TGIF, thank God it's Friday. About a week ago, Justin came in with his girlfriend Biryani. She was loved….
Her accent mostly, her beauty was nothing compared to Juliana's foot. But they loved her humble
nature…. Or is it a pretense. Well Juliana felt the need to announce the upcoming party they planned for
Friday to her fave customers
Loud music, people walking in one after the other. "Damn we're gonna party hard". They said aloud to
each other, move head closer cause the music was loud. Juliana was force to move forward in
excitement when she saw, Biryani and Justin.
"Wow, you guys came! Come-come on in. I have a VIP sit reserved for the both of you".
Making sure everyone had a good time. The people present weren't so many, it wasn't a regular party. It
was better than the regular. Well, it was fun for all. Juliana got tips from lots of customers that came.
Including Justin and Biryani. The party closed by 1am.
Walking back home, she was so excited, in a hurry to go and count her money. Boys came out of
nowhere surrounding her. She was frightened "Bring out the money". One of them said
"What!".
"Are you deaf? Bring out the money". One behind her yelled
"I-i-I don't have any money with me". She said. Meanwhile she kept her money inside her inner pocket,
her skirt had a pocket. But the thugs where focused on her purse. They grabbed it from her. Juliana
shivers. They destroyed the purse in anger when he found nothing. Moving closer to Juliana. He grabbed
her by her neck, lifted her up. She struggled for breath.
Broke bottle on his head. He dropped her. He turns in anger to see who did. He punched him so hard.
Immediately the thug surrounded him, that's when Juliana notices her hero. She got up from the ground.
They both pounce on the thugs. He grabbed her quickly when he notices that they were over powered.
While they ran away, one of the thugs, reached out his gun…... gunshot.
Ran to a quiet corner. Breathing so hard. Juliana couldn't see his face clearly, because it was dark. Police
siren...
Moments later. Sat on the ground. Juliana felt a drip on her hand. She looked at him, his was breathing
just fine. She raised her hand up only to see blood. She moved back in shock.
"What is it?". He asked
"Blood". She said. Searched his pocket, she found a small phone. She on the torch light, realizing he was
shot. She gasps, her hands on her mouth, she was scared and confused, she started crying.
"Why are you crying?".
"You were shot".
"Oh!". That felt weird for Juliana.
"You're not in pain?". She was surprised
"No, not really".
"Okay, okay". She brought out a clean knife
"What are you gonna do with that?".
"Take the bullet out".
"They'd be no need for that". He said. He took of his clothes. Juliana closed her eyes.
"Hey". She said
"What! Jesus Christ you're a girl!". Her reaction. Saucy sigh "Yeah". She sat down.
"You're not even fat". Juliana said. The bullet didn't penetrate fully, thanks to the suit she was wearing,
she just had a little scratch.
"How, why".
"I don't owe you any explanation girl".
"Yeah, you're right. Th-thanks, for, saving my life". She said. She brought out the money.
"So, you had money".
"It's my life saving, am saving so I can go back to school".
"Let me guess, Minderburg right".
"Yes!".
"What's about that school, everyone wants to go there".
"I know right".
"That's why I even have this act, pretending to be a boy. Just so I can go to school".
"Really! That's brave".
"Yeah. I have to be going now, take care".
"Thanks, wait, here". She wanted to give her money, but Saucy refused saying she needs it more.
Putting on her shirt. Paige walked in, she saw the clothe she fold on the bed, they were blood on it.
Juliana". She walked up to her "Are you ok?".
Yeah, good morning".
Why is there blood on you dress?". She held the dress
Nothing".
What do you mean nothing!". She yelled. Juliana dragged the dress from her hand.
They both came outside, Paige was behind. Just looking at Juliana. She went to Lydia; she told her
everything. They were just staring at Juliana while she attended to her customers.
House later, Paige's father walked in, she hurried to him, telling him her observation.
"Juliana". They switched the sign from open to close
"What's going on?". She asked, notice they moved closer to her. Folding their arms
"Juliana, what happened her yesterday".
"Nothing happened". They didn't buy that. "Ok fine, I was rubbed". She said
"What! how, when?". Being all concerned
"Am fine. They attacked me on my way here, on the road. They wanted all my money, but a guy saved
me. And he was shot".
"What!".
