Babiessss☺
Welcome to a new dose of...new dose😋.
So, this chapter is going to be in third person point of view because it's about more characters interacting together.
Try not to miss any clue in every word, it might help decoding faster, I think🌚.
Without further ado,
En-joy😌

•THIRD PERSON POV•

Salome can't feel myself.

She knows she's standing right in front of her teacher but she just can not feel myself. Mr Alex is staring at her, emotionlessly as usual because of the lame words she uttered.

'Teach me, please.'

"Excuse me." A voice jolts her to step aside while she enters the staffroom with books in her hands.

She can't be more embarrassed.

The lady she recognises as her English teacher eyes her then turn to Mr Alex who just exhale sharply.

"Go to class." He finally says and retire to his corner in the room.

Flustered, she sprints away, inwardly scolding herself for saying something like that. Something that...stupid.

The English teacher sighs, shaking her head as she position the books on the side of her table, then walk over to Mr Alex whose concentration is already on the laptop in front of him. She adjusts her sky blue top to fit into her pencil white knee length skirt.

"Alex, how do you manage with all these...immature students pushing themselves at you?" She asks, her hips pushed on one side with the way she's standing.

Mr Alex raise his head and she smiles, tilting her head for a response.

He shrugs, typing. "I just push them back before they get close."

The teacher nods, flipping her glamorous wavy human hair over her shoulders. "That's good, I like that."

Alex smiles a little, hoping she would go back to what she should do. "Thanks, Miss..."

She frowns, wondering why he didn't complete her name. Then she realise he probably forgot since they don't usually talk.

"Divine." She completes.

"Yeah...sorry." Alex apologize, knowing she is a bit disappointed that he didn't remember her name.

The bell rings loudly, alerting that it's time for first period. Alex close his laptop and gather some books for his first lecture.

"Having a class?" Eve asks and he just nods, shoving his phone in his pocket. "Okay...what class?"

Alex pause to look at her, then exhale calmly. "Grade 12 sapphire."

She rolls her eyes, stepping aside with her arms folded beneath her chest. "That class gives me headache, I pray they all graduate with good grades."

Alex giggles as he stands and push the chair forward before carrying the textbooks. He shoves his empty hand in his pocket. "They will, when they have a good teacher like you." He ends and walk out of the staffroom, greeting some teachers on his out.

Miss Divine's face automatically stretch in a wide smile as she moves back to her desk at the other end. To someone who has been admiring the presence of her fellow teacher, that simple statement alone can take her to her dreamland.

She settles in her chair and pop her chin on her knuckles, trying to stop herself from smiling too much. She has always find it hard to talk to him, scared that she would be neglected because of how attractive he is. Alex's eyes alone is enough to have any girl lost in it and, him answering her with all smiles in one big turn on for her. Alex is not only good looking, he's perfect with words too. She wouldn't mind getting close.

♥

Mr Alex walks into grade 12 sapphire and all the students abruptly stop their side talks to his presence. Those who aren't in the class quickly sprint out to theirs and the class is dead silent in less than a minute.

"Good morning class." He greets, placing the books on the podium.

"Good morning sir." The class chorus, adjusting in their seats for a long forty five minutes class.

Mr Alex glance at the whiteboard, his brows furrowing at the last subject still scribbled on it, something he hates. He sighs and point to the board.

"Clean that off."

With immediate effect, one boy from the back seat quickly grab a duster and wipe off the math calculations from yesterday.

Mr Alex flip through the textbook in front of him then clear this throat as he hold it in his hand.

"We are going into a new poem today." He enunciates and the class also flip through the gigantic literature textbook on their desks. "But before that, can anyone throw a quick recap on the last one we treated?" He asks, glancing around the class.

Few hands are up and he points to a girl at the back of Salome who is trying to calm her racing heart, she knows he's going to ask her soon. Plus, the words she said even added fuel to it, he won't take it lightly at all.

"Timi, go on."

The girl timidly stands and the attention of her classmates turn to her, expect Salome of course, she's thinking of how to cope till the end of the class. That's if time decides to speed up today.

