Chapter 3 The decision

Two weeks later,my siblings returned home from their respective boarding schools as we were all boarders.My Mum was overjoyed to see them,her children and had made their favorites foods for them return.I scoffed as I listened to my mother and siblings chatting in the living room.I wore my head phone to block out the sound of their voices and enjoyed my peace and quiet time alone.

Since I returned I hadn't gone down to share a meal with my parents.Rather,I had mine in my room and my siblings return didn't change my decision.It is not because I hated them,I just didn't want to be there when my Mum would tell them about my expulsion and have to listen to Vanessa,the golden child,advice her black sheep younger sister and listen to Victor's mocks and laughter.I tried pushing off the thought but couldn't,it seemed like it had a mind of its own.Each time I thought of them,I can't help but feel like an outcast,a loser,after all that was how they made me feel.I disliked my family ,all of them and wanted to be anywhere but near them.I breathed and held back the tears that threatened to spill.

A day to the beginning of a new term,my father came to my room to break the unexpected and unpleasant news to me,"I'm sending you to Oliver's highschool",he. had said plainly."What? No! there's no way I'm going there,NEVER!",I bursted out,"Oh yes! You'll be going to Oliver's highschool whether you like it or not",he said with a note of finality."I hate you.I hate you with my being",I said with anger,"And I don't care",he replied.I stumped out in anger not wanting to be in the same room with him breathe the same air with him for another minute.

I loved this part of the garden,it was quiet and reserved.No one would know you are there until you make a sound or the person moves closer.The morning was still young and chillyas the night wind and through my night wear.I let out a deep sigh as I laid on the grass,not minding the fact that I would get dirtyvand stared at the morning sky.Usually,it gave me inner peace and took my mind off everything but it wasn't working now.My anger and frustration stii boiled beneath my skin and various thoughts clouded my mind.I laid down on the grass and refused to go in until the heat of the afternoon sun drove me.

My Dad gave me one of those his stares and I gave him one of mine too.We stayed like that ,regardless of the tension that was building,as I climbed to my room.I hated him so much that I felt like strangling him with my bare hands.I freshened up and went downstairs to grab some snacks ignoring my mother's and sister's presence and went to lock myself in my room,slamming the door as I walked in.

That evening I joined them for dinner for the first time in weeks and I regretted it.My Dad told my Mum of his decision to send me to Oliver's highschool and for the first time in a long time,she oppressor,"No,no,no,you can't send her there.I know she and disobedient and stubborn but I can't let you take any if my children to...","How dare you challenge my authority in my own house?",my Dad said raising his voice.,"l'm...I'm not challenging you,I'm just...",she said and paused.Vanessa quickly put in,'Mum,it's probably for the best,Emily is getting out of control","Best?",my mother asked,"what do you know about best?",she asked her but my Dad's deep voice but an end to her."That is enough,Emily will be going there and that's final",my Dad said.Mum gave Vanessa one of those looks she only gave me and boy was I happy she did.

I couldn't believe it,my Mum actually stood up for me and not against me as usual shouted at the golden child.My Mum took my side when the rest family didn't.Those were the thoughts that ran through my mind as I laid on my bed.However,my joy was short-lived as they had an argument about it that night in their bedroom which eventually led to her being beaten up again.I couldn't sleep with the smile on my face like I wanted.Rather,her screams and the commotion from their room had me tossing in bed for the better part of the night.

The following day,before my siblings left for school,Vanessa came to my room to offer her "sisterly advice" which made my blood boil,"Why can't you leave me alone?Get out!,"I shouted at her,"I don't need you or your advice,"I said to her."Emily,you can't continue to...",she was saying when I cut her short,"Why don't you stick to being the perfect golden child and leave me alone",I said.She stood there motionless looking at me without saying a word,"Vanessa,get out!",I said pointing at the door.Slowly,she walked out of my room and turned to say something but I slammed the door in her face.

I have had enough for one morning,my Mum showed up that morning with a wounded face,my Dad didn't break his stare at me and my brother gave me a scornful look when he saw me and now Vanessa shows up to offer lame advice.it was all too much for one morning.

Since Oliver's highschool didn't admit students mid-term,I had to stay at home for an entire term which wasn't the first time.However,my father's never ending cold gaze at me never seized to make me uncomfortable which made to hide in my room whenever he was at home or in the living room.Also,after the incident,my mother began to give me cold shoulders never spared me a glance for any reason.This time stay at home was the worst.