I Don't Do Friends

Chapter One

"Jeremiah, wake up and come out for morning prayers!"

I couldn't believe the voice at first. Was it five already? I rolled to my side on the bed and moved my hands randomly, looking for my phone. Where the hell did it fall to this time. I finally found the gadget and quickly checked the screen for the time.

Dammit! I must have slept real late last night. My alarm didn't even wake me up, not that it actually does though.
I got up from bed, stretched and grabbed my blanket as I started heading to the sitting room for the prayers.
It was quick as usual on weekdays and I kinda liked it specially today because it meant more sleep for me. After the grace, I rushed to get to my room before mom noticed me but she always does.

"Chibu!" She called more like in a very loud voice I couldn't help but wince at the high tone this early morning.

"Yes mummy" I coolly replied, not even stopping to really answer her.

"Are you going with me?"

"Uhm, yes I will, lemme go and take my bath." Coming to realization, I greeted her; "Mummy good morning"

"Morning, Hurry up am about going oo!" She sat up and headed to her room.

Great!
That's so typical of my mum. Believe me I know she's going back to bed. Anyways, I started heading to my room.

"Jeremiah, please help me and boil water, please"

I turned back to look at my sister, Joan, the third child and the first girl of the house. She was still sleepy but was preparing for school along with the last born, Joy.

"Good morning to you too and where is Naeche going?" I asked gesturing, with my head, to Joy observing that she wasn't putting on her school uniform as expected.

"She's following mummy to office today, she said she's not feeling too fine and that most of her teachers are not in school". Joan explained

That's all so typical of her. Always looking for the slightest excuse to skip school. I just nodded and went to the kitchen to boil water. I turned around to see Joseph in the kitchen probably looking for where mummy hid the bread for breakfast today.

"Jeremiah, do you know where the bread is?"

Of course I do, I always do.

"No, do I drink tea with you people?" I answered smoothly and left him.

We are a family of four siblings, two boys and two girls. Am the first child and am older than my direct brother with just a year and six months. I wonder why mum and dad were in a such a hurry then, geez! Joseph is older than Joan with two years and Joan is older than Joy with three years. Mummy says Joy was an unexpected child but brought luck with her as that was the year she stopped being a housewife and finally found a job as a civil servant.
I headed to my room and saw my uncle coming out from his, almost ready to go out.

"Uncle, good morning"

"Morning, please give me your power bank"

"It died last night, I used it to charge my phone"

"Okay. Are you entering school"

"Yes, am following mummy"

"Ngwa nu. Okay then."

I entered my room and started undressing. My phone beeped. I quickly had my bath, brushed and dressed up in a plain Navy blue trousers and a multicolored striped long sleeve. I wore my shoes and just then, power came on. My phone beeped again, 'these group chats on WhatsApp are so killing my battery'. I plugged my power bank, packed my lecture notebook and hand outs into my bag and then stood at the mirror.

People say I resemble my mother and I don't doubt it at all because I do. Staring at the young man in from of me, I smile at myself knowing that that's the only one am going to put on for the rest of the day. The black eyes in front of me not joining in the expression, I sigh and straighten myself before picking up my hair brush.
Am fairly dark in complexion and my black hair does a lot to complement that. Am tall and average in size though people say am slim. I have lots of hair on my brows and I don't intend on reducing it. What more? Am handsome, at least I think but trust me, I don't believe I am, at least when compared to my uncle next door.

"Chibu!"

I rush out of the room when I hear mummy calling me.
'How does she prepare so fast?' I asked mentally. Again, that's my mum for you.

I locked my room, entered the kitchen and took a biscuit from the cupboard. Yep! That's my breakfast since am lactose intolerant and can't even stand the strong smell of lactose filled milk. I rushed outside, and saw Joy drinking her cup of tea already seated in the vehicle. I almost forgot she was following mummy to office today.

"Sick, sick" I cooed at her

"Good morning" she greeted not even looking at me

"Morning" I replied stepping into the passengers seat as mummy started the engine and honked for Joseph.

I plugged my earphone to my ears and started playing my Brymo playlist. He joined us few minutes later and we took off.

*******★********★*********★**********

So what do you think guys?

Question: Is the book Clichéd already? And what do you think about this family?

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Love y'all.