"I'd rather be a rebel than a robot, freedom is worth the fight."

                      Y E M I S I

"Goodness, you're that actress!" The principal of WestWood High, exclaimed.

My mom just smiled, not taking off her dark shade. She's used to all this.

"My wife and daughters are big fans of your movies o. Even I am an enthusiast."

"Wow, thank you so much."

"Hope you don't mind me asking for a selfie?" he asked sheepishly, tugging out his phone from his pocket. "I want to show my wife and daughters, they'll be so happy eh."

My mom chuckled a bit, feeling herself. "Sure."

The principal held up his phone, and my mom flashed a bright smile, her teeth gleaming behind her dark shades. She wrapped an arm around the principal's shoulders, and he beamed with excitement.

"Say cheese!" he exclaimed, snapping a photo.

The flash illuminated the room, and I felt invisible.

As they examined the photo, the principal let out a delighted whoop. "Perfect! My wife and daughters will love this!"

My mom smiled graciously, retrieving her arm from around the principal's shoulders. "I'm glad I could make their day."

The principal nodded enthusiastically, tucking his phone back into his pocket. "Thank you, thank you! This is definitely going on the school's social media page!"

Wahalar!

Finally, the principal acknowledged my presence. "I'm principal Jonathan."

Who asked? Mitchew.

"So, Yemisi, tell me a little bit about your academic background."

How did he know my name?

Before I could even utter, "I", my mom launched into a detailed account of my grades, my extracurricular activities, and my "excellent" work ethic. I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of irritation. Why can't she just let me speak for myself?

Principal Johnathan nodded and smiled, taking notes on a pad of paper. "That's wonderful," he said. "And what about your interests and hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

"Well, I-"

My mom didn't even hesitate. "Oh, Yemisi loves solving maths and doing science practicals," she said. "She's a very intelligent person o, and she's always been passionate about science."

"She is a renowned actress's daughter after all." They both chuckled at that.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

That's not even true. I mean, I haven't even scored a decent grade in either of those subjects. And what about my real interests? What about my love of fashion?

I'm a science student, yes, but by force!

I wanted to correct my mom, but Principal Johnathan interrupted me. "We have a wonderful science club here at West Wood High Academy, and the president is really active. I'm sure Yemisi will fit right in."

I felt like screaming. This is ridiculous.

"What school did you attend?" Principal Johnathan asked, typing on his laptop.

"Crest-"

"Christian gates academy," My mom cut me off. Like, what the actual fuck?

Warris dis?

"Oh really?" Principal Johnathan creased his brows. "I've never heard of the school, where is it located?"

My mom smiled confidently, completely unaware of the daggers I was shooting at her with my eyes. "It's a private school in Abuja," she said. "Very prestigious, very exclusive."

She's lying so fluently!

What if that school dosen't exist? What if this bald principal checks for the school online?

Principal Johnathan's expression turned skeptical, and he leaned back in his chair. "I see."

Jackie Richard is such a liar, a professional one. See the way she was just saying everything like she'd practiced it. What was the point of practicing that scripted shit, when she's the one answering all my questions?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Principal Johnathan spoke. "Well, thank you, Mrs. Richard. I think that's all the questions I have for now."

My mom beamed with pride. "Thank you, Principal Johnathan," she said. "I'm so glad we could have this meeting."

As the interview drew to a close, Principal Johnathan turned to me and smiled. "Well, Yemisi, it was lovely meeting you. Although, we don't accept new students by this time of the term. . ."

"Please, sir," my mom pleaded. "Please let her study here and write WAEC, it's really important for my reputation."

Principal Johnathan sighed, removing his thick eyeglasses. "I think you'll really enjoy it here at West Wood High Academy."

"Yes!" My mom squealed, pulling me into a tight hug.

I forced a smile onto my face, feeling like a total fake. "Thanks," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I'm really looking forward to it."

"Your school uniform is with the school's designer, so you can go arrange for the one that suits you."

"Where's the designer?" I asked. Finally, speaking for myself without my mom interrupting me.

"She's in the next room after my office. I'll assign someone to show you around."

As we stood up and left the office, my mom turned to me. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling so irritated. "You didn't even let me speak."

My mom waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't be silly, Yemisi. I was just trying to help. You can be a bit... unpredictable sometimes, and I didn't want you to spoil things."

"Um, unpredictable?" I repeated. "You mean, like, I might actually say something that's not scripted by you?"

My mom's expression turned stern, and she grasped my arm, her grip tight. "Yemi, that's enough," she said firmly. "I'm just trying to help you, and you're being completely ungrateful."

I shook my arm free, feeling a surge of resentment. "I don't need your help, Mom. I can take care of myself."

"You better not spoil things o! This is your last chance. Waec is in a few months time, so ensure you behave yourself so you can write with this school. And don't mention anything about your expulsion to anyone, you hear me?"

I folded my arms in an obstinate manner, not looking at her directly. I pressed my lips together, refusing to respond.

Finally, my mom spoke up. "I'll see you at home."

"Hol' up," I stopped her from leaving.

"What is it?"

"You're leaving now? Just like that?"

