Final exams are in two weeks. Our graduation party is going to be on the Saturday after the last exams on Friday and that Friday night is the party our class organized .
      Nadine and I are studying - well, revising for the exams. Mom and dad are helping with my well being and they are always praying for me. They said they don't doubt me. They believe that I will pass excellently and further my educations in the States and become the gynaecologist I want to become.
       
  All the support should have made me happy but I wasn't. I don't understand why the need to go to that party is so strong and irrevocable. Elsie did all she could to make me happy and forget about that party but it was in vain.

I haven't talked to Nadine about it meanwhile she use to sleep with me on my bed when it's too late for her to go back home.
  
  This whole thing was eating me up. I should have been happy and content and concentrate only on our exams because I have all I want. But I'm obsessed with that party. Anytime I hear my mates talk about it, I feel the urge to go grow stronger. In our class of twenty people, Nadine, Bella and I are the only absentees. Bella is a quiet and innocent type of girl. She doesn't like talking and she's the right person to sit with if you want peace and quiet.

  They use to tease the three of us. They say we are cowards and uncivilized. Nadine always stand to them and so I hide behind her. 
I was planning to convince Nadine today so we could go to the party. The bigger and wiser part of me said she'll never allow it more to talk of going. But the tiniest and stubborn part of me insisted that I  could try.

    We sat at our table during lunch time. Bella use to sit with us because she can't afford to sit beside anyone who will mock her.  Sometimes she's very quite,you will forget her presence.

Nadine kept making small talk which I paid less attention to. My attention was on Jane, one of the party organizers. She and her friends came to sit at their table giggling with sweets and chocolates on their food tray.  I've never  seen them eating anything healthy. Not that I cared but I can't deny the fact that I envy the freedom their parents give them and mostly how their friendship is so interesting and full of fun.

      "I'm so happy Friday is just around the corner!" Debby squealed.
"Right? This time's party is going to be amazing. Can't wait..." Ella also cheered.
"Well,  I'm also happy but then I feel pity for those barbarians that will probably miss this party too." Barbara said looking into our direction with disgust.
"Keep worrying about those foolish souls. My worry is the plenty time we have before school closes. I want to go get some hot dress for the the party." Nelly also said.

"Guys, have you heard any updates about the party?" Bernice asked as she practically sprinted to the almost crowded table holding two bottles of soft drinks and four packs of biscuit.
"This time's party is going to be more than great. And guess what?" she said as she sat down. Everyone in the cafeteria turned their attention to her expecting the good news.
" Priscilla said a celebrity is gonna come around!" She squealed and everyone started cheering and shouting. The cafeteria was in an uproar when one of the boys in Priscilla's gang stood up and shouted for attention.

"Look, you guys, I advice you stay calm and don't get your hopes up. Priscie is a huge prankster. You all know her. Her  pranks are crazy, just calm down yeah?  Maybe it's another of her pranks" Josh announced and the cafeteria became silent again.

"No, it's not a prank. It's true" Priscilla's voice rang through the cafeteria as she modeled inside. She is the course rep and the main party organizer. She's a very pretty girl and very rich too. She has an air of authority around her that make everyone fear and listen to her. Her best friends Jane and Bernice are the same but not so authoritative.
All eyes turned into her direction as she walked in with Sabina and Maria her two minions.

"This month's party is going to be more amazing and surely,a celeb is coming around believe it or not" she assured as she settled into her seat which was reserved for her. The whole place turned noisy again as the students murmured happily.

I looked over at Nadine and she was doing just as I thought. She was seriously glaring at them with disgust written on her face. I bite my lip to avoid crying as Bella concentrated on her lunch.

    Then Priscilla's eyes locked into mine. There was not disgust as I had imagine, there was friendliness. She stood up with her best friends Jane and Bernice following her. My heart started hammering in my chest as they walked towards our table. I bet I could hear Bella's heart throwing a tantrum because for Priscilla and her friends to come to us, it means danger. Nadine's hand clenched into a fist on top of the table as her glare deepened.

I felt their presence beside my chair.
"Hey, Stephie, can I have a talk with you?" Priscilla asked and in a very calm friendly voice.
"No you can't! What do you want with her?” Nadine roared standing up. Priscilla slowly shift her gaze from me to Nadine. And then the three of them burst out laughing.
"Look who we have here. Bodyguard Nadine" Bernice said and they started laughing again.
"Can you wait till I start with you Alsatian?" Priscilla sneered and everyone started laughing.

