After school, it was drizzling slightly as Bee walked slowly towards the school junction. It was 3 pm on the dot, so her mum would be here to pick her up anytime soon. She can't wait to get home. Her first day in her senior year was nothing like she had imagined it to be. It was like a nightmare that she can't wait to wake up from. Suddenly, her phone beeped. It was a message from her mum;
"Sorry honey, I won't be able to pick you up. There was an emergency at the hospital and the nurse on pm duty reported sick earlier today. I had to cover up for her. I'm so sorry honey. Help me pick up your brother from school. I will see you guys in the evening. Love you."
Disappointed, Bee sighed. Can this day get any worst? She thought. Before she knew it, a car drove past splashing dirty water on her uniform. Frustrated, she cursed as the car drove off.
*
Later that afternoon, Jack stretched on the bed. He looked around the room at the carelessly flung shirts, jeans, and boxer shorts over the chair. He was in a hurry earlier today that he forgot to tidy up his room." I can imagine Dad's face if he sees my room like this" He chuckled.
When he looked at the poster of the Chelsea football team on the wall above his bed, he smiled. He could remember the good old days when his dad took him and his elder brother, Daniel to watch their first football game. The three of them had a great time. They were a happy family before the divorce. The thought of his parent's divorce, made him teared up.
Ever since the divorce, Jack's father changed. He no longer had time for Jack or anyone else, all he did these days was work, work, and more work. He was rarely around. Daniel on the other had been expelled from two different schools and kicked out of the university for reasons Jack didn't fully understand. John, Jack's father, had to come back to Nigeria with him. He said he didn't want Jack under Daniel's bad influence. Presently, Daniel lives with their mother in the United States.
A knock on the door startled him. He wiped his tears and said,
" Who is it?"
" It's me, Debbie. Lunch is ready. Your father wants you two to have lunch together before he leaves."
" Leave?... I will be there in a minute" He said.
Jack sat down at the dining table opposite his Dad who was reading a newspaper, while Debbie their maid serve them. They ate without saying a word to each other. If a stranger should walk in, he or she might think they were not related.
" I'm leaving," John said, breaking the silence.
Jack froze when he heard his father's words. John ignored him and continued.
" I will be leaving for Abuja today. Afterward, I will be traveling to Dubai on a business trip. I won't be back in the next two months."
" Two months!" Jack gasped.
" Yes. You will be fine Jackson. Besides you're not a kid anymore...you're sixteen. I will leave enough money with you and I'll send you more regularly. Remember, I'm trying to save up for your future. You're the only hope I have left... that brother of yours had brought me nothing but shame." John frowned when he said the last bit.
" You just got back from Spain last week, and now you're traveling again?" Jack said. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
" All you care about is work. No wonder mum left you for another man..."
" How dare you, Jackson!" John yelled. He bangs his fist on the table. His bony face reddened with anger. He gave Jack a hard glare, stood up, and walked away. Jack stared at him as he walked up the stairs, his dark eyes were beginning to teared up.
Debbie came running out of the kitchen. " What happened? What was that noise I heard?" She asked with a puzzled look on her face. Jack didn't answer. He blinked back the tears, stood up, and walked towards the room.
" My goodness! They didn't even eat anything from the food. I spent hours preparing it." She sighed." I wonder why they always fight." Debbie grumbled as she cleared the table.
In his room, Jack trashed the entire place in anger. Throwing things was his best way to calm down. His phone rang. When he picked up, a familiar voice spoke from the other side.
" What's up buddy? I just got back from Abuja, can we meet?" Julian asked grinning from ear to ear.
Julian Musa. L.H.S playboy and the Son of a billionaire. He was one of the most popular kids in school. Known for his charm, and musical talent. Jack's best friend and only friend.
" I'm not in the mood to hang out man. Maybe some other time."
" Come on buddy, don't be a grandpa. It's going to be fun...or don't you miss me?" He asked. Of course, Jack does. They haven't spoken to each other since they went on holiday.
" I do man... it's just..."
" Karen will be joining us too. Are you sure you don't want to come?" Julian said smiling. He was aware that Jack wouldn't decline his offer if Karen comes with him. She was his weakness. He would do anything for that girl. Julian knew this, so he invited Karen to join them.
" So... what is it going to be? You're coming right?"
Jack hesitated before he asked,
" Where?"
" Felix Lunch, 4:30. See you later man."
" Sure," Jack said before he hung up.
He took one glance at the room which was now a mess. walked up to the wardrobe, took out a red Polo shirt and blue jeans, and quickly changed into them. With his red face cap in hand, he walked out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
*
Later that evening after dinner, Bee sat writing on her bed. Her bedroom was impressively neat as usual. Her clothes were folded and her books were stacked tidily above her desk. On the wall was a black outlined photo frame with photos of her and her family on their last vacation to Owerri. It was her last vacation with her dad before he passed away. Those photos were her most treasured possession. On her bed is a light purple duvet with a big blanket folded on the end with two pillows sitting on top of the bed. Everything was spick and span with the smell of petals of rose air freshener. Deep in thought, she writes in her diary.
Dear Diary,
It's been a year since I've written. I thought I'd outgrown you. I thought I would be happy after I got the opportunity to attend my dream school. But dairy, all I want at the moment is to go back to Girls' college. I hate it at L.H.S. Those kids are mean. Girls' college might not be as admiring as L.H.S, but at least I was welcomed there. Today was a disaster. I haven't felt this embarrassed since middle school...
Her door opened suddenly. It was her younger brother.
" Sister Bee", he murmured. " Please, can you make me some more oat?"
*
"Karen-happen, where are you going to all dressed up?" A gentle male voice called from behind Karen. She turned to look at her dad sitting on the couch with his legs crossed. He was watching the news on TV.
Ace Robert was in his late forties but he looked like a thirty years ago man. He was tall and slender with his neatly shaved head and beard. With his peaceful temperament and dazzling smile, no woman could resist his charm. But sadly, he was a widower.
Joyce Robert, Karen's mother died when she was ten, after battling Leukemia for years.
Ever since Ace had raised Karen single-handedly in the best way he could. He had tried to raise Karen the way Joyce would have, but Karen had a mind of her own. After being expelled from serval schools in the United States, and arrested twice, Ace had no other choice than to bring her back to Nigeria.
" I'm going out with My friends, Julian and Jack." When she said Jack, she blushed.
Ace stared at the young lady in front of him. She looked so much like Joyce. Anyone who didn't know better would think Karen was Joyce. Although Ace was brown-skinned, Karen was fair-skinned like her mother. They had similar lively blue eyes, slim faces, and fuller lips. She tied her black long hair in a ponytail. She looks hot in that blue jeans and white crop top and those carton-colored ankle boots.
" When will you be home?" Ace asked, worried. Karen bit down on her lower lip and said,
" Don't worry Dad...I will be home before 8 pm."
" But..."
" I have to go, Dad, my friends are waiting for me outside. Love you!" She said as she runs out of the house.
" Be careful!" Ace said. He settled on the couch and let out a sigh.
" Ring...Ring..." His phone rang. He picked it up.
" Hello!" A familiar cold voice spoke from the other side.
When Ace heard the voice, he panicked. It has been two years since he called. What does he want this time around? Ace thought.
" I am coming back to Nigeria Tomorrow. Pick me up at the airport by 3 pm." The voice said before he hung up.
Ace dropped the phone on the table slowly. Cold sweat popped out of his forehead. The air-conditioner was turned on but for some reason, it felt hot in the living room. The old Greg is coming home--which means trouble can't be far behind.