Mia

"You should have waited for me," Amanda Mia's mom said "You were delaying. I can't come late on my first day in school" Mia said a 16-year-old, bold girl

"Is that the cause? I know you, Mia. You shouldn't be upset over this" Amanda said

"Enough of the pet talk, mum. I'm so not in the mood this morning"

"Love I know it's hard. Things will be alright. Things will change. I promise"

"Stop it!!! Stop it, mom. I've had enough of your empty promises. Things will change? How long have I been hearing this? WE ALWAYS MOVE. I just hate... Ouch" Mia said as she knocks the books out of Oscar's hands

"Seriously?" Oscar a beautiful 17-year-old said

"Gotta go mum. Bye" Mia said before abruptly ending the call and squatting to help pick up the books

"Sorry about that. I was distracted." She said before handing the last books over to him

"It's... It's fine" Oscar said

"Are you a stammerer?" Mia said

"Em... no. I... I... I just get nervous around new people"

"For a guy as beautiful as you, it's stupid to be nervous," Mia said emotionless. Oscar blushes

"Where are my manners? M... My name is Oscar Davis"

"Mia," She said uninterested

"Nice to meet you," Oscar said stretching his hand for a handshake

"I don't do that," She said before taking two steps towards the main hall and stops "Oh, I don't bite so you shouldn't be nervous around me. And tell your hands to stop shaking. It's disgraceful" She said as the bell rings

"Em... I" Oscar stammers looking dumbfounded.

Mia rolls her eyes looking displeased. The school bell rings and that snapped Oscar out of his misery. Mia walked into the main hall which is painted green with tiny spots of white. Making the hall look astonishing. Almost forgetting herself she asked for directions

"Hello. Could you tell me where the Principal's office is?" Mia asked a girl with a blonde hair

"Sure. It's the last room down the second hall on your right"

"Where's the second hall?"

"There," The girl said while pointing to her left

"Thanks," Mia said smiling with satisfaction that displayed her dimples. She got to the Principal office five minutes after getting directions because on her way she tries to get acquainted with the environment. The second hall was nothing compared to the main. It was large but it was difficult to tell because lockers were mounted on each side of the hall. Mia knocked lightly on the Principal's door

"Come in" A voice from within said. With that, Mia walked into the room. The room was painted dark blue with a spot of red making the environment look serious. Mia having that boldness immediately asked

"You seem to like spots, sir. Right?"

"Name?" Principal Tyler a short, dark man with an intimidating face asked without minding to answer Mia's question

"Mia" She kept looking around the office as the Principal does some documentation

"Sir, I'm tired of standing could I sit?" Mia asked with a pleading face. Principal Tyler not lifting his eyes to her gestured with his hand for her to sit

"Thank you, sir," She said as she hurriedly sat

"Your class's Mr. Benjamin's class. The school docent will help you get to his class" Principal Tyler said after a few minutes of silence. He calls the school docent to his office with a stern voice

Five minutes later, the school docent entered the Principal's office after a quick knock

"Give a quick tour of the school before classes start." Principal Tyler said to the school docent, a fair, tall, and elegant lady

"Okay sir," she said "Come with me" Mia stood up on her command ready to exit Principal Tyler's office "We'll leave now sir," The school docent said. Principal Tyler dismissed them with the wave of his hand

"Glad that's over," Mia said within herself. The school docent gives her a tour and tries to make a conversation while doing it

"What's your name?" The school docent asked

"Mia"

"My name is Gloria Alfred. I'm the school docent. Nice to meet you"

"Me too. You seem nicer than the Principal"

"(Smiles) He's not always like that. It's stress that gets him like that sometimes"

"Stress huh? (Nods) That's sometimes. Other times what makes him grumpy?"

