"Settle down, everyone!" Mr Osas says this as he walks into Ss2A. Most members begin murmuring and making disapproving remarks. Of course, not in his hearing.

"What is wrong with this man? We do not have chemistry today!" Science mutters, just to the hearing of April who was concentrating on bringing out her notebook.

"I know we do not have class today, so stop moping at me like idiots." Mr Osas's loud voice is heard. "I conducted a test, and you all know my pattern, if you do not score at least half of the mark. You already know the rest; there is no need to go into detail!" Mr. Osas says. Making some students murmur.

"Will you just shut up?" Mr. Osas barked. Everyone immediately goes silent. You could even hear the sound of a pin being dropped. It was not a new thing. Mr Osas was one of the most feared teachers at Hallel College.

"So, before distributing your scripts, I will mention the names of those who scored higher than five. I am curious as to what some of you are still doing in school. I would recommend that you go home and sit down; stop wasting your parents' money if you are not here to learn. I understand that the majority of you here are the children of ministers, commissioners, and influential men. It doesn't mean you should be daft. Indeed, your parents are financially secure. But money without brains is a mistake." Mr Osas claims.

"Tah! Who told you that one?" Somebody says. April could not tell who it was, but she recognized it from the back row. They were fortunate that Mr. Osas did not hear that.

"Everyone wants to join the science class; however, science is not superior to the arts. They are all equal. I am not sure why you all do not understand that small detail. If you know your brain can not handle science. It is not too late to join the Art class." Mr. Osas says while checking the scripts.

"What is he still saying?" Light groans. Making April smile. That was actually the first time he spoke since they arrived at class.

Mr Osas clears his throat, intending to silence any noise. Every student in the class stared ahead.

"Light Alikor, scored 9½. April Kuti also scored 9½." He looks up before returning his attention to the list. "Flourish Alikor scored 9, Wendy Opurum scored 8," Immediately he says this, some members of the class begins to murmur, he simply ignores them and continues. Nimi Brown scored 7, Darlintina Okedi scored 6. These are the highest scores. The majority of you scored five; those who scored less than five, do not make the mistake of not coming to my office." Mr Osas says, taking a good look at the members of the class, before turning to Flourish Alikor's direction and calling her out, handing her the papers, and asking her to distribute them. Within a few minutes, he is out of class.

Flourish begins distributing the papers to various members of the class, who simply murmur as they receive them.

"Shey, busybody. Wendy was the one who solved it on the board; why did not she get the highest score." Without been told who it was, everyone was used to Tari's voice, they were just shocked Wendy didn't respond.

"See who is talking, how many did you score?" Darlintina fires.

"Busy body, he doesn't know he is a
boy, " Boma says.

"Even if nobody talks," Tari says mockingly. "Notice me, and we will not notice you!" He speaks mockingly.

"No one will hear anything because you tried and scored six today. Time not taken you copied from Wendy!" Efe remarks. Making some of the classmates laugh.

"See, the fact that you are daft does not make me daft. I don't even know what you are doing in science class!" Darlintina says.

"It is not funny. No one laughed." Gideon chipped in. causing a few students to giggle.

April, who had been watching them silently during their arguments, could not help but smile. She could not picture herself getting into a fight with that group of people, and she saw that Darlintina was never afraid to pick fights. While Boma was there to back her up. Still watching the drama, she receives a slight tap from someone. She looks up immediately, only to see the girl she recognized as Flourish staring at her, obviously not smiling. April notices the striking resemblance between Light and Flourish.

Flourish also appeared to be a half-caste; she silently wondered if they were half-breeds. Only to be brought back to reality by the girl's harsh tone.

"Why are you staring? Please take your script and stop staring at me in that way. It's so offensive!" Flourish says. Meanwhile, April takes the piece of paper from her, clearly embarrassed. Flourish's voice was loud, and nearly everyone in the class was staring at her.

"Thanks," she murmurs, staring at her sheet of paper.

"And he scored higher than I did today!" Flourish comments. causing April to glance up, wondering to whom she was referring.

"I always do!" Light smirks in response.

"We will see about that!" Flourish says before walking away, while Light chuckles. This reminds April that they were actually twins. She only smiled because of their silly competition.

