Black Rose

Prologue

Thanks to PrincessSeaLily For doing a wonderful job at editing this chapter and for the never-ending support. She also makes amazing covers, y'all gotta check out her work.

Rose's POV

Jumping on my bed, I tucked my legs beneath me while balancing my phone in my right hand and a cup of tea in my left hand.

Scrolling through my social media accounts I settled on Twitter as nothing interesting caught my attention on Facebook and Instagram.

The sudden ringing of my phone startled me making me jump a bit in surprise. I giggled at the way the shrill scream still startles me even after four months of using the ring tone. Clicking the receive button without checking the caller I.D. I quickly drew my phone away from my ear after hearing the loud squealing from the other end of the line.

"Babeeee..."

My friend's excited voice reached my ears making me roll my eyes in annoyance.

"Yes chirpy?". I replied her matching her squealing in mock. "To what do I owe this pleasant honour?" I continued, my voice dripping with obvious sarcasm when she didn't stop giggling and squealing.

"Guess what?".

She squealed yet again. I could almost picture her in my head rolling her eyes at my sarcastic reply the same way she always does whenever we're together.

"What?" I snapped.

I was beginning to grow impatient. She was using the chirpy tone she always used whenever she got a whiff of juicy gossip and was trying to make me curious instead of telling me head on. She knew I wasn't the most patient fish in the pond and liked using that to her advantage.
My mom sometimes joke that when the creator was gifting his creations with 'patience', I had gone to steal more melanin from the melanin bowl due to my extra dark and shiny skin.
Lola's voice brought me out of my straying thoughts.

" Okay, so after I came back from the food market with Mom, I decided to make myself something to eat cause you know how mom takes her sweet time to make dinner. Then I changed my mind and decided to take a bath first since...."

Groaning loud enough for her to hear I interrupted her rambling. I could no longer stand the suspense. I can almost swear she does this on purpose as I hear her laughing at my impatience.

" Come on Lola, get straight to the point?"

I should have known the rambling was inevitable as she continued anyway.

"Okay, okay sour pants. Anyway you know how I don't ever check my email and dad keeps saying I could miss a great opportunity if I keep up that habit?" She asked.

Sinking back into my pillow and resigning to my fate I decided to humour her so as to get whatever gossip she wanted to tell me. I mean which girl doesn't love a bit of gossip? I know I do!.

"Yes?" I replied.

"You know what? Go check your email and call me". With that she hung up.

"Urggghhh...."

Why am I friends with Lola? I think I need to make a list of all the possible reasons I'm her friend. Literally.

Dropping my tea cup which I had completely forgotten was still in my hands on my small bed side table, I clicked on the 'my email' app and then I froze...

I literally F_R_O_Z_E. Just like Elsa in frozen.

Staring back at me was an email from Grant's Scholarship Board"
It was a board set up by a New York based Nigerian business man as a way of helping the youths and giving back to his home country. Lola and I had applied for the scholarship but I didn't really think we would get it. Judging from her earlier rambling and the excitement evident in her voice I guess she got the scholarship too.

Clicking the message, the text read-

Grant's Scholarship Board
"Dear Miss Rosemary Demola Jackson, we are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen amongst others to receive the Grant's Scholarship to study media relations at the University of Yale and can start...."

I raced out of my room straight to the kitchen to share the news with my mother.

"Maami, maami, guess what?" I screamed.

I registered the look of panic that crossed my mom's face and I 'almost' felt remorseful for barging in on her like that, because mom has been really sensitive since....

Focus Rose, Focus. This is a time to celebrate. Deeeep breath.

"Riri, what is it? I've told you to stop run-"

I didn't let her finish before blurting

"I got the scholarship".

PS - 'Maami' means 'Mother' or 'Mom'

Soooo.... What do y'all think?
Horrible? Manageable? Good enough?
Loool

Anyway in the next chapter we would be going into the story properly, I just thought I should give you guys a tiny info on what led to the beginning of the story so it wouldn't be too confusing.

I'd really love to see your encouraging comments and don't forget to vote and comment and also tell others about my book.

Pweety pwease?

#pouts and blinks adorably.

Xoxo