1 Chapter One

I ran to where I usually leave all my school books. It is Monday and I have to be early so as to relax before learning. I was sweating profusely because of the oil on my skin. Since the little cream I was managing has finished mama said I should rub the little shea butter that remain. She always use this to rub her customer's hair since she is an hairdresser.

"mama, I can't rub that shea butter." I complained.

"you have to dear. There is no money in the house and you know if I have I will surely buy what I can for you."

My mother who is in her mid - thirties said. She tied a wrapper over her breasts showing small part of her cleavage. She looked more like a young woman but it is our poor state that makes everyone think she is old.

I entered the room where we all sleep, I know there is no cream so I have to make do with what is available.

As i was rubbing, I was also murmuring 'see the cream that someone is rubbing, if I go to school they will all know I rubbed ori. 'Ori' is what most people call it but mama said I should call it by it name. She always make sure that nothing stop us from speaking good English.

"Nneoma" papa called.

I ran to the kitchen located beside the bedroom and met papa drinking water from the iron bucket where we store water for drinking. He wore a tied wrapper on his hips and there was a chewing stick on his left hand. We live in the city but my parents finds it hard to adapt to city life.

"papa good morning." I greeted.

"good morning Nne." he asked "are you not going to school?."

"I am going but am looking for my science textbook."

He shot a glance at me and I knew what was coming. "this is what I warned against, didn't I tell you to keep your things well on Sunday after service?."

"you did papa." I bent my head as a sign of respect.

" but yesterday you were playing with your friends and now you are looking for your note." he shouted "please get out of my sight."

As I ran to our room, I sighted my disappeared note under the table and took it out instantly.

"thank goodness."

I turned and decided to wake mama up. I have to eat before leaving.

My brothers and sister were still asleep like log under fire and mama said it is an I insult to wake them since they are older than me. So I decided to wake mama up.

"good morning mama." I greeted when she opened her eyes.

"morning Nne. How are you?."

"am fine ma." I replied.

"are you going to school?." she asked.

" yes mama."

she sighed "there is no food but did you drink the remaining garri (cassava flour) in the bucket?."

"no ma. Am not hungry." The thought of drinking garri in the morning was likely going to spoil my day.

"Nne I don't want you to have ulcer. It is better you manage what is left." she insisted.

Scratching the hair she plaited for me, I reminded her that i would be late if she go on insisting "am okay mama." I said and ran to school since I was almost late.

I arrived at school at 7:15am so I have thirty minutes left to rest and recap Friday's work before assembly whivh is usually held on the assembly ground in the middle of the whole school.

At 7:45am the whole school assembled in rows and columns from he shortest to the tallest in order to attain a better sight.

Bright high school is located not far from my house so I always trek the distance which I see as an exercise every morning. The school is big with four buildings forming a square. It is the school for anyone living in the neighborhood.

"good morning students." said Mr Andrew also called 'actually' because of his frequent use of the word when he talk.

He is the vice principal of the school and a very mean one. His sense of fashion always give the us something to laugh about.

Well today is not an exemption as he is wearing a white shirt and black pants which seems to enter his buttocks as he walk with a black tie over the shirt.

While cleaning his glasses with a white handkerchief which is always in his pocket, he continued "this is the second week of school resumption and I believe you all know that your school fees is due for payment, or is there anyone who doesn't know? he asked as he put his glasses on making him look so old that I begin to wonder if he is also facing the condition am facing.

When he sees that no hand is raised he continued "actually, the last day for the payment is next week Friday. On Monday we will start sending those that haven't paid outside, under the sun to stand while the others learn...even if you are yet to balance your payment, please do so to avoid embarrassment. Good day." he concluded.

I felt bad about this. I knew that am going to be part of those that will stay under the sun because we have no money. The principal knows us as people who can't pay the fees.

On most occasions he does not even look at me before calling my name "Ekwe Nneoma, go outside you haven't paid your money." he would say. Or "Ekwe Nneoma you haven't completed your fees." then I'll stand up and all the students would gossip about how poor my family is.

Once, a girl sitting at my back called me a ' poor disgusting brat.' I was so angry that I picked a fight with her. You see that is why I don't have friends. No one has ever called me that so why should she, maybe it is because her parents are very rich, I thought as I knelt down by the corner of the principal's office.

"do u know what it means to fight with Stella?." The principal, Mr Adams asked.

Of course, I know what that means, I wanted to say. I know Stella's dad always pay large amount of money into the school's account. and that's why she is more respected by the principal, teachers and friends but not me. I remained silent waiting for justice to take over.

"do you know what her father have done to this school?." he asked. I maintained silence.

"you are in big trouble for messing with a great man's daughter." he concluded and started whipping my body with a long fat cane.

All my pleas were to no avail.