Afternoon came along with the scorching sun. People were walking about with either newspapers trying to get some air onto their bodies or with mini battery operating fans. God bless Technology. Maybe it was the heat all around that caused the argument between Dana and her Mother. Perhaps it was. Dana walked out of the house slamming the door behind her angrily. The neighbors made way for her to pass as she was known for her attitude when she had the look she had on her face at that moment. Her Mother made to go after her but stopped when she saw the neighbors waiting for her to begin her drama. Some even had their phones out. She retreated into the house, cursing her husband for making them move into a gossip themed Estate. 

“Mom!” Emilie screamed from the room. She ran into the living room clutching a piece of paper like it was evidence from a crime scene

“What’s wrong?” Rose asked

“Look Mom, Dana still got the form for the entrance exam to the Defense Academy” Emilie said holding the piece of paper out. Rose grabbed it and her eagle like eyes scanned the hold thing within a minute. She was annoyed now.

“This girl is unbelievable” she said

“Should we tell Dad?” Emilie asked

“No, he’ll support her anyway” Rose said rejecting the idea. Her husband was known for over pampering their last daughter. She wasn't going to turn to him and have him side with Dana this time around. She was going to take action.

“Burn it” she said and walked out of the room

“Dana’s gonna be really mad when she finds out” Emilie said 

Dana danced around the room holding her flip-flops as if they were a microphone. She was having a self concert. No, her sister was her audience. She sang a remix of a sound track from the famous Disney Cartoon she watched for the 15th time. The Lion King. This time it was a mighty Officer and not a mighty King.

“I’m gonna be a mighty Officer so enemies beware” she sang dancing around the room. Emilie, the one who was supposed to be her audience was trying to study but with the annoying and aggravating remix of the Lion King sound track, she read and re-read a line on her note a thousand times. 

“Shut it, I’m trying to concentrate” she said glaring at Dana

“I’m brushing up not looking down, I’m working on my target” Dana continued, completely ignoring her. That was it. The last of her serenity. She picked the flip-flop beside her and threw it at Dana's direction. With her swift reflexes, she dodged the attack. That was a mistake on Emilie's part because it got Dana all excited.

“Whoa! Did you see that?” Dana asked. She was so flabbergasted that without any form of military training she was able to dodge a flip flop from the attacking force; Emilie, that she didn't notice that the flip-flop didn't touch the ground when it missed its target. Rose was right behind her fuming with rage.

“Sorry Mom” Emilie said with pleading eyes. The flip-flop found a formidable target. Dana turned around to see her ever angry Mother. No one needed to tell her that if she stood in front of her for another second she would be weeping the next. She ran quickly to Emilie and hid behind her.

“When will the two of you let me have peace in my own home?” Rose asked

“Sorry” they chorused together

“And you, Rose said pointing to Dana, when will you get this whole being a Military Officer thing outta your head?”

“But I’m gonna become a Military Officer” Dana said from behind Emilie

“Say that one more time and you’ll know I'm your Mother” Rose threatened. She kept shut immediately because knowing she was their Mother meant her beating the crap out of Dana's head. She glared at her Mother angrily as she left the room.

“Urggghh, she’s so annoying” she said falling on the bed

“Shhhhhh, she’s still in the house, remember?” Emilie cautioned

“Hey! One of my friends gave me this form; Dana said bring out a paper from her bag. I brought one home but I couldn't find it. Emilie was responsible. Anyway, she said if I fill it I’d have the chance of becoming a Military Officer.”

“How?” Emilie asked

“Well, promise me you won’t tell Mom” Dana said

“Promise” Emilie said

“Her Uncle is in the force, she said when I’m done with my exams I’ll take the entrance exam to the Defense Academy then when I pass which of course I’ll do I can attend the school, graduate and have an automatic job as a Military Officer” Dana explained

“Wow!” Emilie said feeling less concerned

“Yeah, wow doesn’t even come close to how it sounds to me, Dana said, I mean I’d just take the exam, pass and bang the job” she added

“But you know it’s not that easy” Emilie said

“Chill sis, you know when it comes to books my head is always on fire” Dana said. Emilie tilted her head backwards wondering where the fire was.

