Author's Note: the highlighted words are the translations from Kiswahili.

Chapter 4

"Did you see her? She was amazing."

"Apparently, she did her own song, and Caitlyn mixed the song."

"Caitlyn did that? What is she? A producer?"

"Oh my God! She is so gonna be famous!"

That was what greeted us as we walked to class on Monday. The weekend had been fun and now we were still hung-over. My brother had an exam but he had promised to call-in later, when he had finished his last paper. It had been an email, short but precise. That was Eddie, always to the point. He was finishing his finals later that week, then he'd fly back home for his Christmas Holidays.

Throughout the day, people were being nice and staring at us both. Some of the basketball guys even stopped by on their way to the field to congratulate the two of us. For Caitlyn, this wasn't new. She always got the attention. For me, however, it was my first time, and I lapped it all up. It felt divine.

Though I was awfully shy, I got through the day with Caitlyn's help. She had joked that if I got famous and forgot about her, she would sell my secrets to the highest bidding magazine. We had laughed at it, but for some reason, I felt it was true.

That afternoon, midway through the boring Geography lesson, I was summoned to the principal's office. I had never been there, and though I knew I had done nothing wrong, I was still freaked out. Caitlyn's arrival made me relax a little bit. Just as I was whispering at her about how boring Geography was, the secretary ushered us in. my whispering stopped.

Mrs. Smith's face was etched in a smile. She was the daughter of the founder of Top Hill and people were scared of her. It was shocking that she was in a good mood today. I saw her smile at my confused self, and she winked at Caitlyn, who surprisingly winked back and hugged her.

"Never been here, have you?"

"No."

"That means you are a good student and you stay out of trouble."

I didn't know what to say, so I just smiled back.

"Would you like some tea?" she offered, looking at both of us.

"Sure Aunty," Caity said, and my jaw dropped. Mrs. Smith saw my reaction and laughed.

"Sarah, you didn't know?"

I nodded my head. Caity had conveniently left it out. I knew she had her reasons. It probably explained why she had been so relaxed.

"Aunt Kelly, you know I love tea, and if you serve it, I will surely miss my classes." Caity said, smiling at her slim aunt who was already serving the tea and biscuits that had been at a table next to the window near her working station. I saw my friend smiling at me, urging me to dive into the festival. Unfortunately for me, I was still a little full from lunch. So I took my cup of tea and picked up a paper thin biscuit which I nibbled at timidly.

"I heard about your performance yesterday. And I watched it too."

"It was wicked aunty! Sarah has an incredible voice."

"Yes, and yet she is so cute, nibbling at the biscuit for two minutes. Loosen up Sarah! I won't suspend you. You have done something amazing for our school."

"I have?" I asked, hesistant. It was a little hard to loosen up.

"You know, Top Hill is well known for Basketball and hockey, but no one has ever bothered with the Arts. Its puzzling because we are the best at languages, yet the Arts still go unrecognized. Our drama department is missing Eddie and Mitchie. They were amazing people and they took us far. However, they left a void when they cleared. Talking about Eddie, how is he?"

"he is pretty okay, and he is flying in for the holidays. He said to say hello to you."

"he did? Or did you just make that up?"

"I did make it up. Sorry. But I am pretty sure he'd have wanted me to tell you that."

"well then, the greetings have been accepted."

"I will convey them. In an email."

At this juncture, the three of us laughed. The tension visibly reduced. I felt a little happier and finished my biscuit.

"So, Aunt, why did you call for us to come here?"

"I wanted to ask your lovely friend to help us, by singing some of the songs in the play. We are expecting a number of visitors from USA and Britain, my father included, who will be scouting for talent on that day. You are probably aware that they usually do that after a major basketball game. We are hosting the Tournament on that day. So far, they have not seen any promising talent in the play. However, perhaps having a local celebrity, or rather, two local celebrities, will motivate the cast."

"I have never acted." I found myself admitting. "okay, I have, but I was the baker murdered in the story of Joseph. In the bible," I said this quickly.

"Really?" Caitlyn asked.

"Really."

"you can sing instead. We are aware that you conquered your stage fright. Maybe a few changes are necessary in the play. You can sing, and have a few lines. Oh, and as a by the way, I am writing the play this year. Last year's was a mess."

I looked at Mrs. Smith. She really looked like she needed my help. And help I would. I agreed to her conditions and she toasted our tea cups to the new victory. I needed a refill.

