Chapter 4
     Every hour spent in my new school convinced me to see the advantages there. Although I hated some things about the school,it was still good in a way. With Gina by my side, acting as my eyes and ears(laughs), it was not so bad anymore. Though I was the shy and quiet one, she brought out the crazy side in me. I was chatty and crazy around her but when I'm all alone, I snuff out that side. Lectures started and I got familiar with most of my classmates, sharing our knowledge on courses and having the same goal of doing well in school. Mid semester test came afterwards and we all went on a short break before the commencement of our exams. The old me would have ran back home to the comfort of my house but I didn't. My parents were amazed, I had somehow taken a liking to the school and it was all thanks to my bubbly friend.
      I was having my quiet time in my fantasy world when I was loudly disrupted by the sound of my door opening and closing. Frowning, I looked up to see Gina grinning and shaking her head and I groaned mentally. You see when Gina does that, I meant grinning and sometimes dancing happily, I knew I am about to be invited to one of her crazy adventures again.
"Hey babe, guess what", Gina said while bouncing on my bed.
"Umm what?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow dreading her next word.
"So I just got an invitation to a cool party and you my beautiful darling are coming too" she replied in a singsong voice grinning widely.
"That's cool Gina, but I told you that I don't really like this whole party stuff. I'm still recovering from the last one that I went to". Remembering the last party I attended with Gina brought mixed reactions from me. Gina had literally dragged me to the school party meant for new students although it was just an excuse for everyone to party. So we got there and I was amazed at number of students that turned up. It was a school night for crying out loud!!!. I only agreed to go after Gina almost talked my ear off about it and I had already decided not to spend more than an hour.
     Gina kept introducing me to faces that I couldn't even remember the first letter of their names or even recognize. An hour turned into two and I was still at the party. It was becoming more interesting and very different from what was shown on our TV screen and in movies. I was expecting cult groups with their signs plastered on their foreheads and gun fights(laughs, I have wild imaginations don't blame me) but even if they were there, they all maintained their cool since everybody was there to have fun. Gina left me to greet a friend and I was alone. Standing rooted to a spot will look stupid so I decided to wander around.
I had just pass a group of boys huddled together when one looked up and whistled.
"Hey hottie, come here" he said gesturing with his hand.
Shit, this is what I wanted to avoid,I didn't even want to get noticed so I better cook up some excuse or something. I looked frantically around for Gina or any familiar face that I can run to and make an excuse for talking but I find none.
"I'm talking to you, we're not going to bite", the boy said already getting up. The other boys were looking on expectantly for a drama and I did the only thing I could think of. I ran away screaming my head off. When I looked back to see if they were following me ,I saw them with their mouths opened staring at me as if I was crazy and then they started laughing. Gosh I must have looked like an insane girl, I could have just have a decent discussion and left. Afterwards I saw Gina and explained everything to her and she was mortified.
"If not that you're my friend,I would have kicked you out of my life Ire. It was just an invitation to talk and look at you, you caused it. You could have just prayed for a straight body but here you are with all the thick curves and beautiful face and you think you're not going to attract attention? You must be joking", she said jokingly.
So I guess that must be true
little bit. Guys tend to notice my body before they even get to know me so that why I've been single for so long. I believed there will be someone out there who talks to me not because of what he sees in my physical appearance but because he seems to care genuinely about me,(call me the hopeless romantic, whatever).
So I've given all sorts of excuse just to avoid going to parties so that I won't bump into those guys but who am l kidding with a friend like Gina, I will run out of excuses. Gina as if knowing that I'm about to formulate another excuse shakes her head,
"Nuh uh, you are going and if you meet those guys again just act normal and have a discussion. They are not going to kidnap you or kill you ok"
"Ok" I said dejectedly.

Chapter 3
      School resumed the following week and everything from my registration to my accommodation problems were solved. Dad being the overprotective person that he is, decided to move me to the school hostel because according to him, it was safer and it'll be more convenient for me. Well I had no problem with that but on getting there, it was a different story entirely. The hostel was a three storey building with over  hundred plus rooms for the students. It had a nice,cozy and warm feel to it when we entered. "Not bad for a school like this", I thought. The house matron was a middle aged woman with a friendly smile that seems to be permanent on her face. On seeing us, she got up and made her way to us. "Welcome to Jade hostel. It's an all girls hostel as you can see while the neighbouring hostel, Beaver hostel is for the guys. Majority of the students here are new students and transfer students and most of them move out in their second or third year because they feel they no longer need hostel supervision", the matron ,Miss Miriam said with a grin.