"Ehen," she shrugged her shoulders. "You can handle things from here. Remember you said you can take care of yourself?"

I felt angry and frustrated at my mom's flippant attitude. "So you're just going to leave me here, without even making sure I'm settled in?"

My mom shrugged again, her expression unyielding. "You're a big girl naw. You can take care of yourself. Besides, I have a shoot to get to. I'll see you at home."

"Fine," I said. "I'll take care of myself. Don't worry about me."

My mom nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I won't."

And with that, she flipped her hair and walked away, leaving me standing alone in front of the principal's office.

Ugh, I didn't even know where to start. I took a deep breath and looked around, trying to get my bearings. I was standing in a long, empty hallway, with offices lining either side. I spotted a sign that read "Student Affairs" and another that says "Cafeteria".

Suddenly, I remembered my uniform. The principal said something about the designer's office, but I seriously couldn't remember the direction. I'm used to not listening. It's how I do!

It's better I start walking, instead of standing in one place like a lost dog.

I started walking down the hallway, scanning the walls for signs or directions. I was so focused on finding the designer's office that I didn't notice the person walking towards me until we collide.

"Oh gosh!" I exclaimed, as the person's books and papers went flying out of their hands.

"Are you blind?"

My vision clearly met a brown-skinned girl with long, curly braids and a confident smirk on her face. She was dressed in a white uniform, covered with a black jacket that had the school's logo imprinted on it, and a navy blue skirt. Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul as she scowled at me.

Ahahn, Wetin?

Behind her, a group of girls stood, all of them looking like they own the place. They were all dressed in the same white uniform, and they all seemed to be staring at me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

The girl in front took a step forward.  "Are you blind?" she repeated. "You just ran into me like a mad person."

Who the fuck does this girl think she is? She dey craze?!

I wasn't having it at all. "Oh, I'm sorry," I said sacarstically. "I didn't realize I had to announce my presence to the queen of idiotic girls."

The girl's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer to me. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I said immediately. "Display your madness elsewhere, not in front of me. I'm definitely not in a good mood, and the last thing you'd want is for me to rip your uniform off your body."

The girl's face twisted in anger, and she looked like she was about to lunge at me. But then, a tall dark guy intervened.

"Hey, hey, let's not fight," he said, stepping between us. "We're all just trying to get through the day, right?"

"Oga Felix, mind your business and get lost from here!" she growled at the guy.

Felix took a step closer to her, and I thought they were going to kiss.

"You get lost from here, otherwise I'll report. . . you know what I mean," he smirked.

The girl clenched her fist, before directing her vision to me.

"Whatever," she said lowly, turning on her heel and stalking off. Her entourages quickly picked up the littered papers and books, before running after her highness.

Classless chickens. Mitchew!

I turned to leave, but then I realized the dark guy was still staring at me. Was he checking me out or what?

"What is it?" I asked impatiently, looking at the guy from head to toe.

He blinked in surprise and cleared his throat before extending his hand to me, "Hi, I'm Felix. Felix King."

"And?"

Felix chuckled lightly, seeming to enjoy my sassiness. "And I'm the guy who just helped you out. Literally."

"You're expecting a thank you, right? If that's what you want to hear, then you should just say so and stop acting like a creep."

Felix chuckled again and dropped his hand, which I didn't even shake. "Actually, I wasn't expecting that. I've been assigned to show you around Westwood High, to ensure you're comfortable. Principal Johnathan asked me to."

Oh my gosh!

Gawd, I just fooled myself! I was so quick to assume he was just some creep trying to hit on me. But no, he's actually been assigned to show me around. This is so embarrassing.

I looked at Felix, trying to read his expression. He was still trying to smile, but I could sense a hint of hurt in his eyes.

I cleared my throat, trying to play it cool. "Oh, I didn't know."

"It's fine," he said, with a small smile. "Shall we get started?"

"Yes, but first I want to t-t-thank you for helping me and apologize for misjudging you. I'm. . ." I cleared my throat. I have a big problem with apologizing and saying thank you to people, because I feel I'm always right and above others.

I'm always right na, abi?

Felix smiled and shrugged, probably noticing my hesitance. "No problem," he said. "I'm just glad I could help. But next time, maybe try to avoid picking fights with the school's resident mean girl, okay?"

"Resident mean girl?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Makayla Kingsley, is WestWood High's head girl and resident mean girl. You might want to stay away from her though, to avoid unnecessary problems."

Head girl and resident meangirl? Sounds like a real peach. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt!

I brushed off his statement. "I need help getting to the school's designer to get my uniform."

"Okay. This way please," he gestured his hand for me to walk ahead.

<——————>
A/N

Makayla, is that you?😂😂😂

How many of us still remember Makayla Kingsley?🌚

Ivan Kingsley's sister nau, that craved the position Megan had😂
She and Anita😆

I believe we all are familiar with them, because we read the book 1 before coming here, right? 👀

Hmm, better read book 1 first oo, so that you'll understand somethings😗

Anywhoooo, thanks for reading! Please don't forget to vote and comment to motivate me 😗

I need to be gingered 😩

CiCi 🌹