Our story was far from blossoms and bliss. It was far from a roller coaster ride. It was terrifying yet terrific, destructive yet addictive. You wanted more, I wanted less and yet we found our perfect symphony.

Our love wasn't perfect. I was fire and you were rain. Me like a wild fire which gives no warning but when it starts, sweeps everything away from its part. And you like the rain in July, which starts as little droplets of water but later on becomes something else. Unpredictable, free, cool, mixed with thunder, lightening and rainbows in between.

And just like the rain, you were the cure to my fire.

        ⚜

I was hospitalized for a few days and when I was released my foot was bandaged and I was put on a wheelchair.

Yeah it was that bad. After I fainted, I was rushed to the school clinic when they found office pins in my boots. I was then sent to a main hospital when it was discovered that I sprained my ankle and was given a few shots of tetanus injections.

My dad caused a rampage in school claiming to shut the school down if the culprits were not found. I almost laughed at the irony knowing who he was looking for was no other person than his perfect pretty daughter. My mum cried when she saw me and for a second I thought it was genuine until she cursed me and left the room few minutes after my dad. I don't know what surprised me more, her acting talent or the fact that I felt better when she left. Now that's the mother I know. That was all I taught.

I didn't see my sister for days. She never visited me in the hospital. It's not that I expected her too but it felt like she was taking an extra effort to ignore me. Maybe she was feeling guilty for what she did. I laughed at myself after that thought. She was her mother's daughter after all. Never happening.

Few days passed and my dad employed a homeschooled teacher who was also a psychologist Miss Evans. She was a Yoruba woman who sometimes forgot I was a fifteen year old girl who supposedly needed a psychologist not the other way around. She was always blurting out her problems to me during our sessions. It was either Biola did this or Remi did that, it was suffocating. Biola was her sixteen year old daughter who was dating a fifty four year old man by the way and Remi was her husband who she was suspecting was cheating on her with her cousin. Although that information was uncalled for, it made me know that I wasn't the only one that had a messed up family and my life wasn't totally upside down. In a crazy way, it made me feel better.

I was overjoyed when I could walk again. At least I wouldn't be a burden to anyone anymore especially Auntie Chika although she never said so and always denied it.

She never once complained even when I was being very difficult. I knew she was doing it out of genuine care for me but I could stop hating how she treated me like I would break. It was exhausting.

I walked to the sitting room when I saw my Aunty Nnenna crying over a Zeeworld Series which wasn't unusual. She was more emotional than a pregnant woman which was due to the fact that she was always pregnant anytime I saw her. Aunty Nnenna was my dad's immediate younger sister. She was almost ten years younger than him but sometimes she acted like she was a ten year old. She was always nice to me since I was a little girl. Even when she traveled to the U.S she always bought stuff for I. She came here immediately she heard of what happened to me and it puzzled me a lot. Why would she leave her business and family to attend to me? I never found the answer.

"Oh Nwa m. I didn't see you there?" My child was her normal way of addressing me making it one of the few Igbo words I knew.

Ignored her picking an apple from the fruit basket. "Kedu? How is your leg now?"

I stomped my feet as answer.

"Chukwu I dimma." She silently prayed. "So when are you returning to school?" She was genuinely concerned.

"I don't know."

"Okay." She noticed my discomfort and decided to brush the topic. "If you need anything tell me, you hear?" The last words bringing out her Igbo accent.

"Yes Aunty."

She smiled returning to her tv show. I sat on the dining table playing with my iPad and stealing small glances to the tv even though I would never admit to myself or anyone that I found those soap operas interesting. After sometime, I climbed upstairs to my room preparing myself for the worst to come.

⚜

"So everybody summit your assignments on Thursday. I wouldn't collect it after that. And make sure you attempt those questions on page 147." Our Social studies teacher, Mr Ogbu announced he ended the class.

Everyone arranged their books getting ready to leave for our next class when the teacher called me.

"Chrisè can I see you?"

I nodded walking towards him. "How is your leg now?"

"Fine." I answered.

He nodded. "I wanted to ask you a favor."

I raised my brows surprised."What favor?"

"We need one more person for the AIA competition and you were highly recommended by your teachers."

I was surprised. Highly recommended? By my teachers? I taught they hated me.

"So what do you have to say? Can you do it?"

"I'm sorry. I can't." I said after regaining from my shock.

"Oh. Is it because of your health?" A flick of concern appeared on his face.

"No. I'm transferring schools."

Realization downing on him he nodded. "Too bad. We will be losing a very valuable student."

