The next morning I was woken up by the loud buzzing of the alarm and the banging of hands-on my door so loudly. The sound was deafening so I groaned in frustration and covered my head with a pillow. I was so sleepy and tired that I didn't want anything or anyone to disturb me. Whatever sounds I was hearing felt like a nightmare. A bad nightmare which I wanted so badly to wake up from but I couldn't. The noise continued and I was irritated beyond reason
My damn body was aching and with every position I turned to, it hurt even more that I couldn't sleep as my eyes flew open only to look around and my room was so bright that I had to close my eyes to prevent the blinding lights from the sun sipping through my window however that wasn't my problem
"No...no...no," I said as I jumped out of bed taking the sheets with me. I was so shocked as I rushed to the little dressing mirror where I kept the alarm clock which had snoozed off and when I picked it up, my head spun seeing the "9:30 AM "I was doomed as I tried to move around but my mind was a mess. I couldn't think straight because I was so late for school. I only had an hour to get ready, to talk of running to school because I wasn't going to catch any bus which goes to school. All buses arrived at the station early in at morning and around 8 AM, they stopped getting a taxi was twice as expensive and I was trying to save money here
"Now who is it?"I whined and tied my hair in a bun not sure who was busy banging on my door so loudly disturbing my sleep. I left my bedroom and walked to my small living room which was well furnished. The apartment had a self-contained bedroom, a sizable kitchen with everything there and a living room. I quickly rushed to the door because the loud knowing was likely to stop if I did how and as I unlocked the door and opened it. I was greeted by a short fat lady wearing a colorful blue dress that reached to her feet. Her facial expression was not a happy one and as soon as I opened it, I regretted it because it was my landlady visiting me
"What took you to do long to open huh!" every time she came the lady yelled with disdain in her eyes. I didn't know what to say to her other than stare at her. She owned the building and I owned her a lot of money and she was furious
"Well...Mrs...I…"I couldn't even say her full name as sweat dripped down my face, she was so loud and hated me because I always gave her excuses each time she came to get her house rent
"Shut up...I'm not here for your stupid excuses...pack your bags now because I'm throwing you out!" she yelled pointing her meaty finger at me, I was stunned not believing what she just said but unlike every time, she was upset, she had no smile or anything on her face and I grew scared
"Please madam...I'll pay you just give..just give today" I begged her with folded arms, she was so mean that no amount of begging would make her change her mind
"Save you begging missy...I already took money from someone willing to pay me..you have until 5 PM to leave my building...you worthless girl...such a slut who can't even use her body to make money" it was heartbreaking to hear such words from a woman who also had children, girls, for that matter I was the same age as her daughter, I tried to pay her on time but my boss paid me less and cut my salary. Tears lingered in my eyes as I ran after her. She couldn't do this to me. I told her I would pay her. I knew this but she was walking away.
"Ahh!"I screamed when I slipped on some sticky liquid and fell comfortably and hurt my ankle. I screamed as pain rushed through me as I sat down on the wooden floor wincing in pain
"Ahh...please...I'll give you the money today I promise"I shouted for the lady to hear, unfortunately, she was already gone down the stairs which led to the first floor. My little apartment was on the second floor, not like the building was luxurious but a shabby building and nearly falling apart. Despite everything I've lived here my entire life and couldn't afford to be thrown out
Pulling myself up, I rested my hand on the wall as I tried to stand up but my right ankle wouldn't let me. I shook my head and tried again biting my lower lip and finally got to my feet, the pain was too much to bear but I had to stand and get ready for school. It was my last option and my ankle wasn't going to stop me from achieving my goal
Rushing to my room with an amazing ankle, I went straight to the bathroom. I only had fewer minutes to get ready and go to my school or else everything I ever worked for the entire season would go to waste. The entire year I trained day and night just to get ready for this. My ankle was swollen and red and touching it was even more painful
After I was done with my shower I didn't even waste time as I put on a black sweatshirt and sweatpants, some sneakers, and tied my wet hair in a bun. Took my already packed backpack with my uniform in it and took my phone which has been ringing for quite some time
"Liv...I'm on my way...just tell coach I'm that the school got"I quickly answered my phone because it was my best friend calling. I knew she would be able to stall for some time until I reached there. I didn't have a choice but to take a taxi even if it took all the money I made yesterday including the money I got from the drunk man
"Where to miss, "the taxi driver asked me as soon as I settled in and slammed the door shut. I was breathing heavily from running to the station to get a taxi and I exhaled feeling sweaty all over.
