Unugwa's POV
I gently folded my clothes into my travelling bag. I've tried to persuade dad to let us stay in LA but it didn't even seem to make sense to him
I even tried going through mom but instead she encouraged me to just try and make myself comply with dad. My dad is a type of man that if he commands that they should be no movement in the house, even a insects won't fly or crawl out that day
Yesterday, my friends and I tearfully parted. It wasn't easy for them as it wasn't for me. But we decided to group call every Saturday
My door creaked open and a handsome devil popped his head in. I looked at him and sighed
Me: what do you want?
Anibe: may I come in, though I'm a little bit in
Me: don't come in
He chuckled and entered then sat on my bed
Anibe : so how far na?
Me: please I'm not in the mood
He shouted
Anibe: mood? Mood? Unugwa, you've started entering mood? God! I'm finished
I stared at him with cold eyes but suddenly started laughing because of the attitude he was pulling.
Whenever he's with me, he's always acting funny and local
But if he's outside, he's an African American. With the sweetest American accent ever
I sat beside him
Anibe: you should pack up the rest of your things
Me: I don't wanna
Anibe: sis, you gotta. There ain't no way dad is gonna change his mind over an eighteen year old girl's disobedience and choice of location
Me: when did you become so meaningful
Anibe: just few minutes ago
I laughed
Me: but why do you wanna leave here too? Won't you miss your girlfriends, and your life here?
Anibe: nah.. Filipino girls are so pretty
Me: but so emotional. Don't break any lady's heart
Anibe: yes ma'am I won't break it too hard
I spanked him on the shoulder
Me: now help me pack up before dad gets back
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Writer's POV
Unugwa and her dad arrived at St Andrews High School. A private school and one of the best in Cebu.
She sighed as she stepped out of the car, the environment was so strange to her. Afar off, she could see some students in ox blood uniforms and it felt awkward
She followed her dad and they entered the administrative block. They got to the principal's office and he happily enrolled Unugwa. A teacher came and led her to her class
The teacher entered first and she waited outside anxiously
Students: good morning ma'am
Teacher: morning students. How are you all
Students: fine ma'am
Teacher: all right. We have a new student this morning
The students began to side-talk excitedly. Some said they were expecting a new member to the class. The girls hoped it would be a girl and the boys hoped it would be a boy. It's was just a typical classroom like any other class in the world
Teacher: come on inside
Unugwa nervously stepped in. All the excitement of the students died down and the class became as quiet as a graveyard
They each were expecting a white Filipino person but the exact opposite stepped in
Teacher: introduce yourself my dear
Unugwa: uhh, my name is Unugwa Achimugu. I'm eighteen years old
Student: you must be an American. Your accent is so American
She cracked a little
Teacher: you can sit on any of the empty chairs
She sighted one on the second row, beside the girl that talked about her accent. She then braced up and sat beside her and the girl gave her a smile
The teacher began to teach and I can say that even a word didn't penetrate Unugwa's skull. All that surrounded her was a feeling of awkwardness and imbalance. She kept saying to herself that she wouldn't fit in
Another teacher entered the class and demanded that Unugwa should follow him immediately. She obediently followed him out and just as she stepped out, the gossip began
~ OMG a black person.
~ it's my first time seeing one in person apart from the movies
~I think she's pretty
~did you see her wrist watch?
~she's a classy girl
~and she's shy
~I like her
They were all saying these randomly and the class was getting noisy. A girl was sitting at the front row, on the last column and she was trying to read a book but the class was too noisy for her. She banged her hands on the table
Agnes: keep quiet idiots! Why do you always have to show your locality? What's so special about a black person that you all are disturbing me!!
Everyone kept quiet and stared at their front. Agnes was the richest and meanest person in class. Everything seemed to irritate her and she was just too fast to anger
No one wanted to get on her bad side because she was capable of doing things beyond their imaginations
Unugwa's POV
He led me to the principal's office and left
Principal : hello dear
Me: hello sir
Principal : please sit
I sat down
Principal : how do you like our school?
Me: well, it seems quite interesting
Principal : our school is actually the best in this side of the country and I'll like to let you know that we offer the best. If you're not comfortable with anything or anyone, tell me and I'll take care of it
I smiled
Me: thanks sir
He handed me a card
Principal : this is for coming to our school. It's a freedom card, you can do anything you want to and you won't be penalized for a month
Me: wow, thank you so much
Principal : you may go back to class
I smiled and left, I sighed as I reached the class. I entered the quiet class and every eyes were on me, except a girl in front. I passed beside her and sat down on my chair
No teacher
No talking
Is this how this school is? Awfully quiet and highly disciplined? In LA, as soon as the teacher steps out, we turn the class upside down
The girl beside me turned to me
Girl: hello black girl
Me: hello white girl
Girl: haha, I'm Loretta
Me: it's nice to meet you
Girl: wait, what's that in your hand?
