My dad was surprised that someone offered to teach me. He was even more surprised that someone like Joy agreed. So ge woke me up early the next morning to go to school.

I had put a new note in my school bag the previous day. I walked to the garden and saw SK and Joy talking.

"Hello" SK greeted with a wide smile that made me blush.

"Good morning" I replied.

"Morning" Joy greeted as she sat fown in the cemented chairs.

"Sunkanmi, get lost" Joy said as SK pouted.

"Can I take coaching classes from you too?" SK asked as I laughed slightly.

"Like you need it" Joy said as she smiled slightly.

I stared at her stunned. She was very pretty when she smiled.

"You should smile offend, you are very pretty when you smile" I blurted out as SK turned to me in surprise.

My smile stiffened when I saw how they were both looking at me.

"Ohh, sorry. I was just saying what was on my mind" I said.

"Thank you. SK leave now. She needs full concentration" Joy said rubbing her forehead as SK grinned and walked away.

"Goodluck coach" he yelled.

"Bring out the big note" Joy said as I sat down and brought it out.

"Sketch a timetable. On Mondays, we'll take Mathematics, on Tuesdays, Biology, On Wednesdays, Physics, On Thursdays, Chemistry, On Fridays, we'll take English Language and on Saturdays; will be for questions and all" Joy said as I looked in horror.

"Write the timetable down" Joy said when she noticed I wasn't writing.

"Before classes start, we have an hour depending on the time you get to school. After school, I'll teach you for two hours" Joy continued as I winced.

"Your free periods too, you had better look for me" Joy said as she brought out her Biology textbook.

"So, we have about 45 minutes before class start" Joy said checking her wristwatch.

"So, let's start. Rachel,  what's Biology?" Joy asked as I looked at her in displeasure.

"I'm not that dull" I replied.

"I know" Joy said not minding that I was getting angry.

"Just answer my question" Joy added as I opened my mouth. That moment, my anger disappeared immediately.

What is Biology?

I turned to Joy with wide eyes as she stared back at me calmly. It was then realization dawned on me, I didn't know what Biology was.

Joy chuckled after a while "Girl, how did you promote to SSS2?" Joy asked surprised.

I ignored her ad I tried to remember what Biology was all about.

"Biology is all about plants and animals" I said as Joy nodded.

"I see a major problem here. You don't even know the basics; so let's start with that" Joy said as she moved closer to me and started teaching me.

For the first time in my time, I was concentrating and I understood what I was being taught. Joy didn't shout or yell at me whenever I asked her questions or told her to re explain a particular place for me.

"You sleep during class. Its annoying. Since you don't understand anything. I want you to read further and we'll continue after school" Joy said as the bell was rang.

I quickly packed my books and hurried to the class. I sighed at the amount of gist I would have missed from the girls. Not that I understood any or will they answer me if I joined in.

"See your life, see the time you are coming to school" Gani said as I sat down.

"Abeg, Physics teacher is already coming. Go to your seat" Kunmi said.

I quickly walked to my seat and sat down. I opened my Biology textbook and continued reading like Joy had instructed. I didn't notice the surprised look my seat mate was giving me as I read and jotted down.

I continued reading, oblivious to my environment till it was break time. I walked to the cafeteria and bought everyone's snacks as usual.

"Aren't you going to see Donald in Dallas?" Temi asked.

"No. Besides, doesn't he have school? I took two passes last week, taking another one this week is forfeiting next terms first week passes" I replied as Temi frowned.

"He wants to see you" Temi said as I continued eating my gala.

"I don't want to see him" I replied.

"You people should better talk sense into this stupid girl" Temi bellowed attracting attention.

"Why are you shouting?  I didn't do anything" I said surprised.

"Why do you always act so pompous? Like you are some queen from wonderland" Temi said as I frowned.

"Temi, that's enough" Josie said as Temi stormed out of the cafeteria.

The thought of Donald made my blood boil as I also stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. I took a pass and walked straight to Dallas.

Surprisingly, not just Donald was there. A few of friends were there too.

"Rachel" Donald called out.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" I bellowed angrily.

"We both had a disagreement and the next thing you do is reporting me to my friends and having us fight" I added.

"Stay away from me and stop reporting me to my friends! We can't keep falling apart because of some random stranger" I said as I stormed out of Dallas and released a sigh.

If Donald stopped reporting me to Temi and the rest, we wouldn't have to fall out the with each other. I would maintain a steady relationship with them till I clocked sixteen and become one of them officially.

I smiled wryly as I returned to school. Break was already over as I returned to class. The moment I walked into the class; the teacher followed so I couldn't check up on the girls.

As soon as it was closing, I joined them to try to fill in on what I missed.

"Aren't you going home now?" Kunmi asked as I shook my head.

"No,  I have something to do" I replied.

There was no way I was telling them Joy haf started teaching me. I couldn't face Gani's anger talkless of them all.

"What is the thing?" Gani asked as I smiled and folded my arms.

"You always keep secret from me, so this is my own secret" I replied laughing slightly.

Gani hissed immediately "Who wants to know your secrets? Abeg let's go" Gani said as they walked out of the class.

I rubbed my forehead before carrying my school bag and walking to the garden.

SK and Ife were there talking. My ears perked up at the mention of my name.

"She's not that bad yunno" Joy replied as Ife frowned.

"I second that" SK said as Ife chuckled.

"What if Josie goes haywire and asks her to choose between her and her books? She wouldn't think twice before choosing Josie. That's how stupid she is" Ife said as SK burst into laughter.

Joy merely smiled without saying anything "Ignorance Ife is a disease" Joy said.

"She'll be here soon" Joy said.

"This is a waste of time. I wonder why Ini didn't say anything to you too" Ife grumbled.

I swallowed saliva as I walked closer. Ife was discouraging Joy from coaching me. He didn't look a bit surprised when he saw me which made me surprised.

"Hello Rachel" SK greeted and I found myself giving him a small smile.

"Rachel, can I ask something?" Ife asked as I turned to him.

"If your friends find out Joy is coaching you because the only reason you are here is because they do not know. What if they find out and ask you to stop all these what would you do?" Ife asked as I blinked my eyes.