THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

GOODBYES

It all began sometime in the beginning of July when we were writing our final exams to leave year eleven. My friends and I were so excited that we were going to graduate together next year and at least we had a year till we said goodbye. I was in a boarding school so that evening when I got back from school I was called to the matron's office to receive a call from my mother. In that m moment everything changed,  it was official my parents have finally gotten a divorce,she had already made all the necessary decisions. I didn't care that my parents got divorce, honestly I kind of saw it coming but its Nigeria no one ever has the balls to have a divorce. I went to the bathroom hoping that I was dreaming. I washed my face and looked at the mirror a couple of times and realized that this was reality. I went to Zara's room, laid on her bed and began to weep, I felt like the whole world had turned against me, why now, why when I was finally happy. I slept off there and woke up when it was time for dinner. I was still in my uniform and I hadn't showered, I took a quick bath and stood by the mirror looking at the terrible eye bags I had developed from endless crying. I turned just to see Scarlett standing by the door, I understand she wants to know what happened but I only want to talk about this  once so I'll just tell all of them in school tomorrow when my friends that are day students are present. I walked away without muttering a word to her, I felt so heavy in my mouth and I felt like I was going through some type of breakup that I have never heard of. Dinner and prep went by quietly even though all my set mates on the table were staring at me as if I had a mole on my face. Prep went by really fast maybe its because I just sat there and looked into space. Immediately prep ended I grabbed my stuff in which I didn't even use and left immediately. I fell face flat on my bed when I got to the hostel without even changing to my pajamas. The next day I had to meet the guidance counselor concerning my school transfer unfortunately I have to go to Boston with my mum which is the main reason I don't feel like myself. I didn't know how to tell my friends, I didn't know how to say goodbye, I didn't know what exactly was going on in my head, I was confused and so lost in my thoughts. I had to forget about this for some time because worry isn't going to help me write the food and nutrition paper that was in front of me. The day went by and here I was with my friends at our favorite place the secret staircase that was were we spoke about all our problems, cried together, laughed together and even ate there at times. I looked at each one of them worried for myself that we may drift away because of this change. I had the courage finally so I spilled it, before I could finish Shanessa was in tears and Zara's had her hands wrapped around me who was again crying with serious eye bags.Zara's, Scarlett and I walked to the hostel quietly trying to take in the news that I just told them. Bon fire, the day we have all been waiting for since the beginning of the session, Scarlett and I ordered matching shirts just for the event. This was the last night of the session, the night were everyone just let loose after all exams have finished and what's next is the awaited summer vacation.  I wore my shirt with  a a pair of sky blue jeans and complimented the look with black boots. We went to the event, took so many pictures, forgot about all our worries, hyped every song that came and ate like never before. We sat at the bleachers sharing our favorite memories of senior school which got most of us crying like toddlers. We laid down on the tracks and looked at the moon for some time then went our separate ways when it got late. When we got back from this everyone was packing up to leave the next day and I was curled up in tears some people will think this is my hobby but I felt real pain. I have spent five years in this school and I couldn't just have one more, the one I have been looking forward to, graduation was all I wanted, I had been through so much here with all the staff and all that I just wish I would graduate here. Graduating in this school was more than magic and I just wish I could be part of all that but I guess that decision has already been made for me. The next morning I woke up a mess, more than enough eye bags to make me look awful  but I had to look good because it was graduation day and I wanted to be there for my seniors who were graduating after all I was friends with some of them and I didn't want to take  pictures looking like an old troll that just lost her husband. Everything had ended, the ceremony was beautiful and more than enough for the graduates. I dragged my bags with the last energy I had left in me, my uber was already here and I really needed rest.  My inner circle and I cried loudly in the car park before we all decided that we had to go out everyday before I left. I laid there on my bed funny enough July had passed away and I obviously made the most of it. It was August which meant it was time to leave. Tears filled my eyes, when I was ready to leave this country no one was willingly to let me and now that I have found reason to stay they are taking me away. Ever since I could understand things I realized that every African parents ambition is to steal the little joy in their children's life. ''Grace we're going to be late can you come downstairs already and don't waste my time'' yes that was my mother speaking our flight was by eleven pm and it was just eight please what does this woman want from me I questioned myself. We got to the airport, waited for really long, boarded the plane and in about thirteen hours and some extra minutes we had arrived Boston though we had to stop at Dubai some time into the flight. My mum had a nice job and they had given her a really nice house but I didn't care because it will really be only me in this house after all she would be busy most of the time. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I laid in my bed and let the rest of the summer go by.