By Monday, my fury returns. The reality that the girls I considered acquaintances set me up, slaps me in the face. As I got ready for school that morning, I beat myself up mentally.
"But how could you let yourself be so naive?!" I ask my reflection in the mirror, mid brushing.
While I'm looking for my white socks, I ask myself again. "What made you think you could trust them?"
Again, while I'm doing my edges, I eye my reflection in the mirror.
"Why would you follow people you barely know out? What if you were kidnapped?" I ask myself.
The morning is off to an angry start, Tope is quick to notice it.
"Dee, fix your face." He says seriously when we're at the dining table.
"My face is fine Tope." I tell him in annoyance.
"Your face isn't fine and you're not even eating your food." He says and I roll my eyes.
The meal was akara and pap, and I encouraged myself to eat because my mother made the chef's slave away in the kitchen this morning to prepare it, and I know how difficult it can be to cook food for a lot of people–especially rich brats. So begrudgingly, I begin to munch on my food.
"Where were you throughout yesterday?" Tope asked.
"Out," I said curtly.
"I know you were out. Where did you go to?"
"Oh my God, Tope! What's your business? She's obviously fine, so why are you so invested in her life?" Tiwa burst out in annoyance.
"Last I checked, I wasn't talking to you. I have every right to be invested in my sister's life." Tope said.
"Step," Tiwa said in response.
"That's my choice to make, Tiwa. Thanks for your concern," Tope replied in anger. "Where did you go yesterday?"
I sensed he was angry. He looked angry, and because he's usually a cheerful person, I decided to cut him some slack.
"I went on a walk and ended up waiting at the park with a little girl whose brother was playing basketball."
Tope nods and stands to take his plate to the kitchen. I sigh before I proceed to rush my food, and join them in the car.
The driver takes us to school, and the ride is awkward since we're all angry with each other but I pay no mind to it. I put on my headphones and put my song to the highest volume.
~
By the time I get to school, my anger returns and I storm into school as fast as I can. People stare at me in the hallway, and some even point, but I don't hear a word they say, my rage fills my ears.
I caught sight of Mary and Uju at the farthest end of the hall and I stormed over to them. I cleared my throat.
Uju rolled her eyes and Mary turned to me looking fidgety.
"Hi Dalu, good morning." Mary greeted me.
I ignored her greeting completely and hit the nail straight on the head.
"What was the meaning of what happened on Saturday?" I asked, my eyes going between Mary and Uju.
"We had no idea Sonia had any intention to embarrass you, we're sorry," Mary apologized.
"I didn't ask for your apology." I snapped. "I asked a question. What was the meaning of what happened on Saturday?"
"Dee–
"It is Chidalu to you." I snapped again.
Mary sighed shakily. "I had no idea that Sonia was going to do something sneaky."
I snorted. "And yet, throughout the weekend, no call, no text from any of you? Nothing?" I asked.
Mary's head fell and Uju rolled her eyes.
"Excuse you, Uju. Why are you rolling your eyes?" I asked her.
By now, the hallway was crowded with people watching to see what else was going to happen.
The hallway was silent and some people were recording the interaction.
"You're being overly sensitive and dramatic. Sure, Sonia can be senseless, but why are you acting like we sold you off or something? It's not that deep," Uju defended.
"Oh but you knew what the party was about! You know she planned to embarrass me, you know she does that to intimidate new students."
"It was a harmless joke, Dalu." Uju said
"Did you or did you not know, Uju?" I asked her.
"I was aware." She stated.
I nodded my head. "Great." I said with a humorous laugh. Just then, Giselle made her way through the crowd and was standing by my side.
"Let's go Dee," she said and tugged my hands gently. I gave in and followed her as she led me into an empty laboratory. I shut the door behind me.
"How're you dee?" She asked me.
"Good." I said dryly.
"You sure?" She asked me and I nodded.
"You want to talk about what happened?" She asked.
I shook my head. "No, not really."
She nodded. "Fair."
I thought Gigi would stay silent, but I thought wrong. Gigi began to bring out stuff from her school bag. My eyes followed her hands in confusion.
Lip gloss, three different types, three colours of lip liners, a mirror, two perfume oils, edge control and a brush, and hand cream. I was still confused when she smiled and looked at me cheekily.
"Choose one." She said, as she held out three lip glosses in my face.
"Um, anyone is fine, I guess?" I said to her.
"Great," She said and handed me the lip gloss.
I applied it on my lips, even though I was still very confused.
Gigi grabbed my wrists and put her perfume oil on them. She looked at my edges in observation and nodded her head in approval.
"I'm so confused right now," I told Gigi.
Gigi giggled. "No doubt."
"So, would you care to tell me what's going on?" I asked her and she shook her head. Then proceeded to apply mascara on her eye lashes.
"Gigi," I groaned.
Gigi chuckled, a happy sound, and her face was spread in a firm smile. "What?" She asked in fake innocence.
"Tell me why you've glammed me up," I demanded.
"People will be watching, you should give them something to look at." Gigi said with a teasing smile.
I laughed at her logic. Gigi pulled out her phone.
"Say cheese!" Gigi said and I obeyed her demand.
Just then, the bell for assembly rang.
"Okay, let's go!" Gigi said in excitement, before linking our arms together.