Chapter 3

K•E•L•S•I::::

Mum had to do everything from laundry to cleaning the house, cooking..... Which we did not mind atall.

I noticed Mrs Raphael wasn't happy with her husband generosity, but I ignored it because of how overjoyed we were.

He showed us everywhere in the building and also show us where we will be staying.

The room he gave us was small, but better and more comfortable than that shade we slept last night, with a bed that can accommodate two  people, Chair and table well furnished, what more can we ask for?

We quickly arranged our luggages, and mum went out to start her new job as a maid, leaving me alone in the room.

I was grateful to God and Mr Raphael too.

I got excited about the new school I will attend, questions kept popping in my head.

' when will I start this new school?"

"How will I cope with the new school and the new environment?"

I wish dad was still alive with us. Tears pooled my eyes, I quickly brushed it off.

Hours later Mum came in with a mouth watering plate of rice and cold water, my belly rumbled at the sight of the food, I hurriedly collected it from her, and dug in immediately, without even saying thank you.

Oops! My bad.

Mum understands, she knew how hungry I was, she smiled and told me to continue eat.

After eating I followed mum to help out with some work,

I still couldn't get over the structure of the mansion, from the garage,to the swimming pool, to the statues, everywhere screamed MONEY!

Mr Raphael was average in height, with a pot belly, but very handsome too, I estimated him to be 50 years and above in age, but he looks so young and fresh. Well, that's the power of money.

I met him again and expressed my profound gratitude, promising to do everything to please him and his family.

We went inside to prepare the food for them,

i wanted to ask mum while we were preparing meal for the Richards, if the couple had no children, because everywhere was so quiet.

I can't believe they were staying there all alone.

I brushed the thought aside, that's not my concern I said to myself.

My major concern now is one week to resumption and I can't wait to start Senior secondary school 1

Finally! Monday came, the first day of resumption, I started having mixed feelings.

I started thinking, "will I cope with being a science student?"

"How will my class mate see me?"

"Will I make friends atall?"

"What if they know my mum is a maid?"

"What if they find out, it's someone else that's sponsoring my education?"

What if they know I'm from a poor background, and iam not as rich as they are?

Different disturbing thoughts kept coming to my mind.

Today which is the first day of resumption, I almost faked being sick so I could stay back.

But mom would not hear of it, I shook off the weird feeling and prepared myself for school.

Empire High School  Lagos Nigeria was the best private school in town, only the rich and influential kids attends the school, parents were bringing their kids with expensive cars, security men were opening doors for some to come out of the car, I was lost, just looking around. I knew I had the privilege to attend this kind of school all thanks to Mr Raphael.

I did my registration in the administration block and a teacher showed me my class, I walked in into the class and noticed no one noticed my presence, I knew I was the most simple dressed female student because everyone was looking beautiful and smartly dressed.

I quickly walked into my classroom and sat at back in other to see everyone clearly.

Chatters and laughters filled every corner of the class, everyone were in two's, three's and four in groups discussing their holiday experience, but I don't want to remember mine.

No! Not now, not my first day in this big school.

The girls were very beautiful and the guys were good looking but I noticed only one stood out which I later learnt his name to be Delvin when one girl called his attention to whatever they were discussing.

I looked round the class and I noticed one of the girls was crowded by group of students laughing and discussing, I could overheard her telling them about her holiday at abroad, how her dad bought her a gold wristwatch as her birthday gift blahh...blahhh...blahh.

I noticed how saucy and flashy she was, no doubt her parents are rich.

I rolled my eyes and looked elsewhere.

   'One hour later::::

"Good morning class!" A tall dark male teacher greeted walking into the class majestically.

Everyone quickly rushed and stand on their seats acknowledging his presence.

"Good morning sir", we all chorused, sitting down.

"How was your holiday?"  He asked with a bright smile.

"For those of you that doesn't know me and probably had not seen me, I'm Mr Amos by name and I know there are new students who recently joined us"  he smiled as his eyes raked every corner of the classroom.

Everywhere was deafening silent that if a pin drop we all could hear the sound.

"If you're new can you kindly stand up, and introduce yourself to the class please"  his eyes scanned the whole classroom again.

"What?" I started shaking in my seat, beads of sweat formed on my forehead, the thought of standing in front of the class almost made me wish I should just die.

"Oh! No! Mr Amos or whatever you call yourself don't do this, it is too early" i screamed in my head as I bent my head looking at my fingernails.

"Why would he want anyone to notice me? 

I just want to be invisible, attend class and go home I whined silently, I slowly stood up and all eyes turned to me.

"Can I die now please?" I almost groaned.

I silently wished the ground would open so I could sink in, if there was anything I hated It's unnecessary attention.