Dinner at your place 1

Kamsi's voice quivered, barely above a whisper as she pleaded, "Can't I just stay home, mom? Please?" Her words hung in the air, desperate and hopeful. But Mrs. Chibuike's response was swift and resolute, her "yes" reverberating through the room like a judge's final verdict. Kamsi's wide eyes darted frantically around the room, seeking refuge, but her friend was nowhere to be seen. She was alone in this battle.

Mrs. Chibuike's jaw tightened, her determination a tangible force. For days, Kamsi had deftly dodged their neighbor's persistent invitations, but now, her mother stood as an unyielding wall, compelling her to face her fears. The atmosphere crackled with tension, an electric charge of unspoken emotions filling the space between them. Mrs. Chibuike's eyes blazed with a potent mix of frustration and concern as she fixed Kamsi with a steely glare. "You're going, young lady," she intoned, her voice a low, steady command.

Kamsi's heart pounded in her chest as she hesitated, her gaze flickering around the room in a futile search for an escape. "I'd really rather not go, mom," she implored, her voice trembling with desperation. "I have so much to do—notes to update, assignments to finish, and my room is still a mess!" She enumerated her excuses, ticking them off on her fingers, her eyes wide and pleading.

As Kamsi spoke, Mrs. Chibuike's stern expression softened just a fraction, a fleeting glimmer of understanding in her eyes. But her resolve remained ironclad, her jaw set in determination. The silent battle of wills between mother and daughter raged on, an invisible tug-of-war. Kamsi's mind raced, knowing she had to come up with something convincing, or she would be hauled off to the dreaded dinner party, her reluctance dragging behind her like a shadow

"Kamsi, staying home is not an option," Mrs. Chibuike said firmly. "You need a break. Go get dressed, and no excuses." Her mom's tone was stern, not allowing Kamsi to speak further.

Kamsi grumbled under her breath as she trudged up to her room and dialed Zendaya's number. "Hey, girl!" Zendaya answered in her usual energetic manner.

"I've got a problem... a real one," Kamsi started, pacing her room.

"What's wrong? What's going on?" Zendaya asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"It's my mom, Mrs. Chibuike. Our neighbor, Mrs. Xanel's mom, invited us over for dinner, and she's hell-bent on me going," Kamsi complained, flopping onto her bed.

"And you know how that's gonna go?" Zendaya's voice was heavy with concern.

"This is bad, really bad," Kamsi said, exasperated. "I don't know what to do."

"How about you fake an illness?" Zendaya suggested, and Kamsi's face immediately lit up with a mischievous grin.

"Great idea, girl!" Kamsi exclaimed, her spirits lifting. "I love you, I love you!"

"Thanks, Zendaya. You're the best," Kamsi said cheerfully.

"I know, I know," Zendaya laughed. "Go, girl. Bye, Kamsi."

"Okay, I've gotta go. Bye," Kamsi said before hanging up.

Quickly, she folded her arms and wrapped herself in a blanket, beginning to cough loudly so her mom could hear. Her eyes darted to the door, nerves on edge.

"I'm a goner if this doesn't work," Kamsi prayed, hoping her fake illness would convince her mom to let her stay home.

"ACHOO... whatever," Kamsi muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible as she lay wrapped in her blanket, still pretending to be ill.

"Not ready yet?" Mrs. Chibuike asked, poking her head into Kamsi's room. Kamsi responded with a series of loud, exaggerated coughs, trying to sell her feigned illness.

Her mom's expression softened, concern etching lines across her face. "What's wrong, dear?" she asked, stepping closer.

"I don't know... I just feel a fever coming on," Kamsi said in a weak, low tone, trying to sound as pitiful as possible.

Mrs. Chibuike placed a hand on Kamsi's neck and forehead, checking for a temperature. "But you seem fine, and you were perfectly healthy just a while ago!" Kamsi's coughing intensified, desperate to maintain her ruse.

"Maybe I just need a bit of rest," Kamsi suggested quickly, hoping to deflect any further suspicion.

"Or maybe I should get you some medicine," her mom replied, turning to leave the room.

"No, no, it's okay, mom. I'll be fine," Kamsi said hurriedly, trying to stop her. "If going to Xavier's is going to be the cause of my death, then so be it," she thought, still pretending to be ill.

Mrs. Chibuike paused, narrowing her eyes. "Honey, are you faking it?"

Kamsi's heart skipped a beat. "Hmm... no," she tried to affirm, but her hesitation betrayed her.

"Alright then, get dressed and be downstairs in fifteen minutes," her mom demanded before leaving the room.

Kamsi growled in frustration, grabbing her phone to text Zendaya. "I'm screwed," she typed and sent, her fingers jabbing at the screen.

With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly got up and changed into an outfit for dinner at the Alastas. Dragging her feet, she descended the stairs, each step echoing her reluctance. "Mom, I'm ready," Kamsi called out, attempting to inject some enthusiasm into her voice but failing miserably.

Mrs. Chibuike turned to her daughter, a smile of pride spreading across her face. "Darling, you look beautiful." But then her eyes narrowed slightly, "What's with the makeup and scarf?"

Kamsi rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. "Just trying to cover up my 'illness'," she said sarcastically, the air thick with her defiance.