"Ridgeway high school please, "I said with heavy breaths and the driver started the car. I was agitated as I sat there thinking about the game. It was already 10 AM and in thirty minutes the game had to start. My heart raced rapidly, my palms sweating as if it was cold and my body trembling. With every stop the driver made, I flinched waiting for the red lights to turn green. At some point, I had the urge to jump out of the car and run my way to school but that wasn't the case when my ankle was delicate. It was throbbing with pain and I didn't even want to think about it
After a long drive, the car stopped right at the gate. I didn't waste time as I rushed out and headed straight to the basketball court. The entire school was quiet, of course, all the students were gathered and ready to watch the game. As I reached there I could hear cheering and chanting. My heart skipped a beat, the game already started. I took to my heels and went straight to get changed, I had to be quick and enter the game before it ended
"Where have you been huh!?" immediately I reached the court to join my team who were gathered as if our coach called for a time out, he yelled at me and the rest of the team looked at me with disdain
"I'm sure she wanted us to wait for her. ''I heard voices rising amongst my team members and everyone commented saying bad things. I was scared and shaking as I looked up and saw banners hanging. All the students wore the purple-red uniform which was for us, the wolves. Our team was the best and I knew how to win for us.
"Get ready...they seem prepared for this"my coach ignored me and we gathered around him. Everyone including those on the bench gathered to hear instructions. My mind wandered off to my ankle which was burning from the tight sneakers I was wearing. Nothing from right
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'Wolves!' We put our hands together to boost our morale and the game began. I looked at the timer and sighed. I still had time. I smiled feeling a strange emotion run through my body because even if my team was down by 30 to 0, I was there to revive us. Every team from other schools knew who I was, Vivienne Payton never backed down. I was a good runner and it took a lot of people to keep me down. Once I had the ball no one was safe. I felt even more energized when my fellow students were chanting my name
It felt good to be recognized as the best in what one did with all their heart. I loved to play basketball not just for the money but for the passion I had and for working hard.
With every basket I made, chanting increased, I was on fire that the other team started pushing me around when they couldn't get the ball. Our coach was tense. I saw as he shouted for a foul which the umpire didn't make. I was running about and losing my cool
We were ahead by 185 and the other team had 100. We were winning and I was feeling proud until
"Ahh!!"I was knocked away by two defenders sending me flying across the court and I landed hard. Someone from their team stepped on my injured ankle with so much force and I screamed in pain. So loud that the entire hall went quiet. My couch rushed to me so did my team members
"Vivie...are you okay...someone brings a stretcher!" my coach yelled seeing how my ankle areas were bleeding, stabbing my white socks, the sneakers were already off and I was tossing and turning. It felt like the Adidas the person who stepped on me was wearing had thorns or nails under it. The same weak ankle was hurting like hell that I couldn't keep my eyes open
"She can't play...warm up a substitute" this time I heard our second coach say as I was raised on the stretcher by some paramedics. I shook my head not wanting to go off because I had to finish the game. I was doing well and the thought of not playing made me frustrated
"Don't...don't touch!"I yelled so much and tried to get off the damned stretcher but they put me back
"Take her away and treat her...she can't play...she's too hurt...I'm sorry Vivie...you can't play"my coach muttered and rested his hand on my shoulders. I shrugged him off not wanting to hear his words but I was taken away to the nurse's office to be attended to by the professional doctors the school hired from various well-known hospitals. My dreams were shattered.,
I didn't know how long I was unconscious because immediately they took me to the nurse's room. The doctor injected me with a sedative to keep me down but now I was awake and confused. I watched as my hard work came crashing down on me. Everything didn't make sense. I didn't want to feel the pain residing in my heart but there was nothing I could do to change what was happening. I already asked the doctor attending to me if I was clear to join my team but he refusedI hated myself so much, if I could cry and shed tears I would have but even if I was feeling the pain and tears lingering in my eyes but I just couldn't let my eyes waterMaybe this was my problem, my lack of showing any emotions I felt in my heart. Looking at my bandaged foot. I sat up pushing myself up. I hated hospital beds the most. Even the nurse's office was my enemy, but I had no choice when the various doctors working around ordered me not to move too much. My ankle was in such bad shape that even se
"No...no Cassy what happened here!"I rushed inside as soon as I got to the restaurant and what I found left me speechless. The place looked like they were moving in. The tables were flipped and the chairs were missing, everything was a mess and some employees were busy putting the remaining things in order once cassy saw me she came running and her facial expression was something I fear"How could you do this Vivie...I trusted you with everything but now look at this 'she said while I was busy scanning my surroundings, I was agitated not sure what happened and when the office door to Janice opened he walked out looking all rugged up. His clothes were wrinkled up as if he slept under the bridge and his hair was messy. Immediately he saw me, his expression turned deadly and I knew something bad had happened and it had my name written on it. Two police officers came out of his office and I was even more scared"Cassy...what going on?"I turned to cassy and asked wanting to
