Alexander

She looked around the room one last time, for any files or books she might be leaving, her one week break was over and she had to return to College today. She was also terribly late.

She examined her small spring bed at the distal end of her cubic room. It was arranged, no sign of books, pens, or papers. Her reading table looked clear as well. She found her glass case at the top of her transistor radio. It no longer worked, but it filled the space her old TV left behind.

She put on her glasses as she threw the case into her bag. The room seemed brighter now. She managed to notice the hair pin beside her pillow and cufflink on her reading table. She sighed as she picked them, she shoved the two items into her pocket as she walked to where her mirror stood.

She examined her image in the mirror. Her hair was in its usual pony tail style and her green sweat shirt looked just fine above her denim trousers. Green wasn't one of her best colors, but Alex was used to wearing what she could afford. Speaking of what she could afford, her sneakers weren't exactly fashion's best, but she made do with it.

Alex wasn't exactly the beautiful type, most people called her ugly.

As a matter of fact, Ugly was her nickname in Human Anatomy class. The story behind that was a really sad and dehumanising one. She was dark skinned, typical African American. Face possessed deep brown eyes, blunt nose and pale pink lips. She seldom smiled so her white dentition wasn't a trait people easily noticed.

Her physique wasn't the best either. Unusual narrow shoulders, breasts like that of a thirteen year old, even at twenty.

Although her ass still shamed her, her hips gave her a nice shape.

Alexander sighed as she stepped back from the mirror. So what if she wasn't beautiful or hot?

One thing still made her stand out in the University of Berkeley and that was her brain!

Her ability to be a straight A student baffled most of her professors from her first day in the school. And now, she was in her last year.

Her late father,  Nelson Court was always very proud of his daughter. As the last of four children and the only female,  she was a true icon of the family. The Coronas weren't exactly living a bouyant life. But, they were all enough for each other.

She hung the strap of her bag over her shoulder, walked out of her room, locked the door and proceeded to the garden. She was certain her mother was there.

And she was right!

Alice was busy watering the little sunflowers in the beds. Alex smiled in admiration. Watching her aging mother take care of the flowers with such a passion made her smile.

"Mum" she called out after long minutes no watching her mother work.

Alice turned back on hearing her daughter's voice.

"Going already? "

Alex nodded with a smile plastered on her face.

"If I want to make it to Berkeley in time for my first class today, I've got to leave now"

Alice looked thoughtful for a while. She dropped the watering can on the damp soil and walked to her daughter.

Alice stared deep into the eyes of the child that always gave her joy. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Mother"

Alex said,  holding her hand

"You shouldn't always cry when I'm about to leave, makes me want to stay at home. "

She said sadly.

Alice's lips made way for a sad smile. "Now my child, don't mind your old woman"

Alex burst out laughing.

"You're not old mum, and I've really got to leave now"

Alice nodded as Alex kissed her forehead.

"Be safe mother"

Alice smiled. "You too my child "

And with that, Alex left.

Alexander  was the perfect daughter everyone prayed for. And Alice continued to pray for her happiness.