Chapter 8 Melinda

8. MELINDA

Even though I got bullied yesterday, I feel good today. I had friends who comforted me,and it was fun reading with them ,and walking home with them. It was not really a long distance,so I didn't feel embarrassed about my stained cloth. Dave and Daniella live next to each other. How sweet is that? They might not look alike or have the same physique but they are meant for each other.

Mum comes in ,"Are you ready? "

"Yes," I say, dragging the "s' ' sound. I grab my bag ,and walk out with her. I honestly feel good this morning, it doesn't matter what Teni does, I am used to it. Getting downstairs, I notice the pictures on the walls, they weren't here yesterday or yesterday night. Pictures of me ,mum and Dad. Pictures from me at Standard, pictures of Mum receiving an award,outstanding worker at Helping hands. I think she also won another award for most resourceful manager that night. I remember mum smiled so wide and glowed with happiness. Although I knew she wasn't truly happy because Dad wasn't there. Next to the picture of her receiving the award is a picture of dad in white - black striped shirt and black jean trousers in his round glasses with a slight smile, Doctor Kelechi Nze. That is the best description for Dad, and name. He was not really a father nor a husband but he was surely a good doctor ,who helped save hundreds of lives at Port-harcourt general hospital and most recently scores of lives at Living spring divine hospital. I stare into his eyes through his glasses,and he looks back at me stiff ,tall and handsome. Why would mum put up these pictures,I thought she was trying to move on. Although the pictures make this place more homely. But it had better be removed. If one of her suitors saw these pictures it would be weird. I want mum to move on and be happy. I never knew it would be this hard for her, Dad was never there ,he was always working.

"Melinda, come and eat,time is passing by "

"Okay ,mum"

I take my seat,and grab my cup of tea,I take a glance at mum, her face is behind her teacup ,gulping tea. I want to ask her why she put up the pictures. It doesn't just make sense. I take a bite of my pancake.

"I asked Agnes to put up the pictures"

I swear it, mum can read my mind.

"Why?" I ask.

"Why? Because they are our pictures, pictures of our family"

I want to tell her that there was never a family, and if there was it's just me and her left. But I don't say a thing I don't want to sound rude. Hopefully, she will read my mind and take everything down.

After breakfast, I walk outside ,while mum gives orders to Agnes. I wait by the car.I sigh and start writing invisible formulas with my foot on the floor. Mum walks briskly to the car and opens it with the key remote ,I turn around and hop in.

"Are you reading today?"

"Hopefully"

"That's great"

Then we fall quiet,I stare at mum's fingers as she drives holding the steering wheel ,the ring glistening in the morning sun.

Why should she still be wearing this ring, just why? We pass by Daniella and Dave's house.

I look outside hoping to see them ,but I don't. I sink low into my seat and close my eyes .

Today will be better, Melinda. I am just going to steer clear of any bully or Queen, stick with my friends, and sit where I should. PGCSS will be fun.

According to Daniella, it is the "social hour" , the time where various meetings of social clubs in the school meet. Choir, the school paper/yearbook,drama,robotics and the likes.

"So...where are you going?" Daniella asks as we stroll through the crowded hall.

"Yearbook?" I was in the choir at Standard which I hated, because most of the girls were pretty and I always felt intimidated around them. I should try something new, a yearbook sounds nice ,I could manipulate stuff for my own good like putting my picture as the prettiest girl or something.

"That sounds nice, but that's Teni's club"

"OK. I am not interested, maybe I should just go to budding chefs"

Daniella sighs, "you can't allow anyone to determine or control your life. If that is what you want then go for it . We stop in front of a room whose door reads, Peace times.

"Go" ,Daniella urges.

I take a reluctant step, Daniella pushes me slightly to the door.

"I will be going ahead to robotics, they must be waiting for me" she says to me and walks away.

I take a deep breath, push down the door knob so that the door opens and then I walk in, surprisingly there are only seven students inside. Teni and Pauline and some other girl I don't know from some other class were seated while three boys ,Abdullahi from my class and two short boys stood arms folded. A tiny girl in glasses writes into a notebook rapidly, her hair is cut quite low. Jessica sits besides her fiddling with her fingers.

"We have a new member" Jessica announces when she sees me, the girl in glasses looks up at me, her eyes look so squinty in the glasses.

"Hi" I say.

"Welcome to Peace Times" ,Pauline says,Teni is beside her ,arms folded, for the first time Dammy is not behind her back.

"This club is a special club and very sensitive, if you would like to join ,you should write an application letter and submit it to Pauline", Jessica says," also, the form " Pauline goes to the table at the edge of the wall, opens a file takes a paper and hands it to me.

"you have to fill that and send it with the application letter, hopefully you might be our newest member."

"We don't take in dumb girls though" Teni muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.

The boys chuckle and Jessica tries hard not to laugh.

"Oh,thanks, I say to Jessica and walk out"

It was a bad idea, coming here ,I shouldn't have listened to Daniella. Tears start to fall, I sniff and hold them back. I run to the toilet and wash my face. I look at the mirror, and breathe in, "I am not a dumb girl" ,I say to my self.

I adjust my plaid skirt and walk out. The halls are empty and quiet, I walk into the class ,take my seat and place my head on my table. I take out my Lonely flower and start to read.