"The poem written by Leopold Senghor, black woman; gives prominence to the glorification and admiration of the beauty of the black woman. Hence, the whole of the poem is devoted to the beauty of the black woman. The ability of a black woman to give birth and sustain the life of the infant child is applauded." Timi ends and press her lips, feeling like she had said too much.

"Good, very good." Her teacher nods, smiling and she blushes as she seat. He is pleased with the fact that his effort didn't go to waste. Enjoying this a bit too much, he fold his arms, his bulging biceps showcasing themselves then rest his rear on the front desk. "What's the mood and tone of the poem?"

Most hands are up this time with excitement on their faces. Mr Alex scans through then point to a guy at the extreme.

"The mood of the poem is that of adulation," The boy starts, gesticulating with his hands and the class giggles at this act. "The poet admires the tremendous beauty of a black woman, I think Senghor really has a good eye there because he isn't lying though..." He trail off to the outburst of laughter from the class and even a smirk form on Mr Alex's face but he quickly straighten up and gesture for him to continue. "And, the tone of the poem is that of appreciation of the natural beauty of the black woman, thank you." He ends with a small bow and the class jam their hands without been told. The class is interacting, but maybe not to everyone.

Mr Alex raise his hand to stop the hailing and laughter and the pupil obey, smiling and hoping he would continue his questioning.

"That's very good, I'm proud." Mr Alex says as he goes to retrieve his textbook.

Salome's heart is jumping with joy as she feel hundred percent invisible today. Normally, Mr Alex would warm up the class by asking her questions but he didn't even look at her since he entered. Smiling too much, she stares down at her desk to avoid people noticing how happy she is.

"Your beauty strikes me in the heart like the flash of an eagle, what's the literary device used in line five?" Mr Alex asks out of the blue.

Salome raise her head, eager to see the person who is to answer the question, her legs wiggling beneath her seat.

"Salome, what's the literary device used in line five?"

Her eyes almost pop out of it's dwelling place. She's caught off guard, funny part is she didn't even remember the question.

The entire class face her, waiting for an answer. Their eyes on her makes her fidget, she wasn't expecting her name to be called at all.

"Sir?"

The teacher sighs and turn to the board to jot down the topic of today before facing the class again.

"You weren't listening, why?" He asks calmly, trying to keep his voice as low as possible.

"I-I was, I just didn't-"

"You didn't hear?" Mr Alex snaps, his voice higher this time. As much as he wish to neglect the way Salome always zone off completely annoys him, making it seem like he can't teach. "You know what, see me after this class."

Salome nods, muttering a 'Yes sir.' She has embarrassed herself enough today, it just got worse to the extent that she's been requested to see her most hatred teacher.

Mr Alex starts on a new topic and is pleased with number of response from his students. After a long forty five class, they are given take home assignment about it.

"To be submitted tomorrow, before 7:40." Mr Alex says as he arrange the books. "Two minutes passed would be tagged as late submission."

Most people grumble about the time to submit while some just listen. They know how strict Mr Alex is when it comes to assignments so they do exactly what he says not to get on his bad side.

"Yes sir." They chorus again, stuffing their books under their desks.

Salome watch as he take his textbooks and walk out of the class then sigh tiredly. Nobody is perfect but Mr Alex is. At least, that's what she thinks.

"Salome." A tall figure appears above her and she look up to see smiling Kenny, his cool scent invading her nostrils. His hands are deep in his pocket and his face is filled with excitement. "You good?"

She sighs, relaxing in her seat as other students started their side talks. More like noisemaking.

"Yeah...I am." She smiles, staring at the jottings she made from literature class. She's feeling a bit tense about seeing Mr Alex but choose not to show it.

Kenny raise a brow and Salome giggles at his facial expressions. He is actually trying to make her feel better about what their teacher said and she can tell.

She gathers her books and shove them in her bag. "I should probably go and see Mr Alex now."

