Operation; Dilemma || A Short Story

007

Chapter 007 : Stranger

Wetin I love I go do am with all my heart, oh.✨

✨ Harmonie's POV ✨

"Harmonie, you're burning up." Mum said to me, quietly trying to read my eyes.

"Are you sure you're fit to go to school?" Dad asked.

So, finally, they can both agree on things without arguing because their golden girl is not glistening?

Wow.

"I'm okay. I can't miss a day of school. You know, perfect attendance and all that."
I said quietly.

"Harmonie," Jade called, softly touching my hand.
"Is it because Philip is returning today?"

Wait, what?

Philip is returning today?

"No, it's not." I snapped, lying. She removed her hand from mine in hurt.

They were looking at me in surprise.

Technically, It was a white lie.

He wasn't the only reason I was being like this.

I found out that I had anxiety disorder, the previous night.
I failed three tests, I can't focus in class, I can't even read because when I try, there are voices in my head.

I mean, watching youtube videos are usually my comfort hobby, but there isn't exactly a video guiding me on telling my parents and sister that I was tired of being myself.

I sighed and stood up.
"My brother is coming over today with Edwin and Jemima, they're daughter, your grandchildren. Please, don't ruin this for them."
I said to them quietly and began walking to the door.

"You've barely eaten your food, Harmonie." Mum called and I paused, turning around to face her.

"Not hungry. I'll be in the car."
I said to them.

"Harmonie." I scoffed as I got into the backseat of the benz.
"Such an irony."

Then I laughed to myself because that rhymed and decided to take some pictures for IG with my iPhone 11.

After taking and uploading the picture, Rodney's incoming call stopped me from going over to TikTok.

"Harmonie! Sweetie!"
It was Edwin.

"Oh, Hey, Winnie." I greeted quietly.

"Harm, baby, what's wrong?"
She asked me in concern.

"Nothing I can't handle."
I said to her, smiling at her concern.

"Aww, look at you being such a strong girl."

I chuckled at her and we began a whole conversation.

~

The English teacher was yapping and talking and speaking, but my mind was elsewhere.

"This is exhausting."
Zed groaned beside me.

I didn't say a word as I stared straight ahead.

Just then, Kene and Kamsi burst through the door, looking slightly unkept.

"Good morning m–"

Miss Njoku shut them up.

"Why are you both late?"

How rude, I muttered under my breath.

I watched as Kene tried to explain but she cut him shut.

"Wait, aren't you both the scholarship students?"
She asked. Then she let out a humorless chuckle.
"No wonder you're messing up! Listen and listen good, you better know your place here. Don't walk into my class late like you own the place. If you mess up too much, you're gone! Moon Crest High will not hesitate to kick your poor asses out."

"Yeah, cos you're as rich as dangote now," I muttered under my breath.

This caused Zed to try to stiffle a laugh because he heard me.

"Yes? Zed and Harmonie, what's so funny?"
Miss Njoku asked in annoyance.

She probably expected me to apologize but I didn't.

"Nothing ma." I said, rather.

"No, share with the class what is so funny." She insisted.

I ignored the urge to roll my eyes.

"Ma, I was only talking about your ignorance." I said calmly.

She began to boil in anger as my classmates looked at me in surprise.

"What did you just say?"
She asked me.

I dared to stand up from my seat to continue.

"Nobody chooses the family they're born into and you're not as rich as dangote yet you're threatening them because they're scholarship students when you could have simply asked why they were late and avoid all these unnecessary drama."
I told her.

"Harmonie Ugonwa Oluebube, go to the vice principal's office right now!
I'm coming right behind you."
She said in anger.

~

"What was that? Harmonie?"
Uju thundered in anger.

"What was what?" I asked, scrolling through my phone absent mindedly.

She snatched my phone from my hand and looked me dead in the eye.

"What is wrong with you, Harmonie? I've had it with you!" Uju yelled.

We were both in the girls bathroom, waiting for Nessa to come out from using the toilet.

"Can you like, go straight to the point? Can you not see?
I'm not in the mood."
I snapped at her.

"What you did in class today, isn't you! You don't like trouble!" Uju insisted.

"You're free to say your mind, but I'm not? Wow, Uju."
I said dryly.

Uju groaned in annoyance.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you acting up?"
She asked.

I took a deep breath.
"Give me my phone, Ujunwa Williams. Don't let me fight you."

"Harmonie, talk to me." She pleaded. "I'm your best friend for goodness sake!"

We were silent for a while before she spoke again.

"Is it because Philip came back?" She whispered. "I know you're heart broken, but it's not a big deal! If you want, you both can get back tog–"

"UJUNWA GIVE ME MY PHONE!" I yelled at her.

Uju flinched, surprise flashing through her eyes.

"Do not ever tell me such nonsense again." I said in a whisper, venom filling my tone. "You just crossed a line, Uju. And I don't want to hurt you."

Just then, Nessa came out of the toilet stall, looking at the both of us in surprise.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

I stormed off to the door, but not before catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

So this is what it feels like.
Being a stranger  to my own self.

Word count : 973.

Vote and comment and share and love yourself and stop crying.

You'll be fine.