Chapter 4: Empty Desks and Heavy Hearts

I no see Tunde again that day. All the time I dey use corner eye find am, I no catch him shadow. I no get chance beg am.

I dey plan after school, I go block am for gate, beg. But he vanish before closing.

Next morning during self-study, his friend move his desk and change seat. Na so Tunde seat disappear. E pain me.

The boy give me awkward smile. "Erm, Tunde say him no well yesterday, so he dey take three days off."

He scratch head, voice low. I know say na lie but I just nod. "I just help am change seat..."

He drag desk, sweat dey him face. Everybody dey watch. After he yarn, see my dull face, he add quick, "No be because of you o. No think am too much."

I no fit reply. My mouth just dey hang. I dey try form say I no care but tears wan drop.

I just blink, hold back tears, no fit talk how I dey feel.

My heart heavy. I dey count how many days I go survive without crying for toilet.

Why e be say just because I chop half plate pass others or carry extra chicken, people go hate me? Na question wey dey pain me since. If I take extra spoon, dem dey watch. If I no chop, dem go talk say I dey form.

I look my round hands, flesh pressing, tell myself say I no go ever dream to be princess again.

I squeeze palm, dey imagine say the fat go melt. But e no gree. Na so hope for fairy tale die.