After that day, Jaiye and I officially broke up, he tried calling me several times but I didn't respond. I eventually blocked his number. he didn't have the balls to come to my house so social media was the only form of communication. I blocked him on all platforms and after a week he stopped trying to contact me. I was all alone. nobody to share my problems with, to advice me. Tumi was long forgotten. it was like we never knew each other.
I went through weeks of depression. my grades were dropping and it seemed as though I was the walking dead with nothing to look forward to in life anymore.
Every day was hell to me.
To make matters worse, I found out that Tumi had been backstabbing me. I don't want to go into the Gorey details but let me just say that she had been dating David behind my back. apparently she was jealous of me and wanted all the attention and money to herself. she was trying to cover up by avoiding me because I wasn't supposed to find out. although I heard rumors, I refused to believe them until I contacted her and she confirmed that it was true.
The betrayal hurt so deeply that I even considered taking my own life. Tumi, my best friend, since primary school, even before I lost my mother. my closest friend and Ally. she knew all my secrets.
Her knack was getting into relationships with wealthy guys and men for money. she kept on hiding it from me but apparently she couldn't hide it anymore. I had lost my friend.
Throughout the whole day, I locked myself up in my room. My aunt and uncle were so worried that they couldn't keep quiet anymore. They hoarded me until I finally told them what was wrong.
Although they were angry at first for me keeping it a secret from them up until this time. they agreed that this wasn't the time to apportion blames, so they eventually fell in line and began to understand.
They gave me advice, long talks, their own personal life stories and tried to help me get out of my depression by taking me out on family outings and to recreational parks where I would loosen up.
I gradually begun to pick up and my grades started accelerating but there was this deep hole in my heart that Tumi had created that I was afraid might never ever heal.
We were already in third term, preparing for our upcoming interhouse sports competition in the school. I was in red house and I was representing my house in the javelin tournament.
I was on the field practicing my throws one fateful sports Wednesday when Jennifer and her squad accosted me.
Shewa, Shewa, how are you? she started and her squad members started laughing.
all alone as usual, she mocked.
I tried to ignore her as I continued practicing.
didn't you hear me talking? she asked again obviously irritated.
I said nothing as I ignored her again.
she then pushed me unto the ground. I fell down hard and bruised my elbow. my eyes begun to sting. I had no power to stand up for myself.
the whole field was filled with students. Tumi and her gang sat down at a corner watching the show, laughing at my expense.
my heart broke into pieces. I was all alone.
Tumi, look at how pathetic your friend looks, she gloated.
She's not my friend please, Tumi shouted back. we were just mere acquaintances.
The crowd started laughing again.
I felt Soo embarrassed and hurt.
Then I heard a loud voice:
leave her alone Jennifer.
everyone turned around to see who it was that had the guts to challenge the great Jennifer.
lo and behold, it was Sarah Joseph who came to my rescue in her bright red sports uniform, seconded by Davies.
I said leave her alone, she repeated as she edged closer and stood before Jennifer and her squad, hostility evident in her eyes.
surprise was vivid on Jennifer's face and mine as well, I was certain, but she quickly masked it up and shoved Sarah away.
surprisingly she didn't budge, infact she shoved Jennifer right back and she staggered and fell into the puddle of Mud behind her.
The whole field went silent. who dared to push Jennifer. her father was the chairman of the PTA,parents, teachers association.
Davies had already helped me up while Jennifer's friends gathered around her to try and pacify her as she raved like a mad woman, her uniform was thoroughly stained.
Sarah took me to the bathroom and helped me clean up myself.
Thank you so much, I wouldn't have been able to handle her on my own, I confessed.
she waved my thanks away as she dried her wet hands on a towel.
she had it coming, a senior that derives pleasure in bullying other students will always be dealt with by karma. the most important thing is for the bullied to stand up for him or herself and break the hold of bullying over himself or herself. I did just that.
besides she's already on probation, if she messes up one more time, she will be expelled so I doubt she will try anything stupid.
I nodded my head in agreement
Sarah was such a badass, who would have known?
since that day, Sarah, Davies and I became best of friends. we were like 5,6&7, inseparable.
The void in my life that Tumi had created was instantly filled by these amazing and loving friends. They taught me how to stand up for myself and for what I believe in. I felt alive
ss2 finally came to an end and for the first time ever, I came first in my class. I was so excited although Davies was a little grumpy that I took first position from him. we spurred and encouraged ourselves to victory.
My aunt and uncle were so happy that they bought me a new phone, and took Davies, Sarah and I out on a exclusive dinner to celebrate our success.
as I lay on my bed that night,tears of joy rolled down my eyes. the light at the end of the tunnel.