(Naima is in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of a bathtub looking at her watery eyes in the mirror.)

Naima: I wish none of this happened. Look now, I’m feeling all ashamed and trying to make the best out of myself. I wish I was never born. (Tears roll along her face.)

Mama: Naima, breakfast is ready Nana.

Naima: I’m coming Mama. (She wipes the tears off her face.)

(Later, Naima and her mom are sitting at the dining table enjoying breakfast. Mama notices that Naima isn’t happy like she usually is.)

Mama: Nana, is everything okay?

Naima: I’m good Mama. (Naima avoids eye contact with her mother.)

Mama: You know you can talk to me about anything, right?

Naima: I know Ma, you always preach that to me every single day.

Mama: Then tell me what’s wrong.

Naima: Mama, I told you, nothing is wrong with me. Can’t you get that? I’m okay.

(Naima takes her schoolbag and leaves Mama at the table.)

*****

(It’s lunchtime at Naima’s school. She is sitting under a big tree with her lunch box on her lap.)

Cynthia: I never thought you’ll be this bitter because of those nasty comments on your book. Come on Naima.

Naima: You don’t understand, Cynthia. Other learners are giving me nasty looks, they are making jokes and everything. (Tears start to roll down from her eyes.)

Cynthia: You were just trying your best chommie.

Naima: At first they commented on my title ‘No joke, no laugh no life’ what was I thinking? Then they commented on the whole story.

Cynthia: I think you’re being too hard on yourself.

Naima: Chommie, you don’t get this. People see me as an idiot who was trying to get famous by writing a stupid book, and ended up with a boring poem.

Cynthia: Your poem was not that bad chommie.

Naima: Not that bad? But it was bad. How can a real poet entitle her poem ‘Unconvincing, unconvinced’. Actually, what’s that?

Cynthia: I think you should wipe those tears – Ludachris is coming our way.

Naima: I don’t care chommie. Just tell him to go away, I’m not in the mood to talk to him.

Cynthia: I can’t do that darling because he’s right behind you now.

Ludachris: What’s up ladies?

Cynthia: Hey Chris, how are you?

Ludachris: I’m super cool. What’s wrong Naima?

Naima: Do you see anything wrong? (Looking away)

Cynthia: I think I should just leave you guys.

Ludachris leaves them just as the bell rings. Naima gets up and closes her lunch box and takes her school bag and they go their separate ways to class.)

***

Tell us: Have you ever written something that’s embarrassed you and now you laugh about it?