Grand. - Episode 5

 

A month ago

11th January 2017

Wenesday.

Am not a sports enthusiast. Nothing about any game thrills me. Turns out in Lionsdale you have to try one of the games the school played before you conclude you are not a fit. I choose soccer. Frankly i don't know why . It was my third day in Lionsdale and i had succeeded in avoiding Sarah Molly. Or so i thought. The day before i had to forgo lunch to avoid meeting her. On this day i carried lunch and ate it in class against class rules. I could get used to this though the food in the cafeteria was really nice.

After an hour of dodging ball in girls soccer i was ready to go home and never go near a ball again. I headed for the girl's changing room so that i could change and go home. Since i was not officially in soccer yet i did not have a locker to put my uniform in when going to the field. I had neatly folded my uniform and placed them beside my backpack on a bench at the edge between the two sets of locker rows. 

To my surprise my uniform was nowhere to be seen. 

I opened my mouth to ask loud but shut it again reminding myself i was the new poor kid in a rich highschool. This would just give them something to bully me about

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

. I looked around for a friendly face to approach and ask on the whereabouts of my uniform but none of them wore an expression friendly enough. I couldn't wear my games skit because it was against school policy. They were to be left in the three sets of washing machine and the janitor would take care of them.  I sunk beside my backpack and face palmed. I wanted to cry but held myself. Why would i cry about a missing school uniform? The girls showered and left one after another until i was the only one left in the room. Standing from where i sat, i headed for the bathroom section.

It had eight bathrooms and two toilets at the extreme ends all facing each other. Four bathroom and a toilet on each side facing each other. I made for the toilet feeling frustrated about my uniform. As i opened the door the sight of my school blouse and skirt in the toilet bowl made me groan. How was i supposed to get home or better still who did this? I rushed off took my bag and ran to Janey's locker hoping to catch her before she left for home .

I was lucky.

"Why are you not changed?" She asked while pointing at my soccer outfit. 

"Someone took my uniform and tried soaking it in the toilet bowl."

"You got enemies girl and this is just the beginning."

Then it clicked. The only person i had pissed was Sarah Molly. Was she responsible for this? The mess i made on her blouse must have really pissed her off. 

"What am i going to do now? I can't go home naked." I asked in the verge of tears.

"You are in luck." Janey said fishing out an outfit from her bag. It was a frock that resembled something from the victorian age. 

"You want me to wear that?" I asked 

The outfit itself looked like it could wear me. 

"Do you have another option?" She was right.

I took the frock and headed for the ladies. Within five minutes i had changed and came back to find Janey patiently waiting for me holding my bag. 

"Where did you get this anyway?" I asked trying to smoothen the creases on it with my hand.

"Its for a play am taking part in."

"You are in drama club?" I asked excitement underlining my tone.

"Yeah you should try it sometime. "

I smiled as we came to a halt infront of my locker. Janey leaned on one of the neighbouring lockers as she waited for me. I opened the locker then took out books from my bag that i did not need for the night and neatly placed them inside. Grabbing my lense case i checked my watch on the process. It was 17:00 pm. Dad would be coming right about now and so would Janey's mom. 

"We need to hurry." I said while opening my lense case.

I was about to shut it, deciding against wearing them because i would look funny anyway when i noticed it. A paper neatly folded underneath the cloth used to clean the lenses. I took it out wondering what it could be. 

Soccer tryouts don't look good on you girl. You look like a blind monkey dodging ball without glasses. Whoever adviced you to try soccer. Anyway have fun washing your uniform from the toilet bowl. 

So it was actually her.

Present day

12th Feb 2017

Sunday

Grand Baptist church is not your ordinary church. 

First, its the only church in Grand town. Second everybody in Grand well except for Mr. Minnie which is the name of Jake Walters, all come to church. In the spiritual sense it makes the Church of God look like a practical joke seeing a bully like Sarah Molly in the Church choir. 

I sit sandwiched between my father and Miss. Cherry glad that i could get a little distracted watching the whole town coming to church for a show off. Most come as a courtesy but some like my father it is an act of the genuineness of their faith. I give the church an expert sweep. No signs of Lloyd. Surely everyone by now has noticed the loud absense of the Ericksons. It too strange that no one is talking about it. I need to talk to Lloyd or even leave a note. We have not exchanged contacts yet. 

I need to know if his parents are involved in this murder that was uncovered yesterday. Where could he be? Nobody in Grand misses church. Could he have eloped to? With what? I have all his money. 

You need to be patient Penny. You will meet him in school tommorow then you can ask him. 

I look at Miss.Melissa, Sarah's mum. She is seated on the front pew singing in a loud soprano holding and caressing her diamond neckless.

"Sometimes i feel like caning her." Mrs.Cherry our neighbour whispers in my ear.

I stiffle a giggle and my dad gives me one of those looks. Behave or else. I look and see Janey also sitting in choir section. I adjust my glasses to make sure am not seeing things. What's up with her? She resents being in church, let alone in the choir. 

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of heels against the marble floor. A sound we all know too well. The Mwangi's are here.  The second richest in town after the Ericksons. Though i resent the show off i must say Mrs. Mwangi looks breathtaking in her white gown that compliments her silvery eyes. Her hand is wrapped around her husband's elbow. I virtually recreate the scene before them entering the church.

Lets give them a show. Shall we.

Mr. Mwangi is a fiercely handsome guy. I see where Jace gets his looks and ego from. It's always an endless show of wealth and class with this people. Pastor Kevin stands in the pulpit bringing to a halt the choir that has been singing.

Maybe its just me but i think Kevin is a coney name for a pastor. The Mwangi's settle beside Melissa quitely while Mrs.Mwangi and Melissa exchange pretentious smiles. I can read what Mrs.Mwangi is saying.

I know you sleeping with my husband woman.

All attention is turned to the pastor.

"We are grateful for the life God has given us and this chance once a week to come and be grateful for what the Almighty has done in our lives." 

He continues diving into the sermon of the prodigal son. I have heard that sermon a thousand times.

Read " Made " by the same author ( DORSILA ANYANGO )

. I let my mind drift off thinking of more pressing issues i have. I think and rethink making guesses on the endless possibilities around this situation am in. 

Who was the woman murdered and disposed at the lake?

Where on earth is Lloyd right now?

"It is a sad  thing that the peace our town has been enjoying has been upset. A body of a young woman was discovered yesterday by some fishermen....."

My mind is forcefully jerked back to reality. I can feel jets of sweat breaking on my forehead. 

"Are you okay sweetie?" Mrs Cherry asks. She must be feeling my nervousness as i wriggled on the seat.

"Its a little hot in here. The conditioner is not working properly i geuss." I respond avoiding her eyes.

"We pray that the culprits be caught and the peace we initially had to return."

Pastor Kevin concludes and we all rise up to sing a hymn. 

Suddenly it feels like time is going slowly. I really need it to pass so that i can see Lloyd. We have alot of things to talk about.

******

Author's note 

Hey y'all. Much thanks for your views, likes and comments. I really do hope you find this story intresting to the end.

Maybe you would be intrested to read on whatpad White lies, red leather, the diary and Kevin died. They are a good read , atleast for me they were.

Keep reading because i will keep posting.

Love you all.

Till next episode.

Lehitraot.