He could see the irritation in her eyes, immediately he made this statement. She didn't hide the fact she couldn't stand his mere sight, and he knew that and why.

"Why did you stop?" It rolled out of his mouth, without him thinking, although that wasn't what he had In mind.

The look she gave him, she didn't need to respond, to give him an answer.

"Why did you call my name?" Geraldine blurts out immediately, not blinking.

Jason attempts to say something, being fully aware, that was going to cause an argument, he just smiles.

"Mr John asked to see us!" Jason says, he could see her eyes lit up, but couldn't tell what was going on in her mind, suddenly there Is a look on irritation on her face

"Oh, God! My Dad pays my school fees oh, not Mr John!" Geraldine says, sounding dramatic. It was obvious she was already tired of Mr John, because he was never ready to let her be. Every of his tasks were always assigned to her.

"Are we going or.,

"Must we go together?" Geraldine attacks immediately, avoiding making eye contacts with him, because he always had this intimidating look, and it always got her, most times, thinking more
less of herself. "Abeg, be going. I am coming." She says rudely, now walking away from him.

Jason let's out a small smile, not because of the way she spoke to him, but because of what he was about to say.

Stop shaking it abeg, before you break. As if I am looking at it." With that he turns around, he could swear, she had stopped, because he said it to her hearing.

But didn't bother to look back, he only retreats, the only thing he could think of was "Mr John"

That man is really a pest.

"Do you know, you are a stupid boy?" He doesn't bother looking back, but could picture her face, that brought a smile to his face, it was funny but he enjoyed pissing her.

_______________________ 🖊️


"You know, that looks irritating right?" Leo asks, immediately he joins Jayden, who seemed so busy
playing with his dinner. Although he was busy making a mess out of the food.

Jayden and Moi-Moi where never friends, besides he didn't know what compelled him to take it, fully aware he would just waste the food.

"Not my thing" Jayden says calmly, giving Leo a sharp glance, before looking elsewhere.

"I love it, especially when you add bread!" Leo says calmly.

"What about pap?" Jayden found himself asking. Making an irritating look on his face, Leo gives him a small smile

"Nah! I don't like pap!" Leo responds.
"Right from childhood, it's something I don't like," Leo complains.

Jayden whose gaze seemed to be focused on somewhere else, pays attention to what Leo was saying while he stabs the Moi-Moi. He
didn't find it weird because, he wasn't a fan of pap too, no matter how you made it seem, no matter what you added to it.

He didn't like honey too, most times his Mum, got frustrated whenever he acted picky, reprimanding him, that he wasn't a girl, but most behaviour's he exhibited was female-like. Why was he always picky when it came to food?

"Why did you transfer from your previous school? It's kind of rare because we are in Ss3!" Leo says.
Jayden who heard him correctly, doesn't respond at first, his eyes were directed on a particular person, after the incident of bumping into each other, and the manner in which she looked at him in the class, they hadn't really made an eye contact.

He found himself staring at her, till she was out of sight.

"That has always been my problem, stare from afar, but too scared to approach!" Leo says, making Jayden turn to him immediately, wondering what he meant. That was when it dawned on him, he had been watching him.

"You were staring openly"

"I left my previous school, due to some tragic reason's. Although it's my Mum's choice." Jayden suddenly says, meanwhile Leo gives him a weird look. More like he didn't understand his previous statement, he didn't want to twist the conversation. He was just looking at her, which wasn't a crime. So Leo's statement, was kind of twisting, because he couldn't tell if he was referring to him, or talking about himself.

"So you heard me?" Leo says taking a bite of his food.

"Wachijem! Ikwerre?" Jayden asks jumping into another topic, meanwhile Leo smiles.

"This conversation!" Leo chuckles.

"Yeah, Isiokpo," Leo responds.

"My Grandma is from there." Jayden suddenly says, quite interested in the topic. Meanwhile, Leo adjust properly on the chair.

"Nkarahia!"

