PAST
"ALEXIA," my mother called me to ask if the food was ready. You would think that she called my name for something serious, but as I have noticed from all my siblings, I was the most unloved from all the beating I have received as a child, eventhough they were never my fault, I still got beaten. I tried so hard to become someone my parents adored, to be better, but all to no avail. I still got looked down upon to the point where I started creating a make-believe world in my head. My siblings always emotionally abused me, and I couldn't take it. I wanted to commit suicide, but I couldn't because I would miss my friends and him. But I am getting ahead of myself; let me introduce myself.
My name is Alexia Moon, and I am 20 years old, a college student still living with my parents. Lol, anyways, I am almost done with university, and I can leave this place for greener pastures. I can't be going through depression at a young age because as a young adult, I can't be depressed. Depression leads to drugs or paranoia, although my self-esteem is low. But I have to try and boost it and maybe confront the fact that my siblings treat me badly. No one knows that we are related in school, and I want people to know, because even though they hate me, I still love them and look up to my senior sister. You might think I am the last born, but no, I am the second born out of the five children my parents gave birth to. I am a nerd who would rather be stuck in her own universe than be seen talking to people. Although my best friend Chukwuma thinks I relate with others, I prefer to be alone. Yeah, he is Nigerian, and I find it amusing when he switches from English to pidgin and his Igbo language. You know he is truly an Igbo guy because his dialect comes out more when he speaks pidgin to me. Yeah yeah, I know I am in love with my best friend, and he doesn't know. Yeah, I know how ironic this is, but who wouldn't love him? He's tall, dark-skinned, with the perfect smile, those muscles and veiny hands, and his dimples that make my heart skip whenever he smiles at me. And even with all this, he never notices that his nerdy, not-so-popular best friend is in love with him. Whenever people joke about being in love with him, he laughs and says, "Don't you guys make my best friend uncomfortable?" Can't he see that I love when they say that? And here comes the issue - he has a girlfriend, and she hates my guts. She always feels like I'm trying to steal her man. Anyways, let's get back to my mom calling me, and you'll get to know more about me.
As I go to answer my mom, wish me luck guys, because I would be needing it. "Yes mother, you called me." She looked at me, hissed, and started ranting – I mean talking. "I asked you to get me my food, did you get lost in your thoughts again? I've told you to always stay focused whenever you are at home. Now go get me my food, you brat."
After getting my mother the food and doing the laundry, I had to rush to school because I would be late, and my sweet sister wouldn't be driving me to school. I wanted to see Chukwuma when he comes to school, looking all cool in his sports car and smiling with his dimples showing. Yeah, you might be wondering, "Hey, why isn't he driving his best friend?" Well, you see, I told him that my sisters take me to school and not the bus, which just left, and now I have to run to school. I got to school with 10 minutes to spare and missed Chukwuma walking in. This world is so cruel – why can't something go my way? Did I get cursed in my past? Okay, time for Social Sciences, which is my best course, and not because Chukwuma takes it. Umm, I mean, Chukwuma, not like he's mine or something.
The lecturer comes immediately the bell rings and starts with a pop quiz, which he mentioned last time. Unfortunately, people weren't paying attention and wanted to leave. But I paid attention and am so ready for it. Looking at Chukwuma's face, I'm pretty sure he didn't read. But I have to help him. "Hey, you didn't prepare for the test, right?" Umm, yeah, had a lot to do. You and my dad had a great time. I am so bombing this test and getting kicked out of the football team. And he showed me his sad face, and I couldn't help it. I have to help him so he can play for the team. "Don't worry, Chukwuma, I won't let you fail. You can copy from my work, just do it subtly, alright?" He immediately came closer and started copying without wasting time, and I continued and finished. I had to wait for him to finish before I could submit, and when I stood up and went to submit, people started grumbling. I heard, 'such a nerd, no friends, and he's just using her.' But maybe I heard wrong because Chukwuma can't do that to me, right? He loves me, and to put that doubt away for good.
"Chukwuma, we are friends, right? you are not using me?" "Yeah, Alexia, and we always will be. Please, I have to go. Sara is waiting for me. Also, I can't sit with you for lunch because, again, I have to sit with Sara, the cheerleaders, and the football team. I'll see you later, okay? Take care, Alexia." I had to eat lunch alone, not like it's the first time, and it surely won't be the last. But I noticed that he has been avoiding being seen with me, and this is our final semester together. I can't be sad. Happy thoughts, Alex, don't be sad again, Unless the low self-esteem comes back, you are doing well. The remaining period goes by fast, and the day is over. I am heading home, but as I got home, I saw cars parked outside. I knew that my father must have done something stupid. This gives me a choice to either run or go in. Stupid me chose to go in, and that mistake changed my life forever.