AWAKE

Chapter 2

Michael jumped up from his bed excited as he knelt beside his bed to pray. It was a ritual to pray individually - if they don't get up on time or for any reason miss the general family prayer. Their parents were actually 'strong Christians'.
"Good morning most beautiful." Michael finally said, smiling hard, after a long time standing at the kitchen door.
"How is my mickey doing?" Mrs Smith hugged her son after he walked in. "Hope you said a word of prayer".
"Yes ma" Micheal released himself from her grip.
"Okay baby. Help cut the carrots."Mrs Smith went back to making sure everything was ready for the food preparation. Instructing the maids and making sure the children were doing well in assisting.
"Good morning master" The maids greeted Michael.
"Morning guys. Besides isn't Michael more fun than master". The maids just smiled and went back to what they were doing.
"Hey, Mickey mouse!" Michelle, Micheal's younger sister teased him.
"I'm not mickey mouse, little" Michael raised his hand in a fist, "I'll just hit you," he said attempting to hit her.
"Not in my kitchen kids," Mrs Smith said, her hands placed on her hips in disappointment.
"Sorry mum", they Both answered simultaneously and went back to doing what they were doing. When they noticed their mum's attention had drifted from them, they continued talking.
"So why did you get up late today... Uhmmm, let me guess you were playing a video game in your room" Michelle said staring at him "wait" she paused before looking at him surprised as a thought came up, "have you started watching..."
"Damn Michelle, just shut up-dirty." Feeling disgusted Michael took the carrots he was cutting to the far end of the kitchen table trying to get away from Michelle which made her cackle.
After hours of storming the kitchen, Mrs Smith was done preparing three dishes and making cookies for the family. Mrs Smith went all out when it came to her family, especially when her children were either returning or going back to school.
After eating, the children went in to dress up for school. "Hey buddy, you alright." Michelle walked into Micheal's room, noticing his change of mood. "What do you mean?" Michael asked. " You don't seem like yourself. Early this morning you were so happy but now, you don't look the same.
"I think it's because of your constant disturbance in the kitchen." They both laughed.
"I'm serious", Michelle tried composing herself even though she failed at it. "Okay" Michael sat on the bed. "I just have a lot running through my mind" Micheal looked at Michelle as he continued. "I think they might make me school prefect this term..."
"You think? For sure you'd be made the school prefect. Ain't nobody be sleeping on that 'cause you've been a good student for years." Michelle said. "That's the point. I don't know if am ready for all that responsibility." Michael looked down at his hands playing with each other. "What!" Michelle exclaimed in shock.
"Michelle darling, can you be less dramatic for once"
They both turned to see it was Mr Smith.
"Dad were you eavesdropping on us," Michael asked.
"I'm sorry son but I needed to." Mr Smith joined his son on the bed. "Michelle since you're done, I think you should join your mum in arranging your food packs downstairs.
"Dad" Michelle stood up and mumbled some words before storming off the room.
"Good afternoon Dad" Michael greeted his dad after realizing he hadn't seen his dad, since missing the morning prayers.
"I thought you wouldn't greet. Why did you miss prayers."
"Sorry to disrespect you, but you also missed breakfast," Micheal said seriously which caused his dad to laugh lightly. "See who is grown up and now growing wings."
"I'm sorry dad, it's just that, you never miss breakfast."
"It's okay I just went to the office to clear out what I had today, so I could drop you guys at school. That's by the way. You are a strong, sweet and bright child Michael, but I don't want you taking up matters on your own. Your mum and I love you and your sister so much and we will always support you guys. Don't over-worry yourself, because this life is always a step at a time and it also applies to school, okay?"
"Okay dad, Thanks so much". Micheal's dad, Mr Smith stood up from the bed. "Hurry up and Join us." When he got to the door, he turned back, "Don't forget you are a Smith and we conquer all through God's grace." then he walked out. Micheal smiled and went back to making sure he was prepared and wasn't forgetting anything.
"Same old, same old," Michelle said when they got to Micheal's school.
Michael and Michelle attended different schools. It was their parent's idea to separate them, the reason, best known to them.
"What were you expecting darling, a welcome sign with your picture and a bold 'welcome princess Michelle' written on it?" Mrs Smith asked.
"Wouldn't be bad mum," Michelle said amidst giggles.
They all came down after parking at the school's parking lot. The security helped with Michael's. They dropped Michael off at the reception to be checked before dropping words of advice too.
Michael felt a sense of sadness when his parents left to drop his sister off. He had wanted to leave the house so quickly, because of her and her petty drama, but it was even up to a full second, and there he was, already missing her.
"Michael!" The boys hailed him as they caught up with him at the reception. Peter, Fred and victor, were all Michael's close friends and also his roommates.
They made school so fun and whenever he got to school, it felt like he was on another planet.
"My men!" Michael exclaimed.
They all shook and hugged each other. They assisted him in taking his luggage to their room.
He shared the cookies his mum made with them and they talked about how their holiday went.
" I thought you weren't coming back again," Fred said
"Okay I know I came back late, but it was because we were waiting for my dad. He had this deal he wanted to close and you know they love dropping us off themselves." Michael said.
"Ain't your parents the sweetest," Peter said making a baby face.
"But it doesn't change the fact that I couldn't see your beautiful sister because you came this evening," Victor said as Fred hit him slightly.
"Don't you dare play with my Sister!" Michael glared at Victor.
"I don't know what is up with him and girls. Speaking of girls, Guess what" Fred said
"We have a new female classmate," Victor shouted.
"Are you kidding me? it's so rare for someone to transfer to another school during the second term." Micheal said hanging his clothes in the wardrobe.
"Gosh, what world are you in? Other people would ask how she looks, you know if she's pretty, sexy...
"You guys should leave my guy he ain't like you guys," peter said interrupting Victor.
"Who? Michael? Abeg." Victor said.
"Guys I just came back please"
The bell rang and students were heard running. "It's time to eat, you coming?" Peter asked.
"Na, I'm full from eating all mummy's food." Micheal declined." I'll just stay back and complete arranging my stuff.
"Okay then, see you when we come back".
"Wait, please help me tell Daniel I'm back," Micheal said.
"Bro, you know I don't talk to him," Peter said feeling a bit upset.
"I'm sorry, I forgot".