Seriously. What's wrong with this man? Hasn't he been in this school this past few weeks?

"I doubt that." I murmured.

"Believe me it's true. I've seen your result. A straight A student, that's what you are. If not for your constant attraction for trouble you are good as perfect." He smiled.

At least he knew I was a trouble magnet.

"But that's the problem Chrisè. Nobody is perfect." He tapped me on my shoulder as a form of assurance. "Good luck in your new school. I'm sure you would do great and in case you change your mind, you know my office."

Loss of words, I nodded as I headed out as a thought kept on coming to my mind. Maybe not everyone hates me.

⚜

I knocked on his door twice before I got an answer.

"And to what do I owe this visit." He asked closing the book he was reading.

"I came to summit my transfer letter."

He was quiet for sometime before he spoke. "You're transferring?"

"Yes sir."

"Why?"

"I'm moving in with my aunt." I gave the easiest lie I could think of. It's not like I could tell him I was quitting school.

He nodded, his facial expression neutral. "Very well then."

I dropped the letter on his desk as I headed for the door.

"Chrisè." He called out making me stop. "Good luck."

I gave a small smile. "Thank you." I was about to go when I decided to ask the question which has been on my mind for a long time. "Principal Landon?"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you expel me?"

He looked at me like I have grown a second head then a small smile spread on his face. "Because you remind me of someone I know. Smart, bitter and hateful but still not easily beaten. Never letting anyone take you for granted. When you first walked into my office you looked like you had accepted you fate. Like you had made up your mind to take whatever hit that was thrown your way. It wasn't right. It made feel bad knowing it was us adults that were supposed to protect you that caused that reaction. I wanted to teach you that the world is not as bad as you see it and for a young girl, you believe in almost nothing. I didn't expel you because everyone deserves someone to believe in them. And even though you don't believe me now you will one day. I've seen it happen before. You're a good person and deserve every good thing life can offer."

I wasn't the emotional type but even as I held the door which made my back to face him, I couldn't prevent the tears that flow down my cheek. It was the nicest thing anyone has said to me.

I nodded. Subtly wiping my check for the tear that slipped out as I managed a smile looking at him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Satisfied, I walked to the locker room packing the rest of my stuff. After that I went to the ICT office to return my school gadgets.

"Good afternoon Miss Rhonda." I greeted the slim and dark woman who sat on the desk with her glasses on her nose and her eyes glued to the computer.

"Oh! How are you?" She looked at me smiling. Miss Rhonda was among the few teachers who tolerated me. Since I joined the ICT club a week before I was suspended, I've made it a habit to come here when I had any free time. It was my safe haven.

"I'm fine."

"Thank you for helping with that virus yesterday. It saved me so much stress."

I smiled at her. "No problem."

"So why are you here?"

"I came to summit my school gadgets."

Puzzled she asked. "You're requesting for a new one?"

"No. I'm leaving the school so I'm returning it."

"Oh my dear! May I ask why?"

God how many times am I going to repeat this story? "I'm moving in with my aunt." I repeated the lie the second time that day.

Nodding her head with understanding."That's so sad and I was already planning to put your name in the school's ICT team but anyways God knows best." She paused looking at her phone as it rang. "Excuse me, I'll be right back. Just drop it in the other room where the door said gadgets, I'm coming."

She hurriedly let her office leaving me standing there. Immediately she left, I went to the computer on the last roll and removed the flash drive I connected there a day before. I was sure she wouldn't have noticed.

Sliding it in my pocket, I walked back to were I was a few seconds before she came back. Smiling at myself, I couldn't help to think.

Pay back is a bitch.

⚜

I enjoyed my Cheerios smiling at myself knowing I could not be any happier. Nobody messes with me. Nobody.

I wasn't even through with celebrating when the door was opened with a force that could break it by the drama queen who looked like she was about to perform.

"How could you?!" She shrieked in front of me.

"Hey! Take it easy. My Cheerios has enough liquid to swim in, thank you. I don't need your saliva as a bonus. And I'm fine thank you for asking." I answered sarcastically.

"I don't have time for your bullshit. You're a pretentious bastard who wants to ruin my life." Her braids bounced as she screamed.

"Now you sounding like a lunatic. What next? Are you hearing tiny voices in your head? Maybe they also told you I want to kill you."

"Urggh!" She screamed frustrated after which she closed her eyes trying to gain composure. All her acts making me laugh more. When she looked at me, I could see the serenity in her eyes which almost made me scared. She looked like a lunatic for sure. "You think you won." Then she smirked, "then you're an idiot. Kicking me out of the gymnastics team or getting me suspended doesn't change the fact that you are a loser and will always be a wanna be super girl. I'll get back at you and I'll make sure your life is more hell than it is. I promise you."

