Chapter 4 Invitation

I hear the Waves of the ocean

It's calmness is peaceful and the storm is warning

Blue as the beautiful Sky

Heavenly it waves sings like the angels

Do you hear this beautiful rhythm or am I in a beautiful dream

Can't you see how well it nutures beautiful creatures

And leaves beautiful pearls beneath

right in the middle of the ocean is my heart

Do you hear this beautiful rhythm or am I in a beautiful dream 🎶

I ended the song. I opened my eyes and it was a full room, everyone was smiling and clapping. I looked at the Ehi and Patty and they were smiling at me. I felt happy and good about it, not that I didn't know how good I sound singing but for the first time people appreciated me for it. Angelica always appreciates my voice but I guess I wanted Mum to feel the same way too.

Patty sent everyone away and locked the door. I sat on my bed in a heavy sigh, so this is not it feels like to want to be heard, to freely express oneself. Mum never stopped me from taking piano lessons or the other lessons I took but I guess she didn't know I was going to be this serious about it.

"What happened earlier?"

Patty asked before I got the chance to.

I sat up

"that question is mine! What happened, who let them in?"

I asked looking at them.

"Pretty your voice did, your voice broke boundaries, I have never heard anything like it"

Ehi said walking to my bed, she sat beside me.

"Look girl you're blessed" Patty walked into the kitchen

"Blessed?!" I scoffed

"just look at you, extraordinary beauty, your skin glows and goodness!You sound like an angel"

Ehi demonstrated with her hands

"if this isn't being blessed then I'm sorry I don't know what it is"

Patty walked out from the kitchen pack of Doritos.Truth be told sometimes I'm a mystery to my own self,I mean just looking at myself leaves me in numerous wonders.

Mum always told me while growing up that I was a unique child and should be extremely careful.

I just pray that I'm able to keep my hair length hidden but I know it won't be for too long. They might start to see me differently and maybe not in a good way. Some girls at the convent tried to bully me over it, they called me names and said I was strange. I didn't let any of it get to me because it didn't matter then and it won't matter even more now

I prepared dinner for everyone, served it, we ate and retired back to studying. Sophia hasn't been lecturing since the first day but her boyfriend has taken us on three classes and on different courses. I haven't had any interactions with him either except we have lunch with Sophia where he's there most times. They seem to be very close aside being in a relationship.

"I hope Zayn picks me tomorrow"

Ehi said dreamily, Patty shook her head.

"What's so special about him? He's only a student, why is he lecturing us?"

I questioned trying the violin. I didn't get a chance to take violin lessons back home so Patty offered to give me lessons.

"He's so handsome, amazing voice, he's just every girl's dream"

Ehi replied dreamily again. She's exhausting me with all these talks about him

"Zayn is really handsome, he's also one of the best voices in BFM"

Patty added.

"I just can't believe he's dating Sophia, they're the complete opposite"

Sophia is so kind and thoughtful, very fun to be around. She has such positive energy, whenever I see her she has a smile on.

"I really hope he doesn't take us on any class tomorrow or the day after that"

We went to bed.

Sounds of ringing alarm vibrated under my pillow and for a moment I cursed the damn alarm.

I groaned and my eyes fluttered open, I looked at the other beds and the girls were still fast asleep

"Wake up Sisters!!" I yelled

Ehi let out a grunt and turned to the other side while Patty was stretching out and yawning.

"goodness Pretty! Mama never taught you to wake people politely?!"

Patty groaned. I laughed

"Get up Ehi, we're going to be late"

"What's the time?" Ehi asked sleepily.

"it's time for School!" I yelled again

"I'm having a bath first " she ran into the bathroom. What? How dare her

"That is so Judas of you" I said and Patty laughed. She walked into the kitchen to make breakfast while I quickly tidy up the room.

We got to class waiting for the instructor. I got a text from Angelica and I was busying texting her back. Mum was having the whole house redecorated and she was asking if I had any preference for my bedroom. The instructor walked in, Mr Rhodes. He should be in his late thirties, he takes Music Technology and his very good in conveying his lectures for proper understanding. During the first week I was uncomfortable with the male instructors but I have gotten a bit accustomed to the setting of both genders coexisting in the same space.

"Miss Pretty please step forward!"

the instructor said and I stood up.

"Isn't against the rules of BFM for any instructor to compliment a student? "

a girl with dyed hair said from the end of the class.

"Miss Molly, I'm not complimenting, that's her name, Miss Brooks please show the class your ID"

I brought out my ID and showed it to a few persons sitting close.

"I should have called by the last name instead but we're not in English class"

He held his hands behind his back.

The instructor asked me a few questions about the lectures and I answered them. Mum would pardon me for being attentive in class.

He nodded his head

"What instrument do you play?" He questioned. I looked at the girls

"A lot sir" my voice was very low and I was very nervous. Everyone's attention was on me.

