A/N
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We are just starting this story and I've not really gotten anywhere(The story has not started at all.) *giggles nervously*
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Annie's Pov

Rolling and stretching on the bed, I considered not going to school today although I felt a lot better than before.
I glanced at the digital clock;

6:00 am

It was still quite early, I sat up still contemplating on going or not.

While still weighing my options, I heard mom's loud voice from downstairs;

"Jaden! Annie! you guys should come down for devotion."

Oh not this early

It's been a while since we had family devotion. I pondered on what the issue was as I got up, stretching once more, almost adding an extra inch to my height.

I kicked the bonnet that I found on the floor again before picking it up, went to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face.
I looked at the mirror and saw my braided hair already rough, hair strands covering my ears and forehead.

I wore my bonnet, pushing my hair into it as I went downstairs.

Jaden was already seated in a comfortable position planning to doze off probably.
I kicked him on his heel and giggled as he jerked up before I sat down opposite him and adjacent to mom.

The sitting room was not so bright as PHCN had decided to do us dirty that morning.
Little rays of light came through the window, going past our almost transparent cream curtain.

Mom finally shrugged as she put on the lamp. It was actually a mini fan that came with a huge LED light beneath it.

"I have some very important stuff to share with you guys today. So listen carefully. Jaden! wake up," Mom snapped.

I stifled my laugh as he jolted from his dream-world, rubbing his red eyes and glancing around like a thief.

"I'm not going to waste much time today.
We are going to continue our family devotion from now on because you guys have not been observing it,"

"Also make sure to read a chapter of your Bible today. I'll make sure to keep track of that. Download the youversion app and keep up with it. You'll show me your streaks everyday. Take it as seriously as your snapchat."

I chuckled

Remember, follow peace with all men," Mom finally concluded.

"Jaden! pray for us," He almost jumped up from his chair again.
He grunted before murmuring a prayer with incomprehensible words.
We all said 'Amen'.

I quickly got up to prepare for school as I felt better than before.

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I was probably the only person that forgot about my own public humiliation.
I braved the crowd of students along the hallway with my head bent down as I received side eyes and sneers.

Some even went as far as whispering in hushed tones;

"You must be a refuse bin for gobbling up that trash"

"Pig"

"Such an annoying coward"

I ignored them as I walked towards my locker. I put in my passcode as I buried my face in it. I wished I could morph into an insect or butterfly and fly away.

I hate this school. I want a change, like a transfer or something.

I finally shut the locker door as I brought out my books.

I must have my revenge though, what about a combination of eggs and sour milk on her hair.

"Excuse me," I heard a slight cough accompaning the sassy voice.

My head ticked back in shock as I came in view of who was in front of me.
Is this not Clara's bestie of all times, what does she want again.

I stared at her disdainfully.

She actually picked on a girl whose father was one of the executives of the Parents and Teachers Association and she faced the full wrath.
I was so happy when I got the gist from Isabella, it happened while I was rushed home that day.

"Excuse me," Nancy said again, cutting my thoughts so rudely.

"What do you want this time, to dress me up?" I spat out angrily.

I turned back abruptly to walk away but she held me back.
I forcefully removed her hand, I was surprised at her next action.

"I'm truly sorry. Please I need a real and true friend, I've been stabbed at the back so many times." She said in a fake-teary voice.

I rolled my eyes and stared at her, obviously telling her I was not buying her weird story.

"I kind of overheard you saying you wanted to pour eggs on Clara's head," She said hurriedly

Oh shoot, I said that out loud.

"I never knew I thought aloud..." I started to say.
She ignored me as she continued,

"That will be a very terrible mistake because Clara will tell on you and add unbelievable lies. She is a jackass and a terrible pretender. You will be seriously punished."

"And you are-" I started to say, but she cut me off.

"She showed me her true colors when she ganged-up with the girls I bullied to report me because she had a little misunderstanding with me." She finished, her eyes almost clouded with tears.

I don't know what came over me, I guessed it was Mom's talk this morning.
I felt a little pity for her because she felt betrayed and looked remorseful.

So I turned to face her and asked before I could think,
"Do you want to be my seatmate?"

Nancy happily nodded,
"No betrayal!" I added.
She nodded again and started chattering on ways to get back at Clara.

She talked so much that I wondered if there was a possibility that she wanted to use me to get even with Clara.
I brushed off the thought as we walked down the hallways.

Along the walkway in front of the Ss3 block, she saw someone she knew and hurriedly left me after a playful tap.

I entered the class, still keeping my head down, I walked briskly to my seat and decided to download the youversion app.
I opened it and registered.
It led to a page showing the verse of the day and a streak showing one day with a flash sign beside it.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness
Colossians 2:6-7

I read through it and the mini-explanation on it.
It basically talked about how when you've accepted Christ, you have to plant your roots and activities in him and follow him.
I glanced through it and kept my phone back in my bag as I brought out my books to start the class.

As I turned around to hang my bag, I noticed Carlo was in school today. His head was laid on his desk as his friend, Marcho filled him up.

I smiled sheepishly, Isabella was not in school yet if not she would have teased me endlessly. I hurriedly turned around before he could notice me staring.

Classes went on endlessly, I tried my best to avoid Carlo as Isabella was not in school to egg me on.
I barely saw Clara through out the day.
So I just stayed in the library through my free periods and hurried off for practice immediately after school.

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"You weren't in practice yesterday!" the coach ranted at me, sweats pouring down his face as usual.

I just stared timidly, my lips was pressed together with my face to the floor not knowing how to explain to him.

He continued,
"You have been removed from the team.
We have just a week left and you are always dropping from practice. This shows that you do not have the interest of the team at hand." He said with a tone of finality and walked away without waiting for me to respond.

I unscribbled his words trying so hard to understand. I bit my lower lips in a bid to hold back tears.
I turned back before my fellow team mates would notice.

I walked home crestfallen. I was in a daze of confusion as I didn't know how to feel. Happy or sad. Happy because the burden of the practice has been taken off my neck or sad because I really wanted to go for the competition and had given it my all.

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With Love,
Feranmi ❤️