The Home-Coming Queen

 When Sophia’s mother, Martha, finished mowing the lawn in front of her house, she stepped inside the living room and discovered that her daughter’s friend, Sandra, was still waiting for her classmate. She frowned and called out, “Sophia, what are you still doing inside? Sandra is still waiting for you.”  

She turned around and said to Sandra, “I wonder why she is taking long.” 

“Sophia, you guys will be late,” Martha shouted. 

“Okay, mum. I will join you guys in a moment,” Sophia said from inside her room.

Sophia and Sandra had just finished high school and were about to go to the graduation party at their school, King’s High School. They had waited for a long time to have their last party as high school students. They were so enthusiastic about it. 

“Ready, ready! How do I look, Sandra?” Sophia said beaming with a smile as she emerged in a pink ball gown gleaming in her beautiful makeover face. 

Sophia was a lovely girl with eyes glittering like a blue diamond. Most ladies in her school were envious of her because of her stunning beauty. 

“Oh, wow. Sophia, you look so gorgeous. This is stunning. I love the color you chose. It’s a matching outfit for the event,” Sandra said, running her eyes across her best friend’s dress.

“Yes, dear. You look so exceptional,” her mum said from where she stood.

“It's getting late, Sophia. Let’s get going,” Sandra pleaded.

“But the taxi is not here yet.”

“He just called. He will be arriving soon.”

They watched as a blue taxi arrived and stopped in front of them. “Oh! Here he is, let's go Sophia, or we will end up being late. I know you don't want to miss your crowning,” Sandra said with a smile.

Martha spread her hands and said, “No goodbye hug for mummy?”

“Oh, Mum. Why not?” Sophia ran back and hugged her mum with a peck.

“Please, be careful out there. You are all I’ve got now and I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

“Mum, please let’s not do this again. I will be fine and besides, I am going with Sandra,” Sophia said.

“Please, drive safely,” Sophia's mum told the taxi driver. 

Sophia understood the reason for her concern. Her mother lost her husband in a car accident and this has instilled fear of car accidents in her. Her mother was always too conscious about it. This had become her mantra. 

The loss of Sophia's dad came as a shock to her and she had not recovered from it. That was why she was overprotective towards Sophia, being the only one she had left. Sophia knew her mother wouldn't want any harm to come to her.

***

 The moment they got to the school, Sophia gazed at her surroundings and furrowed her brow. They were inside the school’s main hall. “Why is everywhere dark? Sandra, why can't I see anyone here yet? What is going on?” 

“Lights on!” Sandra shouted and immediately the lights came on. Everyone started shouting, “Behold the queen.” 

Sophia wasn't aware of the surprise. Her eyes widened. 

“Come on Sophia, the crown is yours,” their teacher beckoned with a wave of the hand. 

Sophia was overwhelmed with excitement. It was an unbelievable sight. It was a glamorous look and everyone was happy except Sophia's bullies. Sophia's name was first on their black book. They made life unbearable for her, teasing her frequently with funny names. They were shocked to see her emerge as the home-coming Queen. She was crowned alongside Larry who was named the homecoming king. Larry was a handsome guy who was the dream of almost all the ladies in the school. Their envy kindled towards Sophia when Larry rejected their love advances. 

Sophia was a reserved girl who kept just a few friends. It came as a shock to many how Larry noticed her. She was the most unlikely girl for Larry's status. Larry loved to flirt a lot with ladies but never committed to anyone until he met Sophia. Sophia automatically turned an enemy to most ladies who had their eyes on Larry.

It was an amazing event and Sophia made more enemies by amassing almost all the awards. She was a nerd who loved reading and everyone could attest to that. It was no surprise that she emerged as the overall best student in her class.

“Wow! Sophia, I am so proud of you,” Sandra screamed as she ran towards her. “Your mother will be so pleased. You've made her proud.”

“Thank you Sandra for your kind words.” Sophia held her friend’s hands and a warm smile appeared on her face. 

Just then, Larry approached them. “Let me give you ladies a lift,” he offered as they were about to leave the hall.

“Oh! Larry, that's so thoughtful of you,” Sophia said. “We will join you soon.” 

“Alright! See you ladies,” Larry said and left.

Sandra gazed at her friend. “Have you told him? He will be heartbroken if he gets to know someone else. I think you should tell him now, to avoid stories that touch the heart. From the look of things, he has fallen over heels for you.”

Sophia shook her head. “I’m not sure about that Sandra. Don't you think I should wait a little longer?”

“You don't have much time Sophia. I think you should tell him.”

“Okay, I will tell him. Let's start going. He must be waiting.” 

They started walking towards the parking space. When they got there, they didn’t see Larry. Sophia called him on phone. The call connected on the first ring. “Hello Larry, we can't find you, we are at the parking space.”

“Hi Sophia, come towards the gate.”

“Okay, thank you,” Sophia said and ended the call.

The two girls met Larry at the gate five minutes later. He shined his sparkling white teeth when he saw them. Sophia’s heart raced as she fixed her gaze at him. She felt butterflies flutter in her belly. “We are so sorry for keeping you waiting. We had to conclude something before leaving the hall.”

Larry waved it off and opened the backdoor for them. “It's okay. Please, get in.”

Sandra nudged Sophia as they settled on the backseat of the car and whispered, “The guy is in love.” They both giggled.

Larry drove them quietly for five minutes passing well-tarred roads lined with trees, beautiful houses, and shrubs.

