Flashback: 9th may 2015
On the 9th may 2015 in high school, my life, my story changed, either positively or negatively will be known at the end.
I'm Allison Winston, a one time genius at Groomville grammar school. I was more or less like a special being, and the whole school looked up to me like some sort of god. Being the second daughter of the family of four(4), I became an enemy to my siblings considering how much my parents loved praising and prioritizing me.
My high IQ could not be compared to even that of my seniors in school. I myself could not tell why I was so good. Some usually asked if was a descendant of Albert Einstein, while some wondered if I cut corners to be where I am today. The answers to this question, still remains unknown as I myself can't tell why I'm so good, I'm just good at it.
On the 9th of may 2015, became the day my story was rewritten. I was just two years away to finally closing the curtains of high school. I couldn't wait, the pressure of being a genius at school was a whole lot to bear. On that day, I met Brian Thomas, my junior, whom I bumped into on my way to the library. He looked more innocent than ever, he had this cute brown eyes, with a curvy blonde hair, a nice set of dentition, a pale look and his height, he was about 180cm tall. Gosh! too handsome and a wonderful sight to behold
"What's this feeling?" I muttered to myself
"What did you say?" Rosa asked
"Who is he? The guy with the brown eyes?"
"Oh! I'll find out and let you know"
Rosa is my childhood best friend and seems to be the only one who person that was happy about my success and never envied me for once. Her close relationship to me made everyone called her my "personal assistant". As such, she became very accountable for everything about me.
* * * * *
I went home that day, bothered about the sudden reaction in my body when I bumped into him. I held my chest, trying to recall how fast my heart beated yet I remained so calm, I took a glance at my skin and recalled the goosebumps I had. I took my phone and browsed a little on my experience when I met him, it wasn't satisfying enough. I thought of sharing it with mom, I was scared I'd get her worried as she seems to be super excited about my upcoming competition with the African students.
Emily would have been a better option, but realizing how much she's rooting for my downfall as a sister withheld my thoughts. I threw my phone on the bed as I laid facing the roof, staring blankly at nothing and obviously thinking about my body's reaction.
* * * * *
I stood at the entrance of the school, fidgeting and praying silently that Rosa didn't miss out in looking into him.
"Hey Rosa!" I called out desperately as I ran up to her
"Hey!" she muttered, startled
" So, did you manage to look into him?" I asked, holding her arms and acting ignorant of her looks
"Okay, I'm not sure I know what you're talking about" Rosa drawled
"C'mon, the guy we bumped into at the library yesterday" I replied, feigning anger
"It's so unlike the Allison I know. Brian Thomas, aged 16, first son to the family of 3. Average class family, started practicing badminton 3 months back, no good records academically and even if you're to like him, he's not your class"
"Thank you"
"So, what now?"
"Leave the rest to me"
"That's crazy and absurd, he's no genius, if you're looking for a male friend, I can introduce you to the new guy at high school 5, he's cool"
" I know him and I'm so not interested in him"
"Are you for real right now?"
"what?"
"I'm disappointed, so disappointed because he's no match for you" Rosa grimaced
" Why? because he's my junior?"
Rosa huffed and walked away. I didn't care. I walked slowly, counting my steps and throwing my eyes in every corners of the library. I knew I was a tyro but I had to act bold because being a wimp was totally a red flag for me. Soon, I began to jitter, the thought of him embarrassing me and making a whole mockery of me with his friend gave a lift to my fear. My heart was racing more than I could carry, my throat was running dry like that of a desert. I ran to the cafeteria, to grab a bottle of water. Maybe because I was jittering, but for the first time, unloosening a bottle of water became an uneasy task.
In a split of seconds, like a flash, someone jerked the water away from me. With shame, I looked up soberly to see who's that angel
"Rosa?"
"Girl what are you doing? Here" She offered the bottle to me
I took the water and mumbled a few words of thank you
"You're crazy! what are you even thinking? What do you know about things like this? What do you want to say to him?
"I don't know, anything, yes I've gone nuts"
"Go over there, looks like he's on his way to the cafeteria, bump into him again",
"Thank you!" I screamed as I ran out of the cafeteria.
* * * * *
I reduced my pace as I noticed him walking inattentively as he played with the tennis ball in his hands. I began to cringe as he walked closer, I lost all my energy and turned to go back.
"You're not a wimp Allison" I said to myself as I inhaled a deep breath
"Hey yoo!"
"Gosh, did I say that loud?"
"Ohh! Allison the great! or will I rather call you, Princess Allison, descendant of Albert Einstein, I must be so blessed, bumping into you today, on a Monday"
(Chuckles) "Why so cool" I muttered under my breath as we both began to walk
"Well, it's Alison and Albert Einstein was no king"
"Oh right, how can I ever forget you're a genius, but that doesn't matter, stories can always be changed for us to fit in"
"Then life will go smoothly, because they won't be any bumps, by the way you are .....?"
