Loud Places

Chapter 1

Hey, I am Skywalker...
Here is my first published story,
So if you here, please please please read...its a whole new experience

And please no criticism, I added few twist and turns in this book, might be a bit cliche, yes I know but it gonna turn out all right

Happy reading.

The airy wind filled my lungs as I took a deep breath. Lagos was alive tonight, as always. The golden glow of the sunset painted everything it touched—buildings, cars, and faces—with an ethereal warmth. For a moment, it felt as though the city itself paused to admire the light.

But Ojuelegba, a bustling hotspot close to where I live, isn't known for quiet moments. From my balcony, I watched the usual chaos unfold. Cars crawled along congested roads, their honks echoing through the air. Pedestrians hurried past food kiosks, hungrily grabbing quick meals, while a group of men gathered near a vendor stand, locked in a heated argument.

"Buhari is the man for this job!" a shirtless man yelled, veins bulging on his neck as he pointed aggressively.

"Shut up, you moron!" another man, his face scarred and eyes bloodshot, countered, slamming his fist on the vendor's stall.

Before long, a third voice, heavy with an Igbo accent, cut through the noise. "Na lie! It's Atiku!"

"Corruption is the issue! They're all corrupt!" someone else chimed in.

Fists flew, accusations were hurled, and the argument devolved into chaos. Professors, professionals, and laymen alike—all debating and battling as though the fate of the country depended on their words.

I sighed and placed my hands over my ears, trying to block it all out. Ah, relief. Almost succeeding, until Ruby's voice pierced the air.

"THUNDERMAN!" she sang loudly from the sitting room, screaming along to the soundtrack of her favorite show.

Arrgh. Ruby!

"Chimamanda, tune that down!" I yelled, feeling a strain in my stomach as I forced my voice louder than hers.

"Sorry, Francis! No vex!" she called back, not even pausing to catch her breath.

Rolling my eyes, I let out a frustrated sigh and tried to sink back into my thoughts. But there was no escape. My mind wandered to what had happened earlier today, back at school.

I came home with a black eye. Chidi, the class bully, decided to pick on me again during lunch. Never a day goes by without that miserable sack of... well, whatever he is... finding a reason to torment someone.

This time, it was because I answered a question in Computer class that he'd failed. Of course, he couldn't let that slide. After school, I got a left hook straight to the face.

"Stick to your books, dimwit," I muttered under my breath earlier. But no, I hadn't said it to his face. That would've been suicide.

Mom didn't take it well when she saw my eye. The moment I walked through the door, she grabbed a bag of ice from the fridge.

"I've told you before—don't just stand there and let people walk all over you. You need to stand your ground! Be a man!" she said, her voice sharp and commanding, like a general preparing her troops for battle.

"Mummy, I was—"

"Shut up and listen," she cut me off, dabbing the ice pack on my eye.

"Ouch!"

"I'm coming to your school tomorrow to report that Chidi boy. Enough is enough!"

"No, Mum! You'll only make it worse!" I blurted out. "I'm in SS2 now, not primary school. I can handle it."

She stopped, her eyes narrowing. "You must be joking," she said, letting out a mock laugh. "What are you going to do?"

"I'll... I'll report him to Mr. Daniel first thing tomorrow," I stammered, swallowing hard. I had no idea where that lie came from.

Mom raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Chineke! Nwa nka ehh (My God, this child)! I know you won't do anything, but I'll hold you to your word."

"I will, Mum," I said, trying to sound convincing, even as my eyes darted nervously.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You're so bad at lying. Just like your father."

The mention of Dad made me grimace. He was always away, working for an IT firm in Seattle. He only came home twice a year—Christmas and Easter.

Mom noticed the look on my face and softened. She drew me into a hug, speaking gently in Igbo. "Ogadinma (It's going to be fine). Your dad's calling today on WhatsApp. He really misses you and Ruby. Talk to him, okay? Don't just sit there nodding like a lizard. Open up."

I was still mulling over her words when Ruby burst into the room. "Group hug!" she yelled, leaping onto us with reckless enthusiasm.

"You crushed me!" I groaned, shooting her a mock death glare.

"Enjoy the moment, bro," she teased, beaming with joy.

I laughed despite myself.

Later that night, the sky had turned dark, stars twinkling brightly above. I wished silently for courage, for the strength to speak my mind, to be more than a bystander.

Ruby's voice broke through my thoughts again. "Okechukwu Francis Chidozie!" she mimicked Mum's stern tone. "Dad is calling on WhatsApp!"

I got up, feeling the numbness in my legs. Ah, the pain.

Dad's face lit up on the screen, but there was something off—he looked tired, worn. Ruby wasted no time chattering about her day, showing off her "improved" dance moves while Dad joked about the time she tried to moonwalk in my Sunday suit.

Everyone laughed. Except me.

"Hey, kiddo," Dad said suddenly, his brow furrowing as he noticed my black eye. "What happened to your face?"

Uh... was all I could manage.

This was my moment—the spotlight was on me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, Mom's silent encouragement, and Ruby's expectant grin.

Come on, Francis. Say something. Speak your mind.

But no words came. The silence stretched. I opened my mouth, hoping to break free of my own cowardice. But instead, I stayed frozen, the lone wolf of the county.

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Alright cliff hanger
Perpie, ritzpearl and Bardi c thanks for the editorial work.
Pls read, comments and audience point of view is always accepted
Thanks.