Pride and Self-will

"Marlini Miles!" My very sweet mother shouted as she threw my room door wide open. Let me introduce to you the black sheep of the family... Marlini Miles. Yep! That's me and I've got to be honest with you, my mum is the type that doesn't tolerate tardiness, laziness or any thing of the like.

"Mother" I answered with a sleepy voice as I struggled to get out of bed.

"Marlini, I want you to assure me that I didn't just see you still laying in bed around 7:30am" she continued furiously. I didn't dare give her a reply.

"I should treat you like a baby right now but unfortunately you're eighteen!".

"Despite how hard I've tried to make you behave acceptably you just seem to deviate from all the teachings and moral etiquettes I've tried to instill in you" she continued scolding me until I became bored and tuned out.

"Marlini Miles! What are you still standing there doing? Get ready this instant because I won't have you going late to school on your first day! I need you downstairs in 5 minutes and don't you dare come a second later" I gulped before giving her a stiff nod knowing that my mother meant every single statement she made.

I rushed into the shower and got dressed quickly like never before, under 4 minutes I was out. I threw my most important documents into my bag and hurried downstairs.

* * * * *

"Looks like someone forgot to comb her hair before coming downstairs" my mischievous brother pointed out, he was sitting on one of the dining chairs with a familiar lopsided grin on his face. I present to you Jack miles the first child and only son of the Miles family, Jack is a very handsome dude. I couldn't come up with a perfect come back for his mockery so I just waved him off and rolled my eyes instead.

"By now, you're supposed to be accustomed to her tardiness Jack" my perfect sister said as she elbowed Jack in his side.

"Sit down here..." she gestured to me as she pulled back one of the dining chairs "...and let me see what I can make out of this pile of mess on your head" she completed. I sighed heavily as I sank into the chair she offered me.

Within 2 minutes, my ever loving sister, Amelia was able to come up with a presentable hairdo and for once I was jealous of her smooth skills.

Amelia is the type of girl that every parent wishes their daughter to be like and my mother had great pride and implicit trust in her. Well, I didn't have a single issue with that, at least not until my mum started using her as a yardstick to measure me with.

I strolled into the sitting room to get some fresh air that wasn't contaminated with perfection and etiquettes only to come face to face with the creator of perfection herself... Her Royal Majesty Ella Miles, my mother.

She was having a conversation with my dad and she looked really engrossed in it. She beamed, showing off a perfect set of white teeth. Did I forget to mention that we all took our good looks from my mum? Her thick black hair, brown eyes and other beautiful facial features. Don't get me wrong, my Dad is good looking too but I guess we didn't just want to look like him.

"Good morning, Dad" I smiled as I greeted him. He looked at me returning my smile with a much cheerful one. Oh! Fresh air at last, my heart was bubbling with joy knowing that one person wasn't too perfect in this family and that person was pleased with me.

"Good morning my sweet angel" his smile was now reaching his eyes.

"Thank goodness she's ready, we have limited time on our hands. Everyone come say bye to Marlini" mum commanded and they all gathered around.

"I can't believe my baby has grown and she's about to go off to university" Dad said sadly.

"I want you to promise me that you'll be a good girl, I know you really don't like the teachings your mum is giving you but you'll eventually use it when the time comes because you're my brave little girl and you'll make us proud" I never realized how much I was going to miss them until this moment.

A drop of tear escaped my eye and my Dad engulfed me into a very big soothing hug, it lasted for some seconds then I let go of him moving on to the next person.

"Try not to look too captivating, I wouldn't want those dudes drooling over my little sister, okay?" Jack warned me jokingly, giving me his customary side grin before pulling me into a humongous hug, I hugged him tightly not wanting to let go. I was going to miss him most because he was my favorite sibling.

"Well, that wouldn't be a problem for Marly I guess" Amelia said with a perfect smile on her face. Marly was my nickname. "I'm going to miss you big baby" she said patting my hair gently and hugging me.

Believe me, it feels good to have an older sister but I wish she wasn't so perfect around me. Nonetheless I was still going to miss her.

"Alright, that's enough". My father announced.

"Group hug everybody" mother suggested. Before I could protest, they had already placed me in the middle and were squeezing the living day light out of yours truly.

* * * * *

It was about an hour and a few minutes drive from my house to the University, thanks to my parents who didn't want me to go far away from home.

According to my mum, I had not proven myself responsible.

"I hope you didn't forget any important thing" my mum asked.

"Of course not" I gave her a reassuring look and she relaxed.

"You do know that you have to behave yourself now that you'll be all alone right?" I gave a tiny nod.

"who knows... This could be your only chance to prove that you are mature, so don't mess this up" she snapped. Does everything she says always have to revolve around moral cultivation?

She kept on repeating things I've heard a million times so I zoned out.

I was going to miss my friend, Veera. It's so unfortunate we didn't get into the same University. Veera was my only true friend based on the fact that she was always there for me especially when I almost had a heart attack from my recent break up with Richard.

I loved Richard with all my heart and I was certain it wasn't just for his good looks. He was a popular guy in highschool and you know what that means... All the girls be throwing themselves at him.

He knew it was my first time in a relationship and I was clueless about it, even when I tried to make him understand that I didn't want a relationship, he made all kinds of promises, crossed his heart and swore never to leave my side. Well, so much for promises.

I guessed my dear Richard wasn't contented with the pretty girl he had by his side because I honestly don't know what he saw in Hailey that made him dump me for her. I knew pretty well that I was very beautiful but maybe I was just too innocent for him and he was looking for a wild girl like Hailey Martins.

Now I just keep my feelings to myself and mask my emotions. I've locked my heart and I think I've thrown the key into a bottomless sea.

I promised myself not to let down my wall again. A smile crossed my face as I mentally praised myself.

"Marlini are you listening?" Mother asked bringing me back to reality.

"Yes mother" I completely had no idea what she was talking about.

"We are finally here" she stated. We drove in through the University's huge gate and my mouth fell agape as I took in the opulent edifice standing gallantly at the middle of the school with other buildings surrounding it. The flowers around were beautifully trimmed and I found it difficult to tear my eyes away from the heavily decorated surrounding.

"I'm here at last" I whispered softly, trying my best to keep calm so I don't irritate my mum.

"You heard all I told you Marlini, remember where you come from, a very reputable home so don't repay us with a bad behavior" she said once more.

"I'll remember all mum" I said just to satisfy her.

"Good! Also feel free to call us when you need help, you'll always be our little girl even though you're all grown up now" she said with a small smile and kissed my forehead. "Make me proud Marly".

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Author's note

I know this chapter is too wordy and verbose but remember it's the introduction and it's necessary so you can know the characters well.

So tell me what you think. Will Marlini be able to keep her promise or will she fall in love with another guy? Remember she's very wilful and her heart's now hardened.

Please kindly let me know your opinions.

I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you. ;-)

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