Many of us grew up with words that made us feel unimportant, unqualified, and unwanted. Those were the words that formed our shadow-beliefs. Stop doubting yourself or competing with others. Nobody can take what God has reserved for you--- Bob Gass
(CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA)
She walked across the hall to her locker to pick up her books. As she did, she heard the giggles behind her. Her uncle's children Mina and Martha were at it again.
"I heard she spent all her life milking cattle" Mina said and the other girls who had joined them laughed.
It didn't matter if their mum was the principal or not, she turned and hit Mina until she turned red. Other students stopped to watch and they hailed her as Martha ran to call their mother.
"Adams! To my Office" Mrs Haniel said and Helen followed her.
"Detention for a whole week" The older woman pronounced her punishment and let her girls go scot free.
After school hours, as she came out of the classroom where she sat all day staring at nothing in particular, her eyes fell on a poster. She moved closer to have a look.
"DAY OF WORDS" She read the caption and turned, things like this were not for her. She looked at her time and hurried out of the building.
"How was your day at school?" Aunty Eva asked as soon as she entered.
"Spent my day in an idle classroom counting the chairs" She replied as she sat down.
"What happened?"
"I happened to punch that idiot called Mina."
"And her mother had to punish you?"
"Exactly"
"You have to be careful, before your uncle withdraws your scholarship."
Helen didn't respond to that.
"Is there any food?" She asked instead.
"Check the dinning."
Helen moved immediately.
"I would be going out this evening with my friends." She heard Aunty Eva say.
"Alright"
"Would you like to come with me?"
"Of course" Helen replied between mouthfuls.
******
" I don't know why she has to be in our school" Martha saidas they sat in the sitting room watching TV.
"As long as she doesn't steal my boyfriend, I have no problem" Mina replied. It was obvious Brett had eyes for Helen. The latter seemed not to give him any attention but Mina didn't care. What did Brett see in her anyway? She wondered.
" Your Dad likes to do good" Their mum contributed.
"He should know where he channels his goodness." Martha responded.
"Not some idiot from the streets of Lesotho"
Mina interjected with contempt resulting in laughter from her mother and sister.
*****
The sound of the music greeted them as they entered the hall. Eva was immediately surrounded by friends, soon she was with a drink in one hand dancing to the beats.
Helen sat at one corner quietly sipping her drink.
"A quiet angel, huh"
She looked up "None of your business Brett"
"None of my business?"He responded with a smile.
" I am serious, leave me alone"
"Why are you behaving like this?"
"How do I behave?"
"You behave as though you don't like me"
"It's not a matter of like or whatever. You are Mina's boyfriend. I don't want to get into trouble."
"So you like me but you don't like trouble?" He asked leaning close.
"Who likes trouble? Don't be silly" She said and slapped him playfully.
He held her hands and at that moment the guns sounded. Everyone screamed and bent down hurrying out of the hall.He quickly went to his car and told her to get in.
"What of my Aunty?" Helen questioned.
"Do you want to die?" He asked her as he started the car.
Helen didn't answer. Her heart was pounding and she needed to calm down.
About an hour later, he dropped her in the safety of her home.He leaned close to give her a kiss but she pushed him away and got down.
Aunty Eva was outside laughing with friends.
"This is ridiculous" She thought as she entered the house and vowed never to follow her again.