Chapter 3:
Ella's
I marched straight toward the compound gate, my eyes stinging with a fierce fire I absolutely refused to let turn into tears. The heavy gate creaked open just as I reached it, and I slammed directly into a solid, unmoving chest. The sharp impact knocked all the air out of me, but a pair of strong arms quickly caught me and kept me from hitting the ground.
"Easy, easy," a deep voice murmured, steady and warm with concern. "Are you all right?"
I looked up—and instantly forgot how to take my next breath. He was very tall, with shoulders so broad they seemed to block out the harsh daylight. His skin was dark and gleamed like polished wood, and his eyes were deep and completely calm, the rich color of dark, wet soil. And his smile—oh, his smile could start wars.
"I… thank you," I stammered out, my voice coming out much smaller than I intended.
He gently steadied me, his hands kind and careful as his thumbs brushed lightly against my elbows. "You're Amara, right? Is Vivian inside the house?"
The name struck me like a physical slap. Vivian. My stepsister's name, already firmly tangled into this new body's life. A new piece of memory stirred instantly: this man, sliding a beautiful diamond ring onto Vivian's finger during a Christmas party, his lips whispering promises I hadn't even wanted to hear back then. He was the fiancé.
I quickly stepped back, the blush of warmth on my cheeks vanishing completely. "Your fiancée is inside," I stated sharply. "Next time you want information about your future wife, try asking the gatepost. It bites less than I do."
I spun around and walked away before he could offer any response.
The street immediately swallowed me whole.
Women walked past me with large, heavy trays of oranges perfectly balanced on their heads. Loud Okada bikes roared past, spitting clouds of red dust into the air around them. Children chased a flat, worn football, their bright laughter cutting through the constant, vibrant noise.
The sheer chaos of the street felt alive, raw, and intensely real. For the very first time since I woke up in this strange skin, I truly understood how far I had truly fallen from a life of crystal chandeliers and cool marble floors.
My stomach suddenly growled so loud that a nearby trader looked over at me and smiled broadly. I quickly pressed my palm against my stomach, trying desperately to silence the sound.
The memories I borrowed from Amara whispered the cold truth: she had not eaten anything since the day before yesterday. My throat tightened with a sudden, painful lump. Was suffering my new permanent address in this world?
"Amara!"
The shout came from somewhere behind me. I turned just in time to see a girl running through the crowd toward me, her long braids flying out behind her. She skidded to a stop, breathing hard and fast, her face bright with genuine relief.
"Thank goodness I finally found you," she said, pausing between gasps for air.
Her name arrived instantly from the borrowed memory store—Nkechi. Best friend. Loyal. Safe.
"Are you okay?" she asked, scanning my face with concern. "You look like you just saw a ghost and barely escaped."
"I'm hungry," I croaked out honestly. "That is truly all it is."
She laughed lightly, the sound soft and wonderfully familiar. "My Mama said that would be the case. Here." She pushed a small black nylon bag directly into my hands. "It's fresh Agege bread and groundnut. Eat this before you faint right here in the street."
I opened the simple bag. Inside was a warm loaf of soft bread, still yielding to the touch, and a small plastic packet filled with roasted nuts. My chest tightened immediately with a powerful feeling that I recognized as gratitude. "This is… food?"
Nkechi burst out laughing, almost doubling over with the force of her amusement. "The hungry girl has finally gone crazy! Hurry up and eat before the food escapes you."
We found an overturned wooden crate and sat down beneath the shade of a nearby mango tree. I tore off a large chunk of the warm bread, dipped it deep into the crushed groundnuts, and took a massive bite. It was absolute heaven. Warm, slightly sweet, satisfyingly crunchy, and full of life-giving energy. I let out a low moan of pleasure without even thinking about it.
"Slow down now!" Nkechi giggled playfully. "You are going to choke yourself completely."
I swallowed hard and painfully, already reaching for another large piece. "I want ten more of these right now."
Her smile softened quickly, but the warmth did not quite reach her eyes. "I truly wish I could get you that, Amara. But things have become very hard these days for everyone. Mama only scraped what she could together just to give you this. Everybody is simply surviving with a small, daily hustle."
I brushed the crumbs from my lips, concentrating hard on her words. "How do people here make any real, substantial money?"
She snorted with amusement. "Real money? You have to finish school first. Get a certificate, then you can wear a nice suit and high heels. Or you can join the rest of us on the street—sell pure water sachets, groundnuts, recharge cards. Just a small, daily hustle."
I looked down at the dust swirling lightly between my bare toes. The thought of selling water in heavy traffic burned with indignation in my chest. Me? The girl who once toasted her good health with expensive champagne poured into crystal glasses? No. Absolutely never.
I stood up, brushing the remaining crumbs from my hands with finality. "Don't worry about me," I told her, a new determination sparking brightly inside me. "I will definitely earn big one day. And when I do, I will buy you your very own restaurant."
Nkechi's eyes widened slightly, half in awe and half in total disbelief. "You are truly sounding different today, Amara."
I gave her a sharp, confident grin. "That is because I am not the same girl they always bullied anymore."