Battered and Bruised Chapter Two

Link to chapter 1: https://read.cash/@Rayshell/post-f9ea60a0

Friday morning, as Temmy waited in line for a cab to the admin block, she studied the sprawling two-story building that took up her entire line of vision. It was decorated with the words "University of Ibadan" with a layout much different than that of the secondary school she had attended, with numerous buildings spread over and sandwiched in between larger corporate ones. And, the students wandered here at a pace much different than the bustle she was used to.

Thinking back, being a girl raised up in foster homes, from one family to the other until her last foster family, the Johnsons moved to Port Harcourt when she turned 18 and decided to get her an apartment as she has just written her JAMB and await admission into the University. Temmy started working as a teacher in a secondary school close to her apartment while she awaits her admission. Her Parents call her daily to know how she’s faring and almost every month the woman she has grown to call mum would come visiting. She was 12 when she was moved to the Johnsons as her new foster parents, she loved them because they treated her well and the day she turned 14 they gave her shocking news, that were adopting her as their daughter, she was so glad she finally have a home. Until she turned 18 and things took another shape which changed the course of her life.

Coming back to the present, this would be new for her, a huge school that she would definitely get lost in and tons of people. Having lived this past year in isolation, she has decided to remain in her shade while her stay lasts in this institution. A car honked behind her and Temmy continued moving at a slow pace down the parking lot as students took turns swinging trucks into super-sized, yellow lined spaces.

Temmy looked to her left at the person sitting in the passenger seat of a white SUV car, a full two feet above her, and felt as tiny and invisible as she probably seemed to him. But enough, she shook herself; she detested having anything to do with guys more than anything aside from her foster dad, whom she hadn’t spoken to in the past one year, though she constantly look up to them on facebook daily and have not even stopped her habit of listening to her mums voice on radio. Mrs. Johnson organizes a show tagged “Spill it out” and constantly she hears her talk about offending a loved one, and finding it difficult to make the right move or step. Most times she feels for her because the life in the show seems to have died down, but she refuses to let down her guard.

Temmy grabbed her shoulder bag and made for the front door with the rest of the crowd. She did give UI one thing, they gave everyone scheduled date of clearance to reduce the queue.

"Name?" the secretary asked as Temmy entered the main office for her schedule.

"Temmy Johnson."

"Course?" "Mathematics."

Temmy ran her hands down the sides of her royal blue sundress, smoothing out the wrinkles to make a good impression.

"Here you go, honey."

She took the folder and pulled out a little pamphlet which shows she’s being clear in the faculty, the next step is to make the hostel clearance. Temmy walked out to the hallway and looked around for a sign, anything to point her in the right direction, but saw only bare brick walls.

After a few minutes, someone finally took pity on her. "Are you new?" A handsome young guy with a lanky build stood behind her looking over her shoulder at the paper she was holding showing the name of her hostel. "Oh, Idia hall!, not an easy walk from here. Come on, my hostel is not far from yours. She followed, having no real other choice. "So you are new, right, or have my great looks made you speechless?" Damn, she hated being called out. "Yeah I’m new, and what good looks? You’re so tall I can’t even see your face." Can you please lead me to the hostel or get the hell off my sight, she said losing her temper.

"Touché." He studied her for a moment and Temmy finally got a good look at his face, which she had to admit wasn’t too shabby. He had wispy dark hair, a slightly crooked nose, and a wide, friendly smile full of perfectly white teeth. There was something about his eyes, green with flecks of yellow, which she found familiar and almost comforting. "I’m Luke Collins," he extended his hand, and she shook it. "Temmy Johnson. Nice to meet you, and thanks for the help, but can you please focus on where we are heading to?" "Not a problem.

When I see a damsel in distress I just can’t help but act the knight in shining armor." She laughed despite herself. Temmy knew he was cocky but she also instantly knew they could be friends, though she had the mindset of shutting off all guys, she knew she will just have to set her boundaries because she there was no way she would avoid been together with one or two guys even as time goes on. Luke finally decided to obey her request and kept mute for the remainder of their walk to their halls.

"Here’s your stop. Hope to see you later," he said and rushed off the opposite direction having received a call. Looking up she saw a very spacious compound with lots of buildings in it, and the entrance they wrote boldly, "Welcome to Queen Idia Hall". Her morning went smoothly as she followed other new students in getting her clearance done. By 1:00pm she was cleared and finally ready to move her things into her new hostel.