"No, Adanta I think." Jayden who seemed confused responds, meanwhile Leo releases a small
smile, in response to the fact, Jayden didn't get the pronunciation right, but he could tell, he knew what he was saying.

_______________________ 🖊️

"I have forgiven you. But that was insulting." Eno says to Ukeme, who just hugs herself, staring back at
Eno.

There was no form of excitement in her eyes, you couldn't read her mood, by just looking at her, They where currently at the doorway, their position could hinder movements, it was causing a blockage to the entrance of the room.

Majority of the students weren't in the hostel yet. Because it was few minutes, past dinner time, a lot of
them could be on there way back to
the hostel

Ukeme and Ekanem had stabbed dinners, just to punish an Ss2 students.

According to Ukeme, The girl had insulted her, but the truth of the matter was, Eno had told her, she
had seen the junior girl, a lot of times with Ashley on different occasions and weird places.

Ukeme had stopped the girl, because of that, Ekanem had stabbed dinner too. Eno also.

Funny enough she had come talking to Ukeme, with the gist about the junior student, more like she had forgotten or choose to overlook the insulting slap, Ukeme had given her in front of there classmates.

Ukeme, after letting the junior student leave, not after wasting her dinner time, suddenly apologizes
about the slap, as usual, Eno responds with a sweet smile.

"I was just angry, besides telling me I was forcing myself on Ashley felt very insulting," Ukeme says, with a folded arms, meanwhile Ekanem who was just finding out the reason for there clash, keeps mute, listening to their conversation.

Which was very odd, because Ekanem was never a quiet person

"That wasn't what I meant, I was trying to specify on Gidi's statement. That girl sha." Eno says looking grim.

"What did she say?" Ekanem suddenly asks, interested in the topic, meanwhile Eno gives her a
look. She attempts to talk, but gets cut off by Ukeme's loud voice.

"Why don't you climb my head!" Ukeme yells, the fury in her eyes, isn't hidden. Pushing both girls roughly.

Meanwhile, both Junior girls moves back immediately.

"Be acting like a doll. Like you don't know what you are doing." Ukeme says looking grim. "Like, I just hate this girl," She declares looking straight into Cherish's eyes, not breaking an eye contract, and the
fact Cherish didn't blink made it easier.

"See this one, small hoe. Look at how innocent she looks, pastor's daughter" Ekanem backs Ukeme up, meanwhile Eno, watched without uttering a word.

As usual, she seemed to be gathering information, for future purposes, that was just how she was. Not like she would deliver it the way she heard, or how it was, she always added her twist.

"Sorry!" Cherish responds staring back at, meanwhile Zara keeps mute.

Her eyes pale, and glassy, more like she was stopping herself from crying.

The hoe is was called made a huge impact

Ukeme looks at both girl's, without uttering a word. The mere sight of Cherish irritated her, that was something she couldn't comprehend. As for Zara, seeing her always with Cherish, more like she transferred the dislike to her.

Since Ekanem told her about Zara and Nathan, more like the dislike had turned into hatred, one thing she hated was pretentious people. She hated it when small girl's did what was bigger than them.

Be yourself! Don't try to be what you aren't, or hide yourself. She hated pretentious people, to her, they had one look. And Cherish had that same look. She just couldn't stand the mere sight of her.

The joy she felt, when Daniella abortion was exposed was out of the world. She always acted like Miss goody two shoes.

_______________________ 🖊️

Immediately she gets rid of her clothes, she jumps on her bed, in her undies, it was something she
felt comfy in, she suddenly pauses immediately she sights someone.

As a result of it, she changes her position from lying to sitting down.

"Hey!" She calls out even before her.

"You left like that., Geraldine says,recalling how she left, immediately they rang the bell, and also wondering how she got by on her own. Especially when Mr John instructed her to help her out.

She doesn't miss the smile, which appears on Munachi's face, she was just across her bunk.

"I forgot I was with someone!" Munachi says and chuckles. "Sha, students here are nice." Munachi
smiles, making Geraldine smile in return.