"Do not let anyone get to you. You appear too quiet, April!" Science says, This reminded April, she was still around.
April gives a small smile.

"April, please give me your script. I need to check something!" Light says now, catching April's attention, and she hands it over to him without saying anything. She watches him examine it before turning to face her.

"We wrote the same thing, there is no mistake, why did he not give us our correct score?" Light inquires. Meanwhile, April takes both scripts away from him; she had not thoroughly reviewed them.

"Mr Osas never gives you a complete mark; no one can score 100% on his tests, assignments, or exams! Perhaps he reduced your marks because of your handwriting," Science says, laughing, and they follow suit.

"That is ridiculous!" Light says amidst laughter, and April can not help but laugh as well; Science had cracked her up. Still laughing, she looks up and meets Wendy's gaze. The girl was openly glaring at her, wondering what was wrong. She stared at her until she looked away.

.             ____________________________🖊

April bites into her sausage roll while listening to Science and Dumlesi talk. She was taken aback to discover that they had forgotten their fight that morning. Now, they were conversing as if nothing had actually occurred. As usual, Nancy shows up with a coke.

April observes her sit down; from what she could recall, she and Nancy had not really engaged in a meaningful conversation. She was quick to notice something was clearly wrong because Science and Dumlesi had stopped talking. When she noticed they were looking ahead, she followed their lead. Only to find Light standing with a smile on his face. She could not deny how cute he was. She watches him take a seat without saying anything. He drops his snacks onto the table. The strange expressions Science and Dumlesi gave him were worth capturing.

"This is not the only seat in the cafeteria!" Dumlesi attacks, leaving April wondering why.

"Still bitchy, as always!" She heard Light make a remark. Dumlesi's expression was clear to her. As if he were a dumpster.

"Still as stupid as ever." Dumlesi attacks, meanwhile April turns to Science and Nancy wondering if she was the only person lost.

"You guys should stop arguing like we were still in JSS 1," Science suggests.

"I do not argue with babies!" Light comments while sipping his drink.

"Why are you sitting here?" There are so many seats, for crying out loud. Your sight irritates me." Dumlesi complains. Getting Light to scoff.

I came to join April. I do not see how it affects you." Light says now turning to April. I hope I am not bothering you." He inquires, while April turns to Science, unsure of what to say. Science seems to have received the message.

"Dumlesi, can you both get over your childhood grudges? It is been almost four years. Science says, helping April understand what caused this.

"I cannot forget what this witch did to me; the scar is still visible!" Light says, showing them his arm. Meanwhile, April inspects it thoroughly. The scar was very noticeable. She is curious as to what happened.

"If I could stab you again, I would gladly do so!" Dumlesi responds.

"Bloodsucker!" Light attacks. Meanwhile, Science erupted in laughter.

"You two are unbelievable. Still arguing in childish ways!" Science remarks making April smile.

"Honestly, the way senior Kelsey and Nkechi carries themselves irritates me!" Dumlesi remarks that as soon as a group of people enters, the topic shifts abruptly. They are all forced to look in that direction. April recognised the hostel prefect. But not the other girl she was with.

"You always have problems with people, never satisfied!" Science murmurs.

"It's not that, I don't know what they are feeling like. Kelsey was given a scholarship by Ibinabor's dad, so I heard. Even Nkechi. I heard Kelsey's mother is a petty trader, and Nkechi's father is a dry cleaner." Dumlesi says and laughs. Meanwhile, April abruptly stops eating and focuses on herself.

"God knows I can not keep poor people as friends. They are gold diggers" Dumlesi remarks, turning to April. "What do your parents do, not that I care?" She asks almost choking April, who was shocked by the blunt question.

"Light, did you take your medications this morning?" A voice interrupts their conversation. April turns to see Flourish staring at her brother. She noticed Light laughing.

"You are joking with your health. You understand the nature of it. Mum just called." Flourish replies with a glare.

"I forgot." Lights says, causing Flourish to frown.

"Light!" She exclaims. Meanwhile, Light chuckles.

"You worry too much; nothing will happen. "I will be fine." Light says, making April wonder what is wrong with him.

"It's a command." Flourish says. Meanwhile, Light burst out laughing. With the limited time April had with him, she could tell he was easily amused. And he was so cute while doing it.

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