Chantel packed her bags and wore her uniform. She had come home in tears but now, she was leaving in happiness. Her mother came into her room to help her pack.
"Sweetheart, are you done? Can I help you with anything?" her mother asked.
"Oh mother, I am done. I have everything I need for school. So, I am good to go," Chantel declared.
"That's good. I love having you here but I guess everything has an end. I will miss you my dear," her mother said and hugged her.
"I will miss you too, mother. I will call you when I get to school," she said.
"Do that. I will expect it." both of them laughed.
Mother and daughter walked down the stairs while Chantel held her bag in her hand. Her father was already in the living room waiting for them.
"What took you two so long? I almost thought you were not going to come downstairs," Mr Asare complained.
"Sorry dear. I just needed to make sure Chantel has everything she needs," Mrs Asare said.
"Alright baby girl. Do you have your medications with you?" her father asked her and held her arms.
"Yes father, I packed all of them."
"Are you very sure?"
"Yes, father. I did."
"Good. I am really going to miss you, my baby girl. Take care of yourself and the baby in your belly," he said to her and hugged her.
"I will miss you too. And I will take care of myself very well. I will do everything to keep this child safe. Thank you so much father. Thank you for accepting me no matter what the disappointment I brought to you. I really appreciate what you are doing for me, father," she hugged her father.
"You are my daughter. I can't stay mad at you for so long. You are my daughter and I love you. So, don't think I will ever let anything happen to you. I will do anything to protect you and my grandchild," her father said and broke the hug.
"Thank you so much. Well, I should get going now. I bet Uncle Roger is waiting for me in the car."
"Who said Roger will be taking you to school? I will," her father said.
"You? But, I thought uncle Roger was taking me back."
"Don't you want me to take you back to school? Do you prefer Roger than me? Oh, God! I'm offended," her father put his hand on his chest and faked anger.
Chantel and her mother both laughed. "Oh father, don't say that. You know I will always prefer you over anyone. So don't be offended, please."
Her father laughed and hugged her again. They all walked out of the house and Chantel and her father got into the car. She hugged her mother one last time and sat in the car. She waved her mother who in turn waved back till the car was out of sight.
When Chantel got back to school it was already afternoon. Someone had told Cynthia and Adiepena about Chantel's arrival so they ran to the car pack to see her. They were both so happy to see her that Mr Asare had to laugh. He now understood why Chantel was so fond of this girls.
"Chantel we missed you so much. How are you?" Cynthia asked.
"I am fine. I feel better than ever," Chantel answered.
"We missed you so much. When we were told you were here, we could not really believe it. But thank God you are here," both girls hugged their friend with all the happiness in their hearts.
"Hey girls. Come, let me introduce you to my father."
She introduced her friends to her father and did the same with her father.
"Nice to meet you girls. Chantel has been talking a lot about you. I now see why," her father said.
"Nice to meet you too Mr Asare. We met Chantels mother some months ago and I must say you are one of the nicest people I have ever met," Cynthia said and Adiepena nodded in agreement.
"Wow, thanks girls. I should get going now. But before that, I need you girls to promise me something. Please take very good care of your friend here for me. Don't be scared to scold her when she goes wrong. "
"Sir, she knows what we can do so consider it done. Now that I have your permission, I will make sure to discipline her for you," Cynthia said.
Chantel threw her a glance but Cynthia pretended she had not seen her at all. Mr Asare on the other hand, was very impressed with Cynthia. With friends like her, he knew Chantel is in safe hands.
"Chantel, I like your friends already, especially Cynthia. She is so open minded. Keep her close, she will be a strong ally one day," her father commended.
"I know, dad. I know." her father hugged her one more time and left the girls who spoke so happily amongst themselves.
Cynthia and Adiepena helped Chantel with her bag and walked with her to the dormitory. They got into their room and Chantel placed her bag beside her bed. Then sat on Adiepena's bed with the girls.
"So girls, tell me. What has been going on since I was away? Did anything interesting happen?"
"Well nothing much. Just the normal routine as always. But, there is something that actually happened last weekend."
"Really? What was it? What happened?"
"Well... " Cynthia could not go on.
"Well?"
"Chantel I don't know if we should tell you this but I am sure you are going to learn about it anyway. Kevin was here last Saturday." Adiepena said.
"Oh, he was?" Chantel replied, behaving as if she did not really care.
"Yes. And guess who he came to see?" Adiepena asked again.
"He came to see Nadia. We saw them hanging around the place you usually meet with him. I don't know but it looks like those two are getting close," Cynthia revealed.
What Cynthia said broke Chantel into pieces. She was angry with Kevin but she really hoped they could actually talk things out. Turns out she was totally wrong. Her hope came crushing down on her. She almost felt like crying but kept a straight face.
"That boy can do whatever he wants. I don't care about him anymore."