KASERA

OH CHRISTMAS! OH!

2

The following days after the incident that afternoon was like walking in a field full of bombs waiting to go off if she accidentally stepped on it. But then UD had been walking that field all her life. She still maintained her method of last-in-first-out. She never talked in class anyway so that wasn't a problem. But the tension in the class was so thick you could cut a knife through it. And King was just the icing on the cake. The death glare he gave UD anytime he saw her was touché. She could feel it right into her bone marrow but she never looked at him. And so her life continued. UD didn't mind. It suited her just fine. At least, that's what she told herself.

This week was revision week. The teachers spent most of the time in the staff room having meetings with the headmaster. Most of the students revised nothing. They were either chatting or jumping about the room or playing with their cell phones. UD spent the whole time in the library and only went out to the cafeteria at lunch time because it was not allowed for anyone to eat in the library. After school, she went home, changed and visited Teseme in the forest for an hour before running home for dinner. Except for Monday, the days had gone by peacefully for her and it was already Thursday.
UD was sitting at her library spot, a seat at the right corner of the library by the window which was a single seat. She had been studying for exams when she came across a book about farm management and she delved right into it. The book had some pretty amazing ideas she would definitely discuss with her father when she got home.

She was so immersed in her book she didn't hear footsteps approach. "Hey, cornergirl!"
To say UD almost jumped out the open window would be the understatement of the year. She turned and pressed her lips together into something remotely resembling a smile. To anyone it would be said that UD smiled but to the girl laughing herself to tears beside the table, that lip-thing, she knew, was a sign that UD was struggling to keep anger in check. That made her laugh even harder. " Y-Y-You s-shouldhave seen your face. Ah, UD you have made my day. You have made my day." Tiana said, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
"You scared me half to death!" UD accused.
"No. You scared yourself. That's different. Aaah, i will not forget this one in a hurry."
"Anyway, the reason why i came to find you is that i have been placed as head of the organising team and i want you to join the team so we can work together. So what do you say?" Tiana asked with a smile.
UD could see that Tiana was happy about this and the few times Tiana asked for a favor she didn't refuse but this one....
Others were going to be there and UD + other students = explosion.
"Tiana, i don't think it's a good idea for me to join the group. You know i have been walking on eggshells since Monday and i really don't want to get in harm's way."
" UD i will never let any of those bullies touch you. You know that. Please, l need someone who will stop me from wriggling their necks in case those idiots get on my nerves. Pleease. I promise it would be fun and Mr. Steven is the teacher in charge. You can be comfortable around him."
UD was about to protest but Tiana cut her short "Pleeeease"
"Fine." UD said, giving up.
"Yes!" Tiana yelled before clapping her hand on her mouth. " No noise in the library. Do you want Miss Ruth to kick us out." UD hissed.
Sorry. Tiana mouthed. They both looked to the entrance to see if Miss Ruth was coming. They were relieved to see that she wasn't. "Okay, pack up and lets go it's almost closing time." Tiana said. UD packed her books into her bag and picked up the one on farm management.
"Go get your bag from the class while i sign for this book. I will meet you in the hallway." Tiana nodded and left while UD moved to Miss Ruth's desk to sign for the book. She met Tiana in the hallway three minutes later and they both left school. They were far from the building a bit when the bell rang. "Stowaways." Tiana said laughing.

When they finished their dinner that night, UD cleared the table and took their plates to the sink to wash while her parents sat at the table drinking juice, chatting and laughing like newlyweds. She did not understand how they could still be like this after being married for seventeen years, a month and eight days.
"Dad, i want to discuss something with you." She informed her father after she was done tidying up the kitchen.
"Really, what about dear?" he asked looking up at her.
"Yeah. It's about some ideas i have about the business." she told him. He nodded his head. Then standing up, he said "Why don't we move to the living room then. We'll be more comfortable there."
Lesly placed his hand on Kasera's back and ushered her out of the kitchen, Na'ama following behind them.