The morning sun cast a golden hue over the neighborhood as Ella walked the twins to their school. Their chatter was light, filled with excitement about the upcoming holidays. After ensuring they were safely inside, Ella took a different path, one that led away from her school. Today was not about classes or teachers; it was about laughter, freedom, and a brief escape from reality.
Zinny's house stood quietly at the end of the street. Ella knocked, and the door creaked open to reveal Zinny's brother. His eyes widened slightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"Hi, Ella," he stammered, stepping aside to let her in.
"Thanks," she replied, offering a warm smile.
Inside, the familiar scent of home-cooked meals lingered, though the house was silent. Zinny's mother was out, leaving the space to the girls. In Zinny's room, Kosi lounged on the bed, scrolling through her phone.
"Ella!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "Finally, the party can start."
The room soon filled with laughter as the girls shared stories, teased each other, and reveled in the joy of their impromptu gathering. Amid the merriment, Ella's phone buzzed.
*Michael: Hey Ella, how's your day going? Thinking about you.*
Kosi leaned over, catching a glimpse of the message.
"Oooh, who's Michael?" she teased.
"Just a friend," Ella replied, trying to hide her smile.
"A friend who thinks about you during school hours? Sounds like someone has a crush."
Ella rolled her eyes, but her cheeks betrayed her with a rosy hue.
Later, a message popped up in their class group chat.
*Zinny: Game center meetup! Who's in?*
The girls exchanged excited glances.
"Let's go!" Zinny exclaimed.
At the game center, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Students gathered around, engaging in friendly competitions and enjoying the break from academic pressures. Ella's eyes scanned the room and landed on Tari, surrounded by his friends. Their eyes met briefly, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.
Her phone vibrated.
*Tari: You look beautiful today.*
Ella's heart fluttered. She glanced up to see Tari watching her, a playful smile on his lips. She quickly looked away, trying to suppress the grin threatening to spread across her face.
As the day wound down, the girls decided to head home. Walking alongside her friends, Ella felt a sense of contentment. But as she scrolled through her father's Facebook page, a new post caught her eye.
A photo from the funeral party he claimed to attend. There he was, arm around a woman, both smiling intimately at the camera.
Ella's steps slowed. The laughter around her faded into the background. A mix of confusion, hurt, and betrayal welled up inside her. She stared at the image, the weight of reality pressing down on her.
The day that began with joy ended with a revelation she wasn't prepared for.