Kenny hums and nod, giving way for some people to pass. "I can...help you, if you want." He says and Salome stare at him again, a genuine smile on her lips. It's so nice to hear that someone is willing to help her in a polite way.

She wear her bag around her seat and get up, tall Kenny hovering above her. "Thanks Kenny." She tiptop and tap his cheeks and he giggles.

"Anytime..." He press his lips together, moving backwards for Salome to go out.

"I'll be back." She says as she walk out of class, her chest trembling inside. Maybe it's the yelling that she's about to hear or the lecture about spacing out in class. Neither is not preferable.

Salome pass by Zara's class and peep through the window, noticing that they have a class going on. They always have a class, talking about science students.

The staffroom appears in view and she inhale deeply before walking in. Few teachers are walking in and out for classes while she slowly walk to the desk in the corner.

"What did you do this time?" She look over her shoulders to the voice, her math teacher who never seem to mind her business.

Salome open her mouth and close it back, not knowing what to say. Not like she's going to believe her anyway, she'll only add to it.

"Mr Alex told me to see him." She simply say and the chubby woman nods then whirl back to what she's doing.

Salome sighs softly, chewing the inside of her mouth as she walk further into the room.

"I'm here...sir." She says timidly, her eyes down and her hands fidgeting.

Mr Alex glance up from the textbook in front of him, his eyes sparkling with the medicated glasses perched on his nose. He looks even more manly and high classed.

"Good." He points to the chair opposite him. "Seat there."

Salome gently rest her rear on the foamy couch, looking around the staffroom but not at the young man in front of her. Mr Alex will flip through a textbook then glance at the screen to type something. Unlike other teacher's desk, his own is more coordinated and well arranged. Some books are neatly placed in the shelf beside his chair and the air conditioner is lucky facing his direction, making Salome a tad cold despite wearing her blazer jacket.

He doesn't look like he's going to yell at her. From his facial looks, he is more relaxed in what he's doing that she hopes this moment will last long but unfortunately, her teacher push the book aside and close the laptop, finally having her full attention.

The loose thread in Salome's pleated skirt is suddenly exciting as she starts fiddling with it, an excuse not to look up at Mr Alex's gaze.

He takes a deep breath and she feel her chest sink, not ready to hear what he has to say. He is far too perfect and she'd have to think twice before answering anything.

"Look at me." Her instructor says calmly, trying to see her face. He still has his glasses on, his hands folded and his back rested on the chair.

Salome remains mutt, gently taking her eyes to his desk and his desk alone. She don't have the confidence to look at this man's face.

"I won't bite you, Salome." He says and she nods, taking her head up to his face then look away again. It's that hard.

Despite the fact that he's strict, he always manage to keep up with the act and to someone like Salome, it will only make it more difficult to open up and speak. It's also not that she can't answer his rude remarks, but not to his face, probably in her bedroom.

Mr Alex leans closer, placing his hands on the white desk and Salome notice how he patiently taps his first finger on the desk repeatedly.

"Do I scare you?" He asks with squinted eyes, observing even the slightest emotion on her face.

Salome bite her lips, shaking her head, still not looking at him.

"Okay..." He sighs then takes off his glasses and put it on the desk. Salome glance at his somewhat tired eyes, he looked different with it on, maybe why it's more difficult to look at him. "Why do you want me to tutor you on literature?"

Salome knew this question would come. Of course he knows the answer, why is he still asking?

She adjust in her seat, hoping her reason will be reasonable enough.

"Because...I-I am not...good in it." She stutter.

"And why do you think when I tutor you, you'll get interested and not space out?"

Okay, he just had to mention that.

Salome take her eyes to him and open her mouth to talk but close it back. What does she have to say? That been tutored privately will decrease the rate of her spacing out, or that she'll work and read harder?

"Because you're a good teacher." Salome says without thinking.

She will definitely punish herself for saying that later.

Mr Alex shrugs. "Well...I'm always been a good teacher."

Salome bite her lips, she started it after all. Now he wouldn't mind his head swelling.

"Like I said, I don't think..." He trails off as he pick up his dinging cellphone.

