''Come and stop talking.'' Erica pulled Amala to the table.
''Sit down, Amala. Food is ready.'' Jolene said.
Amala sat down and looked at the food. Jolene and Erica sat across her.
''Thanks for the food!'' Amala said and picked her chopsticks to eat.
The table was silent as everyone ate. It was filled with awkward silence. Erica looked between her mother and aunt and sighed. She shook her head and continued to eat her food.
After eating, Jolene went into her room to make some business calls and Amala sat in the hall watching TV with Erica.
Amala turned and saw Erica looking at herself in the mirror and she chuckled. Erica was seriously looking at herself in the mirror.''
''What are you doing?'' Amala asked the little girl.
''I want to see who I really look like.'' Erica replied.
''You look like your dad!'' Amala stated.
''Oh, you know my dad? My mother said he is in abroad and will only come to see me if I study hard.''
''That's not true. Your dad is…''
''Is in abroad. Amala, that's enough!'' Jolene said at the door.
''Well, sure. I guess he is…'' Amala said sarcastically.
''Let's go for shopping.'' Jolene walked to the hall saying.
''Shopping?'' Amala asked.
''To shop for clothes and also get measurement for your uniform. You're starting school on Monday and that's final.''
''I don't want to go to school!'' Amala said and frowned.
''You don't have to study hard if you don't want to. Just get a certificate.'' Jolene said and pulled Amala up.
Amala sighed and went to her room to get her bag.
…..
''Am I not even allowed to know the school I'm going to?'' Amala asked as she walked behind Jolene into the tailoring shop.
''Royal Senior High!'' Jolene replied and stopped in front of uniforms hanging.
''Royal High School….'' Amala's face changed when she suddenly remembered seeing the same uniform on Leo. 'No, not Royal High School.''
''Why?'' Jolene picked one uniform and turned to Amala.
''Why? Go and change into this…'' Jolene handed the uniform to Amala and pushed her into the fitting room.
Amala groaned and closed the curtains. She soon changed into the uniform and came out. The uniform fitted her very well and brought out her curves.
''Aunt looks so pretty in the uniform.'' Erica said excitedly.
''Really?'' Amala turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her face changed when she saw a familiar figure entering the shop wearing a similar uniform.
''Elder sister, you are here. Good afternoon.'' Leo greeted.
''Leo, how are you?'' Jolene asked.
''I'm fine.'' Leo looked at Amala's leg which still had a bandage around it.
''Uncle Leo, what are you doing here?'' Erica asked.
'I came to pick up my uniform.''
''My small aunt is going to attend your school. Remember to take care of her.''
''I don't need him to take care of me. I can manager on my own.'' Amala said and turned to face Jolene. ''I will change out of the uniform.''
''Alright!'' Jolene said and picked another uniform of the same size. ''Leo, I will leave my sister in your hands. Please take care of her.''
''Don't worry, I will protect her.'' Leo replied and picked his uniform.
Amala came out of the fitting room with the uniform and said to Jolene. ''Can we go now?''
''No, you need a set of new clothes.''
''I have enough clothes.''
''I want to buy you comfortable clothes. Dresses that will make you more ladylike.''
''I don't want to be ladylike. It's a hassle.''
Leo turned and looked at Amala.
''What? Do you have something to say?'' Amala asked him when she saw him looking at her.
''I think elder sister is right. You need a lot of clothes that cover you up more.'' Leo commented.
''Are you suggesting I expose myself too much? Hey! It is my body and I can do whatever I want.''
''You are a lady. Ren City is full of bad guys. We are just looking out for you.''
''I don't need you to look out for me. Why don't you mind your own business first?''
''Jolene, tell him to shut up before I lung at him. I hate boys like him who think they can tell a girl what to wear. I will wear whatever I want as long as I feel comfortable in it. If you can't look away, it means you are a pervert. Don't tell me you give advice to any girl you see on the road?'' Amala asked angrily.
''You are elder sister's younger sister.''
''At least you know that. I am not your sister.''
''Amala, go and pick a few clothes from the other section.'' Jolene said, cutting in.
''You and I can never get along. A piece of advice, when you see me in school, look away. I don't want to be close to a pervert like you.''
''You…'' Leo sighed and muttered. ''Let's not waste our breath, Leo. She is just an immature kid.''
''My aunt can be childish, right? She never wants to lose to anyone when it comes to saying her piece. Uncle Leo, please try and give in to her. She is a girl and girls must be pampered.'' Erica held Leo's hand and spoke.
''Erica, you are so cute.''
''She is my niece. Go and get your own niece.'' Amala returned and took Erica's hand and walked away after speaking.
Leo looked at her and chuckled. ''She is really childish.'' He shook his head and sent his uniform to the shop attendant.
''Aunt, why did you pull me away from uncle Leo?''
''Erica, is it either him or me! Choose this minute. Whose side are you on?'' Amala asked childishly.
''Can I not choose? I love both of you!'' Erica asked helplessly.
''No, you don't have a choice. You must choose between that haughty boy and me.'' Amala insisted.
''Why are you so childish? Erica is 6 not 12. Why are you putting her in a difficult position?'' Jolene walked over and held Erica's hand.
Amala pouted her lips and turned away.