Yet to Know [MORE CHAPTERS LOADING...]

- 22 -

          SAMANTHA's POV

At 12am on a Monday morning, I had just rounded off a video game I was playing and decided to make plans on the new girl I want to be in school. I take out my iPhone and crawl to my bed. I scroll to the Google app and browse, "How to be a good girl". It responses with 11 ways to be a better woman.

"Love yourself. Know your worth!" I read out. "I'm not interested in this. Mtchew!"

I go to WikiHow and it tells me about listening to teachers, being quiet, not sitting with friends that put you in trouble and to always be on time. I roll my eyes and grouse.

I have never read my school rules and regulations. I heave a sigh. It looks like today will be a change. I pull myself to a sitting position and gently, bend, crawling out of the bed, wriggling like a worm on the floor to get to my drawer that was simply five steps away. I open the drawer and the paper in which the rules was printed on, is still fresh and clean. I take it out, rest my back to the drawer and begin to read:
"Lateness is not allowed and is punishable. Every student must attend assembly. Failure to do so is punishable. Ah! Up to 27 rules? What's this na".

I growl and it resounds in my bedroom, rattling my windows.

"Fine! Today, I will go to school early. Let me take the rules one by one," I grip my curly hair that puffs like a bushy fur on my head and suck in deep draw of air. "But I'm tired. How will I wake up 5am when it's already 1?"

I'm gonna look like shit today. I force myself up and throw myself on the bed. Soon, I zone out.

Surprisingly, I am playing football— tossing, bouncing, spinning and dribbling like a pro. The crowd is chanting my name and my pride erupts as I display two of my favourite dance moves. Someone says: "You'll be late to school". I glance behind me, a deep, dark valley. I'm frightened and turn to run but I don't see anyone and soon, the crowd begins to disappear.

"Wait! Don't go! Wait— "

My eyes snap open and I glance around me, a sigh of grogginess and laziness combined escapes my lips. The sun is out and is filtering into the room. I blink and blink and blink. I scratch my head. I do it again. I blink once more.

"Late? School?" I mumble. "Wait....what?"

It all made sense. I snap to reality and scurry out of my bed. I check my phone, "7:05am"

"Ewo! And assembly starts..." I whimper. "7:30"

I lay back on my bed and pull my duvet on me. I give up. I'll go to school tomorrow. I scream, my voice spooking the birds on the mango tree beside my window and yell, "I can't give up that easily. No way!"

I run into bathroom. Usually I would take my time and wash my hair that I refused to weave as instructed by the principal. I pause, toothbrush in my mouth. Oh no! My hair! I scream again. I dash to my vanity and quickly weave two, shabby, all back cornrows. I hop back to the bathroom and clean up.

Ten minutes gone for both bathing and weaving.

I get my school uniform out and with my best speed, I put them on. I spot my tie laying gracefully on my bed. "Thank you, Daniel," I exclaim and lift the perfectly knotted tie. I carefully slide it down my coconut head and fix it to my neck, properly. Girls should wear long white socks. Usually I wear black short socks with my black boots. Girls should wear casual black shoes. Shoes without heel. I run to my walk-in wardrobe and begin to scatter, searching for that one pair of shoes my mom had bought that I tossed in a dustbin but decided to keep it. Thank God I did.

After searching, I find it and then, I start my search for the last white long socks I had.

I swing my bag on my shoulder and sprint downstairs. My dad is making his way up so I hug him. "Good morning and bye, Dad!" I say and continue to jump stairs. Mom is in the kitchen but I decide to ignore. We are not best of friends. Unfortunately, she walks out, pouring instructions on our cook. Our eyes meet and I have no choice but to greet her. She responds with a nod, eyeing me suspiciously. She turns her gaze to the stairs and I'm shocked to see that dad has his eyes on me.

He asks, "Is everything okay?"

"I'm late"

"For school or practice?" Mom quizzes.

"School!"

Their mouth drops.

"So?" Mom exclaims.

I ignore and dash out the door. Rude much? Yes! But the rules didn't say anything about being polite outside school. 

"Mr Chidi!" I bark our driver's name. He raises a brow as I run towards him. He lifts his body from the car and opens the door immediately.

"Let's go! I'm late for school"

"Ah! Okay madam!" He replies and slides into his seat. He uses the electric gate remote to open and close as we zoom out. We get into the main road and I'm met with disappointment. I have five minutes left and traffic is trying to ruin my future. I hiss and climb out of the car.

"I'm going by foot! Go home"

"Are you sure, ma'am? Your dad can explain to the principal. Just wait in the car"

"No! No! No! My dad will not be doing that. I'm running to school. It's not far na. Bye bye!"

His eyes are filled with worry for his job and a pinch for my safety.

I wave him off and go to the sidewalk. I run with the last strength in me, passing fellow civilians, the wind in my ears. I arrive at the school gate and fly in. I was too fast and when I'm heading towards Daniel, I don't have a brake to stop myself and slam into his chest. He staggers but regain his footing. I, on the other hand, lean backwards, falling towards the ground which he saves me from, coiling an arm around my waist. I shut my eyes, take in a deep breath and pull myself back to my full length. I don't say anything and continue to run into the school. The clock says "7:30". I did it. I spot Mrs Dozie during my race to the class. Foolishly, I wink instead of pausing to greet. Oh no! I just committed a crime.

Thanks for reading. Expect more. God bless you.

Will Samantha change for good or bad? Find out more in the upcoming chapters.