If it was another person maybe they maybe scared. The high and mighty Amanda 'Mandy' Onyeka. was threatening them. But it was me and I didn't give a fuck at all.

I dramatically dropped my spoon on the table and faced her with a bored look on my face. "So you finally can see me. I thought I was invisible all these weeks."

"So little baby Christina is sad I didn't notice her." She sneered. "To bad then, maybe I should give you a kiss and cuddles to make up for our lost time."

"Save those for your retarded boyfriend. Although I wonder how you're still alive due to the fact that he doesn't know the meaning of a toothbrush or a deodorant." I gave her an innocent smile. "And I mean it. Like he literally doesn't know the meaning. I as-"

"Will you just shut up?!" I smiled zipping my mouth angering her more. "Now you better find a way to clear this mess you created all else-"

"All else what?" I questioned. "You'll get me crippled? Kill me? Or spoil my image? Because in case that balloon in your head which you call a brain has finally popped making you forget, you have attempted the whole three! But that's the problem, you never could accomplish any one."

"Your making me regret not making you sitting on that pathetic wheelchair longer. Maybe the pins I put there were too small. If I had known I would have "-

"Amanda what do you mean by that?" My father's voice echoed in the living room.

Could this get any better. My inner self smirked.

Due to our argument we didn't notice a small party has gathered to witness our drama. With anger, contempt and disappointment three faces stared at us.

"Papa!" She said in genuine surprised. Not that anything from her can be genuine though.

"I said what do you mean?" He asked again growing angrier by the second.

"Answer him Amanda. Tell our daddy dearest what you mean." I stood up looking at her.

"Just shut up." She snarled.

"Fine I'll tell him since he may just pretend like he did not hear you the first time." I turned to my father and mother whose face was pale- as pale as a black person could be. Her face telling me she knew nothing about the incident but she was a good actress so what do I know. "So your Miss perfect daughter connived with a few of my classmates to set me up and get me expelled. When that didn't happen they went on to plan B which led me to the wheelchair. Even she can't deny it." My attention back to her as I stared into her eyes.

After a long pause my dad spoke. "Amanda is that true?"

Like she would say yes. "Daddy I d..."

"I said is it true?!" He barked.

"Yes!" She said almost immediately and after that she knew her mistake.

"Oh my God!" Someone gasped making me notice my Aunty who was standing there with tears rolling down her eyes and her hand covering her mouth.

My dad was angry and my mom for the first time was loss of words. "Why?" Was the only question my dad asked.

She didn't answer and I was surprised as how much I wanted to know the answer. She always hated me and I never knew why which made me hate her too. I wanted to know the reason.

"Answer me." He demanded.

"Look I was doing all of us a favor, okay? Nobody wants her here but nobody has the mind to say it. Since she came back all mum and dad do is quarrel and fight. If she gets in trouble, she would have no choice but to go back to the US and dad will not feel guilty about her being a b-"

"Will you shut up!" To say I was shocked was an understatement. I never knew I would see the day that my mother would even shout at my sister more or less slap her. Today was definitely my best day ever. "Meche onu osisu! Are you listening to yourself?! Why would you do that to your sister? Where did I go wrong in training you? Where?"

Everywhere.

My sister held her cheek as tears rolled down. My mother eyed her and walked upstairs, murmuring words in Igbo as she left.

"Broda ," my aunt said. "I'm taking her with me to Owerri. She has suffered a lot and I will not take it. We didn't not bring her here for you people to kill her o." She cried. "Nwa m," She said to me. "Will you follow me to Owerri?"

I nodded not caring at all. Anywhere is better than this hell.

She smiled weakly before eyeing my father and walking out leaving the three of us in a very awkward silence.

"Daddy-" Amanda tried to explain.

"Don't daddy me. I'll answer you later but right now seeing you is only making me more angry." And he left.

"You're happy now aren't you? Everyone sees me as the bitch. Congratulations." She asked with hatred in her voice.

"As a matter of fact I'm not. You deserve so much worse. And everybody sees you for who you always were so don't blame me."

When it looked like she didn't have anything to say she went to her room.

I sat down back on my seat stirring my already dissolved Cheerios wondering why I didn't feel so happy after all and thinking of the statement my aunt made earlier.

We didn't not bring her here for you people to kill her.

Just who was she referring to? And I was moving in with her. Maybe it wasn't a lie at all.