𝐾𝐸𝑆𝐼𝐸𝑁𝐴

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It was 5:30 and we had only done one assignment so far, with 2 more to go. We being I and Zino. She decided to come home with me and stay behind so we could do our assignments together. 

Zino groaned loudly and threw her pen across the room in frustration.

"That's the fifth pen you've thrown across the room. I don't have any spare pen to lend you anymore."

"What is this for God's Sake? What kind of nonsense assignment is this?"

Believe me when I say I was as frustrated as Zino here. I was already developing a headache and I really needed to sleep, but I was stuck with an assignment that won't even be added to our C.A.

"See ehn,"  Zino closed her books and looked up at me. "I'm going home. I cannot come and kill myself."

She got up from my bed and adjusted her skirt.

"So you're leaving me here with this disaster of an assignment?"

Zino shrugged, putting all her books into her bag. "You're a scholar na. I'll copy yours tomorrow, or you can take a picture and send it to me."

Can you imagine this one?

"You and who? You're joking sha."

She zipped her bag and gestured to her face.

"Kes, do I look like I'm joking?"

"So you're trying to scare me or what?" I chuckled and slapped my thigh. "Zino, you're joking. Better go home before your mother files a missing person's report."

"This your shakara ehn. Don't worry, I'll ask Dalu or Zahrah."

"And you know Zahrah won't give you shit."

She sighed loudly then took her bag from my bed and slung it over her shoulder.

"I'm going to my father's house."

"Love you boo." I laughed as I walked out of the room with her.

"Shove your filthy love up your smelling ass."

"Ehen? In my house?" My mom yelled from downstairs and Zino quickly placed her hand over her mouth. I chuckled and she glared at me, giving me a punch on my arm.

"Ma, I'm going home." Zino said to my mum once we got downstairs.

"Who is that person that said that thing?"

The lie was out before I knew it.

"No mummy, someone sent a message to our class group chat so we mistakenly read the message out loud." Zino frantically nodded her head beside me.

Elohor who was seated beside my mom with Theresa on her laps had an amused look on her face with a raised eyebrow, obviously aware that it was a lie, and impressed by how fast I coughed it out.

"I don't want to hear words like that again in this house oh."

"Yes ma." We said in unison and moved out of the house.

"You know that was your fault bah?"

"Am I your mouth? Mama go to your house." I said pushing her as she moved outside the gate.

"See you tomorrow!" I yelled after her as she flipped me off. I laughed and blew her a kiss before closing the gate and going back into the house.

Time to face those demons called assignments.

~•~•~

I got to school quite early this morning. Something I thought wouldn't be possible due to the time I went to bed. By 12:30am. I slept that late because of assignments and I still didn't finish them.

The noise in the main hallway was unusually loud this morning and I was beginning to wonder why. As I walked further down, everyone was gathered at the notice board. Some were pointing, others stretching their neck, trying to see what was on the notice board.

"What is going on here?" I asked an SS1 student.

"The inter house sports house list is out."

Already?

Its just the second week and its already out.

I remembered that there's another notice board in the senior's block, so I left the crowded main hallway and made my way upstairs.

Thankfully, this one wasn't crowded. Just a few senior students were at the notice board.

"Senior Kes, Good Morning." Someone greeted and turned to see Awele Davies. An SS2 student and my school daughter. She literally forced the school mother responsibility on me saying she really likes me and she wants me to be her school mother, by fire by force. I was in SS1 then and she was in JSS3.

"Good Morning Awele, how are you?"

"I'm not fine." She pouted.

"Why?" She pointed in a discreet manner to a tall dark boy who is Kamsy Nnebe, Blessing Nnebe's younger brother.

I sighed with a smile on my face.

"What did he do this time?"

"Can you imagine this boy, its because I'm giving him mind na."

"Awele what did Kamsy do?"

"We were supposed to meet at cold stone yesterday, in fact he's the one that told me to meet him at cold stone. I got there and I didn't see any Kamsy, I called this boy, it rang but he didn't pick, I called him again, the same thing so I decided to wait for a while,"

Oh boy!

I sighed and continued listening to her as she kept on ranting to me about how her boyfriend stood her up.

"I came to school this morning and he didn't even act like someone who did something wrong, he practically ignored me!

"Did you try talking to him?"

"Why would I talk to him? He's the one who's supposed to even talk to me and apologize, he stood me up for crying out loud!"

"Its okay. So what do you want me to do?"

She pursed her lips then spoke.

"I want you to meet him and ask him why he stood me up yesterday."

"Okay."

Its not like I have a choice anyways, I would always be the third party.