     "It's nice to meet you. I'm Mr Adams and this is my daughter, Ire. She is a new student and we're here to see her room", my dad said while stretching his hands out for an handshake. We shook hands and she led us to my room. It was of reasonable size and the painting was nice. "It's ok" I said with a shrug, my dad grunted in approval. "Well it's good that you like it, I hope your roommate shares your opinion" the matron said. "Wait, did she just say roommate?" I asked myself. "Umm excuse me miss, did you just mention roommate? You mean I have to share this room with another person, a total stranger?!!!" I asked her. My father noticing the pitch in my voice steered me away from her and took me outside. I could see her bewildered expression before my dad closed the door. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he looked at me with annoyance "what's wrong with having a roommate Ire? I know that it'll be kind of uncomfortable living with a stranger but you have to adapt. You almost caused a scene back there. Can't you for once just behave normal in your life?"
      Fighting back tears,(not normal sad tears *laughs* this is tears of annoyance and anger) I leaned against the doorway and watched as my father ranted and raved for almost five minutes. When I couldn't take it anymore, coupled with the fact that my fellow students were already staring at us, I stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his arm "I'm sorry I overreacted dad, I'm just a spoilt brat. I'll apologize to the matron and pack my stuff". My dad exhaled noisily and nodded his head in approval. "He was obviously prepared for a battle with you" Mia(my inner voice said). I chuckled quietly and went inside the room to apologize to the matron. The rest of the day passed with me settling down and arranging my things in my corner. My roommate was yet to resume so I had the opportunity to choose the best place. My dad left afterwards after giving me thousands of instructions to follow and I was left alone. Not knowing what to do, I headed downstairs to the cafeteria.
      After ordering my meal and finding a place to seat amidst the curious stares of the students there(I don't know why they are staring. Aren't we all new here?), I'm suddenly interrupted by bubbly, beautiful face with a wide grin. "Hi there, I'm Gina, nice to meet you. You're new here and I'm new here too, so we can be friends right? Don't worry we're already friends. I'm studying Maths, what are you studying? Can I sit with you, of course,I can................". I zoned her out as I tried to remember where I've met her. Gina noticing my disinterest poked me. "What's your name?" She asked. I squinted my eyes at her "so you don't know my name yet you've officially made me your friend. Do I know you cus you don't really look familiar?". Gina grinned shaking her head before answering me "it's true, you don't know me but almost everyone knows you now after the fuss you pulled about having a roommate" she laughed before continuing "students are already predicting how troublesome you'll be".
      I banged my head repeatedly on the table earning double stares around. " Oh great, just started my day with being popular on the bad side, I'm Ire by the way".

Chapter 2
I sigh as my father's car eased into the administration building of the university that I was doomed to stay for four years. To think that my dad had no other way to punish me than to send me to a government institution,(I mean who does that?!!!). There are a lot of private institutions in the country that my father can afford but he chose this school,ugh, and when I protested,he said it was for the best and it's time I get to know the world. Just recalling my conversation with him had me sighing louder than intended.
       "Ire , will you stop doing that? You've been sighing since we started this journey and put on a smile for God's sake. You look like the undead with that face of yours". My dad said while trying to adjust his clothes. I rolled my eyes at his statement and sighed internally. I tried plastering a smile but after some minutes of trying to pull this stunt, I simply gave up and returned to my sour mood.
       "Hello Mr Davis, this is Mr Adams speaking. Oh ok, I'll be right there, thanks". I sat up straighter on the seat and faced my dad because I know the phone conversation was about me. "Ok Ire, Mr Davis is expecting us and please don't disappoint me ok".  "Yes sir", I answered.
        We got down from the car and made the short trek to the administrator's office. At the doorway stood a dark and chubby man in his late fifties if I should guess with a smile plastered on his overly round and sweaty face. "Eww ,I exclaimed mentally, "I hope I don't have to meet this man ever again, he's creepy" I thought inwardly with a groan as my dad shoved me forward to accept the man's outstretched hand. He held my hand longer than expected, looking at me as if I'm some prized jewel and when I looked around for my dad,he was on the phone. "There goes my dad, throwing me to the wolves without a second glance"I sighed. I really should stop doing that, only God knows how many pint of blood I've wasted now. I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the administrator's touch. The stupid man had the nerve to extend his touch to my elbow. Is he retarded?. He didn't even respect the fact that I'm there with my father. I jerked my hand away before he could conjure up any idea and shifted backwards with a polite umm(coughs) fake smile.
Dad finally decided to end the call (thank the heavens) and grace us with his presence. We sat down and my file was presented to the man.
         "Hmm, she has a nice record", Mr Davis said shortly after scanning through the file. I wonder if he actually read and  what was there. "She won't have a problem with securing her admission into this school". I scoffed quietly "obviously, I'm too good for this school", I couldn't help pacifying myself internally. "Ire what is wrong with you?". I'm jolted out of my thoughts by my father's angry words."You kept on giggling on your seat like an insane person" my father continued obviously angry now.
"Really, I was giggling, oh shit, that's bad, I'm in big trouble,wow!!!". I commented inwardly while trying to avert my gaze from the glares that was being thrown at me from the two men. "I'm sorry sir", I mumbled a quick apology.
