DREAMS (DREAMS BEFORE LOVE)

JAMB REGISTERATION

Serena's father have come back from Port Harcourt to spend the weekend with his family.

       "How much will it cost to purchase the jamb form (joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination form)?

He asked his daughter who was lost in her own world while enjoying her food. His three sons weren't at home since they studied in different states so it's just the three of them enjoying their dinner.

       "I made some research on social media and Google and I found out that it would cost six thousand naira (N6,000) but just give me seven thousand incase it's not the actual price"

Serena's father was a no nonsense man ,a man who wouldn't tolerate any act of misconduct from his kids which lead his children to grow in fear and weary of their own father.

     "Okay, later you met me in my room for the money or should I hand it over to your mom?".

Serena looked at her mother who acted as if she wasn't listening to their conversation and continued eating

    "Which ever one that is okay with you is good with me".

Truly, she didn't want to hold the money not that she would spend it she just felt like not handling any money for now especially not one giving to her by her parents so she thought it would be better off with her mother. After that they went back to eating with her parents discussing about work and other matters mostly her mom telling her husband about things that happened while he was away and Serena was left out of this discussion and she didn't seem to mind at all.

       Serena was in class alone packing her books into her bag which she would be needing since school was over. As she was doing that James stepped into the class and when he saw who was in the class he stopped but seeing that she was serious in whatever she was doing and she didn't notice his presence he decided to procede with whatever he came to do not knowing that Serena saw him step into the class but purposely ignored.

  After picking up his bag which was on his chair James made his way to Serena since the were still friends and to him nothing changed just that everyone now knew he was never dating Serena.

               "Hi"

Serena who didn't want to come of as rude just glanced at him and continued in whatever she was doing before she decided to speak to him maybe for a little while.

    "Why are you back here? Aren't you going home?"

Although she didn't want to come of as rude her voice said the opposite. James didn't dare to ask her why she didn't bother to return his greetings knowing that she would walk out on him.

     "I came to get my bag"

He watched as she took her bag and walked towards the door before she stopped.

     "Well since you've gotten it you can leave, don't bother waiting for me"

It is quiet obvious in her voice that she didn't want to talk to him neither did she appreciate his presence at the moment.

     "Serena,we are still best friends nothing changed"

She let out a scoff and left the class while he followed her.

       "Best friends? Right"

Sarcasm were evident in her voice. Noticing that James was still following her she stopped again and this time she actually wanted to know the reason behind their discussion.

  "What do you want? Why are you suddenly talking to me?".

She tried her best to remain calm so as to get the best of these discussions but that calmness which she required was no where to be seen

     "I heard you are planning on purchasing the Jamb form"

He scratched his hair to ease himself of the awkwardness which he felt but Serena didn't reply him instead she continued on her journey and this time around on a faster pace so as to loose him but James didn't seem like someone who was done with talking to her so, he went after her like a cat chasing after a mouse.

     " Why don't you forfeit Jamb and apply for admission into American University at Oyo state?".

He suggested hoping that she won't take it the wrong way but of course she would and she immediately flared up.

     "And why the hell should I do that? So I could get to see your stupid self all the time".

Her outburst surprised James that he had to move away from her. He couldn't help but feel that Serena had changed a lot and seem so different from the one he loved and was fond of.

     "Serena what has gotten into you? What has that guy done to you?".

He couldn't help but pin the blame on someone.

     "This has nothing to do with Alex okay "

Maybe it does and she couldn't come in terms with herself to accept that.

    "This is me being me, the me you failed to notice".

She kept on glaring and yelling at him like a lunatic

   "Am tired of having to listen to people tell me what to do including you, can't you just leave me alone? Why can't you just open your eyes and see that things have changed".

James couldn't understand what she meant by all this but he was sure of one thing.

   "Nothing has changed Serena, it's just you who have changed".

He held Serena by her shoulder and Shaked her.

  "James stop, stop all these. Trying to make amend for all your wrong doings won't justify nor change anything just let me be".

She said and roughly removed his hands from her shoulder.

          "Why"

Was the only word James could say

    "Because I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. You are making life and everything difficult for me".

James immediately backed away from Serena surprise written all over his face with disbelief,she herself didn't even know when they words left her mouth too.

    "Are you trying to end our friendship?".

She kept quiet and didn't dare to talk again but her silience only angered James.

        "Answer me damn it".

He yelled at her her as she shivered. She had never seen James this angry before so she did the only thing that seemed right to her, which was to  run.

To all those who have been reading even if it just one person I truly appreciate. Am actually new to this publishing of a thing and I don't know how it's done. Please share your thoughts soo far on the book. The comments of the readers actually gives the writer the motivation to go further and I hope you are enjoying it so far.