AWAKE

Chapter 1

"I'm ready Ma", Nina said as she peeked through the slightly opened door.
"Come in"
Nina deliberated for a second to either go in or remain where she was, but her hands pushed the door wider as she stepped into the room.
"Ooh, my baby", Miss Cynthia, gushed at the sight of her daughter in her new uniform.
She dragged Nina to the dressing mirror, in the room. "Can you see how gorgeous you look", Miss Cynthia, hung her head on Nina's shoulder making Nina flinch.
"Why do you feel uneasy when I touch you?" Nina's mum lifted Nina's face with her hand, "I don't see anything wrong in having a mother and daughter time".
"Mother and daughter time you say?" With her fingers, she made emphasis on the words she said.
"Nina calm down"
"I'm calm, ain't I?" Nina turned back to face the mirror. "I don't think we should start. it's a big day for you, and we don't want to mess it up."
"My baby, it's also your big day. You are going to one of the top schools in the state and I expect you to be happy about that at least." Miss Cynthia tried reaching out for Nina's right hand.
Nina avoided her hands and adjusted her uniform. "You don't even know what real happiness is, how would you know when your child is happy?"
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, I'm your mother and I deserve some respect!" Mrs Cynthia scolded.
"You know what, I'd be heading to the car. All my bags are in the car. so whenever you're ready, I'd be waiting".
The drive to Nina's new school was so long and quiet. Not a word was said between the mother and daughter and Nina peeked through her window to see the view of the city.
Nina wondered what the school would look like, what the people would be like.
She was new to the city of Lagos, So there was a lot for her to absorb as her mom drove through the streets. It has just been 2 weeks since they moved up to the city. She had no friends yet, not like she's ever really had, so she hadn't left the house to see the city besides church which wasn't far from where they lived. When her mum offered to take her to some nice places, she declined cause she and her mum never got along.
With keen interest, she watched the happenings on the road: the way the passengers ran after buses, the early morning fights, especially the ones that involves the bus conductors, the sellers on the road that trails every car they can, the noise from cars and the afrobeat music's that blasted out from shops.
Luckily for them, they had left the house much earlier to beat traffic, cause "Lagos traffic was mad!" As miss Cynthia would complain after returning from work.
She disliked noise and anything that surrounded it, but she had to find something to get her mind off everything.
"Nina darling, you've been staring out the window since we got into the car".
"What would you rather have me do? fight with you?"
Nina's mum got silent and silence took over the ride.
After many distractions, Nina's mind drifted into scenes of people pointing and laughing at her, her legs were shaking and her head bent to the ground as she whimpered, she couldn't stand the shame and pain so...
Nina heaved a sigh as a speed bump brought her mind back.
She noticed the car had stopped moving, so she turned to see that they were in front of the school gate.
The gate was black and so big, with STARLIGHT'S HIGH, boldly written at the top of it. The fence was also high enough to cover the school building from the outside eye. The security opened the gate after her mum's second horn. They checked the car boot and gave her a pass after asking some series of questions.
From the entrance, Nina gaped at the view before her. There were beautiful flowers planted at both corners of the school. There were lots of beautiful buildings which made her wonder if the school was really a high school or a university.
They got to a building which was kinda connected to a bigger building and the building had a 'GIRLS RECEPTION' signpost beside it. "That's where you will be searched". Her mum pointed at the building as they packed their car at the car park which was large and wasn't so far from the girls' reception.
One of the security helped them get their bags out of the car and took them to the girls' reception and left after declining the little tip Miss Cynthia tried tipping him cause it wasn't allowed. Nina was mesmerized by what she saw. She'd never really been anywhere as beautiful as that.
"Hi, you are both welcome to Starlight's high", A beautiful, slim-thick, dark, average-heightened woman, with her corporate red gown, matched with a beautiful 6-inch purple heel and a lovely smile said.
"Thank you" Nina and Miss Cynthia replied as she shook their hands.
"I believe you are Nina, "The lady asked Nina nodded her head. "I'm Miss Ngozi. You are welcome once again."
"Thanks". Nina replied still observing the place.
"You are Igbo?" Miss Cynthia asked.
"Yes, ma."
"We are sisters then" Miss Cynthia smiled.
Nina cared less about what was being said, her attention was taken by the view of the school. She also stared at Miss Ngozi and thought of how beautiful and eloquent she was.
"It won't be bad after all," she said to herself.
"...The school forwarded the list of things you should and shouldn't bring. I hope you adhered to the instructions Miss Nina?". Miss Ngozi asked as she pulled out a paper.
"Yes, we did". Miss Cynthia replied.
"That's good ma. But I still need to check her luggage."
"Call me Cynthia,"
"Okay... Ma"
Miss Cynthia bent over to help open Nina's box but was overtaken by Nina who whispered "I'd do it".
Miss Cynthia stood forward and smiled "okay baby, be careful," she said aloud.
It didn't take so long before they finished searching. Gadgets and provisions
weren't allowed. Nina knew most schools never allowed gadgets for the students' security and to avoid distractions but provisions? She wondered.
Miss Ngozi, gave Nina a form to fill out.
"Okay dear since we are done here, I'd call one of the protocol officers to take you to your class. You'll get to your hostel through this hallway, okay" Miss Ngozi said, still wearing her lovely smile.
"Mmmm" Nina nodded.
"I see a bit nervous. Not to worry, you'd get used to this place faster than you imagine."
"So Mrs Cynthia you can wave her goodbye now.
"Miss" Miss Cynthia corrected.
"I'm so sorry"
"Here we go again" Nina rolled her eyes and sighed.
"It's okay. What about her luggage?" Miss Cynthia asked.
"We will send it in for her and also, she will get to meet her matron after class. You're running late for your classes". Miss Ngozi said and proceeded to dial a number on the telecom which was on the table.
"Oh...Okay", Miss Cynthia smiled and walked close to Nina.
"I know we've never been on good terms, but I want you to always remember, that I love you and that I'd always want the best for you". She whispered.
Nina acted obnoxious to what her Mum said.
"You should be lucky, we have an Igbo woman here and she seems nice, I think she would be nice to you."
"Okay," Nina responded.
"Promise you'd be a good girl and.."
"I have to go, the protocol officer is here," Nina said, cutting her mum short.
"Okay baby"
Nina grabbed her bag and followed the protocol officer.
"I love you!" Miss Cynthia called out. She began talking to Miss Ngozi when Nina had left.
When they got to the school building, the protocol officer handed her to the principal who was a dark macho man, dressed in a well-fitted suit. Nina was impressed, all the principals she had ever seen were old men with pot bellies and poor appearances. The man standing before her, looked a bit in his late thirties or early forties. After welcoming her, he took her to her class. As they walked into the class, the students stood up and greeted the principal each staring at her with the 'if looks could kill' stare. they literally wanted to kill her with their stares - well that's what it seemed.
"Class, this is your new mate, Miss Nina Opara". The principal introduced
"You're welcome" The class chorused
"Umm Nina" The principal called.
"Yes sir"
"This is your family now, treat them like one"
"Okay sir"
"And you all too."
"Nina you can seat over there" The principal pointed to an empty seat.
"Don't forget to get your remaining uniforms from the tailors' office when you're done with class."
"I don't know my way around sir."
"Destiny will take you there"
"Okay, Miss Jude?"
"Sure sir, I'd do that", A slim, light-skinned girl, replied.
"You all should be good, your teacher would soon come."
Nina got into her seat not minding the eyes that trailed along as she walked.
The girl directly in front of her turned and waved"Hi, your welcome to Starlight's."
"Thanks", Nina said with a straight face.