' Hailey, stop right there. Hailey, stop there. I am talking to you. Don't you dare slam that door against me!!! '.
' Slam!!! '.
Hailey stayed at the door, crying for what she could consider eternity. Her mother didn't stop too, banging her fists on the door as she kept shouting Hailey's name. Her reddened fists didn't hinder her from banging harder. To her, her daughter's rude acts should be corrected accordingly and if she didn't come out of her room early enough, her punishment would upsurge.
' Hailey, come out now, or you won't like what I would be giving to you '. Her mother, a darker and older version of her kept yelling.
Hailey left the door and surfed to her bed crying, unrestricted. For hours, she kept crying and didn't know when sleep mounted her like a warrior and plunged her into dreamland.
***
The next day
' What? Did your mom say that? Like you should not compete and that you should stay with her here in Nigeria? '. Diva asked her sulking friend as they walked the hallway to the cafeteria that afternoon. She had learned from Hailey that her mother refused her from joining the competition and even said she would compensate the school with money.
Somehow, Diva did not find her excuse for asking Hailey to stay behind appropriate. She felt something was not said and for Hailey to be intelligent and attend one of the wealthiest schools in the nation it was inevitable for her to travel abroad with the school for excursions or competitions. It didn't feel right in a way.
' It's not like she does not have my younger brothers when I am away. She just doesn't want me to be far from her. This is my dream, Diva. This is what I have always wanted to do and then instead of supporting me, she wants me to throw it away. I have never felt so much hatred towards her '.
Diva didn't know when the tray of food fell from her hands to the ground. She was still lost in thoughts when Hailey recovered from her frozen state and shook her lightly. And it was not until the whispers of the students started rising, that she pulled out of her dramatic stance.
' Are you okay, Diva '. Hailey asked.
No, she wasn't. How would she be when Hailey's last words of her hating her mother reminded her of her cousin Fred? Of the pains, he had to go through because of his hatred. Of the fire, the rage that burned him. Of the hurt. It reminded her of the consequences of hatred and now listening to Hailey's words, the last thing that she wanted for her was for her to go through what he went through. What he might still be going through.
' Hmm. I'm sorry, it is a mistake, let me clear it quickly '.
Diva apologized, bending to pick up the pieces of plates and food particles but before she could, a hand stopped her.
' It is not your work dear, go and get another meal from the counter. I will handle this '. She noticed the dressing of one of the cleaners that had interfered and apologized again before moving to the counter.
The embarrassment that hit her when she rose her eyes and met the multitude of accusing eyes was massive but Hailey was there to help, escorting her back to the counter and to their seat.
' That would never happen again '. And for the umpteenth time, she apologized.
Hailey chuckled before placing her hands atop Diva's. ' It's okay. It happens to anybody '. She said.
Diva smiled sheepishly, burying her attention in her food, for Hailey's words stayed in her mind. She wouldn't hate and would not want anybody close to her to hate. Hailey and she had become even closer the past few days, and right now all she wanted for her was the best.