I lifted the card
Me: this?
Girl: oh my God! This is the freedom card!
The class all faced me and began to wow
~ hey black girl, are you that rich?
~ I guess Agnes isn't the only girl in the history of the school to get a freedom card
~ you broke that record. Congrats
~you must be really rich?
I didn't get any of the things they were saying. The more they talked, the more they confused me
Me: what's so important about the card?
Loretta : it's issued to the richest and most important student. It enables them to do anything they wanna do for a period of time
Female student : yeah, and the longer the time, the richness of the student
Me: mine is one month
Students: what???
My eyes widened, they were all looking stunned
Loretta : that's the longest time ever. It's usually a week or two. Yours is four weeks
Male students : which means you're richer than Andy, Daniel and Agnes
Loretta : wow, you're richer than Agnes
The girl at the front scoffed, stood up, carried her book and left the class
The students began to laugh
Male student : crazy
A teacher entered the class and they greeted
Teacher: it's biology time
The students began to bring out their textbooks, I recognize them from the one dad got for me this morning. I opened my bag and brought it out.
The class was actually fun and I began to like the students
Daniel's POV
I stepped down from the boxing ring and walked to the table, I removed my gloves and took a bottle of water to drink. My manager walked through the door and was surprised to see me
Mr Monteiro : Daniel... What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school by now?
I sat on a stool
Me: yeah, but I'm not going this week
Mr Monteiro: and why is that?
Me: I don't want to see someone
Mr Monteiro : you're still at beef with Andrew aren't you?
I stood up and looked at him
Me: let's not talk about this
Mr Monteiro : Daniel you have to take your studies serious. You're in your final year in highschool
Me: I know that manager. But remember you're supposed to manage me in the gym and not in academics
I walked away and went to the shower room, after my shower I wore my clothes and went home
I entered the living room and saw my dad sitting alone. It's the first time I'm seeing him in the sitting room, doing nothing important
Me: dad
Dad: Daniel, you're back
Me: yes dad
Dad: sit...
I sat down
Dad: I've been waiting for you. You'll have to resume school tomorrow
Me: but dad, I thought we talked about this. I said I wasn't going to go to school yet and you agreed
Me: yes I know. But I want you to go to school. You've been at the gym almost everyday during the holidays, it's school time now. Go to school
I sighed and stood up then picked my bag up
Me: okay dad. I'm going up
I went upstairs to my room and arranged my uniform. I remembered Agnes
Me: uhhh she's gonna be a thorn in my flesh again
I really dislike that girl
Andrew's POV
I saw beautiful butterflies hanging on a flower, I bent down and took a picture of it. I wanted to take another picture but it flew away
Mom: Andy!!
Me: ugh mom, you made my butterfly fly
Mom: Andy, what are you doing at home?
Me: nothing
I stood up and walked into the house from the garden
Mom: tomorrow you're going to school
Me: mom, I don't wanna. Just one week home please
She shook her head
I sighed and entered the kitchen then opened the fridge. I picked out my favorite drink and headed to my room
Me: school tomorrow? Gonna be boring as usual
I opened the drink and sat on my bed
*
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Morning!