"Brian, Brian Thomas"he answered as he protruded his hand for a handshake
"Sounds smart, I'm Alison Winston" I smiled as I accepted his gesture
"Yes miss Winston, so what bothers you?"
"what?"
"You look tired, weak. Outside these gaily face, I can see how flustered you are."
"Are you a fortune teller or something?"
"I just have this gift yunno, besides you're not even good at pretending, it's written all over you"
"The pressure is just too much to bear, I want to live a normal high school student life like you, maybe it's a fate, I have to accept" I answered soberly
"I can't relate,lol, but I'm sorry, really sorry about that"
"It's fine"
"To be frank, I wasn't expecting you to be all cool"
"Why? because I'm Alison Winston?
"Actually, my friends are dying to talk to you, but they're wary of being embarrassed"
"So what about you?"
"Well, I'm not the type that craves for the impossible, so I had to let go"
(chuckles) "So I'm the impossible?"
"Obviously"
"Did I make it possible?"
"Yes....what do you want? Give me the honor to sponsor your lunch" He solicited as he prostrated
"You're kidding right?"
"Nay, how can I be so silly to think of playing with the princess" he said as he prostrated once more
"What are you? some guard or something? please stop prostrating" I begged, almost laughing
"Fine, what do you want? Cookies? milkshake?"
"You can't fix my bills"
"Why?"
"Because, I don't wanna stop seeing you" I smiled and walked away
* * * * *
I walked away proudly knowing I left him in awe. Was I so much of a flirt?
"How did it go?" Rosa asked as we both walked to the class
"Better than I thought, jeez he's so cool"
"What? seems you've forgotten you are Alison Winston and the pride of Groomville"
"He had a choice Rosa, a choice to snub me or just give a fake smile and walk away"
"Was I even expecting you to agree to me?"
"Whatever"
" The principal is seeking your attention"
"Why?"
"You have to meet with some officials who are ready to sponsor Groomville scholars"
"Why? Not like I'm poor or something?"
"The meeting is slated for 2pm, you have to meet with the principal as soon as possible" Rosa continued ignorantly
"I need a time for myself, thank you Rosa"
"It's 12:37pm you should at least be in her office in the next 23 minutes" Rosa ordered, eyes fixed on her wrist watch.
I walked up to my seat and laid my head on the desk. I really loved Rosa for always pushing and acting like mom. What more could I ever ask for in a friend, when I had Rosa who made sure I never missed the lane in every activities I engage in. She is like a family to me.
After the meeting, the officials asked to meet me again. I was tired, so was everyone. I took a glance at my wall clock, 3:15pm, it was a very long meeting. I messaged my driver and sat at the lobby waiting patiently for him. I rested my head on the wall and closed my eyes. For once, I tried to create space in my heart, I just wanted to breath and think of nothing else. I was almost dozing off, when I noticed my head was lifted and placed on someone's shoulder. I flinched
"Brian??"
"I never expected to meet the pride of Groomville outside, at this time of the day"
"So you resorted to stalking me?"
"I hate being indebted to someone, so I couldn't help but fix it, what are you doing here?"
"Lol, what are you doing here? this is the lobby and I'm obviously waiting for my driver"
"You really need some rest, you look so stressed"
"What are you doing here?"
"I was just....."
"Oops! my driver is here, sorry I have to go" I cut in as I scurried away.
* * * * *
"Mom?? You're here with the driver?
"Who is he?"
"Let's go" I said as I banged the door
"Who is he and why are you back so early?"
"I'm so tired"
"Doesn't stop you from answering my questions"
"Obviously a friend, I'm back because I'm tired"
Typical of mom to be nonchalant, she returned back to fiddling her tablet and going through documents.
"When last did you speak to Emily?" she asked, eyes still fixed on the papers
"I can't even remember the last time I saw her"
"Give me some time, working on it"
"Why are you so certain things will work out? Emily resents me like we're step sisters"
"I love you both, Emily loves you as well, I'm sure she's just a bit envious that everyone is more focused on you"
"That's why I want y'all to stop! I've had enough enemies already as a teen and Emily resenting me because of that is a while lot to admit, I'm tired"
"I'm sorry for putting you through this, I'm working on it and I promise everything will fall back in place"
"Yeah, as always, you said that last time and you're saying it again. Imma just gonna do what pleases me and what I feel is right for everyone"
I dashed out of the car in tears as I ran to my bedroom. My phone beeped twice and it was a text message from Rosa and Brian, I felt too weak to reply any of them. I jumped on the bed, crying silently and wishing I could disappear into thin air.
The buzzing sound of the alarm clock woke me up. I was an hour late, I sighed as I quickly dashed into the bathroom. Soon, I was out for breakfast.
"You're late this morning, Alison"
"I'm sorry, dad"
"The driver is waiting outside, eat and your food and meet him."