She didn't know if it was because of her statement or because of her smile. But it had a positive effect
on her, because she found herself smiling.

"Hope, the environment is okay? I mean you can relate with it?" Geraldine says. "Have you been
here? I mean since afternoon," Geraldine suddenly asks, wondering how come she hadn't bumped into her.

To top it all Mr John had asked her to prepare for an orientation. Even though she thought it was too early for him to start making arrangements for that. And the fact she had to do it with Jason worsened everything.

Most times she wondered if their teachers intentionally paired them with people they didn't like. Because to her it wasn't a coincidence, why did she always get paired with people she wasn't in good terms with?

It's one thing to say, he isn't my friend and we can never be friends. She could remember that one time she and Ukeme got to do an all girl's orientation, the previous term. Been her assistant and all that.

Geraldine still wondered how they managed to pull through, because she and Ukeme in terms of agreement, where like fire and water.

Before now she thought Ukeme and her were rivals, but of recent it made more sense. Ukeme wasn't, Ekanem was. She and Ukeme just couldn't tolerate each other's guts.

"My body is itchy. I want to go and take a quick bath!" Munachi suddenly says cutting through her
thoughts.

"Let me come with you!" Geraldine blurts out, without thinking.

_______________________ 🖊️

Placing her bag on the desk's, she turns around casually, now leaning on the desk for support.

Members of the class are seen trolling in and out, they had just finished morning assembly.

Using her handkerchief to clean her face, Jewel tries hard to avoid touching her eyes, especially because of the mascara she applied. Also seizing the opportunity to look for Geraldine, they hadn't spoken since morning, she didn't meet her in the hostel, which was weird, also didn't see her during assembly.

She slowly moves away immediately she sights Leo, been fully aware he was going to use the route she was obstructing. There was something odd about him, which she picked up immediately.

Also the way he was chewing the gum, Leo wasn't the rough type, she was never a fan of his, but noticed this little things, he was always doing the right thing, putting on the right wears.

Most boys made it a habit of not putting on there blazer's and knotting their ties, most of them slim-fitted there trousers, till it turned into leggings

Claiming fine boy, swaggish and tush. Leo was part of the boys who still obeyed the school rules and mode of dressings, but surprisingly today, he was neither in his blazers nor putting on his tie, two of his button's where left undone, he was also chewing a gum.

Jewel gives him an awkward look twice, before looking elsewhere.

"Abeg, give me my blazer's!" She heard him say, this made her turn to his direction, only to see him
dragging his blazer's as well as tie, muttering what she didn't hear.

The next thing she heard was their laughters.

Leo gradually knots his tie carefully, before putting on his blazers.

Jewel almost gasps when he looks her way, that was when it occurred to her, she had been watching him,
all this while. She quietly turns to another direction, she doesn't utter a word, which she would have
done. Trying to keep a straight face, she takes her handkerchief carefully, trying to clean her face,
only to meet the gaze of someone.

Her heart nearly burst out of her chest, when he smiled at her. She pauses a while, seeing her now, you could tell she was in shocked.

Did Nathan just smile at her?

She couldn't help but ask herself.

it came more like a shock, they have been classmates since junior class, and he had only spoken to her once, but she has had an undying crush for him, which she realized while they were in SSs2.

Jewel blinks twice, before looking his way again, but doesn't meet his gaze, he was backing now. But the
sight she met, picked her attention.

Seeing Geraldine laugh so hard, alongside Munachi, although she couldn't tell what was going on, but knew Munachi must have said something, Jewel stares hard without breaking looking away, while
they advanced towards there seat direction, Jewel could swear Geraldine hadn't seen her yet.

Here she was looking for her, while she was busy with her company. Taking her eyes downcast, she
meets her shaky hands.

This tends to happen whenever she was tensed or feeling scared, her both hands starts trembling, in
reaction to this.

"I was looking for you!" It rolled out of her mouth, even without thinking, immediately Geraldine got closer, her eyes meets with Munachi, who looked very hyperactive.