"I can't say for sure." The school docent said before pointing to her right and saying "This is the school canteen and over there (pointing to the left) is the field"

"Okay. Back to Principal Tyler, since you don't know what makes him grumpy all the time then he's s just a grumpy man"

The school bell rings, "You might be right but you can also be wrong. The most important thing right now is getting you to your class"

"Yes, I guess," Mia said as Gloria leads her to her class

Gloria spoke to Mr. Benjamin a "no-nonsense" man. He's average in height and dark in complexion. Gloria speaks to Mia who was still admiring the corridor immediately Mr. Benjamin goes into his class looking displeased

"Mia that was your class teacher," Gloria said

"Guessed so," Mia said

"Remember I'm always here if you need anything. And don't cause trouble"

"Who says I cause trouble?"

"I've noticed you're straightforward"

"I don't see how that'll cause trouble"

"(exhales) Just don't be too straight forward"

"No," Mia said before going into the class

Mia walks into her new class.

"This is a new one. A class painted in white and blue spots. That man sure likes spots. Well, I..."

"Welcome, Miss Mia" Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Benjamin "Class, this is your new classmate. (Frowns) I see no reason why I have an additional student (Smiles) Well, Miss Mia get yourself comfortable but before that could you introduce yourself to the class" Mr. Benjamin said gesturing with his hand for her to go to the front of the class

"My name's Mia. I'm 16" Mia said with no fear making the class a little surprised at how she said those simple words with no concern for the student's reaction. Mia walks back to where she was standing before she was called up to introduce herself. Mr. Benjamin noticing the change in the air speaks

"(Clears throat) Miss Mia you can have your sit"

"Sure," Mia said before heading to a sit close to the door

Class started once she was seated. Her mind was not in the class for the first thirty minutes

"Miss Mia, could you tell us what the answer is?" Mr. Benjamin asked drawing her back to the class

"I wasn't paying attention, sir," Mia said

"Really? The new student's not paying attention in her first class and she intends to pass my class or maybe not." Mr. Benjamin said sarcastically "(With a serious face) Listen, young lady, you better pay attention or else failure will be your new name" The class laughs at Mia on his last statement.

"You could give me the question. I can solve it" Mia said trying to defend herself

Mr. Benjamin surprised but composed gave her a different question telling her to answer it in just thirty seconds to punish her for trying to defend herself because no one has ever done that.

"Your equation is simple. So start. You just have thirty seconds and not a second will be added to it. The class starts murmuring on Mr. Benjamin's remark

"Quiet, you all!!!!!!" Mr. Benjamin yelled

Mia could decode some of what the students were saying. The last person's words made her angry.

Within twenty seconds, Mia was done. "30," She said

"What?" Mr. Benjamin said

"The answer's 30," Mia said through her teeth trying to control her anger

"That's not possible," Mr. Benjamin said taking a book to solve the equation, clearly confused on how she was able to get the answer in twenty seconds because that was not meant for her class but Physics class. He tried solving it but he could not get the answer after eight attempts

"You got lucky this time, Miss Mia," He said

"Yeah. Lucky" Mia said sarcastically as she smiles of victory to her seat

After four classes, the bell rang for the break and everyone left the class except Mia who was organizing her things for the next class.

When she was done she bumped into Oscar on her way out. "Why are you everywhere?" Mia asked displeased

"This is my class. I... I just came to get ready for the next class" Oscar answered facing down

"Your class? (Scoffs) Yeah, right"

"I'm saying the truth. I just... I just" He said still facing down

"Before you start. If this is your class, why were you not in class during the first four lessons?"

"I can't come into the class for the first time shaking"

Mia smiles mockingly. "And what's the cause of the shaking?" She asked

Oscar lifts his head and sees Mia's eyes staring intently at him expecting an answer

"I..." He pauses and heads to her seat looking depressed. Mia was about to leave when Oscar said "You" She stops in her tracks

"Huh?" She asked

"You made me unstable," Oscar said while staring at his hands which are placed on the table. She turned to look at him and saw him wiping off the sweat on his face with a handkerchief. She rolled her eyes and leaves the class. She stopped two meters away from the class on remembering what her late uncle, Fred told her.