"Steph, please come with me." She said again. I looked up at Nadine who was looking at me with eyes full of warning.
I was confused as Priscilla held my wrist gently. Nadine aimed her tightly clenched fist at Priscilla's arm. I held her fist and stood up.
"I'll see you Nad," I said and followed the Princess thugs out. Her disappointed and shocked eyes stared after us as the students laughed at her. Priscilla and her friends sat beside me on a bench outside the cafeteria.

"We want to talk with you Steph," Jane said very friendly.
"I guess we will have to make this snappy 'cos it's a few minutes to class hours" Priscilla said glancing at her expensive golden wrist watch.

"Why don't you come to the party?" Bernice asked holding my hand gently.
"Is it because of that douche bag you call a friend?"Jane smirked.
"Yeah,sort of." I answered as they burst out laughing again.
"Oh my God, my ribs....."Priscilla choked between a fit of laughter.
"Really? Is she your keeper or something" Jane laughed.
"She's my long time best friend and she's become like a family. Moreover, my parents preach against things like that" I said as I pick my nails, something I use to do when I'm nervous or embarrassed. They continued laughing as if I was cracking jokes. Priscilla held her forehead as she laughed hardly and Bernice and Jane clutched their stomach. Jane knelt on the floor as she continued laughing.

"Wow! Awesome. So people that party are devils or what?" Priscilla said when they finally sobber up.
"You guys are funny." Jane giggled.
"Don't you feel like coming for it though?" Priscilla asked and I nodded.
"Well then, I say this is the time to follow your heart and forget everybody even that dummy you call a friend. Whether long time best friend or whatever, she's too boring for a friend. Talk to her about it and kick her ass if she refuse to budge. I mean, you are so pretty you should be our friend. I mean, I like you but that thing you call a friend is making you look stupid. This party is the last and probably the best. A celebrity is coming around and you don't want to miss all the fun. Stand up and put your feet down. Stop being a dumb girl. Wise up." Priscilla said and pecked my cheek before leaving.

Nadine was angry with me. Well, let's just say I avoided her for the rest of the day. I am not ready to feel more guilty. I hanged around Priscilla and her friends. I got use to them very quickly. They're all very funny. I'd talked and laughed with them feeling very comfortable. The only time I feel uneasy is when I  meet Nadine's disappointed, angry and sad gaze.
I felt bad for leaving her but she's too boring and uninteresting for a friend.

       I went home alone contemplating on telling my mom. She was in the kitchen making cookies alone which was weird because she and Elsie likes hanging around each other very much.
  I changed in my room and went into the kitchen after a couple 'breath ins'.
"Hey mom," I greeted as I leaned against the counter. I would have taken one of the milk cookies if it was any other day. But today, I've got to concentrate on how to talk.
"Hey honey,  you're welcome" she smiled. My heart was beating wildly as I thought of what to say, how to say it, how to  start and how to end.

  I went to take a glass and poured a chilled water for myself to slake my taste and also waste some time.
"Where is Els?" I asked.
"She went to see a friend"my mom answered smiling. I remained silent debating on telling her or just sneaking out as I'd planned.

Then the gate opened. I prayed it isn't dad 'cos if it's him, it's going to be so much tougher. I peeped through the kitchen window.
My heart started beating wildly. This is even worse.
  Nadine came through the gate with a very angry face. She looked like she was coming to break down our house. I wanted to go out and tell her to leave my house.
"Stephie, go check who is at the door" my mom said and I went out.

  I opened the door to the hall and came face to face with my fuming best friend. I was waiting for her to start screaming and call me a traitor. But she was still and everything was silent, only the low humming of the air conditioning and mostly the hammering of my heart could be heard.

One, two, three....

She was still silent as I waited for the explosion.

One, two, three, fire.....

She was still silent. 'Nadine, won't you scream?' I thought.
"Stephie, who's there." my mom called.
And we both sighed. It was as if we were frozen and melted again.
I gave her way and she entered heading towards the kitchen.
I was in so much trouble. I don't want my mom to know this way.