Life In Its Time

Stampede

CHAPTER 1

My large eyes stared back at me, my thick brows curved a little bit like a triangle. I frowned at my reflection, I reached and massaged between my eyebrows using my index finger to relax my forehead. My pouted dark lips were set in a grim line, I examined my school uniform, not only was it rumbled, but it  wasn't in the best state today. God I hated wearing this uniform. The pinafore was what I hated the most, thus, I couldn't wait to be done with highschool just so I could stop the constant routine. My dark thick curly hair was neatly packed. I padded down the stairs from my room. As I approached the archway that leads to the dinning room, I overheard my Mother speaking on the phone, she looked upset and was speed talking again. She does that when she's upset or anxious about something. I stopped and listened, more like eavesdropped.  She had no idea I was standing there.
"Lizzy..No. no..this has nothing to do with what happened years ago.." Aunt Elizabeth? she still exists? I scoffed. I thought she was carried alive into the skies or something.
Aunt Elizabeth is our paternal Aunt who stayed with us when we were kids. she left after my Paa passed on, and neither returned nor called anyone, didn't give or leave anything behind that could serve as a lead to find her. Not until four years ago. Although she didn't contact anyone, my Maa reached out to her.
And once in a while, they would be whispering suspicious things on the phone, i have no clue what. Today Wouldn't be the first.
"Lizzy stop.. that is none of your business. I'll handle it" I cleared my throat, to announce my presence. My Ma turned toward me and stopped pacing. She blinked rapidly, as if reality had just hit her.
"Lizzy I'll call you back. I need to get the girls to school. hmm."
She smiled at me and i managed to return it.
"Good Morning Maa, did you sleep well?my voice laced with concern. She nodded rapidly with a small smile. However, I could see the evident worry lines marred on her forehead, and her large eyes - that were an exact replica of mine, were robed with dark circles. Wait. Is she upset because I woke up late and didn't help with breakfast?

"Maa.." I called nervously. she sighed. And massaged between her eyebrows.
"You haven't done anything wrong Donna," I let out a sigh of relief. She knows me so well.

She padded towards the Kitchen, where Emily was already setting the table. I followed right behind her. As I approached the kitchen,  I was greeted by a strong sweet smell of thick milked custard and fried eggs. Oh! And toast too. I gasped when I saw the amount of food Cooked. Although we knew how she tends to go overboard with cooking, we are taken aback every time the food is served. However, the food is always delicious, thus we force it down our throats even when we're satisfied, just so she would be happy that her efforts were appreciated. Notwithstanding, I think I'll have to make an exception today.
I sat down on the brown wooden chair.
" Why didn't you wake me?" I whispered to Emily. She shrugged
"Never mind that, you can do the eating today to make up for it," Millie quipped. I glared at her.
"Let's eat and be on our way," Maa said. She was already dressed in a purple short gown that was just passed her knee. As she works in the bank, she's constantly dressed in a cooperate attire. We ate in silence on the colored table cloth that contrasted our caramel skins. Maa made sure our home looked like rainbow. From the peach colored curtains to the cream colored couches were bubbly colors. Two Lavender colored bean bag scattered on the living room floor. The drawers in the kitchen were black and red. Every color in our house made me nauseous, but She insisted the colors brighten her mood.
"Donna what did I tell you about keeping your backpack on the dinning table?" Her voice drew me out of my thoughts. I sighed. She glared at me.
"Fine." I raised my hands in surrender, I grabbed the bag and dropped it on the floor with a thud. She sighed.
"If you don't learn now when will you? A simple correction brings out so many reaction in you Ladonna." Millie glanced at us from the corner of her, as she gulped now her food.
"Emily hurry and put the plates away,"she said as she rose and made for the stairs "Help your sister Ladonna!" she called. I sighed. Millie raised her brow "What?" I said with a roll of my eyes.
"You aren't expecting me to clear everything all by myself were you?" She  analyzed me with her tiny eyes.
"Why not? you're a big girl aren't you?" I said with a shrug. She shook her head and started clearing the table and putting the plates in the sink.
After that, everyone went about packing the necessity they'll need for the day. Then we headed out. The chilly June air hits my face as we came out of the house. I breathe in the fresh air, The weather was starting to change, soon it'll be cold like nobody's business. As we entered the car, my eyes searched for Gina, as her house was just across the street, a minute walk from mine. Gina was my best friend ever since we moved back here, we would often drive to school together. Her one story house was an exact replica of mine, except for the brown short gate. The whole neighborhood was the same - one story houses built with red bricks, and picket fence,  about four feet tall, a porch and green flowers scattered in the front lawns. We moved to Bridge  Valley when I was nine, turns out my parents had built a house, and my Mother's work place transferred her. It came in a good time, and my Mother decided it would be good for a change of environment. So we moved back here to start afresh. Bridge Valley was a small and bubbly town filled with good people - well not all were nice though. Some were pretty nasty too. They had a way of doing things that is unique and natural, But I didn't like how they wanted to know every single detail about you right off the bat, it felt invasive, but as times passes I must admit, they're quiet bearable and likeable. In the end, Africans can be nice if they wanted to.