He was standing at the beach with his wet

Shorts hanging low around his waist. His chest was hairy, marking a thick hairy line from in between his chest width to his v shape.

He turned to look at me. That was when I saw his dread locks dripping with sea water.

His face so dark that I saw him as a silhouette. I couldn't see his face because the sun was blocking my view and made it hard to focus.

Then he started walking towards me. I brought my hand to adjust the brightness of the sun to see. Suddenly, he turned around and left.

"Ah!" I screamed when I felt a heavyweight on me.

"Wake up and tell me about it. Ally." Alicia and her dramas.

It was my first time in Africa. I'm in bed dreaming of passionate boys I met in there. I'm so exhausted since we arrived at midnight. And she won't stop until I tell her about it.

"Okay. If I mention Africa, what comes to your mind licia." I rather asked her, knowing I would get a negative response.

"Well..." she sat in an Indian style on my bed. "If not, your post on Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, I would say a jungle with people in mud houses still cooking food on clayey pots. But your trip there proved me wrong." I know she was exaggerating.

"Hm. Well its similar to this place. Shopping malls, five-star hotels, nice beaches, culture and beautiful artworks. And I visited the historical sites. I cried that day. That reminds me."

I went into my luggage and removed an artwork.

"No way. Is that you? Omg, this is amazing. Who drew this? Da Vinci?" she exclaimed.

"Maybe black da Vinci. Well his name is Edem. That's his autograph over there.we exchanged paintings.he talked me into painting again. And I ended up painting him." her mouth was still hanging wide open.

"This is hot," I agreed.

"So how's your leg?" She asked after examining the painting.

"Better than before." I told her, stretching my leg up and down.

They pushed me in a pit when I tried to fight back bullies. I don't know why they bullied me because they were supposed to be my friends. I was still limping. So when I went to Africa for holidays, they did the traditional method because it wasn't healed enough. They tied my leg with sticks , applied herbs on it and covered it with a piece of linen. And it did the trick because I can stand on my feet again and walk without limping.

"Well, your dad said he would have to change your school again and if this one too doesn't work out, then boarding it is."

"Hell no! I'm not going to some fucking mystery psychotic boarding school. "I snapped.

"Chill sis you watch way too much horror movies"

We chatted some more. I went downstairs after I was done freshening up. Alicia had left to do something at home. I heard yelling downstairs. It was my mum and dad.

"She's not going to clover field high school." that was my dad.

What's he still doing here? He was supposed to be working since he came here before us. Well, my dad works in a law firm. Practically the CEO of liberal law firm.

"What do you mean she is not going to clover high school? That's the only school choice in my mind. She has gone to Jefferson private school, she nearly cracked her head and this one too, St. martins catholic too, look what happened." She retorted, throwing her hands up in the sky.

"Then I have a boarding school in mind. I will make the connections for her."

"I'm not letting my daughter get shipped to some boarding school faraway. She's- she's in senior year for Christ's sake and I wouldn't see her when she starts college." my mum burst in tears.

"Come here" my dad signalled her hugging her from the back. My mum and dad are so much in love.

"Honey."

"Hmm"

"Why don't you want her into go to clover field. Isn't it our alma matter?." my mum asked.

My dad was silent. He was about to speak but someone cleared their throats. It was my brother. Alan.

"Please get a room Ally is here" they turn to see me standing on the stairs. He makes feel like I'm 8.

"What did I tell you about eavesdropping?" I know it embarrassed her.

"I wasn't eavesdropping. You guys were yelling at each other. I think the neighbours will be here soon." I said with an eye roll, jumping down the last step.

"Okay this is it. Your mum and I have decided to send you to clover high-" before I can shout in joy, my brother interrupted.

"No dad! She's not going there. At least a boarding school would be fine."

"Why do you guys want to send me away?"

"We are not sending you away. We are protecting you, Alice." my brother said seriously.

"As if you were there to protect me when I broke my leg." I snapped.

"clover field high is dangerous, Alice. It's worse than your two former schools." he warned.

"Nothing I haven't felt before,"

"Jeez... you're so stubborn, Alice."

"Says the guy who..."

"Enough!" this time it was my dad. "it's okay both of you. Your mum and I have decided but there would be conditions,"

"Dad, you know I can't live without phone" I cried knowing where this is leading to.