Salome rubs her forehead, taking deep breaths. The staffroom is terribly cold but she can feel sweat dripping on her face and hands.

"Yes. Okay. I know...Bye." Mr Alex says to the other person then drop his cellphone back on his desk. Even his call is answered too professionally.

"Like I said." He repeats, staring at her. "I don't think I'll be able to tutor you."

She can feel her heart stings at his clear rejection. Apart from been paid for been tutored by him, a part of her also wish to do better in his subject no matter how hardhearted she acts about it. This feels more like a rejection.

Salome swallows, nodding slowly. She wants to talk, beg, ask why but no word seems to spill out. A thin line of jealousy also slides in as to why he is happily tutoring other students but blankly telling her 'no'.

"Okay...sir." She mutter, squeezing her hands to suppress the mixed feelings threading in.

"Or you can ask your..."

Salome shake her head before he complete his words. She is hurt enough. She gestures to stand and Mr Alex nods in acceptance that it's okay to leave.

She pulls down her skirt as it is a bit too high to her belly as she walks out of the staffroom. She is bitter, not because he yelled at her and, she deeply wish he just shouted like he use to, the feeling is a lot better than this.

♥

The lunch area is filled with noisy and high spirited individuals as usual. A wide cafeteria with round tables, married with four seats.

Salome and Zara is seated in their area at the far end where Zara can take pictures of people eating in funny ways, or basically anything funny.

"Zara." She calls her best friend who's strolling through her gallery. She's so busy that she haven't even touched her food.

Salome pokes her continually and she forcefully raise her head.

"Yep, what's up?"

Salome sigh, glancing around the students then to Zara. "Do you think I'm ugly?" She asks and Zara's brows furrow immediately. What brought up that?

Zara shakes her head, giggling and her best friend frowns. "I...I don't get, who said you're ugly?" She asks, staring at her.

Salome shake her head, taking her spoon to eat the well garnished jollof rice and fried plantain in front of her. "Nevermind."

Zara takes the spoon and drop it back in the plate. She better start talking.

"Woah...your started talking already so...continue."

Salome runs her hands on her face, thinking if telling her would change anything.

"I just...I don't know..."

Zara tilt her head to see her face, curiosity eating her up. She hums for Salome to continue talking.

She raise her head and Zara smiles, gesturing that it's okay to talk.

"I think Mr Alex doesn't want to tutor me because I'm ugly." She says, gazing at the food.

Zara scratch the bridge of her nose, digesting what Salome just said, which is all confusing.

Salome knows she won't understand with the little she said so she spill it out in full. From the meeting with their principal to her talks with her aunty.

"So...you think Mr Alex told you no because he thinks you're ugly?" Zara finally asks and her best friend nods, twirling the spoon around. The fact that she's down by those simple words annoys her.

"And he told me no, like...no." Salome repeats, stabbing her food. "That's what means, nothing else."

Zara watch how the innocent plantains now looks shapeless. At this point, she don't think Salome will believe anything she says but what baffles her is how Mr Alex words now touches her. She never really cared about him and his words, like she usually says.

"First of all, you're not ugly." Zara says in a low voice, watching how Salome's face gently soften. "And Mr Alex should have his reason for saying no too."

"Yeah...because he hates me." Salome chips in.

"Uh...I didn't say that, I'm just saying... Okay, did you ask him why?"

She twist her mouth sideways, then shake her head.

Zara sighs in full understanding. "Why didn't you ask?"

"He said he's occupied, I already heard it this morning." Salome mumbles, recalling when their principal told her before Mr Alex told her himself.

Zara's mouth form an 'o', Salome is probably getting it all wrong.

She pushes her food forward, leaning on the table and gesturing with her hands. "That's it. Mr Alex is occupied because you asked late, that doesn't mean he hates you or, you're ugly. Like you said."

Salome shrugs, a faint smile on her lips. "Well...I know I don't like him but it's not as much as he hates me."

Zara visibly slaps her palms on her face. She is definitely not the one that taught her best friend to be this hardhearted and stubborn and not willing to listen.