"That's great. Come on then and play something for us"

I walked to him and he gave me a guitar, he gestured and I nodded. I played a rendition of Whitney Houston's I Didn't Know my Own Strength. I tried to ignore every staring eyes in the room and just feel my own heartbeat.

It was beautiful, I dropped the guitar and stood up

Everyone clapped, I looked and they were smiling

I smiled and returned to be seat, the girls gave me a cheeky smile

"Miss Brooks that was... Amazing!"

the instructor complimented. Another student played the saxophone, he was amazing.

The class ended and we went for lunch

"I'll catch up with you guys I need to use the restroom" I said to Patty and Ehi,they nodded and I went ahead.

Walking down to the restroom I waved back at a few nice girls. I ignored the guys with piercing stares, I clinged to my bag anxiously and walked faster.

I went into the restroom and eased myself. I stood in front of the room washing my hands in the bowl. Two girls walked in, our eyes met and I looked away and dried my hands. I overheard them talking about a party and they were excited about it. I've never been to any party and we never had one at home. During our birthdays Mum plans a special dinner at home or a weekend getaway.

"Hey Pretty!" I heard on my way to the cafeteria to join the girls

I turned and it was Sophia, she walked to me.

"Hi Sophia!" I smiled. She looked very beautiful in a skinny jeans, black tank top and knee high boots.

she had a bunch of envelopes in her hand like invitation cards.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Patty and Ehi said you went to the restroom so I had to come find you"

she explained

"That's nice" I replied

"Funny you! Come on let's go"

she responded and dragged me with her.

The cafeteria was less crowded than usual, we walked to the table where Ehi and Patty sat, Sophia's boyfriend and two other guys sat too. I've seen them from Sophia's Instagram page. She introduced me to them, I sent a small smile and sat beside Ehi while Sophia went to sit close to her boyfriend. They shared a smile and he tucked her hair, Ehi drew my attention to the waitress beside me.

she introduced the two other guys as Brian and Teddy. I didn't pay attention to their looks but Brian was dark skin with nice wave haircut while Teddy had brunette hair.

"I can't wait for tomorrow night, it's gonna be fun" Sophia said a while into our meals excitedly and everyone agreed including the girls.

"What's happening tomorrow night?" I asked taking a sip from the cup of watermelon smoothie.

"You don't know about it yet? I'm having a party" she replied

"A party?" I questioned back looking from her to the girls on intervals like I was searching for something.

"yeah a party and you're invited" Sophia nodded her head.

"that's what those are" I said gesturing to the cards on the table in front of her. She placed her right hand on them

"We're friends so I didn't think you needed one. We're are friends ain't we? Don't tell me you won't come" her smile dropped as she stared at me.

I turned to everyone on the table and they were all waiting for an answer

"We are friends Sophia it's just that I've never attended a Party" I said and I heard Zayn scoff, I shot him a glare.

"Oh! There's always a first time for everything and besides I haven't had a party in a while now and I want you there, please Pretty!!"

she pleaded with puppy eyes, I looked at Patty and Uriel and they pleaded too.

I nodded "OK I will"

"Thank you so much pretty" she smiled and I smiled back. I've never been to a party or had friends who threw parties. Mum talked to me about going to parties, clubs and indulging myself unnecessarily while I'm here. Parties can't be that harmful as Mum puts it otherwise people won't host let alone attend.

We finished lunch had two more classes. The classes were absolutely hectic and I couldn't wait for it to be done.

..

"Sophia's Party is the trend now"

Ehi stated serving a glass of smoothie. Smoothies are very healthy and natural, I take atleast one glass everyday and I've encouraged the girls to do the same. I've never fallen sick even as a child, Mum said it's because I eat healthy and take lots of healthy fluids like water, milk and smoothie.

"Totally, I can't wait for tomorrow" Patty added

"Please do wait, I don't want anyone dying in my room"

Ehi replied and Patty threw a pillow at her "Silly!"

I laughed and sipped from my glass,

honestly I'm scared of the party tomorrow but I don't want to upset sophia or the girls.vNever really attended a party or have any idea of what one looks like, Mum mustn't find out or I'm in trouble.

"Less I forget Pretty" Patty said

"What is it?"

"I've been wanting to ask, most songs I've heard you sing involves water,the ocean and all of that. Why's that?"

she asked "that's true"

Ehi added standing beside my bed and hanging by the wall

"I don't know, I just love it!" I replied and they nodded.

I've never been to the ocean, we don't even have a swimming pool at home but I just love it. I've always wanted to go to the beach but Mum says she has Thalassophobia, that is the fear of large water bodies.

I find myself browsing about the ocean,the sea,the lake all the time and writing songs on it's beauty and whenever I do that it feels so soothing