"You shouldn't be too straightforward. Yes, saying the truth and saying it plain can be good sometimes but it'll be best if you minimize it. You're too little to be like that." Fred, Mia's uncle said to her when she told him he shouldn't be weak even when he's s sick that it shows he's not a real man."

"Uncle, I don't like sentiments. I should tell you the truth. The truth always hurts but it'll heal quicker than telling a lie at first and saying the truth later." She said

"How old are you dear?"

"I'm ten"

"You see. You shouldn't behave like this at ten. It could be disastrous. Be caring sometimes" Fred pauses "Do you know what?" He asked

"What?"

"You being nice to someone can uplift that person"

"Uncle, do you know what?"

"(Surprised) What?"

"Being stern can also make someone strong"

"(Smiles) (Caresses her cheeks) Not always dear

"Really?"

Fred nods in agreement. "Okay. I'll do it but not always"

"Okay. But remember whenever you, being straightforward hurt someone, try talking to that person. Okay?"

"Okay, uncle" Mia shakes her head on remembering this, then sighs and goes back to the class. Oscar was still sitting the way he was when she left but this time he was massaging his hands which were still shaking and trying to hold back his tears. She exhales and walks to him counting her steps in her head

"This is stupid," She said to herself "Oh Mia, what have you done to yourself?" She concluded as she goes closer to Oscar. She stops a few meters away from him, trying to make up her mind whether to move forward or not. Eventually, she convinces herself to go forward. On reaching him, she places her hand on his. Oscar raises his head to face Mia once her hand touched his, surprised at her gesture. "I'm sorry," She said

"Why?" Oscar asked

"For making you feel down. I can't help it sometimes"

"You can't help what?"

"I can't help being mean sometimes (Removes her hand from his) I guess certain things are getting to me"

"Li...." Oscar's words were cut short by the bell, indicating that the break's over

"I guess time for class," Mia said as other students walk into the class. Mia gets herself ready for the class and a minute forgot what happened before that time. Noticing that Oscar wasn't planning on leaving, she asked "Is this your seat too?" Oscar nods in agreement

"Yes, it definitely will be, " Mia said in her head as she shakes the thought of hitting him. After school, Mia decided to talk to Oscar to clear the sadness still written on his face

After meeting with Principal Tyler to discuss some final payment, she went looking for him. She found him sitting on the fountain still looking blue

"Hey, (Smiles) can I join you?" She asked him. He tilted his head slightly to know who that was, but on seeing that it was Mia his face dropped the more. "(Sits on the fountain) Let me guess, you hate me now?" She asked

"No," Oscar said

"So why the cold shoulder?"

"Maybe because you're mean. You don't put people's feelings before you speak or act. Why shouldn't I give you a cold shoulder? Huh? Tell me"

"( Claps and stands up) Pretty boy has learned how to speak for himself. (Looks up to the sky) See, uncle. Being straightforward helped this guy (Points at Oscar) out. I need to get an award for this" Oscar could only stare in astonishment. Mia's gaze fell on him and she found him tightening up his fist

"Wow. I didn't mean to anger you. ( Hurriedly sits down) Yeah, yeah. I'm mean. You won't be the first to tell me that. My mum sings it as a song but me being mean to you is your fault." She said

"I don't understand," Oscar said

"You're everywhere. First, I bumped into you in the courtyard. Later I bumped into you when I was about to leave the class and then I realized you were in the same class as me. Additionally, we share the same sit" She pauses then continues "That's too much for me. I hate being too close to a guy that's how I got myself in this... in this mess" She concludes

"What mess?"

"Wha?"

" (Confused) You said that's how you got yourself in this mess. What mess are you talking about"

"Oh, that was nothing. I was just thinking of another thing simultaneously with this issue of yours." She pauses and continues "Listen. I don't like guys, okay? They get me upset."

