

  “I'll be fine...malaria.” She answered. It sounded like she was talking through her nose. Catarrh and cough.

  “So sorry and do get better soon.” I smiled.

  “Thank you.” She smiled back.

  “Lela...welcome back.” Akamu said motioning towards me. She had a grin plastered on her face.

  “Thanks Mary.” I smiled at her.

  “Come on, let's go and sit down o. Plenty gist dey.” Judith said dragging me away.

  I laughed, “can't wait to hear them.” I had just realized how much I missed these girls.

  I was about to sit down when I saw some girls glaring at me. Edith and her friends. Edith was wearing a scarf? I glared back before sitting down. I promised mom I wouldn't fight again, but with this girl and her attitude; I was sure I'd be getting a hard time doing that.

  “What's up with Edith and the scarf?” I asked Judith and Huoma when I was seated. They exchanged glances and laughed.

  “Have you forgotten your fight with her?” Huoma asked slowly. Guess she was really sick.

  “How can I forget? It got me my suspension, remember? The one I'm just returning from.”

  “Good then. That's the result of the fight.” Judith said as she glanced at Edith.

  “What?” I gasped. “I did that?”

  I know Edith wasn't one of my favorite persons, but that doesn't mean I'd wish the worst things for her.

  “You did,” Judith answered. “You took out most of her hair, so she had to barb her hair.”

  “My God...I didn't mean to.” I turned to look at Edith, she was talking with her friends—Obusor and Kevwe.

  “Abeg don't pity that one. She still hasn't changed o.” Huoma said and I turned to look at her.

  “No, that was actually very savage of me.” I explained, shaking my head at my foolishness.

  “We know, but she deserves what she got,” Judith said. “Or would you have preferred to stand there and let her beat you up?”

  “Not really.” I sighed.

  “But mehn, Lela...you needed to see Edith's mother in action,” Huoma grinned. “She's as crazy as her daughter.” She whispered and we all laughed.

  “Really?” I asked with wide eyes.

  “Hmm, what are you saying? Come see drama for school na.” Judith said, tapping my laps playfully.

  “Enhehn. Tell me something.” I folded my hands across my chest.

  “The woman just dey para. Thank God you weren't here then.” She said.

  “'I will sue this school and that foolish girl.' That was what she kept saying.” Huoma added.

  “Wait o, was I the one she was referring to as foolish?” I asked, pointing at my chest.

  “Enhehnu. Who else fought with Edith?” Huoma asked.

  I laughed, “I have suffered.”

  “Lela?” I heard someone call my name and I looked up to see a smiling Joel. I didn't know what to do except to smile back. “You are back.” He said and the girls also turned to look at him.

  “Yes, I am.” I smiled.

  “Well, welcome.” He said. With his expression I could tell I wasn't the only one who thought this conversation was awkward.

  “Thank you.” I said, trying to keep the smile plastered on my face a little while longer.

  “Okay then, see ya.” He said and walked away.

  The girls turned to me and gave me a look. I wondered what was going through their minds.  “What?” I sang.

  “Joel just spoke to you...” Judith trailed.

  “So? It isn't the first time, is it?” I asked.

  “Uh, yes it is.” Huoma said.

  “No. He talked to me the day I got suspended.” I told them.

  “That wasn't like this situation.” Judith retorted.

  “Whatever. What's the big deal?”

  “Joel doesn't speak to people outside his group of friends, that's the big deal.” Huoma retorted.

  “Please girls, don't start. Before it was Temi and now Joel.” I pleaded.

  “What's it about me?” I heard someone ask and I looked up to see Temi. He had a grin plastered on his face.

  I contemplated whether to speak to him or not. I couldn't deny that some part of me wanted to get back at Edith and she doesn't really care if I talked to Temi or not, she just hates my guts.

  “Nothing. Hi.” I found myself saying and I felt Judith's and Huoma's stares bore holes into my skin, even Temi seemed surprised.

  “I see you are back. How are you?” He kept grinning.

  “How do I look?” I asked with a small smile.

  “Good, you look good.” He nodded his head.

  I shrugged, “then I'm good.”

  “Uhm,” he scratched his head. “I just want to say that I'm really sorry about last week.” He said apologetically.

  “I'll think about it.” I smiled.

  “Okay,” he laughed lightly. “Just don't think for so long.”

  “I'll try not to.”

  “I can't force you,” he shrugged. “See you around, Lela.” He tucked his hands in his pockets and walked away with a smile.

  “What was that?!” Judith asked in loud whispers.

  I ignored the looks she and Huoma were giving me and hummed a song to myself.

  “Girl, you are playing with fire.” Huoma said and I turned to look at her.

  I took in deep breaths and asked, “why's Mr Caleb not here yet?”

  They both gasped and couldn't believe what I was asking. They were informing me of a fire play and I was thinking about Mr Caleb and maths. Well, what was I supposed to do?

  Just then Mr Caleb stepped into the classroom and there was silence.

A/N

Hi my lovely people, I am so sorry for my late updates o. Lemme say again, it is not easy, but I am hoping that you enjoyed this chapter. Pretty long?
Well, what did you think? Do you think Lela is being wise by talking to Temi or is she just gathering hot coal to her bosom.

Please remember to vote, comment and share if you like this story.

I always say this: Your supports counts, a lot.

With love, Anna💜