BRAZEN

that time. Her mind wandered back to the night her mum died. It was a cold night. Her dad was out drinking. The only thing he knew how to do best. Her mum had gone into labor. She called her d

d she got really lazy and would punish her so many times. Too much, she muttered, pulling herself out of her thoughts. Roland was sitting at the dining table waiting for her so they'll eat lunch. She looked at him with so much tenderness in her eyes. He had grown so much. She felt tears began to gather in her eyes. Just as she was about to go to her room to change, she heard her name. It was her dad calling. She changed quickly and ran to the sitting room. "You called me dad", she said. "Who's Alice", he asked. " She's my friend". "You shouldn't see her again", he said. Shocked, Valerie looked at her dad, but quickly took her eyes down again. "But why", she asked. " Don't you dare ask questi

vable, but she was so lost in her thoughts. But I'm surprised mum, dad asked me to stay away from Alice today. I do not know why. But I won't just leave my best friend. I definitely have to ask her why. That's all for now mum, I'm sleepy. See you some other time. Your little girl, Valerie". Tears were flowing freely from her eyes when she finished writing. She flipped through the pages of her diary.

e year

her", the headteacher called out to her. " I will sir". She replied and walked out of the office. After school that day, she met her dad at home. Summoning courage, she walked up to him, " dad, the headteacher said he would like to see you in school tomorrow", she said. He didn't reply. She went to her room and closed the door. The next day, her dad took her to see the headteacher. "Good day Mr Fletcher", he greeted. Her dad gave a slight bow as a sign of acknowledgement. " You asked to see me", her dad said, shifting his gaze towards her. " Well, Mr Fletcher, your daughter has bad grades". She could feel her dad's mood chan