As classes start, Mariana decides to switch to serious mode and concentrate.Her first period lesson was English,which she loved.Suddenly she gets an itch on her right shoulder,it feels more like a burn than an itch.
Its weird coz on that part of her shoulder there has always been a mark,sort of a birth mark.From when she was little the mark would feel itchy like twice in a month,which she never really paid attention to,and just ruled it as an ordinary thing.
But today it's getting uncomfortable,she scratches but it doesn't go away.She decided to excuse herself so that she could go to the bathroom and check what was wrong.On her way to the bathroom she removes her jacket as it feels terribly hot.She starts rolling her short sleeve shirt to reveal the spot that won't let her concentrate in class.
By the time she got to the bathroom her sleeve was up and she went straight to the mirror to check what was wrong.Her eyes flew open the moment she saw her skin.It was like a reddish burn had been imprinted on her leaving a mark that looked quite different this time. Mostly the birthmark looked like a black patch on the skin,but today it took on a hue of red and black.
But there was something else,the mark not only changed color,it also changed the form.
What I mean is,before it was just a patch,no shape or form.But now it looked like a lion!
'Wait what!'Mariana exclaimed.
'This can't be right.'She moved closer and rubbed the spot roughly.For a flash of a second it seemed to glow then it turned black to red.Mariana rubbed her eyes not believing what she just saw.'was that real or am I hallucinating.' She took a tissue and wet it then she dubbed the mark slowly,the she rubbed a little oil on it and it felt a little better.The burning sensation was still there but the itchiness was gone.
She went back to class and finished her lesson not concentrating as much as she wanted,the mark incident still bothered her.This was the first time the mark on her shoulder had fel like that, whenever she felt itch she always assumed it was the type of fabric she was wearing.But this time it had nothing to do with that.
During lunch break,she walked to the cafeteria with Lisa who was still talking of her date with so much excitement.As they lined up to get their food Lisa noticed the oily patch picking through Mariana's sleeve.She turned to her and lifted her sleeve up and was so shocked that she exclaimed loud enough for people close to hear her
"Mariana Williams when the did you get a tattoo!?,and why on earth would you hide it from me!"
"What..what tattoo,I don't have a tattoo!" Mariana yeld back reaching for her shoulder.
"Tell me the truth,is it a tattoo?"Lisa asked again.
"NO! I swear Lisa it's not.Remember that mark I always complain it feels itchy,well today it started burning up,I had to put oil on it to sooth it."Mariana replied keeping her voice low.
Lisa looked at her with doubt,"you promise it's not a tattoo,coz I clearly remember we agreed to get matching ones when we get to college or just after we finish high school."
After they were served and were heading for their table in a corner they heard someone yell from behind,"hey wait up."
It was Alex. They stood waiting for him and he got to them he rubbed Lisa's shoulder affectionately saying,"Hi,so are we still on for tonight?"
"Hey,yes we are. What time are you coming to pick me up?"Lisa said with a smile that made Mariana wonder if this was the same Lisa she knew .Lisa was faisty so seeing her like this was just suprising.
"I will be there by 6pm so that we can get drinks first before the movie." Alex said.
He then turned to Mariana and said,"Hey Mariana,bold choice."
At first she was confused but then she followed his line of sight and noticed her sleeve was still up and showing the mark.She immediately understood that Alex thought it was a tattoo as well. Mariana decide to put on her jacket as this was now attracting attention she didn't want.
Lisa turned to Mariana with an 'I told you' expression on her face.
"Hi Alex ,this is not what you think.So it nice of you to finally ask Lisa out." Mariana said trying to divert the attention away from herself.
Lisa looked at Marians with one brow up noticing she was changing the topic.
"You could come if you want."Alex said much to everyone's surprise.
"No I can't..it's meant to be a date right? I wouldn't want to spoil the fun by being a third wheel."Mariana said. Knowing how much Lisa had waited for Alex to ask her out,it would not be nice to have any one else with them,even if they were best friends.
Alex was tall dark and handsome. Body that would look perfect on a cover of a magazine.It was hard to believe he was in high school,at first glance it was easy to mistake him as a faculty.Lisa had a crush on the guy from the first time she saw him,but being an old school kind of girl,she believed it was the guy who is supposed to show interest first.
"So will you join us for lunch?"Lisa said capturing the attention back to herself.
"I would love to but I can't,I have practice for the next two hours."Alex said.He was in rugby,and was very good at it.
"Okay,see you in the evening then."Lisa said.
Alex pecked on her cheek and turned to Mariana."Have a nice lunch." Mariana felt chills at the way he said those words.It was as if they were ment for Mariana alone even though it was said for both girls.
They parted ways and the girls sat at their table which only had two other girls from their class.
"Saseni."They greeted in unison.
"Poa." The other girls replied in unison as well.
*Saseni* Swahili meaning 'hi'
*Poa* Swahili meaning 'good'