Naya and Vince

16

The days passed away uneventful. I didn't cry on reaching home. I was just furious, hurt and offended. The one person that made me see good in myself just called me a seductress. The universe was definitely against my happiness. But I didn't cry. That would be stupid.

Demola threw a little party in honour of his admission on Sunday night at one club. I wasn't eighteen but somehow I managed to attend. We drank and danced and had fun. Some even thought it was nice to get high. I was like the youngest there though I knew most people there. Little piece of advice: never party with drunk/high adults or you'll have nightmares. I saw things that night.

In the blink of an eye, it was morning. God knows that I didn't even feel like getting up that morning. I sat up and glanced at the clock.

6:37

Damn!. Then I felt the first pound. It was brutal. I wondered what on earth drove me to drinking so much when I knew I would go to school today. Somehow, alcohol didn't get me drunk easily. The closest I have ever been yo getting drunk was being cursed with headaches and sometimes throwing up out of the blues. My body system was quite weird. I dragged myself up from my makeshift bed. I realised Dinma was still snoring beside me. My head wasn't aching so bad but I hated headaches. I took a cup of water before staggering to the bathroom. I had to wait for two people before I eventually took my bath.

I glanced at the clock again as I came into the room.

6:59

I was done for. I quickly brushed my teeth and took bread and tea. I dressed hurriedly before popping three tablets of paracetamol into my mouth.

When I got to school, it was already eight thirty. The school compound was empty, well everyone was in class. I quickly rushed to the class before any teacher would spot me. I had never been been late before so I didn't know what they did to late comers.

Ms. Daniels was teaching English when I got to the class. I used my handkerchief to wipe my sweat first before entering the class. I could feel the whole class' eyes on me.

"Good morning Ms. Daniels," I greeted slowly going to my seat.

"Good morning dear," she said. "It's unlike you to be late."

"I was busy last night so I woke up late this morning," I replied. It was the truth after all.

"Invite us for the naming ceremony o" . I realised it was Jude. That boy was something else. I wasn't angry, I was just amused.

"Jude you're sick," Ms. Daniels laugh.

I got to my seat and opened my bag only to find out that I wasn't with my English note. Then it dawned on me that I didn't bring back my notes I took home on Friday. And most were Monday notes. I wanted to read them. I just brought out my jotter to write.

After the whole thread of classes, it was finally break time. Before the teacher could even leave the class, Amanda announced that everyone should submit the Economics assignment. And as you may guess I wasn't with my note. And to make matters worse the assignment carried marks. But what could I do?

"Naya, where's your assignment?" She asked me balancing a pile of notes on her left hip. I admired her hair. She stylishly packed her afro and it was beautiful.

"I didn't bring it."

Her eyes widened behind her glasses. "Why?"

"Because I forgot ni"

"Check your bag well. You can't forget this assignment," she insisted.

"I didn't bring it." I told her.