She didn't care if anyone told her she had a problem, but if there was something she knew, it was the fact she and Munachi would never vibe. It was very obvious, very clear, it wasn't hidden.

"I had to take Munachi to matron's office," Geraldine says with a smile, meanwhile Jewel stares back at
her.

"Did you do your physics assignment? I am having issues with..., "

"Oh, God!" Geraldine exclaims." I forgot." She says looking grim.

Physic was what they were supposed to have for first period, they knew their physics teacher well enough. He never joked with his assignments. If you wanted to test his patients, dont do your assignment!

"Where is Nengi?" Geraldine suddenly asks, meanwhile Jewel keeps her normal face, the look on
her face whenever Nengi's name was called. Geraldine was used to this already.

"You can copy from mine. It's."

"Who asked you? Show off!" Jewel attacks
immediately, picking Munachi's attention. She watches Jewel who stares at Leo like he has grown two heads.

"Jeez, he was just trying to help." Munachi who couldn't help it says, meanwhile Jewel turns to him,
with a mock look on her face.

"We were never talking to him, he should mind his business, we weren't talking to you either. You are new here, I know that. But you should know, you don't interfere in my affairs, unless you are invited." Jewel doesn't hesitate, she doesn't even stop to take in fresh air.

The look on Munachi's face is priceless. Geraldine who seemed caught in the middle, decides to
speak up.

"Leo, I would appreciate. Thank you." Geraldine says referring to his note.

"Show offs!" Jewel says now reclaiming her seat, meanwhile Geraldine gives her a knowing look, but doesn't respond.

Jewel picks up her bag and place on her bag grudgingly, meanwhile Geraldine mutters some words of appreciation regarding the note.
She could also feel Munachi's heated gaze on her.

Finally letting out a small hiss, she starts fiddling both fingers, fully aware she was in for it.
Physics was her biggest dilemma, silently regretting why she rejected Leo's note. Realizing the hot soup she would be in, her mind suddenly drifts to her brother's.

_______________________ 🖊️

Walking into the class, Geraldine heads to the first lane, which wasn't anywhere close to her seat.
She had both hands folded across her chest.

Also, her cramps were killing her. It was her time in the month, and that was the worst feeling, it just
started immediately after physics class, before Mr John called for her attention. The way she was feeling wasn't pleasing at all. The only thing she needed was rest. But how could she explain this to Mr John?

Whose every work must be done by her, if not, he isn't satisfied.

Getting to his seat, she doesn't miss the fact, his head was down, Veronica as usual flashed a smile on her, meanwhile Ekanem and Eno, suddenly stopped talking immediately they saw her, giving her an inquisitive look, what was she supposed to expect. Xavier didn't seem like he noticed her at all, because he seemed engrossed with what he was doing with his contraband phone. She scanned everyone which just a few seconds.

"Hey, "She calls out to a smiling Veronica, that was what she found special about her. "Ever smiling"

"Jayden!" The manner in which the name rolled out of her mouth. More like she always knew his
name or wasn't the first time she was approaching him.

On getting no response, she turns quickly to Veronica whose eyes had been on her, before calling out to him again.

"Jayden!" She gets no response, but could hear some humming sounds, which meant he was awake and
hearing her. Without thinking she taps him twice, she gets no response, but could hear some humming sound.

Her stomach was killing her, she manages to take a deep breath, with the aim of trying to control the pains.

Looking up only to meet Jayden's gaze, she didn't know what engulfed her that moment, but the
only thing she felt that moment, was giving him a mighty slap, he didn't look like someone who was sleeping.

"Mr John-" She is caught short by his next action.

The next thing she he does shocks her, placing his head back on the desk. Geraldine lets her mouth
gasps open and close. The next thing which picks her attention, is Ekanem's brutal laughter. Which
gets the attention of most members of there class, who glanced there way , obviously with no idea of why she was laughing

Geraldine who had never felt this insulted coupled with her cramps, turns to Veronica who looked
confused, then to Eno, who she knew deep down was trying not to laugh, back to Jayden whose head
was on the desk.

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