 “When did you start reading?” Emilie asked

“Since the day I set my mind to become an Officer” Dana said

“Mom won’t allow it” Emilie said

“Just leave Mom out of this, Dana said, once Dad comes back from his business trip I’ll tell him everything. You know I'm his favorite, right?”

“That’s in like three months from now and this form says you have to write the exam this month” Emilie said

“Why are you trying to discourage me?” Dana asked

“No, I’m not trying to discourage you, but I know Mom and you do too. She’d never let you take that exam” Emilie said

“Unless you tell her” Dana said

“What if she asks me?” Emilie asked

“Emilie why would she ask you about something like this, Dana said, you actually sound as if you do not want me to take the exam”

“Girl……” Emilie started

“You know what? Dana asked, let’s just act like we never had this conversation” she said and walked out of the room

Dana and her clique sat behind the class room making plans about their future as Military Officers. The rest of the gang had their parent's consent except Dana and as the leader of the gang, the one who brought the whole idea before Chelsea got her Uncle to convince her parents to let them go, Dana didn't want to be left alone. Lying was her jam. It was what she lived for and she had to put it into use again. This time on her friends.

“So, are you taking the exam?” Chelsea asked

“Kinda” Dana said

“Kinda? Is it a yes or a no, Chelsea asked, my Uncle doesn’t like wasting time” she added

“Bro, are you really asking Dana if she's going? If anyone's going it's definitely her” Cathy said

“Well bitch isn't answering. Is she?” Chelsea asked

“It’s definitely a yes” Dana said

“Fine, remember the date okay. Where the hell's Martine?” Chelsea said as she went to her seat. Martine, the Queen Bee of the school walked in with her left arm in the air like she was an imbecile, chewing aggressively on her gum.

“Good morning” she sang. Everyone had to answer to her whether they liked it or not. She was part of Dana's clique and was the Queen of the school. Her words were Ye and Amen. Her sister though was her nemesis.

“Martine, where did you run off to again?” Chelsea asked

“That would be none of your concern. Thank you” Martine answered

“Well it is because we are twins and identical at that so I don’t want my image tarnished because of your immoral behavior” Chelsea said

“Thank you for the sermon Miss Preacher but it’s still none of your concern” Martine said, not budging. Thankfully, the Math Teacher walked into the class putting an end to the argument. He had his cane underneath his armpit which was already sweaty. Rumor around the school had it that his body ran higher than 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Martine hated him more than having an identical twin. Or it was probably because she didn't understand Math.

“Every time he carries that cane around as if it’s his wife” she muttered under her breath

“Well class, today we are going to be dealing on the topic, Differentiation” Mr. David said

The students were in their final year in high school and that was a common Math topic for those at their level but they all seemed lost. Someone wasn't doing their reading.

“Have you ever heard about that topic before?” Chelsea asked

“If I've ever heard of it then it means the world's coming to an end” Martine replied

“Dana” Mr. David called

“Sir” Dana said getting up

“What do you know about Differentiation?” he asked

“Ummm not much, Dana said, I only know that it deals with the formula dy/dx”

“Well do you know how to apply the formula?” He asked

“No” Dana said. The students began to chuckle wondering why she mentioned dy/dx when she didn't know how to apply it. With a glare from her the laughter and whispering ceased. Talk about power.

“You can have you seat please” Mr. David said as he turned towards the black board ready for the day's lesson.

Dy/dx became the new terror for the students as they could barely concentrate on other classes after Mr. David's class. They were all thinking about the Mathematical sites on the internet they would turn to for the solution of his assignment. Mr. David had the habit of teaching his class with examples like 2+5=7 and handing out assignments like If 109 boys die today and are buried on the 6th day of the first week of March in 2041. How long will it take for 705 persons to attend their burials and how many roses will be given to the deceased? Problem. 

During lunchtime the cafeteria was filled with students trying to get the best of everything before it ran out while some made good use of their time to make out at the back of the cafeteria. The Teacher's cafeteria was a block away from that of the students so it favored them greatly.

“Dana what are we eating today?” Martine asked sitting on Dana's desk.

“I’m not really hungry” Dana said. She wasn't in the mood to eat. Not because she didn't know how to apply the formula for Differentiation but because she still didn't know how she was going to write the Defense Academy entrance exam without getting in any hot soup with her Mom. Any kind.

