Transparent

, Nig

before pr

thud

the glass windows kept drawing my focus a

the formulas for the speed-time graph all bec

voice called from downsta

d textbook and turned the front cover shut in an instant as I sp

stairs, biting back a wince and a long list of pr

hot at my little sister seate

see the TV too" she said nonchala

don't

dramatic this evening?" my mum spat, massaging

ir beside my father, making sure t

y!" She c

said innocently, making sure to stick

dad commented, causing me to look

until 4 am that morning. The sound of my mum sauntering into my room drew me from sleepi

three hours so we have to leave now if we want to beat traffic"

hat she wore. She had on the simple lilac gown that I gifted her for her last birthday, a black woven jack

autiful" I f

my compliment- as if she wasn't already u

, what to cook and what not to, c

ime she and my da

ithout having her bath and br

ow her I was listening

of you to go out of the gate for any reason

y mu

ck, love you baby" she said as

ually as tight, the sweet scent of

o reach you but you've not been picking

s been on sil

o my room, blowing a few

at MIT, first class GPA holder, High-school swimmer and college baske

hat av

uld dispute that I was simply gifted but when it came to academics, I could ba

11th grade on probation, that is provided

as ever going t

her house. Her parents were probably half way across the world an

Kay Kay: B

a pool party. I grabbed my swimming trunk and towel, folding them neatly

my shorts up, the elastic band slapping my waist in the process. I threw my green camisole on and fixed my feet into a pair of fancy flip flops my grandma got me from Ca

er cherubic voice rang as I steppe

cooed as I si

n't go out" she repea

ortant" I lied through my teeth as I pulled the door of

u!" She said firmly a

age mates where I'm going" I

yes at her infamous antiqu

call. My family was quite comfortable, we travelled abroad for vacations at least once a year, we attended quite expensive schools and we could aff

eat okay?" I said while stuffing my bag with the last large box of

now till I co

kicking her legs in the air whil

t work on me" I said plainly, alre

finally said when she saw I s

ker" I replied with a humourless chuckle

follow you" s

ing her with me would be very irresponsible,

ng through the door, making sure to l

h the transparent door, completely

s I walked quickly to meet my ride

thing for the party to at least make

the pool. They had insisted that I dove severally into the water so

as the only one still in the right frame of mind. Every other person was giggling, b

left with the excuse that my sister would be starved and frustrated by then. The traffic wasn

n the n

bled with the keys as my hand failed to stabilise when I tried to open the door. That sight that eveni

the white ceilings, the whole house engulfed in smoke that it hurt to take

tapped her, coughing vi

fiercely it gradually graduated to

happened, but I

as dead, be

*

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Tobe, K

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Eddy, T

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Karen Mc

Toks,

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Timini

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June

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Char

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Tomike,

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Al-Gh

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