Damian Black by J Tarr

Erica

I am a seventeen years only child living with my parents. Sometimes I wish I had siblings to play with, fight or get angry with. But  know what they say 'wishes are not horses'

I love my parents so much and can't trade them for anything in the world. They have made a lot of sacrifices, commitments to see that I was where I am today.

Dad works as a sales representative at a superstore called Lulu Bells and just recently he was promoted to the position of a sales manager. My mum works as a freelance makeup artiste. We are not what you call rich, but we poor either. We are always contented with whatever we can lay our hands on.

Mum got pregnant with me when she was in highschool, which resulted to her dropping out. My dad never got into highschool because his parent couldn't afford it. He assisted his dad to work on a neighbour's farm where they earned their minimum wage. That was till he discovered mum was pregnant and had to start working on his own to be able to take care of mum who was kicked out of the house by her foster parents.

I do not have a boyfriend, I have never really fancied any guy enough to be able to go out with them, and the thought of been pregnant and dashing all of my parents hope is a big turn off.

I sometimes help my neighbors to baby sit their kids for a few bucks per hour, other than that I do not have an actual job.

I opened my eyes slowly to the sound of my alarm beeping at 7:30am, I did not sleep for long the previous night.

The anxiety of finally becoming a college student was just too overwhelming.

I stretched my tiny body on my bed. I am not what you call pretty either, just your regular average seventeen years old petite girl whose only dream is to get into college to study and become the best  architectural student.

The atmosphere is a happy one as the day we have been expecting has finally arrived. Today is the day I officially become a college student.

"your mum has decided to take the day off, so she can stay at home with you." Dad said with a wild grin. His voice reminding me of how proud they were to see me go to college. 

"Thanks mum, I'll really like that." I said blushing.

"I cant believe you will be finally leaving us soon, I'm so happy for you darling." Mum said as tears starts rolling down her eyes.

"Okay ladies, I have to be on my way now" Dad said as he quickly cut short the whole emotional storm was trying to stir up.

sweet! in candy crush voice.

"I love you pumpkin." He said as he blew me a kiss and hurries off.

"I will be in my room after seeing your Dad to the car." mum said as she follows Dad.

"Yes mum" I answered after her smiling and giggling.

It's passed 2pm already, and the postman was yet to deliver my admission letter. I was getting anxious and restless. Some of my classmates in high school had earlier called to inform me that they had received theirs.

I was so sure I did very well in exams, even those that got lower grades than mine have all since received theirs. I had earlier called my best friend Beatrice, to find out if she has received hers.

She said, she hasn't.

I lifted my head from where I was seated, to see my Mum peeping through the window for the a thousand and one times. She Sighed heavily and smiled at me.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I am sure it will arrive soon" She said while stepping away from the window and walking towards the fridge.

I was not so sure if those words were for me, because she looked like she needed it more. I was sitting down on one of the sofas in the sitting room, playing candy crush on my cellphone as the sound of my favorite program on TV fills the room. I was down and anxious. Just then, The house phone rang. Mum looked at me, hoping I will answer the phone.

when she saw I had no intention of getting up, she reluctantly moved from where she was sitting to pick up the phone and spoke softly to the caller.

"Hello," she said, sparing me with little glances as she talked into the phone.

"we are doing great, no it has not arrived" she said looking exhausted.

I watched as she used her left hand to touch her face, she look tired but beautiful. Mum is a head tuner, my daddy often get jealous of the compliments she gets from others while they are out shopping.

She looked so beautiful on the Flowered knelt length pastor's wife dress she was wearing. Her hair fell and flowed down her back line.

I have never really bothered about how I looked because my dream was to become the best architectural student so that I could work with the best companies.

I attended a very expensive boarding school that had just girls. Not because my parents could really afford it, they just believed I will be able to concentrate more and come out in good grades. I really did made them proud, they were very happy with my final result.

"I will call you as soon as it does, I love you too" Mum said to the caller.

Her voice bringing me back to my present situation. she hanged up the phone and smiled at me.

"That was your dad, he sends his love."

.

She said with a beautiful smile. As she peeped through the widow once more. I was getting tired of waiting. I hate feeling anxious about something.

My phone rang and I checked to see the caller was Beatrice.

"Hey babe," I said tiredly

"I just received my admission letter!!" She said screaming. Her tiny high pitch voice almost rendering me deaf.

"Congratulations" I answered, genuinely happy for my best friend, but couldn't help the coldness that went along the words.