"No money, no staying...I'm tired of you...your stupid excuses but now...I already rented it to another person and don't even think of begging me because she already moved in"I was hurt and the lady added to my misery. It was pointless to argue, even if I pleaded with my life Mrs Egan wouldn't let me stay. I was helpless as I watched her elegantly walk away. She had everything and didn't have to beg others for a place to stay. I stood there thinking about my next move. I could go somewhere and ask for a job, a stay at home helper but I already tried that and the outcome wasn't so good.I was tired and just wanted to rest, I wanted to finally have a peaceful night and once I moved my things out of the building to an abandoned dark alley close to the building, I sat on my suitcase with my head leaning against the dirty wall filled with graffiti. I exhaled and inhaled as my eyes lift
"Ms. Payton...the principal is calling for you" after what seemed like forever, I was called in and without wasting time I entered the principal's office. I was so nervous that I could collapse any time soon"Take a seat Ms. Payton"our cold icy queen principal as we called her said without looking at me and gestured for the wooden chair opposite her table I slowly walked to the chair and carefully sat down. I was anxious to know what she was going to tell me. She was busy signing some papers hence I had to wait for her to finishAfter a while, she was done, shoved her files aside, adjusted her specs, and looked at me. She was as cold as ice. With no smile on her face. She was a little mean, which she musked up just being strict as someone who managed the biggest school in the city. She always said I was lucky to be at such a prestigious school getting a good education. She never ceased to remind me that I was poor without a good bank balanceI paid my fees in in
I was devastated, the receptionist lady didn't even wait for me to tell her what I wanted, I was sure she was looking down on me. Yes, I wasn't as classy or elegantly dressed as her or worked in such a prestigious company but I had to say the place was my dream company. I've always wished to work in such a company all my life and when I finished college I had so many plans for my future. All I asked her for was a second chance to talk to her boss. I knew I was late but it was just for ten minutes they could reconsider"Please Miss...this isn't your house okay...leave before I call security"the lady spat out bitterly, she had a disdainful expression as she fixed her cat-like eyes on me. I failed to understand why she was acting as if I was there to steal her job"I know this but just one minute let...let me see your boss" I pleaded again, I wasn't going to leave without talking to her boss, the doctor told me they needed a surrogate and I wanted to be that surrogate. Th
I sat there filling in the forms, the information left wasn't so bad hence I quickly answered all the questions and slammed the pen on the papers and leaned back to the couch. My legs straightened but not so much as to hurt my ankle. It was still hurting even though I was walking around like a fool but I had no time to sit in bed and nurse a wound. Already Mrs Smith took care of it and I was glad about her special remedies, my ankle wasn't as swollen as before and I could walk even in sneakers"Ugh! where is she!"I groaned in frustration after an hour passed and I was just sitting there. I tried playing games on my phone but I was too lazy to do that. Hence I rose to my feet hoping I could peek outside, however just as I was about to stand. The door flew open and the first lady who was rude to me walked in brutally."Are you fi
"It's you! ?how come?"I exclaimed as my smile grew even more that I couldn't contain my happiness. It was the same man, the drunk troublemaker I met the other night. I was hoping he would remember me but his facial expression was distant more like he was shocked at my behavior than I was really surprised about"Any...problem?" he asked as if trying to know why I was reacting in such a way, I wasn't expecting that from him however his expression told me otherwise as if he didn't recognize me 'oh no' I muttered nearly face slamming myself at my silliness and he ignored me and walked towards his desk. My happy expression dropped as I gripped the form in my hands tightly and lowered my gaze as I proceeded to him. I guess he didn't recognize me. I let out a silent example and reached the desk but I didn't dare sit even though the man was sitting down in his chair looking at something on his computer"Sit" he muttered which sounded more like an order, I hesitated befor
"A...are you sure dear...I know you don't like me saying this...but my house is open for you...there's no need for you to go elsewhere when I'm here" it was a blessing and my luck to be loved by such a wonderful woman and hearing Mrs Smith's offer, I was touched by her warm words as I stopped what I was doing and turned to face her. I just came back from Ellison corporation to get my clothes. It turned out I was chosen to be the surrogate and according to what Beverly said, I was expected to move in with the same man who hired me because if I had to be his surrogate then I was expected to live with himAs much as I was excited to be a surrogate which would gain money for me, I was nervous and indecisive about going to a stranger's house and living with him and immediately Beverly drove me to Mrs Smith's house where all my belongings were, she was sad and didn't want me to leave"I know granny...it's not like I'm leaving forever but I'll be visiting...I got a job as a h