Chapter 4 04

Layla laughed.."I'm not even a full black,my Mum is American so i don't think that's enough reason to hate me. That's just your excuse to,you obviously have other reasons but i don't even care, just do not speak ill of my father or your father! would bear the brunt" Layla said.

"Do not mention my father with that black father of yours!" Chloe said through gritted teeth.

Layla laughed loud and hard.

"You should actually be glad i mentioned your father alongside mine.. My father, Michael Ajagun Williams.." Layla paused and if there had been a 'Yoruba' in the class,they would have laughed at the way she had pronounced 'Ajagun'

"He is a three star general who fought across the thirty six states of Nigeria during World War II,he fought till his last breath and he died while protecting thousands of people" Layla said and her classmates exclaimed, looking touched by the story.

Chloe was touched also but she was too headstrong to show it.

"He's not just any African, he's a hero! The most selfless man I've ever known. None of you should dare bring up my father again and even if you do, please accord him some respect" Layla said and the whole class went silent.

Most of them already feeling bad to have treated Layla like thrash.

Chloe could see what was happening and she knew she had to speak up real fast.

"You all shouldn't fall for her words! She's telling lies!" Chloe said.

"Lies? Why would i do that? I didn't say that for anyone to change their ways towards me,i didn't say that to earn y'all pity nor anyone's friendship. As a matter of fact,i don't want anyone's friendship. I said that to make you see how lucky your father is to be mentioned alongside mine" Layla smiled at Chloe.

"Your father fought across thirty six states in his poor country! That means nothing!" Chloe said.

"Yeah,it means nothing to you but it means a lot to the people he saved and they'll forever be grateful to him" Layla said.

"And i think i should be blamed here because i gave you the chance to disrespect my father. Starting now..never speak ill of my father again,i won't take it lightly..i promise you that. You hate me,then direct your hate to me, Do not extend it to my father. Don't bring him up ever again!" Layla warned clearly.

"And that doesn't go to Chloe alone but everyone in here, never disrespect my parents again. This is a warning!" Layla stated before sitting.

Her eyes landed on Dylan and surprisingly found his gaze on her,her stomach lit up immediately in excitement.

His gaze lingered before he finally looked away.

Dylan looks like he has finally noticed her and maybe he would start flirting with her too.

She almost grinned at the thought,her gaze was still fixed on him even after he had looked away.

Everyone was astounded Layla could turn that bold and fearless,they stared at her, different questions written all over their faces.

Chloe fumed on her seat, tapping her fingers on the desk repeatedly.

Her friends knew better than to say anything to her at the moment.

"What's with the weird silence?" Miss Moore asked as she walked into the classroom.

She got no answer and then shrugged before proceeding to teach.

🦋

Walking into the cafeteria for lunch break, Layla had the same demeanor she had when she sat in class in the morning.

For the first time in years,she wasn't mocked. She was only being stared at.

Realising it was this easy to have brought an end to the mockery that went on for years almost brought tears to her eyes.

She had allowed it go on and on,she had allowed it break her,it almost marred her and then with just few words and action..she was free.

She had thought it was going to take more than that,she never thought being free of the mockery and hatred only required standing up for herself.

If it hadn't been for...what happened, would she have made the decision to stand up for herself or would she have even thought of it..?

She knew the answer and it sadden her.

Perhaps,she was being punished for not standing up for herself all these years.

Maybe God knew what happened would make her stand up for herself and then..

Stop Layla..she scolded herself.

She walked to the counter to get her lunch and then walked to a table with a tray of meal in hand.

She sat and expected the girls to stand up and move to another table like they've always done but she was surprised when they remained seated, eating their meal.

She was stunned for a while, knowing the students never ate with her,they do move to another table.

Except a girl who always sat with her.

Only the girl did not avoid her.

She eats with her all the time, though the girl is in a junior class.

Layla looked around and wondered where the girl was,she couldn't find her.

"You should eat up,lunch break will be over soon" One of the girls said to Layla, stunning her yet again.

"Hu..h? Okay" She said and started eating.

Chloe saw what was happening and knew Layla is starting to win over the students heart.

"I can't believe those girls sat with her!" Christy,one of Chloe's friend said.

"What am i gonna do?" Chloe sighed worriedly.

🎈

Lunch break was over and everyone started moving to their classes.

"I think...your hair looks nice on you" Layla heard.

The voice sounds familiar but it can't possibly be the person she's thinking right?

No...or she's going to faint.

She turned slowly, earnestly hoping he was the one.

It was Dylan.

He smiled at her before walking away.

She managed to stop herself from screaming but she couldn't stop herself from dancing.

She broke into a dance, shaking each part of her body, humming incoherent rhythm to compliment her dance.

She cared less about the students who laughed at her funny steps.

She looked like the happiest person on Earth at the moment.

"No one told me Michael Jackson's daughter attends this school.." One of the students said as they walked past her and the rest laughed.

"Wow, great dancing skills.. wouldn't you like to showcase it to the class? Come with me" Miss Moore said and Layla stopped dancing.

"Miss Moore, no..i i"

"C'mon, great steps you have there, you'll need to come show it to the class" Miss Moore smiled.

"No..i..i was only dancing because I'm excited, i know my dance skills is worst than a jelly's, please don't make me showcase it in front of the class" Layla said and Miss Moore held her laughter.

"You only think so, you're still the best dancer I've ever seen. The world needs to know of your talent but let's start from your class" Miss Moore said, laughing hard as she dragged Layla along.

"Miss Moore..nooo,i dance like a crab, pleaseeeeee" Layla pleaded as she was being pulled to her class.