I wore my dark red suit and tightened my white tie, I checked my white shoes to check if it hard any unwanted stain
None
I took my bag and hanged it on one shoulder. I headed out of the room but I came back and took my camera. I cannot do without it
I left the house, my parents should be in the office already. I entered my car and drove off to school. I checked the environment and sighed, if I had my way I would skip school
I came out and headed straight into the main building. Some students were staring and smiling at me, I knew they all wanted to say hi but I wasn't smiling. Which means I'm not in a good mood
I entered the hallway that led to our class, I saw the last person I wanted to see- Daniel. He saw me and looked away, I too looked away and walked beside him like he didn't even exist
But I'm thinking I should do something bad to him this semester, as a pay back for what he did last semester. I entered the class and sat down
Me: ugh.. I hate this school
Unugwa's POVMy new driver dropped me at the School's parking lot. I took a step forward and looked back at another car that just drove in. That quiet girl in my class came out, she saw me, gave me a glare then closed the door. I stood still to see her next reaction, she passed right in front of me with her bag and books clutched to her chest. I cracked, she must be the school witchI then began to walk further. I heard someone running and calling my name. I looked back and saw Loretta running to meI smiled at her, she's really nice. She kept me company yesterday and kept showing me around. Today, she promised she was going to tell me about the significant people in the school and I'm looking forward to that, just to know who is who and how to act towards themShe got in front of me pantingLorette : good... good morningI smiled and
Andy's POVI was really glad when the final bell rang, I hurried out with my bag towards my car. I didn't have much friends. Not because I had pride though, but because I loved my own company more.Then I heard Loretta calling meLoretta: Andy, wait upI halted and turned then smiled. She's going to force me to a coffee shop, good thing I'm actually heading thereMe: heyLoretta: where are you hurrying to Andy? Is someone after you?Me: I don't think anyone would be so jobless to go after meLoretta: your father is the richest man in Cebu, he has a lot of enemiesMe: that's his problem.... not mineLoretta: whatever... Can you accompany me to the coffee shop?I gave out a little chuckle. What's with Loretta and coffee shops?Me: okay
DanielI decided to stroll through my father's estate. Everyone there knows me as the son to the land lord so I'm a respected person thereI took a walk round the neighborhood and got hi's from tenants. After about half an hour, I decided to go back home. As I strolled towards where I parked my car, I saw a car drive in.I didn't actually care but I had to look again because I saw a black person.Two black people.I stared intently and noticed it was that girl in class and the guy must be her elder brother because dad said the man moved in with his family.As if the girl knew I was staring at her, she looked back. Our eyes met, she gently looked away and faced the front door of the house she was standingI continued to look at her, wondering how I would even make her my friend. I would just approach her
To show you how crazy I was feeling, I turned back and went to the estate. I came down and looked for the black girl's carIt was still standing there. I heaved and leaned on the carDad's words rang in my ear again. He wants me to make friends with her because of his business. Normally, I'm not the type that should care about anything and I should follow my own ways but, thinking about it, dad's business will soon be my business tooI'll soon be in collegeI took few steps away from the car. Then I saw a locket on the floor, I picked it and opened it.Me: it's Andy's cousinI dropped it back and wanted walking forward but for the first time, my conscience itched me.I picked it up againShould I give it to her tomorrow? How I'm I even going to do that?I looked u
______________________________ ๐งกDaniel๐Dad: have you started the friendship yet?I didn't answer, I just faced my foodDad: DanielI looked upDad: you're joking with my business.I sighedMe: how do you expect me to approach a girl for FriendshipDad: boys your age are experts in thatMe: boys my age are stupid and idle. That's whyDad: I don't care how you want to do it. But make sure she comes here before the end of next weekMy eyes widened. Then I sarcastically saidMe: oh come onThis time he faced his food while I dropped my cutlery and stared at himMe: but... What if she doesn't want to make friends with m
____________________________________________________________________ ๐งกLoretta๐I turned back and faced himMe: yesAndy: uhm, the black girl.. What's her name again?Me: Unugwa...Andy: Unuga?Me: no Unugwa...Andy: UnugwaMe: yes, so what about her?Andy: she has a freedom card?Me: of course she does. You didn't know?Andy : I didn't know at all. So Agnes has a rivalMe: haha, she's richer than Agnes. ByeI left him and I entered the classroom, I didn't see UnugwaI looked to the girl beside meMe: Karina, have you seen Unugwa?Karina: we were in the workshop together. Check the locker hall fi
______________________________________________________________________๐Loretta ๐I came back to the garden and didn't see Unugwa. I think she went to a class. I hurried off to my own class and waited for the teacher. Andy came and sat beside meAndy : mom wants you to come home tonight. For dinnerMe: really?He nodded and looked at meMe: uhm I already have plans for tonightHe raised a browAndy: really?Me: yes I made plans with..Andy: cancel it. You don't want to disappoint momMe: hmmAndy: you have to comeMe: is there another reason you want me to come?He sighed and looked at the board without answering me.Me: AndyI looked at him sternlyAndy: okay. Dad will b
______________________________________________________________________ ๐Unugwa๐When I entered school, I was quite early. No one else was in class so I decided to go to the library. I sat down and began to read the book I was reading yesterday.It was Peter Pan and I was so engrossed in it, my love for magical stories knows no bounds.I checked my watch and guessed that Loretta should be in school. I decided to go and check first. When I entered class, few students were already there. I saw Loretta's bag and I went back to the library to get mine.From the entrance, I could see that some students were in already. I didn't look at them, I just took my bag and headed out of the large room.Few steps from the table where I was reading, I decided to bring out my freedom card from the book I read. I needed to leave the school to get Daniel's bis