The Register

Chapter 20

Sir George, our English teacher finished his lesson when the bell rang for a break.
Before leaving the classroom, he reminded us of an upcoming test on Wednesday, he wished us a Happy Black day and placed a black rose on the desk.

Even teachers knew? I was shocked.
Wyanti didn't even let Sir George finish talking, she ran outside to ring the bell for a break. The class laughed at her dramatic act.

Once it was a break, I strolled to the cafeteria with Claire to get some food.

"It looks like it will rain today"Claire peeked from the open window in the cafeteria, staring at the deep blue clouds.

"I hope it will"I shrugged and I made my way to an empty table with two seats.

Before I could sit down, I spotted James, Scott, Abundance, and my brother.

"Let's go and sit by them, "Claire said. As I made my way to the table, James spotted me and with his usual vibe, he called.

"Hey elongated soul!" he raised his hands and waved them even though he knew we were coming.

I clenched my fists, my nails cutting into the paper bag I was holding to prevent myself from doing anything stupid, oh how I wanted to punch him! Watch out James, I will be finding a nickname for you soon!

"Oh elongated soul" Scott smiled clearly pissing me off but then, I smirked knowing fully well I had a nickname for him.

"Yo, diagonal forehead" I waved my hand at him smiling. It was then that he kept quiet. Good for him!
John and Abundance couldn't stop laughing.
"Scott! Your name's too awesome. I can't get over it" John laughed.

As I settled down, everyone engaged in random conversations. Claire and I too.

"There was this old man who thought I was a grown woman" she laughed cheekily.

"He told me he could be my sugar daddy" she burst out laughing, coughing in the process.

"Oh boy"I found it difficult to laugh cause there was food in my mouth.

"I told him, I was old enough to be his child. You should have seen him oh. He wasn't behaving like those sugar daddies on tv. He wasn't even having a car mpo. No big belly. It was fractured. Hahaha!" she laughed so hard.

"How can you tell me this story?"I laughed.
"Ashok" she exclaimed.

*Ring ring*
"Break over pleeeaseeeee!"Wyanti rang the bell. That girl erh!

After school, Sir Eugene gathered all of us, the class to tell us the story since we were the only class interested in the history of the black rose.

"Y'all sit down"Sir Eugene opened the door and walked inside like a mighty king.

As we all settled, he started.
"So I heard you guys wanted to hear the story. Okay well, I would be very happy to tell you" he smiled clasping his hand and sitting on the desk.

"Ella!" he called.
"Come and stand here" he pointed to a spot near him, in front of the class.

"Okay.."I was confused but I did as told.

"Do you know that your house, the Aristoque Metic had a dark history ?" he asked. Before I could reply, he went on.

"Since you came here a year ago, this will be your first celebrating black day with us." he smiled.

"Tell us about the black rose" he stated. I stood there, not sure what to do.

"Honestly, I don't know. I've never heard of it before"I spoke after a while. I could feel all eyes on me shocked. Those who were as confused as me agreed with me.

"A whole class prefect" I heard Yvonne snicker but I ignored it.

"You've never heard of it?"Sir Eugene was surprised and I understood because why don't I know something about my own house?

"Sit down, "he said. I quietly walked back to sit down, quite embarrassed.

"Don't worry, you'll know soon" Claire said as I passed by her to my seat.

"Okay children, story story"
Why is he treating us like children now? We responded nonetheless.

"Okay, so the black rose concerns Ella's house, the Aristoque Metic. Which was established in the 1800s- 1900s.

"Albert Foryi, Ella's grandfather always loved to build houses, that was his dream, to create and build but his father, Ella's great-grandfather, didn't approve. One day, he created a giant castle out of sand and clay. People say it was a masterpiece. He showed his father what he created expecting him to be happy. But he wasn't. Instead, he demolished the creation in annoyance.
Albert was devastated and very angry. He rushed to his mother who was nothing but a housemaid then. He explained everything to his mother. The mother couldn't do anything to help her son and so she sent Albert to a garden far away. She told Albert that was her private garden and gave him an empty vase.
She took a black rose and gave it to him. She told him that whenever he was angry, he should put a black rose inside.
The story wasn't really clear. But all I heard was he killed his mother and father and is still going around haunting people.

"Ella" he looked at me.

"The house he created was the one he built and named, Aristoque Metic. People died in your house and that is why your house is haunted" he ended.

An audible gasp escaped my lips.
"What!"

"That still doesn't explain the Happy Black day, "someone said. Honestly, I was barely paying attention this time.

"The Rose signifies that you're safe. I can't tell much"he then got up hurriedly and left.

As he exited, the class became noisy with flabbergasted comments. I was sitting down digesting the new information. I was distracted when someone hit my table.

"Hey" Claire hit my table, startling me in the process.
"The story is sad. Isn't it?" she asked and I nodded.

"Let's get going then. Lauretta is waiting for us"Claire took my bag and left the classroom.
Everyone was leaving and so I got up too ready to leave when a black rose popped out of nowhere all of a sudden causing me to stumble back.
I looked ahead to see the owner of the flower and I was super shocked.

On the classroom floor stood Avi who had her hand held out with a rose.
She looked at me with a smile that sent shivers down my spine.
However, I adjusted myself properly and looked at her as she handed it to me.

"Aww thanks, Avi" I smelled the rose she gave me.
I wasn't happy, I just pretended to be as if I appreciated the flower. I just felt that her reason behind that flower was different.

"I didn't expect this from you but I appreciate"I expressed.

She gave me an odd look. What's wrong?

"Things are going to change. Take care" and she went. Just like that.
Why did she give me that? Surely she doesn't know me.
But why?

"Ella!"Claire yelled.

"Coming!"I yelled back rushing outside holding on to the black rose.