She gave me a wide smile and a hug that lasted almost a minute. Her arms were still wrapped around me as Kamsy passed us and we made eye contact. I gave him a knowing look and he gave me an apologetic one.

"Later." I mouthed to him and he nodded with a smile before walking away.

I broke the hug and she smiled at me before giving me a peck on the cheek and saying, "Best school mother ever!" And she hurried away.

Once she walked into her class, I faced the notice board to check my younger sister's name and the house she belonged to. I finally found it and it fell under Ares house.

Ares?

Yes. The founder of our school has a thing for Greek mythology and Colors. I don't know if I should call it an obsession.

He named each house after Greek gods and goddesses. Only one was named after a roman god. Then all classes were named after colours.

Ares is red, Poseidon is blue, Nike is green, Zeus is yellow, Tyche is gold and Veritas is white.

I checked mine and thankfully, it's still Nike house. Not that I was expecting a change anyways. Only the SS3 students were given the privilege of not being assigned to houses.

You could choose to remain in your present house, or change houses if you like.

I decided to check Zino, my best friend's name and I found it under Poseidon house.

Strange.

Zino is a member of Tyche house, so why would she be assigned to in Poseidon? I brushed it off and assumed it was a typo. Then I left the notice board and went to class.

The class was empty and thank God for that. A little time to myself before-

"Good Morning Kes."

My heart almost leapt out of my chest in fear. With my hands on my chest, I turned only to see Matthew seated at the back of the class.

What is he doing here and by this time?

"Good morning." I replied after letting out a long breath to calm myself down.

His eyebrows furrowed. "What? Is something wrong? Did I scare you?"

"No. I'm just surprised you're here." He gave me a quizzical look.

"This early." I added. "I mean you're in school this early. You don't usually come this early."

"Yeah, I know that. I just needed to get away from that house."

Tell me about it.

"You're early too."

"Yeah, i had to get to school on time. Unfinished assignments." I explained and he nodded.

"Well, I've done mine and I can give you if you want."

Matthew did those assignments that made you feel like you were like taking a test in hell?

I am surprised.

"All the assignments?" I asked just to be sure I heard well.

"Yes."

"How we're you able to do all?"

He only shrugged. "I got all the help i could get." Then he reached into his bag, brought out his notes and placed them on the table.

"Which do you want?"

"Physics and Math." He passed the two notes to me.

"Thank you." I smiled as I took the books from him. My hand brushed his slightly in the process and it sent jolts of current through my system.

My fragile heart.

He looked unaffected, like he didn't feel anything.

And what exactly do you want him to feel?

Right.

I quickly turned away from him before he would see how red my face was becoming. So much for being light skinned.

I was fully aware that we were the only ones in class and that made me very self conscious, way too self conscious.

Is my hair neat enough?

Do I smell nice?

How's my dressing?

I found myself playing with a strand of my braided hair while i went through his note. His hand writing looked like something brought out directly from a manuscript. So neat, legible and cursive. So perfect.

Okay, that was a bit dramatic.

Soon, the class room became a bit noisy as our classmates arrived one after the other.

"Zee!" Moses Douye yelled out as he approached Zahrah who had a deep scowl on her face.

"One more step closer and I'll smack the living daylights out of you." Zahrah warned him, not looking up from whatever she was doing. Her voice sounded cold, almost eerie.

A normal person would actually heed Zahrah's warning and step back if they still wanted their balls intact. But it seemed like Moses wanted to take the risk.

"I know you heard me Douye."

"What's your issue this morning Zahrah?" It was then I noticed the frown Moses had on his face.

Zahrah chuckled. A chuckle that was enough to send shiver down a person's spine. Everyone was silent as we watched what hell Zahrah would unleash next.

"He sent you didn't he?" And with that question, she stormed out of the class. Moses stood there for a second before going after her.

"Well that was something." I heard Matthew mutter from behind me.

"Assembly time! Everybody move out now!" Maureen announced as she popped her head into our class.

"What happened to the bell?" Wonder asked.

Maureen flashed Wonder an irritated look that one would think both girls have beef with each other.

"What kind of a stupid question is that? Do I look like the school management to you?"

"And why wouldn't you know? Isn't your grandfather the fucking owner of the school? Or does the only thing your father know is to squander our parents money and leave school equipments unattended to?" Rebecca attacked, and Maureen could only glare daggers at her. That and nothing else.

The looks those two exchanged seemed very suspicious. Like Rebecca knew something and Maureen didn't want her blabbing it out to the whole school.

"Watch your mouth Rebecca." Was all Maureen said and she left.