"(Smiles mockingly) A guy broke your heart?" Oscar asked

"(Surprised) No"

"Joking," Oscar said noticing the surprise in Mia's face "But," he said "whatever reason you have to be upset with guys shouldn't reach me too"

Mia looks at him in astonishment with a hint of anger in her eyes. "(Stands) Listen, before you beat me up (Mia looking surprised) I just think you shouldn't tag all guys like that guy that hurt you" "For example, Me. I'm nice. I'm not like him and I don't wish to be him but you're venting your anger on me why you should be doing that to him" Oscar concluded

"If only I can find him," Mia said to herself "Come on Mia. I thought you were a bold girl. Why feel down now? Has the great Oscar fallen the mighty Mia?" Oscar said jokingly

"Really?" Mia said as she chases him around the fountain

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry sorry. I didn't mean to annoy you, oh great one" Oscar said as he runs away from getting him by Mia

Mia stops shaking her because of his statement. "Oh great what?" She asked

"One" Oscar replied

"(Shakes her head) Who knew you could talk this way?"

"Everyone except you"

"Really? I see"

"So can we be friends?" Oscar said as he stretches his hand for a handshake. Mia just stared at him. Realizing what she is trying to tell him, he retracts his hand and said "Sorry, I remember. You don't do handshake (pauses) "So can we still be friends?" He asked

"I'll think about it," She said as she grabs her things and walks towards the exit of the school. Oscar rushes too and carries his bag. There was a black Jeep waiting for him but instead, he followed Mia. She boarded a taxi and he joined her in the taxi

Mia didn't t give him any attention because there was one word ringing in her ears "Alex"

She was drawn back to planet earth when Oscar tapped her telling her, the taxi has gotten to her stop. When she gets off the taxi, she went back to the world of chanting the name Alex in her head. "Don't forget to think about me ( noticing she was still lost in thought, taps her) "Hey, yes I said you should think of me. I didn't say like this. It's too much (winks)"

"Unbelievable" Mia said

"What?"

"You're unbelievable"

"I know but remember to think of my offer"

"What offer?"

"You know. Us being friends?"

"Oh, that? Yes, I'll think about it. Now can I go?"

"Not yet. Since you don't give a handshake can I hug you?"

"No. I think for you, I'll go for the handshake"

"(Acts sad) (Smiles) Okay. Give me a handshake (Reaches out his hand for the handshake)"

"But not today"

"Seriously?"

"(Smiles mockingly) Yes. Now I got to go. I don't want to be late for lunch" Mia said and walks towards a different street

Oscar turns around and sees the black jeep behind him and realized that the diver must have followed him. He was shocked at first but composed himself and walked towards the car

"How was school dear?" Amanda asked Mia with a smiling face once she got home

"Okay" Mia replied with indifference, not wanting to indulge in the conversation her mother is trying to bring up.

"I'm hungry. What do we have in the house?" Mia asked

"Em... I didn't cook anything. I thought you were going to text or call to tell what you would love for lunch but..."

"I take cereals then," Mia said cutting Amanda off. Mia goes upstairs and changes to casual wear. While eating, her grandmother, Felicia came home and went into the dining room where Mia was eating. On sighting her, as someone put into a trance Mia stops eating abruptly stunning Amanda. Though it's not new behavior, Mia is fond of not eating or stopping eating whenever she sees Felicia and whenever she's asked will either say nothing or she's full but Amanda thinking there'll be a change in attitude was surprised at its repetition.

"Welcome, mum" Amanda greeted.

"Thank you, dear" Grandma Felicia replied. Both Amanda and Grandma Felicia expect Mia to greet look at her and notices she's s staring at space. Amanda calls out, "Mia"

"( Snaps to reality but not showing it) (Not turning to face them) Yes"

"Your grandmother is back"

"I can see that"

"Is that all?"

