The phone was old enough and it really needed a replacement but then what could she do,phones were quite expensive nowadays and she couldn't possibly pester her mom to get her a new one when she was still figuring how to settle the debts on her neck,feed the family and buy her school stuffs, hence she could only bear for the time being with the consolation that at least it could take and place calls as well as send and receive messages.
Alicia plugged her phone right at the socket close to her bedside,she then stood up to increase the fan a bit before going back to lie on her bed and it was then she noticed the noice coming from the hallway and probably other rooms as well, although the effect wasn't as loud as it truly was, perhaps because of the thick walls and the big door.
Alicia at first felt excitement rush through her veins as she thought of going out but soon enough,it vanished as soon as she remembered that she had to be at the theatre hall tomorrow by 8:00am,she wouldn't want to be late so she had to go to bed early,you know as the saying goes. ' early to bed, early to rise'.
Another reason why she didn't want to go out just yet was because she wasn't familiar with the place yet,what if she got lost while coming back,I mean even in the day,she had difficulty locating the place not to talk of in the night and although she knew she could just ask questions but she decided to save herself the stress Afterall there were many other days for that and besides she had nothing to do out there,the room wasn't noisy,it wasn't dark nor was it hot, instead it was cool and she already had dinner so there was no need.
Alicia lay on her bed thinking about what to do to while away time when she suddenly remembered her novel,she dived into her big box and brought out a book she'd been reading since two days now ' SHADES'. by Williams Brock.
She started to read the book and in no time,she became engrossed in it that she didn't even realize when the clock hit 9:00pm untill she heard the creak door open,she looked up to see,Tammy, Sophie and a strange looking girl dressed like a boy.
Alicia looked at them in surprise as she scrutinized them from their head down to their toes,they all were dressed nicely in slightly provocative party outfits and they were also wearing makeup,where were they coming from?.
Before Alicia could say anything, Tammy walked up to her with eyes wide open. " Alicia why aren't you ready,the party is about to start". She said.
Alicia was confused. " W-what party"
"The freshers party off course" Sophia chipped in. " Aren't you aware" she asked in disbelief as she wore her heels.
Alicia shook her head indicating that she had no idea of any party,no one told her.
"Well then it's not too late,you can still get ready and come with us, afterall the party has just begun". Tammy suggested looking excited.
Alicia didn't know why but she just had a bad feeling about leaving the hostel that night,that too to a party,she was used to being indoors by this hour and since it's something she wasn't used to or fond of,she knew it was gonna take some time before she would get the nerves to start coming out in the evenings.
"What are you thinking about Alicia" Tammy asked
"Uhmm,sorry to ask but what's this freshers party all about" she asked innocently, looking at Tammy
"Well,the freshers party is a party organized by the school every year to welcome new students into the school,it's organized by the school but is handled by the students,so rest assured you wouldn't find any staff there,their job was to provide the stuffs needed and that has been done"
The fact that there would be no guardians there discouraged Alicia further,she'd heard and watched movies where bad things happen to people in parties like that where there were no adults and it was giving her a hard time to decide wether to go or not,her head whipped up at Tammy as she suddenly remembered something.
"You said the party was for fresher's right"
"Yeah"
"Why are you going then" she asked and Tammy laughed
"Well,anyone is allowed in as long as you're a student of Montgomery and besides,it could be a past time for me,since I have nothing doing tonight,forget about all that now,you should get changed"
Alicia was quick to decline shaking her head with a sad face. " I'd have loved to but I'm really tired and feeling sleepy already plus I don't feel like going out" she said causing the three girls to to glance at themselves in shock.
Sophie looked surprised while Tammy looked quite worried,she'd have really loved for Alicia to come with them.
"Are you sure you wanna stay here all alone by yourself,the party is till midnight". She said in a sad tone.
"Yeah,I'll be fine" she reassured giving out a cute smile,as long as this was a hostel and there were other girls around,she was cool and besides she was never a fan of noise,those loud DJ'S,booming music from speakers and screams,no,she would definitely catch a headache,she preffered this nice,quiet and comfortable room.
Tammy nodded her head at Alicia's assurance before she picked up her bag.
"Ok then cutie,just make sure to lock the door and never open for anyone,no matter what okay" she warned with a serious straight face that had Alicia swallowing her saliva.Why did she say it as though if she didn't do it, something bad was gonna happen to her.
When Tammy saw that she was a bit frightened by her words and tone,she quickly changed her tone smiling. " Oh, don't be scared,it's nothing,it's just that some girls usually take advantage of nights like this when students aren't in the hostel,they go around from room to room stealing provisions that's all" and greatfully,with Tammy's last words, Alicia calmed down.