“We are here,” Larry said as he stopped in front of Sophia's house. Sandra had alighted earlier. She lived a few blocks away from Sophia's house.

Sophia's mum was waiting patiently for her daughter, with sleep very far away from her eyes and hoisted like a night-crawler. She was very relieved to see her home.

“Alright Sophia, see you around some other time,” Larry said as he was about to drive off.

Sophia smiled. “Thank you so much for the ride. It was a well-appreciated kind gesture.”

“You are welcome,” Larry said and drove off.

As Sophia was about to step into the house, the mum couldn't help but hug her as though she was welcoming a long-lost daughter.

“Mum, there's no need to stay up for me. You need to take care of yourself. You could catch a cold out here and I will be the one to suffer for it. Please mum, there's no need to wait up for me anytime I’m out,” Sophia pleaded.

“Alright, let's go in. Let’s not argue about this. How was the event? I can see your hands are full.”

“Oh, mum, you won't believe what happened today. I have been crowned the Homecoming Queen. And guess what? I received almost all the awards both that of the overall best graduating student and best-behaved student.”

 Her mother smiled and patted her at the back. “I’m so proud of you, my dear daughter.”

“Thank you, mum. I’ll continue to do my best.”

Sophia was indeed so happy. There was something different from her glow. It was obvious that Larry was part of the reason. She remembered the first time they met. She had just finished a class and was headed towards the library to complete her studies when she bumped into Larry who was, on the other hand, stalking her.

“Hi, I am Larry. Please, I’d like to know your name.”

Sophia stopped and said with a lack of interest. “Sophia.” She narrowed her eyes and asked, “Are you stalking me?”

“Was it that obvious?” He smiled.

“I see! Because it's hard to see your kind at this part of the building. Now tell me what you want.”

Larry stepped closer to her and flashed his white teeth. “I love your name by the way.”

Sophia blushed and said, “Thank you.”

“I know I might find you here, forgive me, I have been on this for a month.”

Sophia raised her eyebrows. “Been on what? I don't understand.” Sophia looked surprised and afraid at the same time. It was very unlikely for Larry to look for someone like her, which made her even more confused.

“Yes, I came here to look for you.”

Sophia gazed at him with a serious expression on her face. “I hope there is no problem.”

Larry chuckled. “None for now. It’s all good.”

Sophia noticed there were unspoken words in his eyes. She gazed at him and said, “What do you want? I’m all ears.”

Larry said, “To be brief and straight to the point, I will like us to be friends. I have watched you for over a month now and have concluded that you are the kind of girl I need in my life. I know you will be wondering why I left every other lady flocking around me just for you. Let me make it clear to you, I first noticed you the day you came with me to buy something from the School Cafeteria with your friend, Sandra. I was sitting in a corner with a can of juice. What you did that day caught my attention. I was amazed at the way you treated that bully guy by not responding to him. Since then, I’d been interested in getting to know you.”

Sophia placed both hands on her waist. “So you became my shadow, right?” She almost wanted to burst into laughter.

“Yes indeed, if that's what you want to call it.” They both burst into laughter.

“Okay then, because you've worked so hard, I will be your friend but on one condition, only friends and nothing more,” Sophia said matter-of-factly.

“That's fine by me,” Larry said, as a warm smile appeared on his face.  

Since then, their friendship had blossomed into something beautiful 

                    ***

The next day, Sandra visited Sophia in her room. As they discussed graduation, Sophia stared at her friend and said, “Sandra, do you think I should tell him?”

Sandra’s eyes glinted. “I think it’s time for you to tell him. Tell me again, do you have feelings for him?” 

Sophia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Yes! We both got admission into the same school, maybe the universe brought us together. I think I should give love a chance.”

“But you know what the end may look like, you don't have much time to live. I bet you don't want to make him suffer by losing you.”

“Alright, I will tell him this weekend. He is coming to take me out on a date.”

“I just hope it will be as you said. This thing called love is so powerful.” Sandra stared at her friend for a moment. “What about your admission into Berkeley? Have you told him? I know he will be very happy to receive the news.”

Sophia shook her head. “Not yet, I will tell him over the weekend too. On second thought, I shouldn't tell him about my admission so he can move on with his life once he gets to school.”

“He may not forgive you for that if he finds out and besides, what makes you think you guys won't meet each other in school? No matter how you want to hide, you may meet one way or the other.”

Sophia's eyes were now filled with tears. She didn’t know what to do. “Sandra, I have never felt so helpless in my life as I’m feeling now.”

Sandra patted her on the shoulders. “Calm down Sophia, just go ahead and tell him.”

A gentle smile appeared on Sophia’s face. “Okay, thank you so much, Sandra. What can I do without you? You are such a sweetheart.” She hugged her tight.

“Okay. I have heard that a thousand times already,” Sandra said laughing. They parted from the embrace. 

“Well, but that's the truth, Sandra. I wouldn't have coped with all these if you haven't been here. You are such a sweet soul that God gave me.”

Sandra blushed. “Thank you. You are a big support to me as a friend, I have benefited more from you than I have given you. Blessed is anyone who got you as a friend.”

“Oh, Sandra, you are flattering me.”

“I’m not flattering you, Sophia, it is the truth.”

“That's amazing to hear. Thank you so much, girlfriend. I should leave now before my mum will sit all day waiting for me.” 

“You got the best mum, Sophia, she is indeed so sweet,” Sandra said and stood.

“Alright, Sandra my regards to your parents. Tell them I will join for dinner next time I visit

I will see you at the weekend.”