UNSPOKEN

Prologue

Dedicated to Mtsammy40

I wake early. Bright sunlight floods my room, filling me with enthusiasm for the day ahead. I sit up straight on my bed, staring at nothing in particular. My lips curve upwards as I imagine how promising this day will be.

It's a typical Monday morning, the day that my brother and I have eagerly been waiting for ever since our mother agreed to transfer us from our old 'normal' school to Discipleship Training school. I'm buzzing with nervous excitement as I stare at my bedroom wall. I do not know what to expect. None of us do. But that's okay, I've always liked change and never had a problem with the unknown.

I can't stay still for much longer so I decide to jump out of bed and head into the bathroom to take a shower.

I do so in record time, not bothering to waste extra minutes in the bathroom.

My nerves won't let me.

I reach for my pink dress and white socks out of habit before I realize that I don't need them. I don't need any kind of school uniform anymore. A smile spreads across my face as I reach for a more suitable outfit.

I dress in my favorite dark blue super skinny jeans that fit perfectly from my waist to ankle, and a red T-shirt, and I match that off with my black doll shoes. My closet is in dire need of more clothes, since I'm done wearing school uniform 5 days a week. Hopefully we'll go shopping soon.

A whiff of pancakes flares my nostrils.

"It smells amazing in here," I say to my mother as I trot into the kitchen. Her back is facing me giving me a full view of her blown out Afro.

"Thank you Ellie," my mother says "I need you to help me set up the table then go check on your brother." She turns and eyes me, "aw honey, you look amazing," she grins and I can't help but smile back.

"Thank you mama. Is Luke awake yet?" I ask pulling 3 mugs down from the kitchen shelf and presuming to set them on the table.

"Your brother is still showering but I'm assuming he'll be done... " she raises her voice on purpose and turns toward the direction of Lucas' room, "...anytime soon!"

I finish setting up the table just as my brother joins us. He is dressed in his favorite dark blue jeans and a white T-shirt that has Scooby Doo on the front, finished off with a pair of blue Adidas.

"You look very handsome today!" I smile at him and he giggles back, smiling from ear to ear. He is just as excited as I am. I can tell.

"Orange juice or tea Luke?" my mother asks hovering beside the table after we've both settled down. Her gentle voice matches her appearance. She is beautiful, with large mesmerizing eyes and dark brown bulky African hair that she's styled perfectly to fit her oval face. Both Luke and I must've gotten our big round eyes from her side of the family.

"Juice please." Luke replies, giving my mother a saccharine smile.

                             • • • • •

We use the back door entrance into the church hall which was now also officially serving as the school where the classes will be held. I immediately spot the metal hooks mounted on the walls, 2 on each side, that contain tie backs which are holding back the curtains that are responsible for dividing the hall into 6 almost equal partitions that will each act as a classroom.

I guess we're right on time as we face a burly looking woman towards the end of the hall who motions for us to take a seat from one of the rows that had been neatly arranged for the students to occupy.

I spot my best friends, Sophia and Cali, seated on the 3rd row and I decide to join them. Just as we're saying our hellos Miss Omani intervenes. "Everyone settle down please!" she bellows above the alive chatter and excitement.

Within seconds, the hall becomes pin drop silent. The students' anticipation is almost palpable as Miss Omani continues.

"I would like to say welcome; welcome to our valued teachers, our staff, and most importantly our students who are the pioneers of this new school. Special thanks to your parents for believing in us and seeing our vision - to mould children after God's own heart and to be good disciples of Christ. I have the greatest pleasure of welcoming you to the first day of Discipleship Training school!"

Everyone breaks into an enthusiastic applause.

"The timetable is on the notice board in the staff room for those of you who would like to view it. You'll also be assigned to your classes by the teacher on duty after this. For now, we're going to pray and then I'll dismiss you. Let us bow our heads and pray."

She bows her head and everyone follows suit.