"Sweetie, you will use your phone just fine but you tell us what goes on in your life. No parties, no visiting of friends unless they come here, and not boys." I sighed in relief.

"That wouldn't be a problem. I thought you would say; no wearing of black clothes, no phones and no more of mummy's cookies for life." the tension reduced with a chuckle.

"With a promise? "he brought his thumb

"Promise" I joined with mine.

Had I known?

***

This day was my first day at clover-field high. I alighted from my mom's black Audi down on the school campus. The September air splashed its golden leaves on me, reminding me of the season we were in. My sneakers crunched at the dry brown leaves as if i'm crunching on some crackers. A couple of students glanced my way but immediately resumed the tasks at hand.

"Will you be okay?" She popped her head out of the car. I sighed. That was the thousandth time she had asked me this question.

"Mum, I said I would be okay." I responded tiredly.

"Okay, I might not be at home early." She glanced at her wristwatch and frowned. "shoot, I think I'm late. Alan will pick you up after school, okay?"

I waved my mum goodbye after assuring her everything would be alright. She nodded and sped past the school.

I swinged my backpack over shoulders on my oversized black hoodies and took my time to investigate the school. I had passed by a few more times but never had the chance to bombard it with my naked eyes.

The school looks exclusive. It has modernised and new school blocks has been added. No surprise there since it has produced a lot of prominent men and women. They normally give donations and fund for most of the school's facilities. The school looks like a private school, except we put on our casual wear. They had painted it deep blue and white as their school colours.

Most of the grown grasses had turned brownish and wiltered due to the season. The ornamental trees were lacking a few leaves. I opened the school's map on my phone, which led me to the hallways where my locker is located.

As I passed, everyone nods at me and passed. It is the normal thing to do as black. Acknowledge your fellow black with a nod. My mom had said. 'it's a kind of black tradition'. I'm confused why even the whites in the school are also nodding at me.

Are they blacks too? I mean spiritually?

My two brothers completed this school by they barely talked about it. Jamil was the one who talks about how cool the school is.

Jamil I've missed you. Why would you do that to yourself?

It was the first school in the neighbourhood before the other two came. I will die of loneliness today because Alicia goes to my former catholic school at the other side of the town. Her mom and I's are catholics.

They sent my schedule and school map to my email this morning. No need to go into the office unless you understand nothing. This school is rich in technology. They gave me a default password for my locker and you will create a new password and add your fingerprints. Wow! Everything screams rich.

I opened the locker and I realise the only thing inside was a tablet, school cardigan and p.e attire. It was almost empty. There was even a led on the door moving with the classes I have for the day. Why didn't anyone tell me about this? Is it only me?

Then there was this robotic woman saying 'it's time for classes, every student should move to their respect I've classrooms.' I took the elevator to the third floor. When I reached in front of the class, there was this touch screen. People touch it with their fingers, then the slide door grants them access. When I touched it, it beeped.

"Please wait!" then was this loading sign, saying registering then it came to activate.

"You are welcome to clover-field high, Alice Watson. Enjoy your stay" the robotic woman said as the sliding doors moved.

"New student?" someone said behind me. I turned to see a short brunette wearing an oversized black hoodie and round rimmed glasses.

"Yeah and an old student of nine minutes." I smiled as I moved towards a double empty seat.

"Wait! You are the one everyone is talking about? Jake and Alan Watson's sister?" she asked, smiling, showing her braces.

We don't even look alike. They have my dad's colour.

"Yup! What have they done?" I questioned.

"You mean to tell me you don't know?" she also questioned.

"I know about their basketball and soccer championship. It's in our blood." I shrugged and sat down.

I know I'm bragging, but it's the truth.

"Not only that. They were the typical bad boys of the school and everyone loves them. You mean to tell me you also have that in your blood? I love your fashion sense. All black". she raised an eyebrow.

"Cause I'm black. Call me Alice" I introduced.

"I can see you are proud of that. Grace." she smiled at me.

The teacher was in, and there was this big projector. He referred us to the subject on the school site on our tablet. It was interesting since it gives you more details about what the teacher is saying. The robotic signalled us that time was over.

"What's your next class?" she asked me and I showed my tablet to her.

"Pleasant time cracking your skull." I know why she said that. It's true solving maths on your first day is no fun.

Then we separated since she had a distinct class.

Ugghhh! maths always gets to me.