"Then what about me?" Emily asked
"I'll be dropping your brothers off at basketball court and that's a different route from school, you'd go with Alison"
"What?" We asked in unison
"No! I'd rather board a bus or the train" I pleaded
"Right, I always have to fit in to please Alison, I'm not allowed to make decisions even as an elder sister" Emily said coldly
"No one is restricting you from making decisions, we only want the best for you both"
"Even when the "best" favors just Alison?"
"Honey, we're trying our best to make things work out for you both"
"I'm off, I'd use the cab" Emily announced
"Leaving this house without going with the driver will be assumed that you're no longer my child"
"Honey???"
"Mom??"
"None of my children will disrespect my orders, honey take the boys to the court, Mr Hart, take Emily and Alison to school"
We both shrugged to the car and took the seats behind. I remembered the texts from last night and picked up my phone to reply to them.
"Oops! I thought as a genius you have rules, "No distractions" are you sure you're not cutting corners?" Emily asked as she pulled out her makeup box
"You caught all the corners in the world, yet you managed to pass with poor grades and could only make it to college because of mom's help, tarnishing winston's reputation"
"You've lost it huh?"
"Does mom knows you smoke or I should mind my business?"
She lits up her cigarettes, "who cares"
"Stop that! Mr Hart is asthmatic and this is not good for he's health"
"He's paid to obey mom's instructions and drive. Whatever issues he has there is totally non of my business"
"Argggghhh" I gruffed
"Air it out, say all you've got and watch me strangle you to death" Emily threatened
I banged the door and walked away to the school. I knew I was late, but the expression on my face clearly revealed I wasn't in a good mood for murmuring and queries.
"Hey!"
"Rosa? You're also coming in now?"
"My mom caught cold, I had to call her doctor"
"Is she fine now?"
"She's taking meds"
"Alright, sorry about that"
"It's fine. You left early yesterday and you're giving a frown today, are you okay?"
"I was so tired yesterday, it's Emily"
"What did she hurt you?" Rosa asked as she examined my body for any injuries
"A little, why the heck will she be smoking in the car when she clearly knows Mr Hart is asthmatic"
"Poor Mr Hart, I wonder how well he's trying to hang on while driving her to school"
"I hope he'll be fine, let's go"
Classes today were really exhausting as we were preparing for a project. I grabbed a bottle of water and slurped. I and Rosa managed to walk to the cafeteria and placed and order. From our look, one could tell how frazzled we were. I munched on my lunch quickly like a street dog.
"Rosa, is mrs Winston aware of your mom's illness?"
"c'mon, it's not that serious, why should I bother her?"
"Still, you know how horrible she can be"
"Heyy, we're talking about your mom here, stop being cheesy"
"Doesn't change the fact that she remains horrible"
"Seems she pissed you off again, you wouldn't talk coldly about her"
"whatever"
"Sure, I'm trying to compile a dossier"
"On who?"
"Alison Winston"
"Stop being so fatuous! Why will you have to do that?"
"As a teen, you've achieved a lot and you deserve one and why do you still have a low self esteem?"
"Seems you've been less busy, I don't buy into it"
"It wasn't a question or a suggestion, it's a promise"
"Wait, what?" I asked getting upset already
"Hello girls!"
"Shut the fuck up and get out" I yelled as I bashed the table
"Alison! It's Brian" Rosa whispered
"Shit!" I muttered in shame as I released the cup I was holding
"I'm so sorry Brian, I wasn't in a good mood" I apologized as I looked up to him
"I noticed, can I sit?"
"Sure"
"So, I'll just excuse you guys"
"Sure, I'd see you later Rosa"
"What are you doing Mr stalker?" I asked bowing my head in shame
"You don't have to feel ashamed, it's fine, I also have anger issues" He encouraged, smiling so admirably
"Stop feeding me butterflies" I whispered
"what?"
"Thank you for understanding, Rosa was just getting on my nerves again" I answered trying to feign a smile
"Wanna talk about it?"
"She's planning on compiling a dossier, very irrelevant idea and she dare says I have a low self esteem? Who does she think she is? My mother? oops! I'm sorry"
"I like it when you vent your anger this way, c'mon pour it out, I won't say a word, I'm listening"
"Fuck you! why so cool" I whispered
"it's fine, I'm relieved"
"Compiling a dossier doesn't seem to be a big deal"
"So why's everyone getting on my nerves today? I wish I met a fortune teller earlier, I'm sure he would have predicted this day" I complained as I rested my head on the table
Brian took my hand and began to massage it softly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry"
My heart was racing more than I could carry, I drank the water on the table and released my hand from his grip
" I have to get going"
"Hey! Hang in there, Rosa loves you and everything she does is for your own good, I apologize once more for getting you upset"
"Shut the fuck up and stop acting cool" I whispered as I walked away