A/N
Please don't be a ghost reader.
Vote and comment.
It would encourage me.
The book has finally started.
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Annie's POV

Immediately I stumbled into the house, I frazzled onto the couch.
Mom was busy with her latest read - Purple hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie at her make-shift study cubicle positioned by the humming refrigerator.
She said that annoying sound gave her inspiration.

There was power supply as the sitting room was illuminated by the white bulb.
Jaden laid down on the big couch uselessly staring at the television- not even acknowledging my presence.

Mom finally raised up her head from her book, casting a worried look at me.

I adjusted as I relaxed further into the brown-leather couch.
I blinked my eyes so many times trying to hold back tears till all I saw was a blur of the sitting room.

By the time I flicked them open, Mom was by my side on the couch.
She snuggled close to me and wrapped me up in her arms.
It was like a fountain was let loose as I began sobbing uncontrollably in her arms.

I softened into her embrace, taking up her scent as her bubu slowly got wet.

She continued patting my back.
When I finally sobered up, I filled her up on every single thing the coach had said, sniffing subsequently, tears rolling down my cheeks.

By this time, Jaden was all-ears as he stared at me with so much pity.
He finally got up and sat beside me, making me sit in their middle.

"As a matter of fact, I'm not interested in volleyball again!" I sparked as I opened my mini-bag, I brought out my jersey and tossed it across where I was seated, at the foot of the couch Jaden sat on previously.

Mom cast a pitiful glance at me, then adjusted taking her motherly pose.

"You have to pay the price if you really want to go for this competition, smaragdine.
You have a gift called perseverance and I want you to apply it here.
I mean you have come this far and can't just give up now, I'll teach you how to manage time as I did in high school," Mom said as her eyes twinkled in amusement at her last statement.

Yes, Mom was an athlete, also an A-student.

"But I'm already out of the team," I wailed, interrupting her speech.

But she continued;
"Leave that, I'll have a talk with your coach. Go freshen up and have a quiet time also." She said as she got up to continue her hobby.

Jaden ruffled my hair as I was about to get up too, I gave him a death-stare amidst my teary eyes.

"Add a little zest to life, this suspension might be a good reason to finally get to enjoy yourself," He said casually with a goofy smile.

I hissed at him.

"If it were that easy, then leave basketball," I retorted.

"Never!" He yelled, almost making ear drums non-functional.

He stood up with the remote control in his hands, knocking down my bag.
The contents fell to the ground.
He bent down to pick my scrap book and flipped through it.

His eyes tripled in size at a point and it just dawned on me.

Oh damn!

I almost fainted as Jaden began running towards Mom.

"Mom, Annie has a boyfriend now o, can you imagine," He called out laughing with so much ecstasy - like he discovered the 8th wonder of the world.

That page was doodled with Carlo's name, with a lot of silly emojis and ship names- #Carnnie #lovers

Courtesy of Isabella.

I pursued him, but he already got to mom.
She lifted her head to take a peek at the book, giggling also.
I finally caught up with him, I dragged his hoodie, pulled him back, as I tried to grab my book from him.

I pinched his arm so hard leaving a red crescent mark from my nail.

"Ouch!" He shrieked in annoyance as he lifted the book above his head.
He was 6 foot and 3 inches.
I continued jumping and screaming at him.

"Jaden, give your sister back her book joor, agbaya(wicked senior)." Mom finally called out.

I stuck my tongue out at him as I collected my book.
I picked up my jersey and went upstairs hoping Mom does not make this a big deal.

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Third Person POV

"She was seriously ill, I'm not sure you gave her the chance to explain herself to you," Annie's mom spoke over the phone in a calm manner.

...

"Okay, she will be there soon," She finally said before she dropped her phone beside her novel.

She quietly climbed the stairs leading to Annie's room leaving Jaden alone in the sitting room.
As she opened the door, She met Annie in a praying position beside her bed.

She sat down and waited patiently.
Her eyes slowly investigating the room again.

When Annie was done, she sat down on her bed tugging at the lilac bed-sheet.

Her Mom began;

"Annie, I don't know who this Carlo boy is," She laughed a little as she raised an eyebrow in a funny way.

Annie swallowed hard.

