Minutes after Ray dropped me off at home, I yawned and kicked off my shoes locking the door behind me.My dad walked into the room in his glasses and pyjamas, holding chinua Achebe's things fall apart in his hands and looking smug. "You're getting in late.""I'm sorry dad. Trigonometry took longer than I thought. I didn't do it on purpose.""What friend where you with again?" My dad asked and I cracked my head trying to figure out how he knew I'd been out with a friend."Foluke. Foluke olatunji Ibrahim.""Oh, right. Right."I gave him a look."What? You didn't think I keep tabs on the friends you make. The ones who walk right through this door?" He pointed at the front door."Well yeah, I'm a little surprised. Like you're barely home.""I know. I don't need to hear how estranged I am from my family. I'm still trying Emem.""I'm not complaining dad. I'm just surprised that you still have me in mind and that your job hasn't eaten that part up."

The first hint i got that wearing the number two jersey was a little startling was the look on Alain's face as I passed him by on my way to school. He looked suprised but didn't say anything. He just looked at me.The treatment continued as I arrived school. I waved at some few friends and familiar faces. Because it was Friday a brief end to school activities for a few days, I felt elated and comfortable walking alone to my locker. But then, a group of footballers gave me the once overs and smirked a little. I was oddly disturbed and thought about the look of interest on their faces. Twas one of utter surprise.Then there was Mitchel and some of her cheerleading friends who noticed me and poked their friends to garner their attention untill they where all looking at me. I endured the stares walking down the hallway. Foluke had a lot of explaination to do.But I didn't even make it far.None other than Raynard stormwind was walking towards me and wearing the number tw

"Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you're ready for a splendid night here on the Greenville football field, home to the Greenville wolverines!" An announcer said over the microphone. The Greenville home stands errupted into cheers as the school band rolled out the schools anthem.In my entire life as an high school student, I'd seen seen such antics before. I was thrilled and excited at the same time. I felt really special wearing someone's jersey. Well, not just anyone's, Raynard stormwinds' jersey. I felt really special."Hey new girl!" Simi bumped fists with me. "How's baseball going?""Fineee." I drawed out."That's so great cause next time we're watching, it would be you on that field."I laughed, "till then."I followed everyone's lead and stood to my feet while clapping and yelling for the home team. My eyes instantly searched the crowd of football players for the guy whose jersey I was sporting. Number two, Raynard stormwind.The announcer cleared his

Immediately we got home, the first thing I said was, "Mum. Was it really compulsory that you mentioned to cassandra about her son's having meals with us? I personally think it doesn't make sense.""Cassandra didn't seem bothered about it, why should you? You're not their guardian or anything. Besides, it was a totally harmless conversation." My mum replied."Well, I'm just saying. Just imagine she was one of those mother's who picked offences with their children for eating outside." I rolled my eyes, "they would be in a steaming pot of soup right now.""Unfortunately, they're not. They're probably laughing over coffee or barbecue right now. And, quit thinking that way Emmy, this is America not Africa.""Whatever, mum. I just felt the topic wasn't necessary. I'll go up to my room." I took the steps one at a time."How about dinner?" Mum called."I'm not hungry. I'll just grab a few snacks." I called back."Shut the light in your room before you sleep, you

"still dreaming about Ray, huh?"I yawned and turned. This voices in my head wouldn't let me be."Wake up, girl. It's past eleven already.""Can't someone be at peace even in their homes. It's weekend, for the love of god." I sat up abruptly."You didn't think about that when you agreed to go shopping and talk about a little something over a cup of coffee." Foluke drew my ears."Well, I didn't." I retorted. "I want to sleep.""You're going. Stand up and go have your bathe. You stink.""Aaaaaarrgggh. I do not want to talk about anything over a cup of coffee anymore!" I fell face up on the bed and shut my eyes."Now, that's an expensive joke." Meredith chided, "If you do not get up ASAP, I'll be forced to empty the content of the bottle in my hand."I sneaked a peak to make sure she was joking. True to her words, Meredith held a steamy cold water over my head, the bottle uncorked. I sprang up immediately. "Don't you have a house or something?"