"What else are you expecting from me?"

"You..." Amanda is stopped by Grandmother Felicia who places a hand on Amanda's shoulder to prevent her from speaking more. With that, Grandma Felicia leaves for her room. Mia leaves once Grandma Felicia was out of sight to her room without a word. During dinner, Mia didn't t come to the dining room. Worried that she might be hungry tried to go up to her room to give her food was discouraged by grandma

"But she didn't eat before leaving for school today. Please just let me go give her food" Amanda pleaded

"If she was hungry she would've come downstairs. Let her be" Grandma Felicia said still annoyed because of the incident in the afternoon

"You know how she is. Hurting but will never tell"

"None of my business. Stop pampering her. She's 16..."

"And that's why I need to take care of her" Amanda said interrupting Grandma Felicia. Annoyed Grandma Felicia leaves the dining room. With that, Amanda leaves with a bowl of rice to Mia's room. Mia's room was painted red but when Amanda walked into the room it was difficult to know because the room was pitch black.

"Mia? Are you asleep?" Amanda asked

Mia turns on the bedside light which helped Amanda to know where to place the food. "What? Are you not supposed to be asleep by now?" Mia asked still laying on the bed

"I brought food for you"

"Did I say I'm m hungry? I'm not hungry"

"(Saddened by Mia's words fakes a smile) Why are the lights off? I'll like to see your face"

"I like the darkness, my life's full of it"

"Don't say that dear"

"If that's all you came here for. Please I'll like to be left alone. Leave"

"Why are you acting like this?" Amanda said in a shrunk voice because she's s trying to hold down her tears

"I don't wish to speak of it"

"Sweetheart, I know it's because we move a lot that's why you're behaving this way." "I'm doing this for your wellbeing and safety"

"My well-being? Safety? Do I look like I can't handle myself? Do I look like I can't defend myself? And who's that after me that I don't know?"

"Leave that for now. You'll not understand"

"Maybe if you explain to me I'll understand"

"Not now sweetling"

"Then leave. Like I said before, I'll like to be left alone" With these words flowing out of Mia's mouth, Amanda couldn't hold her tears but Mia didn't see this because that part of the room was dark. Amanda left Mia's room in tears. On her way to her room, Grandma Felicia saw her but didn't say anything because she knows why she was crying through eavesdropping.

Mia slept while chanting the name, Alex. In her dream,

"You finally accepted my call," A voice said

"Who are you?" Mia asked with boldness

"Brave. A good quality befitting for a queen"

"Answer my question before I break you"

"Queen, you know who I am but I don't think you can do it at the moment so how will you be able to do that?"

"Shut up fool"

"You still have this hot temper but I need to tell you something very important"

"What?"

" It's ...."

"It's what?"

It's the next day, Mia still trying to interpret what the dream says was troubled but couldn't share with anyone. She wanted to talk to her mother about it but refused to do it remembering the incident of the previous day.

She went to school still troubled about the dream and still not concentrating in class. Oscar notices this and tries getting what made her feel like that. He gave up trying to know why seeing that she won't open up and tried cheering her up, which proved unfruitful but after many attempts, she was brought back to herself.

Noticing she's back to herself, Oscar asked if they were friends and got a positive response. "Yes, yes, yes," Oscar said with a wide smile on his face

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you so happy?"

"We're friends now (smiling more) I can't contain my excitement"

"Why so excited about a mere friendship? You have a lot of friends"

"That's what you think. I'm lonely. That's why I get nervous sometimes (pauses) "all those people are not my friends but school mates"

"But they say they're your friends. They always know where you are"

"Well, it's because of my father they know where I am"

"How?"

"My father wants to know where I am at every moment so he paid them to monitor me"

"So at the moment they are monitoring you?"

"Us"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, anyone that I move with he'll know that person's whereabouts too. Hope you're not angry with me and want to end our friendship?"

"Why will I?"

