A day after

Vivian... my baby...it's 7am... it's time to rise eee... Time to go to school... Her mum knocked.

She jumped up from the bed when she heard her mom's voice, she checked the time... Gosh 7:30am... I am gonna miss the school bus. 

She rushed into the bathroom, took her bath then dressed up. 

When she was done, she went straight to the dining table... Good morning Dad. She greeted 

Good morning my baby, how was your night? He said smiling.

"Fine Dad" she sat down... Mom is late... My breakfast. she called out 

Coming! Her mom brought a glass of juice with sausage and egg sandwich. it was her favorite breakfast, she loves sausages.

Thanks mum she beamed then started eating... In a few minutes she was done... "Mom, I am done" she stood up and carried her bag. Since she has missed the bus she has to walk to the bus station to board the commercial bus. She hates entering the bus because it is always filled with different people.

You can't meet up with the bus... let my driver at work take you to school before I go to work. It was like her mom was reading her mind.

Thanks. She beamed then went to the car park to meet her mom's driver. He was waiting impatiently for her mom. 

Hello Mr Eee...Bbu... before she completes it he interrupts... Hi Vivian, I am Ebuka... Ebuka you still can't pronounce that! He looked like he wanted to tear her apart.

I am sorry... but do you have any other name? she asked 

Yes, you can call me God's power. He said... Really! God's power she widened her eyes. Do Nigerians use that as a name? 

He laughed... Yes, I grew up in the Eastern part of Nigeria. Oh, I see... she looked like she didn't have any clue about Africans.

Mr Ebuka came to the states two years ago, he thought things would be easy for him since he was educated, nevertheless he started roaming around the city until he met Mrs Agams who managed to help him get a job as her driver in her organization. Thus, he always comes to pick her up in the morning and drop her off in the evening. 

Her Mom joined them after they left the apartment. During the ride, she was quiet as well in her own world... thinking about her sister... she felt something was not right and she is not comfortable with it. she sighed and looked away. 

They live in ERA king real estate- homewood, her school was Mountain Brook junior high school, Alabama 3.1mi (10minutes)away from her house.  A Grade 9 student,  fourteen years old... the youngest and top student in her class even though she is  black and the only black in the class... She was never bullied.

            ***

Vivian got to  school when the bell rang for the first session in the class. She got down from the car then waved to her mom. She  rushed to her locker to get her books then entered the class.

Hi... she waved at her friends.

Hey Vivian. They waved at her just as soon as she sat down and they started highlighting how their weekend went. 

I didn't go anywhere special... I just went to the mail to get some stuff. she narrated. 

When they were still gisting about their weekend, Margret, their classmate, entered... They gave her a side-glance look... She is so full of herself. Kate said

Hello Margret... A guy waved. She has glossy skin, her hair was kohl-black and it plunged over her shoulders. She looks so beautiful yet proud. Margret, Anna and Evelyn were three best friends in the class, no one dared to mess around with them. most times they bully other students who they count as the weak ones...

She didn't answer him in lieu she went to her seat.

Their first session was mathematics, Mr Rowland came to the class to tutor them later the physical education teacher came in for the second session. All through the two sessions she was lost in thoughts, the dream kept on flashing in her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about it. It frightened her in a way... that one could hear her heartbeat. 

     ***

 During break she went to the cafeteria for lunch. 

Hey... she heard a voice when she took a seat...it was curt. "Hey" she smiled. aww a cute look.  Her beauty comes out more when she smiles, black is beautiful and she is unique... truly she is a beauty, she has big grey eyes and her hair is long and brown. 

All eyes were on them... imagine their age bracket Dating! Calling themselves sweet names...so poignant.

*Briefly about Curt*

Curt was one of the cute guys in mountain brook junior high school. He was admired by a lot of girls in the school because of his Viking-gold hair, bristly eyebrows and well defined cheekbones, he has a dashing personality and devil-may-care Outlook. The white girls were always jealous he was Vivian's boyfriend and most of the times they have tried separating them because they can not stand them being together. Margaret had feelings for Curt, and has always tried to get him but she never succeeded. Usually, she always bullies anybody that comes her way but for Vivian's case She has never tried to bully her... because she counts Vivian as someone who does not give up easily, she doesn't let people despise her... that was what her mom made her know... To her classmates, she is smart and courageous.

