Brielle had been standing in the queue for about an hour. She was about giving up when she realized that she had to be patient because it was the last day of school. She looked up to see Paris who stood adjacent to her, taking photos of her beautiful result.
' My mum will be so happy on seeing this.' Paris muttered.
' Seriously? You ranked tenth for crying out loud.' Brielle said not very surprised.
She was very displeased with the fact that a mediocre student was pleased with her result. While In grade 7, Paris was nicknamed ' mediocre'. She was always an average student and never did better or worse. Her father always counselled her about improving but her mother congratulated her as long as her position did not get worse.
' Do not reprimand me like my dad always does. You are supposed to congratulate me instead.' Paris said still focused on taking pictures of her result.
' But you ranked tenth last session and a session before...'
' And the one before the session before. I know Brielle, you do not have to remind me that I am a mediocre. I do not want to get mad at you.'
' Fine. My apologies. It is my turn. I am going to get my result.' Brielle replied walking away, into the administrative office.
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Izabela sat on the sofa eating a plate of Texas barbecue. She was so engrossed with the movie she was watching and was kept unawares when Brielle walked .
' Hi mum .' she greeted casually.
' My darling, when on earth did you walk in?' Izabela asked quite surprised to see her child.
' Just now.'
' Well, where is your result?' Izabela asked looking at her hand and got a glimpse of the report card.
' Here it is.' Brielle replied handing it over to her mother.
' Wow, your grades are outstanding this session. But how come you did not do very well in math?' Izabela asked quite surprised that Brielle had a B in math.
' I did not really understand it this session. It was quite tough, anyways I still passed.'
' What about Paris?'
' As usual.'
' So she ranked tenth again?' Izabela asked quite perlpexed.
' Like I said; as usual.'
' Anyways your dad would be coming home tomorrow. He would be joining us for exercise.'
' I am so excited right now. Infact let me go wash my joggers and dry them.' she said smiling and walking towards her room.
Bruno worked with Emirates in Alaska. He came back to New York City once in every two weeks to visit his family. Anytime he returns, Brielle and Izabela join him for his regular morning exercise. He was a very good coach and a skilled football trainer. He usually impacted some of the skills needed during football into Brielle during long vacations. She was not initially a fan of football but later began to fall in love with it after her father's persuasion.
Dinner was served by Izabela who had been in the kitchen all day. She was determined to prepare Brielle's favorite dish that night due to her outstanding performance. They ate silently after the grace was being said by Brielle. Brielle felt irritated by the reticence. She decided to discuss with Izabela her decision to move to Louisana.
' Mum.' she called out slowly.
' I am all ears.' Izabela replied he eyes focused on her spaghetti.
' I want to go live with Penelope.'
' Why? I had other plans for you.'
' I feel that I need a change of environment. Sincerely, I am tired of living in New York City. I want to go to Louisana. I would come home to visit you and dad regularly. I just want to stay there till I graduate from High school. Besides, the schools in Louisana are even better and cheaper. I want to live with Maeve and Violet and feel like I have siblings. Mum please think about it.' Brielle's said in a tone very persuasive.
' I see. The problem is not me. It's your father. Talk to him when he comes back tomorrow.'
' I hope he approves of it. He is usually very difficult to convince.'
' Anyways, how do you think you would be able to cope there without friends and without Paris?' Izabela asked concerned about poor Paris who would be left behind.
' I would talk to her about it. She could also visit me regularly. However in Louisana, I have Maeve and Violet and last summer I met a friend by name Xena. Trust me, they will help me adjust and keep me company.' Brielle assured her mum.
Brielle was bothered about how Paris would feel when she finds out that she is hiding something from her. They had been best friends from childhood and their friendship was presently thirteen years. Brielle planned on telling Paris that she wanted to relocate to Louisana, but the question was why?. ' What would I tell Paris as an excuse. I cannot tell her that I am running away from my fears. I cannot also tell her that I could do some weird things..' Brielle thought. Izabela noticed that her child was lost in thoughts and so tapped her.
' What is the problem? You have been thinking.' Izabela asked looking into her eyes.
Brielle was all at sea as at what to do next. She could not lie and at the same time, she could not tell her mother the truth.
' It's nothing mum. I just want to get my phone and call Paris. ' Brielle replied standing up to leave the dinette.
As soon as she got to her room, she took her phone and called Paris.
' Hello dearie... What's up?' the voice from the other end said.
' I am doing fine. My dad is coming back home tomorrow.'
' Wow that's good news. I hope you are ready for some exercise?'
' Yeah sure. I called to tell you something.' Brielle said in a very low tone.
' What happened? Is there a problem?' Paris asked suspecting that there was.
' There is no problem. I just wanted to inform you that I might be relocating to Louisana.' she replied letting out the bombshell.
' What!' she exclaimed.
' Why? How?' she continued.
' I just feel that I need a change of environment and I need my space.'
' Dearie please do not leave me all alone in New York City. Who would defend me when I am called mediocre?'
