Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 1: From 'grace' to 'grass'

In a world of roses and rats, paper bones dont last long

   
      My Mom smiled at me from the front seat of our car as my dad drove through a wine coloured gate that led to a huge mass of land, my new school. I had been agitated all summer because of this.

Written on the gate was the name, 'Longford   High School'

"We're here, Doyin." She said calmly.

My heart started pounding hard against my chest as many questions flooded my mind. Was changing my school a mistake? Would I fit in?  How would people treat me? How would I relate with people in this new environment?.

Unfortunately, these questions would only be answered when I entered the school.

"Doyin,get your luggage from the car." My mum told me as my dad's old HONDA PILOT  pulled up in front of the hall where I and my sister would be checked in.

"Okay mum". I replied, getting down from the car.

My three siblings,Dotun(older brother),Dara (my little sister who was also going to attend the school), and my baby brother, Divine, jumped out of the car in a rush.

"So this is your new school,"
My 18 year old older brother, Dotun, said, looking around at the vast area of land.

"Yeah, you like it?"

"Hmm, interesting." His fingers around his chin.

He never particularly liked the idea of me leaving my previous school one bit. He called it moving from 'grace' to 'grass'.
But, it was for the best.

"It doesnt matter whether you like it or not. I've gotten in already," I sighed.

"Dotun, dont just stand there making stupid comments, help your sister for God's sake." My mum said, already tired.

The goat just walked lackadaisically to where I was standing.

" Mum, I'm really tired, church service was long, you know." He whined, but my mum shot him a Don't-joke-with-me glance.

"Okay, okay,I'll help her," he quickly said before something else could happen.

"Do I really have to beg you to help me?" I scolded him, feigning disappointment.

"What do you expect?" He laughed.

"You're just mean." I hissed.

"Alright, alright, I'll help you this one time, only because you are leaving and I'll slightly miss you, slightly. " he said, emphasising the 'slightly'

"Liar, you know you'll miss me A LOT," I said, playfully slapping his head.

I would miss him too. He was to leave for the university in a week time. I'm sure he was more than excited. He had been through a lot and was finally going to be "free" like he had always anticipated.

He picked up my suitcase and we walked towards the checking hall.

My mum helped Dara with her things.

"Doyin, let me help you too." My five year old baby brother, Divine,said as he throttled behind me.

I laughed.
"Okay, you can carry the buckets." I patted his head and gave him my buckets.

Apparently, that was the lightest among my luggage.

My dad just sat down in the car throughout the commotion. He was just waiting for us to be done with whatever we were doing. He loved his peace and didn't want us interrupting his solitude.

   Up until now, I still hadn't been able to get along with him. And I didn't think it was going to happen any time soon.

We got to the hall and opened up my things for the teacher that would check it in . She was a short dark skinned woman wearing an orange blouse with puffy sleeves.

She was particularly searching for contrabands and electronics. After making sure I didn't have any, she released me right before asking my mum to deposit some amount of money for my upkeep.

"Ohh...I'm really sorry, I left my purse in the car, Doyin. Would you please help me get it?". My mum said.

"Alright." I said, finding my way out of the hall.

As I got out, I was stunned because I saw a lot of boys just standing there, checking out new students, especially girls. That really disgusted me, so I just minded my business and walked straight to my car.

"Dad, I need to pick something from the car."I said to my dad, who was crouched up in the drivers seat, scrolling through his phone.

"The car is open." He said, looking back at his phone.

"Okay."

I picked my moms purse from the passenger's seat and turned to leave when my dad stopped me to give me a pep talk on how to go about my new school.

I didn't know why he thought it was necessary to do that. This definitely wasn't my first time at a boarding school.

He probably felt obliged to do so because of a particular event that occurred a few months ago. But I didn't think it wasn't necessary.

"Lastly, remember the daughter of whom you are and make God proud." he concluded.

"Okay, dad, I'll make sure to take heed to that, thank you." I replied.

He always mentioned making God proud, but deep down, I knew it wasn't just about God. It was about him.

I quickly ran away from his sight before he could say something else. I wasn't ready for that topic today.

As I was going back to the hall, I caught sight of a particular boy, who I noticed, was staring at me weirdly.

I ignored it, but the funny thing was that he was also smiling at me, like I was his lost friend or something. I couldn't really make out his face or his body structure because he was really far away from me. I pretended like I didn't see him and went my way.

"Mom, I'm here, I have your purse," I told my mum, thinking of what had just happened.

"Where have you been?" She was angry, and that was when I realised how much time had been wasted when my dad was giving me "the pep talk. "

"I'm really sorry, dad was talking to me."

"Alright, but we can't waste anymore time here, we still have to check in your sister." My mum was in a hurry, and I had no intention of delaying her.

"Okay mum".

After I checked in all my things, I picked up my school bag to leave when I felt a tug at the handle of my bag. I looked back, and my eyes met the same eyes that had been staring at me outside....