   About Vivian and Curt's relationship... They met the first day she was admitted to the school when they bumped into themselves. it was love at first sight...he fell in love with her eyes and complexion while she fell in love with his look and Viking-gold hair.

*Back to the scene*

How has your day been? He smiled back 

Cool she replied... At that moment her phone beeps. It was a message from her mum. Her facial expression transformed the moment she read the message. She remembered her dream.

Babe, are you okay? He asked her, His Voice was soft.

Yeah.... am.... fine. she smiled trying to hide her expression. But he knew she wasn't fine then he asked again "what's wrong?"

Nothing! She looked away trying to hold her tears. She hopes nothing happens to her sister.

Just then the bell rang and the break was over. They both entered the class. Mrs Kylie, their classroom teacher, stood in front of the class with a new student behind her... It is a new guy! He had sea rover-blue eyes. 

Hello students... today we have a transfer student in our classroom. His name is Charles Badmus! She explained. 

"Hey"Charles waved but they were all staring at him. He is a Black American similar to Vivian.

Okay Charles, you are welcome... you can sit over there... she pointed to the empty desk behind Curt. 

Charles settles down on the desk. Gosh... he is handsome. Some girls were whispering to themselves. 

Kate taps Vivian and whispers "He is black and so handsome... gosh...has curly hair too! Kate's reaction irritated her... because she got a lot running through her mind, all she needed was to go home. 

After some minutes, Mrs. Lucy, the principal, entered the classroom, a silent glance through the classroom.   "Hello students, Hope you all are preparing to move to high school! ". 

"Sure" A guy from the back seat said 

Am fucking eager to get the hell out of junior session. A girl called Kamila said, rolling her eyes and they all laughed out loud.

That's rude. The principal frowned. Can I get your attention? She said

When the classroom was quiet... she started

Okay... Now I want you all to get ready for your psychometric assessment. 

What's that? Curt asked 

It is a four hours psychometric assessment of personality, aptitude and interest. 

Oh really! He nodded and looked away.

For thirty minutes, she stood in front of the classroom explaining the process, then afterwards they had science, then social studies before the bell rang... School is over! 

Vivian walked towards her locker to pick her bag when she was about to close her locker Curt walked towards her  

Babe, are you fine? he asked 

Am good she closed her locker and tried passing him but he stopped her 

I don't like your facial expression.. You have been moody since morning. What's wrong? Or wait he said asking questions; Are you angry with me? Have I offended you? Or was it because...  

Finally she cut him off... Babe i explained to you about my sister... She is missing and my mum texted me that my Dad went to the police station to report because we have tried to get through to her in places we thought she could be!

Holy shit... I totally forgot... Am sorry it slipped my mind... She cut him off again..."it's fine...i need to go now" she leaves 

Curt felt bad for not asking her about her sister and he was embarrassed with her behavior.

****

She entered the School bus and called her mum to ask her where she was...  her mum didn't pick the call until she called her again she picked the call after the second ring.

Mum! She heard her mum crying on the phone.  What's wrong?

We can't find your sister... she said... where are you mum?  she asked and cut the phone. 

*instead of going home she dropped in front of her mom's office*.

*In her mom's office*

When she entered the office. Her mum was talking to the police who visited her office to ask her questions.

Where did you last see or talk to your daughter? one of them asked

Thursday morning! she replied weakly.

They asked questions that were making her weak. 

After some minute they were done with their investigation.

Madam, we will try all our possible best to find your daughter... They consoled me then left the office. 

Mum, are you saying she is missing now! Vivian looked devastated .

Yeah, I pray she isn't dead. her mum cried out. 

Who could be behind this? Vivian looked confused.

I don't understand... her mum said weakly. She left to meet Scott and now Scott said she didn't reach his apartment... I am confused .

At that moment Vivian thought of something... she has never trusted Scott... Could he have done something bad to her sister?

Mum… I suspect scott... Vivian whispered then looked at her mum...