Zara squint her eyes, rubbing the corner of her eyes. "This is weird though, why do you even care?"

Salome shoot her a look of disgust. "I don't!" She somewhat yells and half of the pupil around turn to their direction. She spots Kenny walking towards them and pull out a tight smile, feeling ashamed.

"Okay...okay." Zara picks up her spoon and dig into her food.

Kenny stroll over to them and they all ate together. For the main time, easing Salome from thinking too much but instead, gist about everything around them.

♥

"Dad..." Salome calls lazily as she moves toward her Dad's room. He's finally home after four days and she hasn't seen him since he got back. Aunt Jenny travelled today for her business like always so she's stuck with her Dad for now.

Salome unbuttons the tight button of her skirt as she drags her foot up the stairs to his room. She just got back from school and seeing her Dad is the first thing, before taking a shower then eating.

"Dad..." She calls again, knocking on his bedroom door and he beckons for her to come in.

Neglecting the travelling bags, files and folders scattered around, she goes straight to hug him. He is seated on the edge of his gigantic bad and she sniffs his scent in, wrapping her hands around his big body.

"I missed you." She muffles into his neck.

Her Dad chuckles, his body rising and falling in calm breaths. "I missed you too, baby."

Salome gently withdraw from him, now noticing how disorganized his room. "Were you looking for something?" She asks, looking around.

He smiles, getting up. "No, I was just...arranging."

She nods and fold her arms.

"How's school?"

The event from today rings in her hand all over again, earning a tired sigh from her. She wish she didn't even ask anything about tutoring at first, It just made her know how unworthy she is to the best teacher in school.

"School is fine." Salome says, smiling. "A bit stressing but fine."

Her Dad walk up to her and cup her face, smiling heartily. "That's my girl...And yes, I got you something."

Salome's face lit up at his last words. Her Dad always get gifts for her when he travels, no matter how little. The best Dad she knows.

"What is it? What is it?"

He takes out a small wine box from his drawer and hands it to her. Salome glance at the box then back to him, she doesn't know what's inside but she already likes it.

"Thanks Dad." She whispers, staring at the box. At least her day still got better, even after been rejected.

She carefully opens the box, a genuine smile on her lips as the shape comes in view. It's a necklace. A silver necklace with a star shaped pendant. It's beautiful.

"Oh my god...this is so nice..." Salome takes it out, inspecting every inch of it before taking it to her neck. "I love love it, thank you so much Daddy." She hugs him again, her smile intact.

He pats her head softly, his heart swelling in pure happiness.

Salome race to her room after greeting and been thankful to her Dad. If anything, she's grateful for the kind of parent she has and won't trade him for anything.

She strap off her school uniform and hops into the bathroom to take a shower. After that, she settle in a yellow baggy top and shorts then stand in front of her mirror to see how her new gift would look on her.

With smiles on her face, she put the necklace on, admiring every ounce of it. It even has sparks of ice around the edges of the star and she feels more than thankful.

Satisfied with the view of it, she gently take it off and place into the wine box, then put in her drawer. She gesture back to her mirror, loosing her hair due to how rough it is. The image staring back at her makes her feel a tad down, wondering what's wrong with her face and why her teacher would say 'no.'

But then she shake her head, pushing the negativities and inequalities at the back of her mind as she let her wavy black natural hair breath.

When she's done, she pack it in a bun, promising to make at least two cornrows before going to school tomorrow. Stretching tiredly, she gets up from the foamy stool, taking one more look at her face and hair, just for her eyes to trail down her legs. There are getting even bigger, couple with her thighs and the stretch marks are more noticeable. Unlike her upper body that's small and model like, her lower body screams the opposite, she's not even twenty yet.

She force out a smile as she pick up her phone to reply some messages then walk out of the room to eat something. Something that won't make her add to her lower body, hopefully...

~Pls vote, vote, vote!!!
It encourages me to write more, honestly☺
Do you think I should add Kenny's picture?😌 cuz that dude is so sweet, for real...☺