Esperance - Episode 9

 

Wednesday mornings were always for sports and games at Roses Spring secondary school.
I was on the tennis ball team of the senior secondary boys team. The games were about starting when an older boy stood in my way demanding "hand over the bat, I want to start the game"  "I've always been doing it, why do yo have to change that right now?" I asked ...
"Yes, that's the problem.... Why does it always have to be you?" He asked.. . "OK, fine.. Any other person can serve next round. I'll make do with this one " I said spreading my legs to gain balance. 
He blocked my view and pushed me. I staggered ... "Don't try that again" I warned... 
"Like hell!?" He exclaimed ....giving a wry smile.

"And what would you do? Hit me?..... Come on , hit me... Show me what you got"  he pushed.
"You want to know what I'm made of? ... Fine I'll show you!" I said coldly as I  went to  drop the bat and proceeded to take off my sports shirt. 
"Hey!!!"  A female voice called from behind.. I decided to ignore and went ahead to confront him... 
"You are better than this"  she said coming closer.  
" you know I don't blame you for being disrespectful, I blame your mother for   having an irresponsible sperm donor"  he yelled from a distance and laughed.. 
"I ragged in anger, and made to go  and give him the beating of his life.  But she stood in my way saying " if you want to get to him... Then you have to hit me first" 
"Look girlie, stay out if this" I snarled.

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/esperance

. Changing my direction. She made to block me again but I pushed her off my track. The muscles of my face were as tight as the stony hills of the Ngwo Milliken. Beady sweats graced my forehead,  the veins on my arm were more visible than ever... Funny the beast man's adrenaline rush turns him into sometimes .. I bit my lips as I grabbed hold of his collar. Whilst he struggled to get rid of himself... I raised my hand to punch him... 
"What would your parents do to you if you came home and you're suspended from school because of a fight?"  A girl shouted from a distance... My countenance softened.. Realising I was making a fool of myself...
" just because some people lack home training doesn't mean you should follow suit,  you don't have to believe everything people say... Not to mention unimportant people" she continued...  I loosened my grip.
Placing a hand on my shoulder she continued " he is not worth your energy and your time" she said pointing at my  'would have been" victim who was almost running to his classroom room block ...
"Here, I got your shirt" she said handing me my shirt. I took my shirt and without a word ...left. 
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Classes for the day seemed not to sink in ...  it was a relief when the bell for dismissal went off.  I swung my backpack over my shoulders and left class even before anyone else.. 
  Halfway way to the school gate I heard a voice almost  in a holler "do I keep the bat?!... Should I call it a gift?"  I spurn around...  It was a beautiful girl... She had a reddish fair complexion and her hair almost golden brown. She walked closer and with a smile called me "fighter"   she had a firm , flat but a little nose and lips shaped like the letter 'M'.  she was slender but tall. I faked a smile as she approached 
"don't try smiling when you don't want to .. No one will punish you for that" .. She said giving the bat to me..  I took it..
"Thanks" I said looking at her. 
She raised her eyebrow in a questioning look.   
I continued "you know..... For back there.... my mum wouldn't have been proud anyway ..." I said  , looking away.
"Anytime" she replied smiling... We walked together through the gate... She stopped, .... asking "which way are you going?"  "Right" I answered ...
"OK, I should go left but I got a couple of things to get from the grocery store up there" she replied.  
"OK.. What's your name?" I asked
"Claire Okpara ... Call me Claire .. Yours?"  She asked.. "I'm Neil" 
" OK.. Here's my stop" she said as we reached the stall. 
"I'll see you around?" I said ......almost asking... 
"Sure, good bye" she said turning to walk into the stall while I made my way home.