Spoilt brat.

"Which kin drama person no go see for Forrester Academy?" Udoka sighed.

He's right. Each day, there's always one drama or the other to expect. From Zahrah and Kamil's unending seasonal drama, to Ola and Rasheed's battle of the boys. Let's not forget Clinton and Zino's constant bickering.

Speaking of Zino, she Benji and Laide hadn't come yet. Was it planned?

I closed Matthew's note and placed it in between mine before putting it inside my locker. Then walked downstairs with Dalu, who kept telling me how I looked like Rapunzel this morning, from the Disney movie tangled.

Its like he took something before coming to school.

"Dalu! Come and stand behind this children oh!" Mrs Umah yelled from the JSS3 line.

"Later Rapunzel." He winked and left.

"Freak." I shook my head with a smile.

I moved to stand behind the SSS1 line. SSS1 Mauve, the science class. Much to my relief and surprise, they behaved like civilized human beings today. Thank heavens for that.

Ibinabo was presently in front of the whole school, about to lead us in hymns.

"Everyone open your S.O.P's to hymn 444."

"And if you know you're not with your S.O.P come out and kneel." Dalu's loud voice echoed.

We the prefects began our S.O.P inspection immediately, fishing out those without their S.O.P and sending them out to kneel in front.

I moved to the SSS2 line and noticed Kamsy didn't have his S.O.P. He obviously didn't want to kneel in front of the whole school. I walked to him and he had a pleading look on his face.

"Where's your S.O.P?"

"I misplaced it." He gave me a nervous smile, and I rolled my eyes.

"This is the fourth time you're misplacing your S.O.P Kamsy."

From the corner of my eyes, I could see a teacher looking in my direction. Not just any teacher, the ever suspicious one. Always poking their big noses into students business.

"I won't pardon you next time." I said loudly to the teacher's hearing before i smacked his head with mine then gave it to him. He took it from me with a smile.

"I owe you." He mouthed before I walked away from his line. The teacher's eyes were still on me as I went to inspect other students.

"Kes," I turned to see Laide. A small frown appeared on my face.

"Its now you're coming?" She cupped my face and blew me a kiss.

"Something came up at home. Mr Fresh is calling you."

As expected.

I went to meet him.

"Sir?"

He looked at me in a stern manner, with his hands behind him.

"What were you discussing with Nnebe?"

"I found his S.O.P, so I was giving it to him."

His scrutinizing gaze didn't leave me, as if trying find something more to what I just told him. This man has made it his life's mission to fish out student's relationships in this school. And the fact that he has succeeded in a few, makes him feel like he will be able to get every student couple.

Oh well.

"Go."

"Thank You sir."

Ibinabo finished leading us in hymns and a teacher took over.

Kamil and Zahrah joined us on the assembly after their own prayers organized for the Muslims in the school. Our school didn't originally have a mosque, but they say when money is involved, all things are possible. The day Zahrah was enrolled here, that was back in JSS1. That same day, construction of the school mosque began. It was finished even before the end of the second term.

I hadn't come to Forrester yet, but Zino and Benji told me this and more. My classmates who had been here right from Jss1, testified to it.

"Oga and Madam, welcome oh." I heard someone say as Zino and Benji just through the school gate and into the school compound. Then they made their way towards us.

"Both of you just planned on coming late in bah? "

"I over slept." Benji answered, then exchanged greetings with Dalu and Kamil.

Zino was about to explain herself when we heard the loud sound of flesh meeting flesh. We turned our heads to where the sound came from. I could hear gasps and hushed voices as all eyes were on two girls, someone even yelled, Mad oh!

A Junior girl had her hand on her cheek, and shock on her face as she stared at Maureen. This same stupid Maureen.

Why Maureen slapped the girl wasn't even the main issue. It was who she slapped. She just slapped Hanan Burja, Zahrah's cousin.

Zahrah calmly walked to the Jss2 line where her cousin stood. I was expecting her to flare at Maureen or something, but she didn't. She simply took her cousin's hand and brought her out of the line, not sparing Maureen a glance. The poor girl was crying as she clutched her cheek while Zahrah held her close with a stoic expression on her face.

It wasn't a surprise that the teachers didn't make any move to question Maureen or scold her. I mean, why would they? She's Maureen Hughes, daughter of Fred Hughes, the present owner of the school.

Note: Present owner, not founder.

Maureen's grandfather founded this school and handed over to his son when the health complications began.

You could also say the teachers were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Punishing Maureen could land them in trouble, and not doing anything to Maureen means all hell would break loose if Zahrah's father ever finds out Maureen wasn't disciplined.