"He's fine. He had a suit on". She added. They were so mute
"Am so sorry Juliana".
"For what".
"We should have dropped back".
"It's fine, ok, am fine". She said. They hugged her.
Many weeks later. The more she worked, the closer she gets her dream of going back to school.
"Juliana". In front of her "Yes".
"Mm, I need you to do a delivery for me, here is the address. A car would be here to pick you up". Lydia
said.
"Yes ma'am". she said smiling.
Looking out the window, angrily, Bella looked at her.
Walking out of the building, surrounded with journalist, lots of paparazzi. Their guard made sure they
were well secured, while they made their way to their car. Her mother still tried to reply some of their
questions. Looking at the people on the road, she sited her. "Wait what!". she said within.
"Mom, I want to get my hair done".
"Now".
"Yes". She replied. "Fine, go with her". She said to 4 guards
"Yes ma'am".
Entering the car, drove passed a bit "Stop the car". Pricilla instructed
"Ma'am what's….".
"Shut up". She stepped out of the car".
"Madam". They came down immediately
"What is it, am not a child".
"Your safety is our responsibility".
"Huh! I know. I just, I wanna go make my hair".
"Ma here!". They said
"Yes! What's wrong? There's a salon across".
"A road-side salon".
"So!".
"Fine! Let's go".
"Can't you guys stay in the car".
"No madam we can't".
"Are you disobeying me".
"No ma'am".
"Shut up. See if you go with me, I'll tell my mother, y'all tried to rape me, don't make me do that".
"Ma'am…."
"Shut-up. Staying in the car, I'll be back, if am not back in less than 3hours come and look for me".
"But…. Fine". They said
Grabbed her hand swiftly quick. Pulled her to a quiet corner.
"Let go of…... what the…. Who are you". Juliana's reaction when she saw Pricilla.
"I should be asking you imposter". Pricilla said scratching Juliana's face
"What the hell is wrong with you". She pushed her.
"Take of the mask, stop pretending to be me".
"Are you crazy, who told you am wearing a mask".
"Then, why do you look like me. My mother can't lie to me".
"Neither can mine". Juliana helped Pricilla up.
Moved to a residue area, where no one was. Looking at her watch "I have less that 2hours left". Pricilla
said. She looked at Juliana, thinking. "Can you…. be me?".
"What are you saying?".
"Let's swap".
"Are you crazy! Am broke you're rich, I don't have a house. Am a smiling girl. I don't go to school. You
can't be me".
"Come on, I know you want to be me, everyone wants to be me. except me". she said in a low tune.
Juliana felt bad with her facial expression
"What are you talking about?". Juliana turns to her. Pricilla brief's her on the things she's facing at home.
"Really, your life is good". Juliana said
"Don't be silly. So would you help me, please!".
"I don't…. my job, my life. I don't know if you can fit in".
"Let that be my problem, come on". Pricilla pleaded
"Fine, but here's what you need to know". Juliana told Pricilla everything she needs to know, about her,
the mall, her relationship with her customers, her boss and her co-workers.
"Mm, that's a lot". Pricilla added "But it's fine, I can do this".
"Okay". Juliana got up, standing in front of Pricilla. She noticed a clear different.
"They would be able to tell the difference". Pricilla got up, sounding worried.
"What do you mean by that?".
"Well, I have a brown medium length hair, while you…. have a black Rapunzel hair". Pricilla said
"Oh that! and you have green eyes, while I have blue eyes".
"Ok I have an idea. You have to cut your hair".
"What! never, I can't do that. Not even if it's gonna make my mom come back to life".
"Really!".
"Yep".
"Ok, how about… you be a blonde barbie". Pricilla said. "Don't look at me like that, just dye your hair
blonde. Or black and blonde, half way".
"Nah, I'll go for blonde".
"Then it's settled".
"Wait, our eyes, what are we gonna do about it".
"Contact lens, baby, contact lens". She said tapping her face.
…. They did the necessary things and they went their separate ways.
Walking back to the car. They where surprised to see her new looks. "What's it?". She asked when she
noticed their stare. They looked at their selves dumb found. Quickly open the door for her.
Walked into the mall. Paige was holding her phone, she seemed restless, but was calm when she turns
and saw Juliana. Actually Pricilla…. "Where have you been?".
"Mm, like my hair?".
