Have you ever had a dream you wanted to pursue but there were some obstacles that stood in your way of making that dream come true?

My name is Millicent(Milly for short)I am a 16 year old girl.I attend a school at a high school that mostly is full of Maths,Science and Accounting geniuses but unfortunately I am not in the geniuses list.I don’t love subject like Maths and Accounting and I am very bad at them but I chose Maths and simply Science as my subjects,you will later find out why I chose them.

I live with my parents who are 57 years old but more like 75 years because everything they do is old fashioned.It’s like they are stuck in the ways of the 19th century.My parents control my life!Like they control how I eat,how I should wear,how I should act and what my future career should be.They are the ones who forced me to study Maths and Science because they want me to be like my dear sister who is a Surgeon and earns a lot of money.My sister Nomsa is a successful woman with a successful life and my parents keep comparing me with her.

According to my parents I should study to be a medical doctor but I have a dream of mine.I just want to be the next Terry Pheto,be an actress but it’s a forbidden career for me.

That’s the story of my life.

****

I am in class and quite nervous because Mrs Nkosi our Maths teacher is handing out our test papers.

She is stops at my table searching for my paper in the pile of papers she’s holding.

She hands me my paper”Millicent stay behind after the period “I nod.

I look at my paper and it’s written 20% in big.

Nozipho my friend pats my back and I turn.

She whispers”How much did you get?”

I show her my paper embarrassed to whisper back’20%’

“Oh lord.You got 20% again.You better pull up your socks chomi,I got 91%”She whispers.

“Well done”I whisper back.

Nozipho has always been a maths genius so it’s so like her to get 91%.

Nozipho has been my friend since at primary school.She never took her academics seriously and I was the intelligent kid, I tried my best to atleast score 60% in Maths but now it’s more harder for me.

The bell rings.Everyone packs their belongings and leave.I walk to Mrs Nkosi ‘s table.

“Ma’am you said I should stay behind”I say.

“Oh yes!Millicent it’s regarding your maths marks.You are dropping rapidly and it’s bothering me because you were doing very well when you started high school.Is there something wrong at home?”Mrs Nkosi asks.

“Mrs Nkosi there is nothing going on at home”I reply.

“I need to see your parents tomorrow at 09:30 and I am so sorry you will have to stop doing the extracurricular activities if you don’t pick up your marks”Mrs Nkosi says

I will improve my marks,my parents don’t need to know.

Tell us:Have you ever found yourself in a situation like Millicent’s situation?