Times and tides will tell, they always say

My life is a book that is bleeding on every page.

I am Vanessa, the first of two children. Being a first child, my parents expect more from me. My younger sister always looking up to me.

Mama had always told me "be your own kind of person and don't try to be someone you're not".

I've taken that advice but maybe not in the way she meant.

It started when I clocked sixteen "Oh, Sweet Sixteen". I wasn't an ordinary teenager anymore, I felt.

My wings began to grow. Well, I met a new friend in school. Her name was Lovett.

She gifted me alot and she became my paddy from that day.

My mum didn't have enough money to mark my birthday as I wanted. It was my sweet sixteen, I thought I deserved more. I felt less of my self on that day but Lovett gave me hope.

"Hey" she came at me. I looked at her saying nothing. She continued "Happy Birthday Vanessa. I'm Lovett"

"Thank you" I replied

She opened her bag and pulled out an iPhone X.

"I got this for you" She said

I looked at her in Shock. I didn't know what to say.

"Whaa.....what! is it really for mmme..." I stammered.

"Yes sure " She answered with full confidence

As if reading the doubt and confusion in my face, she started "I know it's kinda strange to see me gift you. It's your birthday and I wanted making you happy. I know you're a nice girl, though we haven't had any conversation before. It's just a little token from me. Look Vannesa, I didn't steal the phone neither did I steal the money. I get it that you feel I'm it small to afford that but believe me, when you work hard you benefit from you you had labored for. Such Is life."

She picked up the phone package and pointed it towards me.

I started sweating from my head down to my feet. I knew I needed the phone but one part of me was afraid to get it.

"If I get the phone, my mum would kill me if she sees me use a phone she didn't get for me. Talk more of an iphone."

"I understand. But this is the first time I'm ever gifting you and you know it would be unfair to reject the gift. You could get the phone and hid it from you parent. it's very possible until you have enough money in your own to start making your own decisions. I know you've got a younger sister, you could bribe her with money to always cooperate"

"Bribe? Money? I don't have money. My parents don't give me enough money. So that's not going to be easy"

"Just get the gift atleast " she said

I looked at the gift in her hand with mixed feeling.

Come to mama was the first feelings I had about the gift. I really wanted to get it so badly. I mean I would be the owner of an iPhone X, I'll be among the big girls in school.

'Its way more difficult than ever ' was the second feeling .

I stretched forth my hands and got it from her.

"Thank you so much. No one has ever done this much for me in my life not even my parents".I said

I looked at the package and started wondering where she got the money from, how she managed to get the phone.

I thought about her personality. Lovett has always been low-key. She's never really been my friend. She was calm, fashionable but always minding her business. She looked like a good figure to emulate

"Can I sit with you"Lovett asked. Her question startled me bacause I was lost in my thoughts

I looked at her