“She’s watching her weight” Cathy joked from behind

“Ha ha, very funny, Dana said, you haven’t spoken a word since morning but when it comes to making fun of me your voice is always heard” she added

“Well, I take joy in doing that” Cathy said

“You need Jesus” Dana said. She got up and made for the classroom door.

“Where are you going to?” Chelsea asked

“I’m going for a walk around the school because I can’t stand the sight of Cathy” Dana said

“Really? Cathy said smirking, then I’m coming too”

“I’ll race you guys” Martine said smiling

“On my call, Dana said, one, two, three, go!”

“I’m home!” Dana announced as she let her bag drop to the floor. Emilie looked at her wondering if she had lost her mind. Rose's number one house rule was that no one, not even her who made the rule should drop anything on the floor

“You know you’re messing up the room” she said

“So?” Dana asked

“So? Emilie said, are you seriously asking me that?”

“Yeah, it’s not like you’re the one who tidies this room up or any other room in this house for that matter” Dana said

That was the truth and the truth they say, is indeed bitter. Emilie kept shut immediately. Just as she was about picking up the bag herself, the sound of their Mom’s car startled both of them.

“One day we’ll have a heart attack because of Mom” Dana said

“I can have a heart attack, I don’t care but I just don't want her asking me if I washed the blankets” Emilie said and raced out of the room.

“You didn't wash the blankets again? I guess you were waiting for me huh?”Dana said. She took out the form from her school bag and began to fill it in. She was so engrossed in it, she didn't realize when Emilie walked into the room and found her filling the form. At the breakfast table the next morning, it was time for their regular family drama.

“What’s this I’m hearing?” Rose asked

“What?” Dana asked. She was always hearing things with her antenna like ears so Dana wondered what new thing she heard again.

“You’re filling the Defense Academy form?” Rose asked annoyed. Dana glared at Emilie who could not bring herself to look up. She was going to the Defense Academy and that was final. It was time to be bold.

“Yes I am. Dana said, in fact, I already filled it”

“You’re not taking the exam” Rose stated

“You can’t choose what I do with my life!” Dana shouted

“My decision is final” Rose said

“Oh, your decision means nothing to me Mom, because whether you like it or not, I’m taking that exam” She had made her point. There was no need to sit there and continue going back and forth on the topic so she walked out of the house. Again. 

Dana went over to Chelsea's. The only place she could go to tirade about her misfortunes. She rang the doorbell bell so fast one would think she was a speedster.

“Dana, what are you doing here? Martine asked. She saw Dana's face. No, don't answer that” she said

“Is Chelsea in?” Dana asked

“Yeah, come in” Martine said

Chelsea heard all the talking and came down wondering who it was. It was her best buddy who happened to not be in her best mood.

“Bro, what’s up?”

“Emilie. That's what's up. She told my Mom I was filling the form, can you believe that?” Dana asked

“Hell yeah I can believe it” Martine said. They all turned towards her. When someone laments the way Dana did, one is expected not to say anything except a sorry, probably. But Martine's brain functioned the other way round.

“Come on, don’t give me that look, she said, we all know that Emilie never wants anything good for Dana, right?”

“I’m taking that entrance exam no matter what happens” Dana said firmly. Chelsea was having a hard time processing something else.

“Wait, you didn't fill it all these while?” She asked

“I was still contemplating. But don't worry cause yesterday I filled it and submitted it to the board” Dana said. That was enough to calm Chelsea down.

“Then that means before classes tomorrow we’ll take the exam before anyone notices” Chelsea said

“I’m cool with whatever you guys want, all I desire is to take that exam” Dana said

“And take it you shall. Martine joked, That's if your Mom doesn't know where and when we are taking the exam because if she does she's gonna storm that place and pull you out by your bra. Have you gotten your boobies yet?”

“I gave Emilie a wrong date and time when she asked. Thank God I did that” Dana said. Trying to avoid the boobies’ question, she took her leave.

 Yes, Dana was all pretty but was turning into a boy day by day. Why she didn't get her boobies yet when Cathy who she shared the same age with was wearing a 34C was something she couldn't understand.

“Wow Dana’s really tough” Martine said

“She sure is” Chelsea said smiling