I stared at Ife whose eyes didn't leave me. I swallowed my saliva as I stood straight.

"I'm here because I didn't choose" I replied.

Surprise flashed through Ife's eyes. He didn't say anything as he turned and started walking away.

"Seat down, time has gone " Joy said as I sat down. She was acting like she knew nothing about the showdown or maybe nothing just happened.

Joy taught me for two hours and again for the first time in my life; I easily understood what I was taught.

"Read from here to here" Joy said using her pen to mark where to read for me.

I nodded as I closed my textbook. Joy carried her school bag and rose to her feet. I opened my mouth to say something but froze when I saw Ini approaching.

My heart started slamming crazily into my chest as he walked towards us. His left hand was placed in his pockets while his right hand dangled beside him. He was just walking, yet he looked hot. Super hot.

"Are you done?" Ini asked as Joy nodded.

"Let's go" Ini said.

"Get here early" Joy said to me before walking with Ini.

I stared at both of them as they walked away, my eyes not leaving Ini for a moment. I couldn't but acknowledge the fact that; Ini didn't spare me a glance throughout not even once.

I felt terrible as I walked to the gate dejected. The driver was already waiting and I got in. I saw Ini and Joy standing by the roadside talking. Ini smiled at something Joy said and my heart skipped a beat.

I groaned at the sight of the jotter on my reading table. I still wasn't able to write a thing yet. I had one week and five days left. There was still time I tried to console myself.

I brought out my biology textbook and started reading it. I circled the ones I didn't understand and used my dictionary to check out the complex words.

My parents met me reading much to their surprise. I wasn't the type who liked to read and my reading habits got worse as I tried to read but didn't understand what I was reading.

Now that I understood a little, it was time to make up for all my lazy days.

I kicked the table again when I discovered I still couldn't write a thing. Who am I? Who exactly was Olumayede Rachel?

I had no freaking idea. I ran my hands through my hair as I scratched it messily. Saturday was Kunmi's birthday and I needed a new hairdo.

I woke up early the next morning and rushed to school. Joy was already waiting for me.

"Good morning" I greeted.

"Morning" Joy replied as we got to work.

I had to admit that if Joy wanted to be a teacher; none of her students would fail. She was really good. She was patient and understanding. If not because Josie and the rest hated her, we would be friends but then.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Ini painting was a scene everyone always wanted to watch. I watched as everyone watched in awe as Ini continued painting. He was painting a beautiful sunset. I looked at him with admiration and love in my eyes.

I looked around and everyone had admiration in their eyes. My eyes met Joy's frosty ones as I shuddered. It was then I remembered that Joy said to look for her during my free periods.

I quickly tried to make way among the crowd to leave. I found myself directly beside Ini, his Grisham's perfume waffled into my nose and I couldn't help but suck in a breadth.

As I made to move, my elbow hit the water beside him and splash!

My eyes widened in horror when I saw that not only did the dirty water splash on Ini's face, the painting was ruined as well. Everyone went silent as I tried to explain myself.

"Who's this nah?"

"What's your problem?"

"Wo sa si eleyi ni? "

"The painting has spoilt already"

Everyone started giving their comments as I swallowed my saliva. Why was it that, anytime I needed to talk; nothing would come out of my mouth.

Ini turned to me as he removed an handkerchief from his pocket. He slowly wiped his face as he turned to me. It was the first time I was seeing his face so closely. His full brows which were arched in an sexy way, his straight nose, his deep eyes that threatened to swallow me whole, his full lips.

I swallowed my saliva as I slowly dropped my head under his gaze. First meeting and I spoilt his painting.

Damn my clumsiness!

There was no way he was going to like me like this. His eyes remained calm as ever, something I also noticed in Joy. Whatever the situation; they barely showed any expression.

"I'm sorry" I finally muttered out.

He didn't say a word as he walked past me out of the Visual Art painting room. I looked at the already ruined sunset painting. Thanks to me the colours had mixed together and it was a sorry sight.

"Are you going to continue to stare at it or move?" Joy asked as I  turned to her.

I managed a small smile as I followed her to the garden. It was quiet as usual and I noticed barely no one visited the place.

We started working on the calculations and formulas which gave me headaches the most and surprisingly, I learnt them easily using Joy's style.

My eyes shone when I discovered that I could solve some questions all by myself without consulting Joy. I was so happy, I even felt accomplished. It had been a while since I felt like this.

"Joy, can I ask you something?" I asked and Joy nodded.

"Promise me you won't laugh at me or make jest of me" I added as Joy dropped her pen and turned to me.

"Okay, go on. I promise" Joy said as I took a sharp breath.

"What is self discovery all about?" I asked as Joy smiled.

"Why are you asking?" Joy asked.

"Its my dad assignment for me" I replied.

Joy nodded with a small smile "Self discovery is all about finding yourself" Joy said as I got more confused.

"I've been trying to pen something down but I can't even write one word" I complained as Joy shrugged.

"As it implies, Self discovery, you have to find yourself" Joy added as I sighed.

"Okay, I have two questions for you, just answer without asking" I said and Joy smiled before nodding.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Arogundade Joy" Joy replied calmly.

"Who is Arogundade Joy?" I asked feeling nervous.

"Arogundade Joy is a lady with huge dreams. She is beautiful and intelligent. She loves helping people. She's conversative, pure and honest. She likes to keep a safe distance from everyone yet she's close to everyone. Joy aims to be a computer analyst in the future. She is someone who takes a firm resolution in her beliefs. No one can make Joy change her mind if she doesn't want to. No one can put Joy down unless she allows them to. Joy likes to be herself and doesn't try to satisfy anyone. Joy doesn't wear a fake image to be accepted by anyone. She's real. Everyone thinks she's over confident, proud and arrogant but Joy doesn't find a problem with being confident and strong. She's rare" Joy replied as I looked at her stunned.