All the teachers could lose their jobs. The man practically has this school in his palms.

Kamil had left where he stood and rushed to where Zahrah and her cousin stood. He took Hanan's hand and surprisingly, Zahrah let him. He held her close as Zahrah instructed the rowdy students to keep quiet.

The teacher on the podium continued his speech once the noise had settled down.

Maureen walked past us with a stupid smirk on her face as she looked at Zahrah.

"Who does this girl think she is for Christ Sake?" I found myself saying. Her character disgusts me all round and it makes me wonder most times, how someone as calm and nice as Donald would be dating her. At a point, I even thought the whole relationship thing was forced, or Donald just wanted immunity from punishments and all that.

"She never jam, na why." Dalu said with his arms folded, leaning against the wall.
(She hasn't met her match, that's why.)

"Zahrah, you didn't even say anything."

Zahrah didn't speak but we all knew she wasn't going to let this slide easily. She would definitely get back at Maureen, even if she didn't do anything today.

The school band began beating the drums as the students marched to the beat and sang one of the popular marching in songs.

The day is bright, is bright and clear

Oh happy day, a day of joy.

The day is bright, is bright and clear

Oh happy day of joy.

If most students didn't sing this part, everyone would surely yell this part.

Mama jellof rice!

The person who composed the song doesn't have the slightest idea of how terribly Nigerian students have murdered his/her song.

Not only this, many other songs. Let's take the Hippopotamus song for instance.

How in the world does H-I-P spell Hippopo?

Don't even get me started on nursery rhymes, like Standard Living which we have remixed to Sandalily or Mr Macaroni, which one day we began hearing is Mr Mark Anthony and not Macaroni.

We are special people, aren't we?

Everyone had marched to their classes, except we the prefects who had a brief meeting with the school administrator.

"Have you checked your house?" I asked Zino once we entered the class after the meeting with the school admin.

"What house?"

"Sport house."

"Oh, there's no need. They are not going to change our houses since we're in our final year."

"Are you sure?"

"Are you trying to tell me something?" She asked but got no reply

"Kes, spill."

"They changed your house."

She furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Changed how?"

"You're no longer in previous house. Tyche."

A look of horror made its way to her face. She jumped up from her seat and ran out of the class, bumping into Clinton on her way out.

"Watch it fool!" She yelled at him.

"Says the person who bumped into me! What's your deal this morning?" He yelled back at her as she ran out.

"Sheesh! is she on her period?" He frowned at me as he asked that question.

"Why don't you find out yourself?" I replied him with a sarcastic smile on my face.

"You know I would love to." He said with a wink.

Eww.

I rolled my eyes at him.

Remembering that I still had assignments to copy from Matthew's note, I brought out my note with his in between. Opened mine to write and found a folded piece of paper in it. I looked closely and saw my name written in a really pretty handwriting.

Letter from a secret admirer maybe?

Don't hope too much darling.

For some reason, my heartbeat quickened very slightly as I opened it. The letter read,

'Its going to be one hell of a ride because I'm literally going to make it hell for you♡'

Who the hell writes a letter like this and adds a heart at the end?

The only person that came to mind was Amariah. Fear gripped my every being, and I felt a slight headache coming on.

From the letter in my hands, it meant she was about to unleash hell on earth. And soon. She wasn't even going to be subtle about it. She's planning evil and she wants me to know that she is.

"Kes, this is a disaster!" Zino's loud voice brought me out of my reverie and I hurriedly put the letter back into my book.

"They freaking put me in that stupid blue house!" She shrieked.

I shrugged. "Its a nice house." I said even though I knew she wouldn't like it. Clinton Azunna is a member of that house so she definitely wouldn't like it.

The juniors in that house are certainly going to be at the receiving end of her wrath. Poor children.

She groaned and took her seat. "You're unbelievable this girl. What do you mean its a nice house?"

With my fingers massaging my temples, I sighed and faced her. "Look, I'm not the one that changed your house. Go and meet sports board, not me."

"Today is the worse day ever."

Zino, ever dramatic.

I hurriedly copied Matthew's assignment and once I was done, I submitted both assignments to the various teachers who assigned them.

By the time I got back to class, our Agric teacher was already writing on the white marker board.

I greeted him and moved to my seat. Amariah's note was safely in my jotter, and my jotter in my bag.

From the corner of my eye, I sighted Nicholas's eyes on me. I turned and waved slightly at him with a smile which he returned then I faced the teacher.

~•~•~

"So, I want you all to go back and repeat this assignment. You all didn't give what I wanted at all." Our Chemistry teacher, Mr Ola said as Tolu gave us back our Chemistry assignments.