"Others did the same but I can't help telling people about it."

"I'm not scared of your father so I won't end our friendship because of that"

"Enough of discussing my father. How are we to celebrate our new friendship?"

"Before that, I'll like to ask you a question"

"Sure. What is it?"

"You're an introvert, right?"

"Yes"

"So why are you free talking to me than others?"

"I don't know. I just feel comfortable with you"

"Even when I was mean?"

"Surprisingly, I was comfortable with you"

"Really?"

"Yes. Where's this heading to?"

"Final question. Why do you want to be friends with me so bad?"

"I just feel connected to you for a strange reason"

"So do I," Mia said within her

"Do you feel it too?" Oscar said with expectant eyes

"No," Mia said

Oscar felt saddened for a while and comports himself

"So where can we celebrate?" he asked

"I don't know. I'm new here. You can take me to where suits you"

"Okay. Follow me" Oscar said as he directs her out of the school premises

A black jeep with tinted windows is seen close to the school gate. Mia and Oscar board a taxi to a new cafe called 'Love it'. The black jeep follows the two of them to the cafe parks outside the cafe. A tall, dark, and muscular man is seen stepping out of the car and going into the cafe.

Back in the cafe, Oscar ordered two sausage rolls and orange juice for both of them.

"It's a nice cafe but the name's weird," Mia said after taking a bite from the sausage roll

"What's wrong with the name of the cafe?" Oscar asked

"Love it. Why that name?"

"I guess the owner loved the design and saw it fit to name it love it"

"Seems so"

"Well, I... No, no, no, no no" Oscar said on sighting the muscular man

"What?" Mia said

"We have to go now, Mia"

Oscar takes Mia's hand to drag her out of the cafe but instead ran into the restroom.

The restroom was small so when both of them entered the restroom, their bodies were touching

"Seriously? What's all this for?" Mia asked

"Sorry but my father's bodyguard's here and I don't want him to spot me the worse is if he spots us together"

"Well, okay. But why don't you want him to spot us together?"

"I'll explain later but we have to leave" On saying this, Oscar grabs Mia's hand again and follows the back exit. He immediately boards a taxi and takes Mia to the same spot where they stopped the previous day.

"Bye. Hope to see you later?"

Mia offboards the taxi and doesn't give a reply to Oscar's question.

Oscar wanted to go after her immediately to explain his actions but received a phone call from his father and this stopped him from going after her.

Both Grandma Felicia and Amanda noticed her change of mood and didn't bother knowing the result.

At night, Mia couldn't sleep but when she did she had another dream,

"Sorry about the other day, I had some issues I had to attend to," the voice said

"So tell me what was important that you said I had to know," Mia said

"I thought you knew already"

"What?"

"Well, I cannot tell you cause you already know"

"Damn it!!! Talk!!!!" Mia yelled trying to contain her anger

"Don't vent the anger caused by another on me. I don't want to be a victim of that again"

Mia screamed hitting her hand on her head continuously

"Queen, we're acting as per your instructions," a different voice of a female said

"What instructions?" Mia asked

"You said w....." The female voice said but faded with time

"Again"

"Mia, Mia, wake up. You'll be late" Amanda's voice was heard which woke her up

Mia stood up like she was being chased and dashed to the bathroom and got prepared and left for school.

All-day, Mia avoided Oscar. Oscar tried everything to get to her. Calling, texting, writing notes but once it got to her she reads, reaps, and wastes it. That went on for a week and it made Oscar feel weak which he found strange because of what he is.

After three weeks of this behavior, he couldn't t hold it anymore and went after once school was over that day.

"Mia, Mia, please wait. I'm sorry okay?" Oscar said "please wait" Oscar kept running after her, even when she boarded a taxi. She had compassion and came down

Not wasting time, Oscar started explaining himself "I did that because my father's brutal. He monitors my every move and hates it when I mingle with humans"

"Human?"

"Yes. I'm a ..."