ECHOES OF US
Chapter 3: New Circles
The school compound buzzed with life during break time, but for the first time, Amara and Awele stood on opposite sides of the noise.
Amara was sitting near the staffroom, her lunch forgotten beside her as she scribbled notes with Nkem. They were deep in discussion over scholarship opportunities abroad, their voices low, heads close. Occasionally, Amara glanced toward the science block as if trying to measure how much she still had to revise.
Meanwhile, Awele was by the school gate with Simi and Glory, laughing so loudly it echoed off the walls. A new boy had transferred from another state, and Simi had dared Awele to speak to him first. She did—with confidence. With style. The kind of boldness that had begun to define her lately.
They still passed each other in the hallways. Still shared a home. But even that had started to feel like shared custody of a space, not a life.
At home, their parents noticed the changes and called them into the sitting room.
Their father, a quiet man with heavy eyes and a careful voice, looked from Amara to Awele with a frown. “We got your report cards,” he said simply.
Amara had straight A’s. As expected. Awele did not.
Their mother was gentler. She reached out, touched Awele’s knee. “You’re a smart girl. But you need to focus more. You can’t just drift.”
“I’m not drifting,” Awele mumbled, staring at the floor. “I’m just not Amara.”
The silence that followed was deep and suffocating.
When they returned to their room, they brushed their teeth in silence that night. Awele wanted to speak, to say she was sorry, or angry, or both, but the words never came out.
Their room, once a shared space, was now divided in more ways than one. Amara’s side was neat, her books arranged as she make plans to further her education to university while Awele’s side was softer, messier. Lip glosses scattered across the desk, with no plans for the future.
The next day, their class teacher, Mr. Adigun, called them both aside after school.
“I’ve known you girls since JSS1,” he said, arms crossed. “And I’ve always admired your closeness. But lately… it’s like I’m teaching two strangers.”
They looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
He sighed. “You don’t have to be the same. But don’t forget how to be sisters.”
Awele lowered her eyes. Amara’s jaw tightened. The silence between them was starting to feel normal.
Question
1. Explain how Amara and Awele stood on opposite sides?
2. How did their parent react when they noticed the distance in Amara and Awele?
3. Discus Amara's priorities?
4. Discus Awele’s priorities?
5. How did they feel toward each other after Mr. Adigun spoke with them?