Chapter 3 Welcome To Campus Trenches

Excited to leave the house for different purposes. ALix and Laura decided to take a train. They looked with interest at the bustling street from the train window.

Staying in Knuri village, they were used to the locals, the bustling sound of the market, small-town gossip, and chit-chat at a close range. Their life had pretty much been simple despite coming from a rich family.

The village wasn't that big to show off either. It is a perfect place to hide from anything and anyone; That is why going to Alexandria University in Lagos is an eye-opener for them both. "They get to see more people than the under-populated area they hailed from."

The excitement showed on their faces as they took everything in all at once: the street, the market, the colours. Colours have always excited Laura, while Alix is more on the recluse side.

Alix watched people with interest. "Passersby, then the mountains when they saw one." With an artistic eye, she saw a story in everything she saw.

The growth, people's whisperings, their body language, even the one who feigns it. She saw it all and noted with interest; that she was fascinated, but what interested her most was Laura's carefree nature.

Back in Kanuri village, she acts high and mighty. Hardly associating, belittling and mocking. "She had even gone as far as bullying the bread seller's daughter about how poor they were.

But in truth, Laura had only bullied those who bad-mouthed Alix behind her back but Alix had always steered clear of whatever she does. "She never asked why she did what she did; all she'd ever say was "Do be careful sister people aren't very nice even when you are kind and when you are mean they give the pressure a double meaning".

Laura smiled a little at the memories while watching Alix from the corner of her eyes. She could tell what she was thinking. "She wished she could tell her, she never hated her and all she did was to protect her".

After all, Alix is the reason she would gain her freedom, coupled with the fact that they were more similar than they knew and that they were cousins, too.

Remembering something? Laura started a conversation and for once they didn't sound haughty or rude. I was wondering what Nyra said to you to make her seem like she crawled out of the ditch. Alix said.

Laura smiled at the memory then turned to look at her cousin with that cold beautiful face "She said you were nothing more than a puppet who lives in a home built by her bastard father, who got himself killed by God knows what. "And maybe if your father hadn't sinned so much using all those people for his benefit maybe you who happened to be his only daughter wouldn't have rolled in the dirt despite being a rich brat".

What! Alix looked at Laura's deadpanned stare at her... She didn't... Yes, she did Laura cocked her head wondering if Alix was just oblivious or plain stupid but then Alix aced in sarcasm and her brain is like lightning, it grabs anything and everything.

So you were what? Alix folded her arms and cocked her head just like Laura had done; "rooting for me or you can't stand anyone else bullying me".

Let's say both, Laura sighed... "I get to be the only one in that position.

Alix watched her cousin in silence and saw emotions she had never seen in her eyes before: hurt, pain, guilt, and definitely love for her.

It only meant one thing, Laura hates her father, but why? Alix thought. Since when? She asked her.

Since forever, she rolled her eyes up trying to reign in the emotions she felt right now. The tears she had painstakingly hidden were threatening to slip out but Alix was the only person she trusted.

Come here, Alix gestured and Laura and Laura flung her arms around her cousin letting out all the pent-up emotions.

You know, having a glib tongue and a butter fist doesn't always work out... That was why I took the liberty to beat Nyra up for you.

Laura paused, then raised her head to look at her... Do you mean her broken nose was from you?

Yes, sister... Laura smiled widely, I have always cared too sister...Thank you, Laura whispered then wiped her tears when the train stopped.

Shall we work toward freedom together Sis? Laura asked... Yes, we shall... First, we need to shirk off the leach your father had on our tail.

You notice? Laura raised her eyebrow at her. Since we got in our car, Alix said, "Great." Laura smirked, typical Alix.

Watch it "Alix scolded making her giggle".

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The university wasn't like anything they had imagined. They had seen their fair share of beauty when they were younger, and Alix's parents were alive, but this raised the bar higher.

Yo! Sis, Laura punched Alix on her arm... Bet, your rich paper will smile down from heaven at this rate... Right! Alix snorted, he'd be rolling in it.

Sigh... Alix watched the grand building in front of her. The lawns look neat, too neat... The buildings are set in the Victorian era.

I think they have brought Egypt down here... That is one massive very palacy or should I say castle worthy in Egypt. Alexandria is derived from a city in Egypt Laura.

I think the owner brought down his heritage here.

"Did you see those statues, Alix pointed to the sculptures; especially that one Alix gestured to the left... That is Ra the god of the sun.

And that should be Princess Nefertiti and Alix excitedly naming the sculptures one by one. Being interested in ancient history and lore, she was quick to be drawn in by the story behind each sculpture and the magnificence they portrayed.

Laura on the other hand finds them to be nothing more than a piece of giant people in stones... Gear up sis, Laura patted you are the one studying human and their environments.

I am only interested in the juicy news nothing more... Right... typical Laura Alix sighed.

They walked to the register's office to get their schedules and hostel together with the new excitement that fuels new students.

Since they knew the inevitable that they'd be living together, they didn't find it surprising but the name of the dormitory was surprising and confusing too.

Campus Trenches? Laura whooped excitedly... Talk about tones... Aren't trenches used for those who hail from the lower class? Kanuri's village slang should stay in Kanuri Laura.

"Following the directions they walked from the main building till they come in front of an estate-like structure... "This doesn't look bad, Alix noted... Again the building looks too neat".

Sculptures of Egypt gods aligned. And... Alix noted with surprise... Sango and Oya... This is way more than Egypt's heritage. I think it's African history as a whole.

Yeah! Whatever Laura pouted... Excuse me Laura walked to a lady in an altered tux... We are looking for apartment 206, please.

"The lady watched with interest... Are you Laura and Alix? She asked excitedly... Guided Alix looked wearily at the girl while Laura just shrugged her shoulders.

Relax, newbies. I am Crystal, your roommate. The head office informed me that you two will be coming in today. Oh, Alix sighed in relief.

Yes, we are... Nice to meet you both Crystal chirped happily.

And welcome to Campus Trenches newbies... I will see you to our room.