"Caity, I am so excited that your mum is coming!" I said to her as we practiced later that week for the play. Caity had been given a few lines as well. It was funny watching her rap the words jokingly. According to the play, I was supposed to be performing in a club. I was to temporarily wow the main characters and make the main actor develop a crush on me. Caity was to dress up as a young man, my pianist brother.

Many people turned up to audition for the roles, now that we were already in the play. We had learnt the songs and I was already making half the school turn up to watch the practice sessions every evening.

My parents allowed me to come a little late after practice, and I found it a great deal. I loved the fact that I could be pulling a crowd. For once, I understood why my big brother lived for the stage. It was an amazing experience. A good thing is that I wasn't required to practice everyday. It was quite tiring and it was affecting my sleep a little bit.

In between the practice and class sessions, I was doing a few covers with Caity. I did the cover of Amani's Missing my Baby and Wahu Kagwi's Sweet Love. She had created a Youtube channel for me, and her, and we uploaded any videos we made. We got a few views, but we knew that would change after the play. According to Caity, they were increasing due to the video the school had posted on their Youtube Channel of me performing at the Competition. Mrs. Smith was the one who did the posting and attached a link to our school's website.

The comments were nice. Some people said that I was going to be the next Taylor Swift, or their Kenyan Amy Winehouse. Others said that I was simply breathtaking. I got a few bad comments, especially from someone who said that I had rigged the competition. When Caitlyn and I read the comment, we looked at each other and said, "Tess."

My parents wanted me to keep up with my classes and assignments. It was a delicate balance, but I managed. I also had exams to read for too. The exhaustion was getting to me. It wasn't long before I got a really bad cold. Normally, I'd have the cold last up to two weeks, but this one was so bad, I had to see a doctor. I was told to stop whatever it was that I was doing, but not before he asked me for an autograph. He said, "one day soon, you will be famous, and I'd like to have an autograph for my little girl. She was at the Competition with her mum that day. The lady who gave you a hug as you stepped off the stage."

I whispered a 'thanks' as he congratulated me on my amazing performance. After giving me a prescription, I was taken home and wrapped up in my blankets and anything and everything warm. I was freezing. Caitlyn stopped by after school with a concoction that was supposed to make me better as soon as possible. It only made me sleepier.

It was taking too long for me to get better. As the day of the play drew closer, it seemed like the cold was not getting the hint. Everyone was freaking out, so was i. I wasn't even allowed to talk. I was made to drink every type of green tea that could heal colds. Mrs. Smith even called my parents twice to find out how I was doing. The teas Caitlyn kept giving me were from her aunt. It was so unfortunate that we hadn't even thought of recording the performance.

"You have to get better. Tony is distraught, he won't stop bugging me," Caitlyn said two days before the play. The guy was the main actor, very talented fellow. He had instantly taken a liking to me. He had dropped by to say hello as soon as he heard I was forced to have bed-rest. He had wanted to bring me flowers but my mum told him I was allergic to them.

I am getting better, I wrote.

"You know, only two days and we have to win us some respect. We might even get into Hollywood through this. My mum will be there, working."

Your mum is awesome. Is she coming before then? I would love to meet her.

"She said she will be flying in tomorrow. Apparently, she will be here for a week before Hollywood calls. Hahaha!"

You make it sound like Hollywood isn't a big deal. Is it?

"Yes. Especially Hollywood Records."

Hollywood Records? That sounds familiar. Is it coz its in Hollywood?

Caitlyn laughed. "No dummy. Its because Disney owns it."

Oh. . . I am so sleepy. Is this tea bhang? Kama ni bhang, nitakushtaki. (if its bhang/weed i will tell on you)

"Ati bhang! We ni fala saa zingine. Its just to help you get better. My aunt has these herbs she grows that are medicinal. No bhang, I swear." (you are so silly sometimes)

Okay, but I like the one that smells like lemon. At least I know I am not getting high.

"We ni fala sana. That's lemon grass. I love it too. Hibiscus is my favourite though."

"Sarah, say bye to Caity. Its time to leave," I heard Rehema call up the stairs.

"I wish I was the one who had this cold."

Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it ALL. . . Muhahaha!

"Sometimes, I think that this cold has affected your thinking" Caitlyn said, pointing to her head.

I hope you get this cold and get high on green teas. That will be my happiest day ever! Go home Caity, you are not helping me. Much love, zzzzzzzzzzz.

Caitlyn took one look at what I had written and burst into laughter. I tried to laugh but I knew I wasn't supposed to.

"I miss your laugh, and I miss you in class. Get well soonest! Bye and sleep tight, you addict!"