EMMA Chapter Two(cont)

***********************************************

Mabel and Dimeji watched as cars of different colors and models where
driven in and out of the school premises by parents and guardians to pick
their wards. They had been waiting for Emma who was called back by the
school principal just as they were about to leave school that day. The
summon was expected anyway.

They sat quietly on a bench in the shade of the gatekeeper's kiosk. Bored,
Dimeji was forced to break the silence.

'A penny for your thoughts?'

Mabel sighed and smiled. 'Actually Dee, my thoughts would cost a million
dollars. Well, seeing all these cars of different shapes, sizes, brands and
even age, makes me wish my dad had an aeroplane'.

'Oh come on Mabel', Dimeji laughed. You should be grateful you have a dad
you see everyday. I haven't even seen mine for the past five years because
he is doing the so called breadwinning for the family abroad. We only hear
from him on phone'.

'Hmm, you are right', Mabel agreed. 'And then at least you know you have
one. What would Emma do?'

'Yeah that's another one you know',

Dimeji nodded. 'But she is lucky to
have a very good mother, and she is a strong girl too'.

Mabel inclined her head. 'Exactly! But dear girlfriend doesn't see it that
way. she is easily affected by what people say, thus letting them see her
weakpoints and dwell on them. She should start seeing herself for who she
really is and not in people's words. But I really commend the way she stood
up to face Oyin the way she did yesterday and today. No one has ever had
the boldness to tackle her like Emma does'.

Dimeji straightened and smiled. 'I noticed that was exactly what you did in
the hall at lunch'.

'What?'

'You know, 'the don't let people's opinions get at you' philosophy'. Dimeji
jested.

'Oh, that?!', Mabel grinned sheepishly. 'Well, I wont deny the fact that I
was emotionally wounded and humiliated, but at least I didn't cry'.

'Of course you didn't, and you didn't have to', Dimeji teased and Mabel
smacked him playfully. Just then, a red Toyota Camry swerved in.

'Dee, is that not your mum?' Mabel hinted.

Dimeji peeped to see who is behind the wheel and then, Mabel laughed.

'Just pulling your legs'

'Silly girl!', Dimeji hissed. 'I know my mum can never come to pick me up'.

'How are you so sure?'

'Because I told her not to'

'Why?'

'Come on Mabel, stop being childish. You know well that I enjoy being in
the company of you girls, I'd rather walk for miles with you, and she only
comes to pick me when needs must. And as a matter of fact, I'm not a kid,
even if I was, I wouldn't want to be one of those spoilt rich ones either.
I choose to train myself'.

'Hmm, someone is beginning to sound like Emma Williams, She teased'.

'Well, like-minds', he admitted.
Emma soon arrived with bloodshot eyes. Mabel and Dimeji exchanged glances
and the message travelled; their friend has been fired with the shotgun
again; WORDS, hurting words! just as they had expected.

'What did she say?', Mabel inquired as she handed Emma her schoolbag.

'Story of my life!', Emma lisped as she took her bag from Mabel, trying
hard to fight back the tears that had blurred her eyes, ready for launching.

-Temi