"So we should go back and do this shit again?" I heard Matthew say from behind me. His voice was loud enough for most of us in the class to hear and laugh but luckily, Mr Ola didn't hear him.

The loud bell echoed throughout the school. Time for sports practice.

"Sir your period is over!" Udoka stated the obvious from the back. Mr Ola turned back to face Udoka with a serious look on his face.

"Am I joking with you?"

"No sir, I was just reminding you in case you didn't hear the bell well."

"Mr Man, that bell is loud enough for even those outside the school to hear, so don't be stupid, I wasn't born yesterday." He said and walked out.

Mr Ola seems calm today. Other days he would have flared up and punished the whole class. And if his period happens to be before the break, he would deny us of our break period and give us gut wrenching classwork. Just for one person's offence.

Everyone was already going out of the class and heading downstairs for sports and I was about to leave when Kamsy walked in to meet me.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be downstairs?" Stephen asked, ready to send him out.

Kamsy opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.

"I called him."

Stephen eyes darted between the both of us, before he nodded at me and left the class.

"Its about time. You know what you did that's why you're here abi?"

The dark boy sighed. "I swear, I didn't mean to stand Awele up. My mum seized my phone and something came up at home."

"What is the thing that came up?"

"Senior Kes, it's quite personal."

"Couldn't you borrow Blessing's Phone?"

"You of all persons should know Blessing. She won't even answer me."

True.

"So why haven't you told her all what you're telling me?"

"Because I don't know how to. And she seemed so angry this morning."

I gave him a few tips on what to do to appease his girlfriend, when she popped her head into the class and withdrew it almost immediately.

"Go get your girl."

Kamsy flashed me a thankful smile and left the class running after her and calling her name, but not without informing me about the house list which I'm to bring downstairs with me.

I bent down to properly tie my laces, then got up to take the house list from my bag which was hanging at the back of my chair when I heard footsteps in the class.

"I finally have you alone, long time Kesiena."

Fear as cold as Ice crept up my skin. I almost shivered.

God, what does she want?

I took a deep breath and faced her with a not so genuine smile.

"Long time Amariah."

She stood elegantly poised in front of the class. Her enchanting livid coloured eyes, glaring nothing but pure, raw, unrefined hate at me.

"If I told you that I had missed you, would you believe?"

No way in hell.

"So you missed me, that's what you're trying to say."

She laughed and walked towards me.

"You might not believe me, but I did. I missed all the fun we used to have together, our play dates, sleepovers."

With each word she said, she moved closer to me until she was really close that I could feel her breath. She smelled of strawberries, like she always has. I never knew certain scents brought back memories until now.

"Most of all I missed taking things from you. Things that matter, things you love, and that is exactly what I'm going to do to you."

I swallowed the enormous lump in my throat. "I'm not scared of you Amariah."

She tilted her head and raised and eyebrow. Amusement danced in her eyes.

"I can see years without me has boosted your morale, little things don't scare you anymore right? And I can see your little parole with Nicholas."

Little parole? Someone that I haven't even properly talked with.

"You will be afraid of me Kes. Its not a threat, its a promise."

I swallowed hard and I'm pretty sure my knuckles were white from how hard I gripped the top of my chair.

"And I can see you got my letter. I mean every single thing I wrote in that letter, every single word Kes. I promise you-"

"Is there a problem?"

Our heads simultaneously turned to see Matthew standing at the door, looking all sweaty and handsome in his sports wear.

Thank God!

"You're supposed to be down Amariah, not here. Your brother has been searching for you."

She faced me again, not taking her eyes off me as she replied Matthew. "I was just catching up, for old times sake."

"Look, I don't want to even know what it is. Just go down. Your brother is worried."

Amariah moved away from me and walked out of the class but not without giving Matthew a flirty look and purposely brushing her arm with his. I let out the breath I didn't realize I had been holding.

Matthew left the door and walked to his seat.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing. It was nothing." I hurriedly shoved my jotter into my bag.

"It doesn't look like nothing."

"It was nothing okay?" I snapped a bit and then looked at Matthew who was taken aback by my tone.

Without even bothering to say sorry, I took out the list from my bag and walked out of the class, leaving Matthew standing there, perplexed.

━━━━━━━༺۵༻━━━━━━━

So, your thoughts on this chapter.

Please comment ohh, it really gives me inspiration✨

Vote, comment and share to your friends❤ and thanks for all the love I've been receiving from you guys, I really appreciate❤❤

Till next time.✨

Happy Sunday😇😇