CHAPTER ONE

"There is a beauty in every smile, despite the circles underneath the eyes. There is a gait in every walk, either from joy or from silence, or simply carrying the weight of the world.

There is a stranger in every friend, because therein their hearts lays something you never knew .

There is a sparkle in every shine, for there up in the skies , the stars smiles down really bright. .

There is laughter in every child, for in their happy smiles , they see not the evil in your eyes. ."

Chidinma closes her book, turning the pen in her fingers as she stared out of the window as she made her way to school.

It's been a long school break. She was glad for it.

She was a shy girl, confident in being herself. She wasn't exactly a bookworm, but she wasn't exactly a dullard either.

She was born and raised up in a christian home and one of the books that was thrusts into her hands amongst her academic books was the bible

"Its the good book meant to right your paths and give you light in the midst of darkness " her mother always says

But the one she loved to hold and walk around with , eat with and sometimes fall asleep with. . Was the one she fills her thoughts in, her stories in, wherever her mind runs to, her book was her safe haven..

She loved to write . That was the only other thing that gave her joy.

Chidinma was a simple girl, easy smile and a good heart .

She had loved being the invisible girl , the one no one knew about, the one who studies hard, goes to mass, stay best friends with the only two girls she liked , Mimi and Bunmi. Finish secondary school, go on to the university and just maybe, just maybe she could pursue a career as a writer , become a great novelist and maybe go on to win the grants writers award and live a happy life out in an island writing books and stories for kids and adults and maybe have her books adapted into a movie.

She had her life all planned out. Before she left for the long break, everything was working out the way she wanted...being invisible.

She didn't care that she wasn't developing as other girls were, she was not quite different from a straight pole, flat chests but the only thing she loved was her height. . She was a bit tall for her age.. and her smile.

Those where the only things she loved about herself. And she never cared.

But all that changed

Over the three months break, it was as if her body had a mind of its own. One minute she was no different from a stick, the constant tease of her neighbours and students at school was something she had become used to.

''Don't think too much about it Chi, you know I was like that when I was your age, but soon after I became so full and round I thought someone switched my body when I was asleep " her mother pulled her cheeks.

''But mama, I don't care to be like other girls . This way, I can be invisible all I want. I hate people staring and me and all that. I am shy. So it's like God knew the desires of my heart and thus made me this way. It's not a bother. .infact I like it alot "

Her mother would shake her head at her. .."Don't worry, you won't have a choice by then" she would walk away.

Chidinma didn't care about what she wore, she was a tomboy of some sort in those early years, confident in shorts and tops and a baseball cap whenever she got back from school , practically dangling like a broomstick in her cloths.

But three months later, this wasn't the case anymore..

''What the hell was I even eating ?" She had asked herself on of those days staring at the window.

She had joined the sports team during her last term, so when she got home she joined in a workout group not far from her house just to keep in shape for the tournament she was going to be participating in.

Chidinma marveled at the changes in her body, from her chest to her waist, it was strangely unsettling, and for someone with such height. .it wouldn't go unnoticed and she dreaded going back to school.

"Can I be home schooled mama?' She asked her mother biting her finger

Her mother had slapped her hand away from her mouth.

"Stop biting your nail Chi-gurl. And home-schooled, why chi?" They were in the kitchen and her mother was making ''moi moi'',A bean blended food.

"Yes, Home schooled . I just want to be. I hate school but if I can have a private teacher it would be good. I can help around the house more and stuff. Stay with you longer before I go to the university .." she batted her lashes at her

"Don't be silly Chidinma. You aren't going to be home schooled. I hope you have parked your bags , holiday is over" her mother had told her

Chidinma had sulked all night.

Yep, she was sort of weird.

A girl who enjoyed the comfort of her company, and the voices in her head when she writes in her book.

But that little peace she loved would turn into a world of chaos being back at school and she knew it..

Sighing , she turns as the bus drove into the school compound. Alighting she drags her bag behind her going into her hostel like one going into the slaughter house like a voluntary sacrificial lamp

She saw students chatting happily, hugging and ''high-fiving'' themselves .

Was she the only one who wasn't excited to be back. Most definitely!

"Can I atleast day-school mama?"

"No Chidinma, stop being a child " her mother had said. "I want you to learn how to stay on your own and be independent. You are too glued to me. You need to be amongst others your age and besides I went to a boarding school and you aren't escaping it. Now, go to bed..you have to get up early "

Chidinma had chewed her bottom lip.