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My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent
– Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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I'm outside my tutorial. Na to walk in be the goal oo. But I just couldn't move. Sandra glares at me from her car and gestures that I go in. I shake my head. She groans and slides out of the driver's seat, her legs dropping to the pavement. She stomps to me.
"Go in na," she whisper-yells.
"I'm scared"
"Of what?"
"I don't know," I say, my voice quavering. "Is my dress okay?"
"Are you kidding me?" she gasps. "It's mind-blowing. The pattern of the skirt, the colorful blouse and then a white sneakers? You are looking beautiful, baby".
"Are you sure?"
"Yes na! Did you even look at the mirror?"
"I did"
"And what did you see?"
I pause and let the question sink in. "I saw a beautiful girl"
"Good girl! Now, catwalk in"
I smirk and hug her. "Thank you. You are the best friend ever".
"You're welcome. Now, gerrat. I don't want to see your face"
I shake my head at her and she burst into laughter. I begin to take slow steps towards my tutorial. I glance back and wave goodbye to her. I get in and the moment the receptionist sees me she exclaims, "Excuse me!"
I pause. "Good morning ma"
"Good morning," she says and eyes me suspiciously. "Are you new here? Can I see your receipt?"
"Oh! I'm not new here"
"What's your name?"
"Ifunanya Dora James"
She raises a brow and mumbles, "That name sounds familiar".
"Mr Ibe paid my fees"
Her eyes go round. "Oh...You?"
"Yes....Me! Don't I look like my previous self?"
"What?" she gasps. "You look different now oo".
"In a good or bad way?"
"In a good way. Please, you can go in"
"Thank you"
"You are welcome. You look beautiful"
I stare at her hesitantly and then reply, "Thank you ma".
She smiles genuinely while my heart races. Someone I didn't know so well is calling me beautiful. Wow!
As I walk down the hallway, I hear our maths teacher's voice echo from the class. I freeze and suddenly feel the urge to run away. Class has started and that means if I walk in everyone might turn their attention to me. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I spin and I'm about to head out the door. I pause and shake my head. I can't allow myself to run away from this. I need to be more confident in myself.
I square my shoulder, adjust my skirt and sashay into the class. I greet the class teacher. Indeed, the students' eyes are on me.
"Good morning sir"
YOU ARE READING
It's Me Vs You
ChickLitThey say Money makes the world go round, Is that true? They say no man is an island Prove it? They say happiness can be found in one's family, Are you sure? Ifunanya Dora James is in search of happiness and...