Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Thursday morning I got ready to go to school, after a hasty breakfast of cereal and milk, I dressed up confidently on a pink satin bomber jacket on a grey crop top and and black ripped jeans. I didn't forget my shades, the main reason I want to be there early is so that I can complete my work before so many people, who are aware of my status as the face of Night Dream, surround me like last time, this shades was meant to conceal my identity a bit.

Max dropped me off the same place he did the last time and promised to wait for me, i went in with my shades on, crossing my fingers that I finish everything smoothly without being confronted by excited fans but my prayers weren't answered, it seems the entire school were waiting for me, i tried to act normal but they quickly spotted me, "there she is!" someone shouted and I was surrounded by excited fans, I took off my shades and their screams grew wild.

"she's here"

"I love Night Dream because of you"

"you're really amazing"

"can you sign my textbook?"

I lifted a hand up, "can I say something please?" I said at the top of my voice and the voices became hushed, "thank you. I know you guys still don't know much about me, let's start with my name, it is difficult to pronounce right?" they nodded "then let's do something about it, you can call me UK, as in United kingdom. that's easy right?"

''yes''

''i love it''

''awesome''

"okay, now that that's resolved, I'm sure most of us are here for the course registration, so why don't we finish up with that and we can sit on the grass, order some snacks and chat. I'm just a normal girl like everyone here, what do you guys say?"

there was hooting, cheering and clapping in response.

Three hours later, we all sat out eating takeout pizza and milkshake, I was asked so many questions about myself, my relationship with Jade and my love life. I did well to answer most of their questions but I concealed the truth about something things.  I begged them to act normal with me when next I'm seen and the all agreed, I was on my way home and I met Xiao Ling, we went to her house but it seems I was disturbing her and Darren so I left and went home. Jade wasn't home, neither was Juliet, and Hannah said that she left for her violin lessonsI felt a bit lonely, my sister still didn't return my call and I wasn't planning on calling her. I did talk to my mother about school resuming soon and her prayers to see me through. Late in the evening, Jade and Juliet came back together, "why didn't you tell me you guys were hanging out together, I was worried,"

"sorry love, just wanted to spend time with Juliet" Jade said and kissed me

"someone give this people a room" Juliet said.

Friday morning I was at school again, I was on all black, a black long sleeves turtle neck polo, a short bodycon black leather skirt and a black ankle length boot. Even though they had promised not to surround me like some angel that just came down from heaven, I still went in with my shades. Few people came over to say hello, some just waved at me, I breathe out in relief, guess I'm now back to being Ukpono, an ordinary freshman and not Ukpono Udofia, face of Night Dream, I took a seat in the hall we were told to stay while waiting for the head of the department to come address us. I wasn't ready for chit chats and so I put on headphones and increased the volume of the song to the highest, drowning every sound around me, I was having a time of my life in my own way until someone tapped my shoulder. I paused the music and took of my headphones, there was a young girl sitting beside me, smiling at me, I didn't recognize her from anywhere but I returned her smile. "Hello, I'm Ariel," she said extending her hand

"Hi Ariel, I'm..."

"UK, I know. I mean half of the department know, what you did yesterday was totally awesome, not much celebs will want to sit on the grass in the midst of ordinary students, not only that, you spent quite a lot of money in buying all that amount of snacks for us, it's really impressive. I like you," Ariel said

"thanks, I'm just glad that everyone see me as an ordinary person, truth be told, I'm not really a spotlight kinda person," I told her.

"well I just came to say hi and I love your outfit, you look hot in black," she complimented

"thank you... black is my favorite color," I said

"I bet you look great in any color. That aside, what branch are you?" she asked

"performing Art" I replied

"Everyone here is into performing arts, which branch are you majoring? Music? Drama? Dance? Instrumental?"

"Drama"

"really? that means I'll be having same classes with you,"

"that seems to be the case"

"if you don't mind, can I sit with you? Or better still, I could be your sidekick," she said

"whoa! whoa! whoa! slow down young lady, seatmates I can agree, sidekick is a no no. I'm not doing that" I told her

"okay, I'm ok with being seatmates with you," she said.

I was saved from saying anything else by the Head of department, she was surprisingly young, I was expecting someone of about 50 to 60 years but this woman looks like she's not up to 30.

"Good morning student" she greeted behind the microphone.

"Good morning madam," we answered in unison

"My name is Emberlyn Alistair but you may address me as Mrs Alistair. As you may know, I am the head of the department of performing arts, I'll be giving you a brief orientation on things you should know about this department and the faculty of art in general, mind you, you would still be given a full orientation on the school come Monday."

she talked for hours about the department but laid much emphasis on the Drama Unit, which according to her, was the broadest Unit in the department. She listed the course each unit would study this semester and the next, 10 courses were listed out for my Unit, 8 were compulsory and we were to choose one out of the remaining 2, making it 9 courses per student. We were given a tour of the department, offices, classrooms, theatres and studios. Departmental handbooks were distributed to us, and a pamphlet which talked about school clubs, events and extracurricular activities, it also had a full map of the school. With that, we were equipped and ready for resumption. My phone vibrated in my hand, it was Xiao Ling calling, she said she was free and would like us to grab lunch together. Since we had nothing to do anymore, I turned to the car so I can pick her up "UK wait up, where are you off to now?" Ariel asked "I'm going to have lunch with my friend, why?"

"can I join you guys, I can't go home now"

"alright, I'll just text her that I'm not coming alone," I said and texted Xiao Ling, I also told her not to mention Jade's name in Ariel's presence. "let's go," "yeah! thanks UK"

Max was waiting for me beside the car, immediately he saw me, he bowed and opened the door. "where to Miss Udofia?" he asked

"first we'll pick Xiao Ling at my former department and we'll go get lunch, at our usual spot"