hat was where I hid my face. Away from those eyes that never seemed to stop staring at me, especially when I had my hood on to hide mysel

and females. It was either they beat me up or sent me errands, especially the female ones. The sp

ing was okay. But that was then before I knew I was adopted. In my first year in high school, the bullying stopped. I didn'

r me, was getting okay, I had Bisola and Toyin; the only two fri

n my body, right from the top of my head. I was shocked. My mouth was agape. I turned a

ff needed to stop. I had a break from getting bullied some months ago! Almost a

I knew people were looking, I did not have to take a look back, I could

nsive sneakers, pieces of jewellery or a gold wristwatch to show off how wealthy she w

were there, doing one thing or the other, some were going through their lockers, few were gossipi

not yet. I had seen him treat other students before, and I knew theirs was worse than mine.

was Seun. Oluwaseun was the fu

pty soda can at my face, which hurt. I blinked my eyes as tears found their way down my che

my face as he made a fake crying face just to mock me. His laug

, thrusting a tissue paper into my hand. One used to wipe her make

ed past by the trash-can that was at a corner. Oluwadamilola was her full name, meaning, God has enriche

in, you are messing with me!" a voice said

n had his hands up in the a

ed off, "If I see anyone of you picking on her, you are crossing your boundary with me and I'm sure y'all don't wanna do that, 'cause you don't wanna see the

rt at the same time. I had always thought

e got you," T

eful. Thanks." Tears streamed down my face. "But right now, I need to be alone. I don't feel g

They were great friends and I loved them. I smiled a little a

er into the waste bin. I sat in the water closet and buried my face in my p

__

ad bowed most of the time while working around the school. It was always great to leave school during closing hours but the ho

life better, and grannie was worried. I wanted to help this family in a way I could but I was just seventeen and no

ow and the ceilings, white. My room wasn't the flamboyant one, just ordinary, but I knew if thing

to drink water and met Mum sitting and stirring her tea mindlessly. She had trailed off.

ly? You are t

and offer

," I said and smiled. "Wha

w tell me do y

was Eight. Even though drawing things was what I started doing back t

try to change the topic. Tell m

I know that this new attitude your Dad is displaying is affecting

ed and when it ended. She had always been there, consoling me and telling me it wasn't going to be forev

students could be stubborn animals. They continued to bully me, calling me a cry baby, Mummy's pet, Daddy's pet. It was frustrating and emb

fine, I

d. It's not easy though but am trying,"

s all soon. I'll try my best to be there for you. Always come to me If you need me for anything, honey. Please, don't hesitate Tosin. Open up to

s damn

venteen and you might be thinking of what to say that won't bother me too much, right? It's okay, Mum. Really. You can confide in me if you need someone to talk to. I co

the offer. And thank God my students aren't jerks. Th

grinned. My Mum took out her c

for?" I queri

ries. I love

said. She was good at capturing things. It was something she loved doing. "

the vice-principal of that school. He told me there was a vacancy when I told him I was looking for a job. So that was

g sound of the camera and knew she was capturing me as I was drinking. I turned, spread out my hand with the cup in one hand and gri