' I am so sorry Paris but I feel that this is for my own good. Besides you can visit me regularly and I can do so too. New York is just a four hours drive away from Louisana. You can also board a plane to visit me. Do not bother about the bills.'
' That is not it. We would no longer spend quality time with each other anymore. We would no longer be able to see face to face until weekends and vacations. What kind of best friends would we be?'
Brielle could sense anger in Paris voice. She was aware that she was breaking her best friend vows but she had no other option.
' Paris please I need you to understand me.' she pleaded but unfortunately for her, Paris was no longer interested and so ended the call.
' O God, what am I going to do? Why do I keep on having dreams that cause me to make decisions that would hurt the ones that I love. Why do I have this weird feeling about myself? Why do I keep on doing the weirdest kind of things?' Brielle asked herself and expected no answers. She lay on her bed waiting for morning to come.
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Bruno arrived the airport at exactly 4:00am in the morning. He boarded a plane going directly to New York City in order to meet up with his family by 7:00am. By 7:00am, he was at his home. He made straight for his room and woke Izabela from sleep. Izabela also woke Brielle up and they all prepared for exercise in their various outfits and left.
' Dad can I tell you something?' Brielle asked Bruno politely as she sat down to drink water after a forty five minutes football match.
' Yes Brielle. You can tell me anything.' Bruno said sitting down to take water too.
' Dad, I want to go live with Penelope until I graduate from High school.'
' Why?' Bruno asked very much surprised.
' I feel that I need a change of environment and besides, I want to feel what it is like to have a sibling.'
' My dear. That is a very brave decision but not very wise. You see, your aunt Penelope is a married woman. She has duties and responsibilities to fulfill to her family members. She might not be able to take care of you too.'
' Dad, with all due respect I feel that it's up to Penelope to complain. Besides, I do not think that I would be a burden to her because she needs more hand at home. Her hubby is not usually around and so this does not seem as any reason or excuse why I cannot live with them.' Brielle replied in a more persuasive tone that made her father consider her reasons.
' So what about your schooling? What about Paris?'
' Do not worry about Paris. I have talked to her already. As for my education, the schools in Louisana are better and cheaper. It would not take time to get enrolled in one.'
' Well, this is not very convincing. In order to convince me, you need to write a four hundred and fifty word letter stating why you need to relocate to Louisana and how it would be beneficial to you.'
' But dad... that's a lot of work.'
' Nothing can change my mind. Just ensure to write the letter before today runs out because I would be leaving to Alaska very early in the morning.' Bruno replied and walked away. Brielle was astonished. She was not very good at letter writing but knew someone who was good at it. Brielle picked up her phone and called Paris who continually declined the call. Brielle felt very bad and guilty. Her deadline was in less than sixteen hours and her only help has refused to come to her aid.
After breakfast, Brielle quickly boarded a cab to Paris house. As she alighted from the car, she saw Paris mum who stood in the garden watering the flowers.
' Good day Ramona.' she greeted.
' Brielle. It's too see you. How are you?' the nice old lady asked. She was a thin beautiful lady in her late 60s. She had four children of which Paris was the last.
' I am fine. Please is Paris in?' Brielle asked, her eyes focused on the door.
' No she is not. She went to visit Elvis at Miami.'
' Miami? Please like how long will it take me to reach there?'
' Just an hour or two.'
' So where exactly can I find Elvis house in Miami?'
' At No. 3 cole stone street. It is not very far from the boundary between New York and Miami.'
' Thanks so much. I am so grateful.' Brielle said rushing out. She boarded a cab to the park and then a vehicle to Miami. She phoned her mum to tell her about her trip and pleaded with Izabela to cover up for her.
Elvis, Esme , Peter and Paris sat outside No. 3 cole stone playing outdoor games. Paris and Esme played hockey while Peter and Elvis played table tennis. It was usually a fun experience when the four siblings met at a place to spend time and play together. It occured once in a blue moon since Peter, Elvis and Esme had to remain in college till it vacates. Brielle alighted from the vehicle and looked around. She was quite confused and at the same time lost.
' Is that not Brielle?' Peter pointed as he sighted her from afar. There was an oncoming vehicle with high speed but Brielle stood in the middle of the road searching with her eyes for the appropriate location. Paris on noticing Brielle and the vehicle moving towards her, ran quickly to Brielle and dragged her forcefully out of the road.
' You saved me.' Brielle muttered after realizing what had just happened.
' Girl, you were almost killed. Besides,what are you doing here?'
' I need your help Paris. Sincerely, I do.' she said holding on to Paris shoulders. The walked towards Elvis house and went in.
By night time, Brielle was back to New York. She gave the letter to her father during dinner. He read it, pointed out some corrections and granted her the permission. ' You can go.' he muttered.
Brielle was so happy. She jumped up and gave him a warm hug. She had no other way to express her profound gratitude except by giving him the hug that he deserved.