         "Go and stay in the car, I will meet you there", my father ordered while handling me the car keys. "Ok sir" , I said, quickly jumping to my feet before he changed his mind. "Freed at last" my inner self says and I smiled. Ok, don't get me wrong, I'm not a freak or a psycho, it's just that I'm not the type that hang out with friends because they don't seem to accept me. People think I'm weird for having a friend they can't talk to or see and how is that my fault if they can't see Mia? (Yep, that's my inner friend name and she is the best thing that I've ever had so to hell with those friends ���, I'm comfortable with her).
       I've always had this trouble with dealing with people ever since I could talk, well that what my parents says,so when I discovered Mia(my inner friend that is the polar opposite of me, and I named her after my favorite character in a movie), I've been bold and courageous but everything is an internal stuff����. I'm still the shy, quiet girl in reality. My life sucks, kind of, in a way (I'm laughing again and getting this weird stares from the students around) maybe I should shut down for now. I made it to my father's car and leaned on the car waiting for him. Moments later, he is walking towards me with an expressionless face. "You've been admitted and I'll address your behavior at home, let's go" my father said while handling the acceptance letter to me.
     "Yay, I'm doomed", I thought.

"Irewamiri, won't you get up or do you want to be late for school?" My mum shouted with annoyance as she came into my room. I crawled out of my covers only to face my mom's face which was contorted with annoyance. "You've always been a model student because of your good grades, behavior and punctuality but these days, you've changed completely. You go to school late, you're unresponsive in class and your behavior is just out of it. What's wrong with you!!!!" Mom said with anger and sadness that I couldn't help but look up at her face.
  Looking back at me was a woman that I've adored all my life, and I was sad, disgusted and angry at myself for causing her so much pain. You see just like my mum said, I'm what you'll call the good girl in all parts. My grades were consistently good, the awards and plaques that fill up my room was a testament to that. I was known in school to be quiet and peaceful,if only they knew, but this days, the facade and act that I've carried seems to be slipping and for the first time in my seventeen years of existence in life, I wanted to do something new ,be something different and that when I decided to get rebellious by changing all the pattern that I've created in the past. So I started by creating a glitch in my perfect punctuality record. I wouldn't have done that if and only if the school had left me alone. I've always been in the spotlight but it was quiet and not full of drama in a way. People knew me as the brilliant girl in school but I was still safe in the protective shell that i had constructed. I wasn't much of a talker and a crowd person so I tried my best to avoid things that'll put me in positions like that but I couldn't hide for long as the director of my school decided that the best thing he could do to award me for all my efforts was to appoint me as the punctuality prefect, remembering that day he called me to the assembly podium was enough for me to lock myself in and not go to the school again.
But that would be impossible with my mom towering over me. With a sigh, I climbed out of bed and made my way to the bathroom "Good morning mum, I'm sorry that you had to wake me up again" I mumbled past her. I heard her sigh and I could imagine her shaking her head in my direction before going back to the kitchen to continue her work since I wasn't her only child and life definitely does not revolve around only me.
I'm the last child and I have two older siblings. I won't say my family is perfect but I think we get along with each other quite well and we're always there for each other. Dad is not always with us, always traveling but we are kind of comfortable with it since we have our mom and everything is just nice.
    I got dressed taking my time because I wanted to be late deliberately, you see after announcing me as the punctuality prefect coupled with the fact that I'll have to be in charge of leading the assembly which by the way is one of my worst nightmare that has always haunted me cus I couldn't bear the thought of even standing in front of strange faces to talk (I'll pass out), I decided that being a late comer was the only option left, and this will go on till the director decides that I'm unfit for the position. Ade and Anu were already eating when I got down, I took my plate, went to the kitchen to get my food and came back to the surprising stares of my brothers and mother. "When did Ire start eating breakfast before going to school?" Anu asked with surprise, turning to Ade and mum. "I'm surprised too, wasn't expecting that" mum said. " Can't I do anything in peace without you guys questioning me?" I asked with a groan. " Well it's just that you do surprising and unexpected things these days, that's all." Anu said with a shrug. After that it was quite calm although I could see them glancing at me occasionally but I decided to ignore it. Taking my time to wash the dirty plates got my mum angry that she literally kicked me out of the house to get to school. Hmm school here I come.

Hi there, I'm new at this writing stuff and i'm just writing for fun. Some of you might confuse the word "Ire" in the title as having another meaning and it's understandable since it's spelt ire( which means a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented towards some real or supposed grievance, according to the dictionary) but this "ire" means goodness because it's a local language and can be used to name anyone either male or female and Ire can be the shorter version of "Irewamiri"- literally meaning goodness locates me. So I hope you enjoy this story. Your likes and comments will be appreciated. Thanks.
    The characters and scenes in the story are purely fictional.