"You cut your hair".
"Nah, it's a wig".
"Wig! Juliana. I was so worried about you". While she was talking to her, customers started walking in.
Pricilla did as she was taught. Acting really well, smiling and bonding just like she was taught.
Drove in. Deep down she was astonished with what she saw, but she had to compose herself, so she
won't blow her cover. While she mesmerizes at the beauty before her eyes. Door opens, gazed for a
minute, before she realized that the doors opened, guards' line up in front. Right in front of the porch,
Bella was standing. Awkward moment, she gently came down from the car. That looked on Bella's face
when she saw Juliana's hair.
"What! what did you do with your hair?".
"It's a wig mom". She walked in. Paused when she saw Kourtney and Raymond. Her mother's best friend
and son. She slowly turns to her mother.
"Who are this people?".
"What are you saying? Don't you know me". Kourtney said. She got up from the couch. Walk up to
Pricilla
"And this is my son". She added "Oh my I can't wait; you would be my daughter in-law". She tried so hard
to smile, but couldn't when she heard her last sentence. She looked angrily at her mother. Disbelief in
her eyes. She had to act angry. But she doesn't know her way around. The moment of awkward silence,
she had to thinking of something. She dropped her bag on the floor. "You". Point at one of the guards
"Pick this up now, take it to my room". While he picked the bag up, she gave her mother one more angry
stare, while she walked behind him.
Opens the room door. Gorgeous, it was so luxurious, she hadn't seen anything like that. She dropped her
tongue for a sec. Swallowed hard "Okay! You can…. You can go know". She stutters, door closed. She
dived on the bed, such relief.
Time to switch. She carried her bags, hesitated because she was unfamiliar with the salon. "Mm, girls
can we go together, I mean, why not?".
"Nope, you're not working late this week". Paige said
"But why?". While her face says something else, in her head it was a whole different thing "Oh my! Is my
act that terrible? Geez, she's gonna kill me". she said in her mind
"There's nothing to worry about cutie. You work a lot, and you need a life. But, don't, before you say
anything, a life outside this mall. You need friends. So, you won't be working late this week ok. Next
week you'll resume. I've spoken to my dad already".
"Okay!". She sounded sad a bit.
They left afterward. Juliana went to her room. She saw clothes and shoes on her bed. Big smile on her
face. She knew they were from her boss.
Moved closer her bed, she carried one of the dress, sniffs in excitement. "She's so lucky, huh!".
Stepped out of the mall, looking so ravishing. She paused to think "Where do I go? What restaurant?".
She questioned herself while she moved forward, looking around.
Kept on walking till she saw a basketball court, people playing. She moved closer. "Justin". She
whispered. She wasn't sure. Her bestie hates sports. She looked around for any fancy car, or guards.
There were none. She was eager to know, so she moved closer.
Group of friends playing casually, with one dribbling the ball while the other tries to steal it. Suddenly
Pricilla walked onto the court, standing in front of them as they play. Her presence briefly catching their
attention amidst their friendly game.
They all went for a quick water break. While Pricilla stood quietly beside him, observing and admiring at
the same time. Covered his water bottle, turned to her. She swallowed hard. She stretches her hand, for
hand shake. He reciprocates. "My name is Pricilla". She said. He nodded and walk away. She followed
him.
"Am sorry! Am not so good with people, but I think you owe me your name". She yelled. He completely
ignored. Walked up to a girl in front of him and kissed her. She stopped immediately, that was a huge
slap on her face. He turned around looking at Pricilla. She, took a deep breath, moving forward.
"Was any of that necessary?". She stared angrily at him. They stared so closed at each other, everyone
else was just watching. He chuckled, then looked away. "You're a dick, definitely not my bestie". She
walked away angrily.
Standing in front a roadside ice-cream shop, confused on what flavor to pick.
"It's David". He said looking at her. She did too when she heard his voice.
"Fuck! you again". She said. He helped her picked a flavor, afterward they sat down together, licking their
ice-cream. "I'm sorry". He said. "For what?". she asked. "For being a jerk".
"Fare enough".
Walking back to the mall. They both laughed out loud. She sighs, backing the mall.
Oaky! I live here. So, goodnight". She said
Sure, bye Juliana or Pricilla. Anyone, take care". He said. They hugged and he left.