CHAPTER 5

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Everything from getting up from bed to getting to school this morning seems wrong, I didn't even get a proper sleep. How could I have closed my eyes knowing fully well what am in for today. Today is the day I get to stand with my mom face to face with the principal. Mom asked me severally what have been up to at school, I just told her everything is fine.

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“Mrs. Peterson right.... We haven't seen you since forever" the principal addresses my mom

“I've been busy at work. You've done well to retain this position after all these years" my mom replies

“What can I do, I still have to make a living you know"

“That's true Dr. Dave. There are always bills to pay. I trust my little barbie here has been of good behavior"

“Well about that, I think I might disappoint you. In fact she's is the reason we sit before each other at the moment" the principal answer speaking seriously. Oh my, I think I'm in some deep shit right about now.

“She has been showing negative attitude to school for a while now and have even exhibited some inhuman behaviour" he adjusts his seat and continues speaking while mom listens with disbelief 

“She purposely missed a test that's is capable of ruining her final result yesterday morning. She didn't care to give a wounded teammate attention as the captain of the team which could have led to a worse scenario if other student were not around to save the day. She also has excluded herself from other student of the school and doesn't associate with anyone thereby making herself invisible and promotes bullying in school. Kylie which of these have I lied about?" the principal asks facing me

Oh my am trembling again “I don't think.....nothing....nothing sir" I respond

“Kylie! You've been doing stuffs like this all along? You even bully?" mom cuts in

“Mom that's not totally true, I don't bully"

“But you just confirmed all what the principal had said"
“I know mom, but....but I don't bully, I swear!" I answer trying to convince my mom

“Dr. Dave.... Am really sorry my daughter had to take you through all these stress".  In my mind am thinking what stress, the man barely knows me, he just cooked up things from what he got from a student or two which as expected turned out unfavourable. “What do I have to do now? Am really running late for office" mom adds

“Ma'am all you have to do is ground her for a couple of days back home and talk some sense into her, we'll take care of the rest from here. I just wanted you to see the way things are for yourself"

“I'm so grateful Dr. Dave, I will take necessary actions"

“That will be best to do ma'am. Any other violation from her means suspension while further violation means being totally expelled from school, the papers will come in handy" the principal assures speaking with a face that suggest he wouldn't mind signing the papers that will see me out of high school.

“I work hard everyday to give you the best kind of life and this is all what you have to pay me with?" Mom asks me almost crying

“I don't mean to, am so sorry mom. It just a misunderstanding" I beg

“Oh...never mind, for the records you are grounded, like grounded, I will see you when am back" mom says leaving the principal office

Mom just told me I let her down, it makes me feel like I killed everyone in school. Why is the principal this cruel towards me or is it that I've really trespassed that much. Whatever I think, I still have to see coach Lance he requested a meeting with me today after I had gone to see him at his office stating that he was busy.

**********

(Coach office)
“Oh! You finally made it today" coach says ironically

“You...you said I could come today coach"

“Yeah, I know, I didn't figure it was bad to make a joke of you since that's what you make of everyone around you"

Oh my, what is coach driving at. When have I actually made a joke of people around me, I thought he believed in me. All these thoughts were running in my head almost at the same time. Am sure am going to break down, I have enough going on for me already.

“It all a misunderstanding coach, am trying hard to be a better person. I train with all my heart to make sure I get better at playing basketball. Being a pro basketball player is all I picture myself doing after school, I don't have hope in school or maybe I have lost hope in school, I just want to make sure the school qualifies" I answer almost about to cry

“You've got better options. There are better ways to train without having to neglect school. You try to do everything right but at the detriment of school. You are good on the inside but it difficult for anyone to realise that. You put yourself in a position that makes people see you as an outcast"

I can't hold it in again, I can't help myself, tears are rolling out of my eyes already. Everything seems upside down for me, it looks like my way to becoming a pro basketball player has finally ended. Mom is mad at me now, am the gist of the whole school, I will become popular for being a bad person.

“I promise to take responsibility for all my wrongs, am ready to make corrections" I reply sobbing quietly

“It's okay Kylie.....you know....you don't have to be hard on yourself. I was once like you, driven by personal achievement and all, I neglected love ones in the pursuit of excellence. I regret all of that now, I don't want you to take that step, take a drastic step, change and present yourself visible as much as you can, remember not everyone will still be able to sew through you. Stop crying dear,everything will be alright"

“Thank you coach"

“You welcome back to the team whenever you're back, make sure you don't stop training" coach says patting me on my back as he tries to comfort me

“Oh... About that coach, I've been grounded by my mom"

“Don't worry, I will put a call through" coach assures

“But coach, principal Dave.... "

“I promise you Kylie, I"ll talk to your mom" coach reassures

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