Chapter 1island Girls Don't Cry in Public
Amara
People believed that once you moved to Lekki, you had made it in life.
Amara knew better.
She lived in Apartment 7B, a tiny one-room apartment she shared with four other girls. Every morning was a race to the bathroom, a fight over the mirror, and an argument about who forgot to buy bread.
"Who used my lip gloss?" Amara asked as she searched through her bag.
"Check your handbag first," Ivie replied without looking up from the book she was reading.
Amara rolled her eyes but checked anyway.
It was there.
"You always know everything," she muttered.
"I just pay attention," Ivie smiled.
The girls laughed and continued getting ready.
By the time Amara slipped into her fitted cream dress, borrowed heels and borrowed perfume, she looked like every other rich Island girl. Nobody would believe she had less than twenty thousand naira in her account.
Outside, Lekki was beautiful. Luxury cars drove past. Cafés were filled with people taking pictures. Everyone looked successful.
Amara adjusted her sunglasses and smiled.
Looking successful was part of surviving here.
She spent the afternoon at a luxury brand event, taking pictures, making videos and laughing with strangers.
"You always look so happy," a lady told her.
"I am," Amara replied with a smile that even she almost believed.
On her way home, her phone buzzed.
It was another message from her landlord.
"Amara, please stop avoiding me. I need to see you tomorrow."
Her smile disappeared.
She slipped the phone into her handbag and continued walking.
That night, she quietly entered Apartment 7B. Her roommates were already asleep. She removed her wig, wiped away her makeup and stood before the cracked mirror.
The confident influencer had disappeared.
Looking at her reflection, she finally allowed herself to cry.
Because on the Island, girls never cried in public.
They waited until the cameras were gone and the makeup had been washed away.