"But Solomon admonished the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love until it was ready, abi don't you know that verse?" She questioned

"I know it, but I'm not from Jerusalem nau, I'm a Nigerian babe," Annie joked trying to make light of the situation.

"That one is your own o, I've told you my own," Mom said as she tugged at her earlobe.

Annie nodded, releasing an inner sigh as she realized she was scared for nothing.

"Meanwhile, I'll pack your lunch for you. Your coach and teammates are waiting for you," Mom said as she got up.

"Thank you, thank you Mommy," Annie said happily, her excitement over the roof.

She hurriedly packed her jersey and shorts.
She also carried her mini-bag and black water bottle for refreshment.

Annie felt so light and burden free as she left the house, she ordered a ride down to school as she was already late.

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Annie's POV

"Welcome back, I hope you feel better," Coach said to me as I greeted him.
I nodded while grinning.

I hadn't been gone for a day, but I missed them already.

He patted my back and asked me to join my previous team.
Dara hugged me as I entered the volleyball court, while Tiara shot me a warm smile.
The rest of the team mates just shrugged their shoulders giving me weird stares.

I was exhilarated so I didn't let them get to me.
I joined the team and took all the team services - flexing my hands and spiking the ball at every point.
Unlike before, none went out of the court.

To say the coach was surprised was an understatement, he was astonished as he clapped and called out; "Good job!" blowing his whistle at intervals.

My team won three times in a row and we were finally chosen to represent the school.

Coach lined us up and shuffled us up.
Few amateur players were removed from my team, some skillful players were added from the other team to make us a complete team of six players.

The other six were allowed to come along with us for the tournament as there was a need for extras.

The girls grumbled and murmured but Coach paid deaf ears.
I was happy that Tiara and Dara got into my team.

As I headed home, I decided to check my youversion app- in order not to lose my streak. I glanced out the window waiting for the app to load.
The driver sped on, giving me little or no time to take in the beauty of the evening.

I was taken aback a bit at the coincidence of the verse of the day.
It revolved around letting God take control of your every move.

While I was reflecting on it, I noticed new messages from my choir coordinator.

Strange

I opened them, "Thank God!" I exclaimed as the driver glanced back momentarily.

Mr Dare

Take this coming Saturday off, take good care of yourself.
Be prepared for next week as it will come with a bout of rehearsal.

I was so happy that I was finally going to have my long desired rest this weekend. I quickened my pace home to have a shower and rest looking forward to an exciting weekend.

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Next day

After the morning jog on the field, I headed towards the locker room to change into my uniform - a lilac shirt, with an Ash checkered skirt. Some students paired with Purple blazers or Ash sweatshirts.

I was almost at the girl's locker room when I felt a light tap. I spurned around to see Carlo. The light-skinned boy towered over me with a huge smile.

What's happening here?

My heart raced as it thumped loudly, the butterflies in my stomach having a field day as I had this sweet feeling.

"Annie," He called out.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I apologized as I came back to reality.

"Mr Dare announced that you were quite ill, I hope you feel better," He said with caring eyes while staring at me.

"Uhmm, yeah I do. Thank you so much," I replied shyly, trying not to mix up words.

"I will see you at rehearsals then, take good care of yourself." He said with a smile once again

"Alright,thanks once again"

With that, he turned around and jogged down the hallway to meet his friend, Marcho.

I'm not even going to be at rehearsals.
I'm so dumb, God!

I suddenly saw Nancy coming towards the girl's locker room. The cheerleaders were asked to pair with us for the main time as their locker room was under construction.

I saw her enter the locker room, I hurried to meet her as I remembered what I was supposed to do.

"Excuse me Nancy,' I called out to her.

She smiled and turned away from the mirror, the other girls were busy applying makeup, paying no attention to me.
She walked towards me;

"Heyy Annie," She said in a cheery tone

"Can we see outside?" I asked

"Alright, girls I'll be back," She said to the two cheerleaders by the mirror.
They nodded as they stared at me like I was a stale gum found under a desk.

When we got outside, I started;

"About Clara's issue, I don't think we should take out any revenge on her again. it will only compound my problems and besides what would we gain?"

Nancy stared at me unbelievably like I just spoke Spanish.

"Too late, the deed has been done."
With that, she sashayed back into the locker room.

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With love,
Feranmi.