Doyin

I practically waltzed through the school gates with my brother, walking briskly by my side. He was doing that weird walk people do, when they know they're late, can't run but want people to know how scared they are. When he noticed that I wasn't copying him, he slowed down and looked at me.

"You do realize that it's 8:05 right?" He asked, his head was tilted sideways as he observed me.

"And you're basically walking like you own the place." He continued.

That's because I do own the place.

"I'm walking like this." I explained. "Because we both know that no one is going to punish me."

"But you're not a prefect." My brother said, confused.

"And yet you are one, the head boy for that matter." I said as we approached the entrance "So start walking like one and not some douche bag, back bencher who got caught stealing from senior Amanda's class."

My brother, Dami had been made head boy of the school last term. He was always worrying about getting everything right- a perfectionist, some might call him. You'd think I was this confident about bending the rules because of him, but my brother's position offered no protection whatsoever. I was Adedoyinsola Sowande and I played by my own rules. I didn't need anybody's protection.

"We're late Doyin." My brother deadpanned "I'm going to get in trouble with the teachers and maybe one of these days, you'll be punished like you deserve. You should run for ego prefect later in the term. The role would fit you nicely."

And before I could reply, my jerk face brother had walked on to where senior George and Amanda were standing. He greeted George with a nod and waved to Amanda before hurrying up the stairs.

"Georgiee, hii." I cooed as he pulled away. He took my hand and led me up the stairs. I smiled at the gesture.

"Oh, hi Amanda." I said with a small wave. She acknowledged me with a nod before looking away. She wasn't a big fan of me because she knew I had most of the guys in her class wrapped around my finger. And it was for that exact same reason that she couldn't do anything to me.

"How come you're late today?" He asked with concern in his eyes "I hope everything is alright?"

I could see a few juniors giving me the side eye as they finished up their punishments. I suppressed a smirk and replaced it with an adorable pout as I began my story.

"My phone was on silent so my alarm didn't ring out." I whined "And I had to try and figure out my biology assignment, coupled with the fact that there was a rip in my skirt this morning."

"Damn." George said, shaking his head. "How'd you manage?"

"That's not even all that happened." I said, sighing for dramatic effect. I wanted to tear up a little to enhance my sob story but that'd be overkill. I needed to get this act just right for senior George to guy it. Actually, no I don't because a lot of these seniors will buy anything that someone in a skirt tells them. But just to be on the safe side...

"I burnt the toast I was trying to make, one of my shoes opened and I still haven't been able to finish my biology homework. I just had to quickly fix everything else and rush to school."

"That's terrible. I'm so sorry that happened to you." He said in the fakest English accent I'd ever heard. He was trying to impress me, typical.

"It's fine." I said, batting my eyelashes. "I just need to sit down for some time. Then, I'll figure out how to do the assignment."

"Wait." George said, his face lighting up. Finally, took him long enough.

"Give me your biology note." He continued "I can help you out with it. Math is my specialty after all."

"Oh no, don't worry." I said bashfully" I'll figure it out somehow."

"No, I'm serious Doyin. I don't mind." He replied, still holding my hand.

"Oh wow." I said as I tried hard to hide my amusement. "Thank you."

"No problem." He replied with a shrug.

I pulled off my back pack and unzipped it so I could look for my note. Then I handed it to him.

"Will I be seeing you during long break?" He asked before I turned away.

"Most likely." I replied. In my peripheral vision, I noticed that some of the students who were still outside were glaring at me. One of them was Esosa, who obviously stood out from the rest with her pale skin and banana peel like hair. I gave her a small smirk before turning on my heels.

"Bye Georgiee." I sang, looking back to give him a quick wave. He waved back with a sheepish smile.

"Ah ahn!" I suddenly heard a tiny voice exclaim. "Why didn't you punish her? She's more late than everyone else here."

I looked back to see and of course it was a junior student. I could tell that she was probably in JS1 because of her oversized uniform and weird shoes. She was also quite short, the annoying juniors always are.

"You!" senior George snapped pointing at her. "Leave what you're doing and come and kneel down here!"

"But senior," She complained "What you're doing is not fair..."

"Do it or you'll be back here at closing time to pick some more!" George shouted angrily.

The junior jumped at the sound of his voice. Reluctantly, she walked towards were senior George was and knelt down in front of him.

"And if any teacher ever hears about this." He said lowering his voice "What I'll do to you... you'll wish you had never gained admission to emerald high."

The girl shuddered obviously not having the mind to say anything else. Satisfied, I walked into the school with a smirk on my face.

***

When I got to class, it was rowdy as usual. There were students huddled around desks here and there, some of them were my classmates while the others were probably from other SS2 classes. I returned a few stares that came my way with glares as I walked to my table in the middle of the class.

"Doyin!" Efe squealed as she saw me approaching. I smiled as she stood up to hug me, Efe, Chisom and Makayla were my closest friends. Together, we were the "it girls" an elite clique not just in our set but well feared throughout the school.

Chisom who was seated on her table, playfully rolled her eyes at me.

"Late comerrrr!" She hollered as I arranged my things. I opened up the table and placed all of my books inside before taking my seat.

"The day you actually submit any of your assignments on time." I said with a smirk "You can talk."

Efe giggled while Chisom playfully smacked my arm.

"Wawooo, sorry we can't all find short cuts as easily as you do." She said mockingly "You good?"

"I'm fine oh" I replied "Has first period started?"

"No nau." Chisom replied before adjusting her glasses "Like five minutes more though."

"And Mr Abioye already sent Remi to tell us that he'd be late." Efe added happily "So we're good."

Remilekun was the assistant class captain of my class, SS2B. As surprising as it was to many, I was the class captain. Probably, after realizing that he couldn't find me, Mr Abioye had asked Remi to deliver the message to the class. Whatever happened, I'm sha happy that for once, that man is going to be late.

"Nice." I replied, then I remembered something. Makayla was supposed to be here as well. She sat behind me and would usually be the first to say hi when I walked in.

"Where's Kayla?" I asked, scanning the classroom.

"She's in SS2A with the science students because she doesn't know how to draw the animal cell." Chisom replied.

"Why doesn't she just pay one of them to help her do it?" I asked incredulously. Sometimes, Kayla could be annoying. Frowning at me, shaking her head, but never having the nerve to verbally oppose me. If it was any other person, I'd be pissed. But having Kayla around had its perks so I kept her around.

"Something about having to do it by herself so she could learn it." Efe replied lazily "Just an excuse to probably cover up her cheap ass."

"Wo, leave her be." I said, waving a hand dismissively "When she gets tired, she'll know where to find us."

"Dodo." A male voice shouted teasingly. It was Donny, a friend of mine who'd I met through my boyfriend, Eric. They were walking in together through the front door alongside the third member of their little gang, Benjamin. The girls laughed at the dumbass nickname while I just rolled my eyes.

"Donny." I said acknowledging him "How you dey."

"Been better." He said as he approached me. I got up to give him a hug and rolled my eyes when his hand found its way to my ass.

"Bold of you to do that in front of Eric." I whispered.

"Bold of you to be whoring around to his face and behind his back." He whispered back. I pulled away to make sure Eric hadn't noticed. He was too busy talking to Benjamin about yesterday's match between Manchester United and Liverpool.

"I'm smarter than that." Donny whispered, in my ear this time. His voice was enough to send shivers through my skin, the good yet annoying kind of shivers.

Chisom noticed but busied herself with her nails, acting like it was none of her business. Efe on the other hand had left Chisom's table and joined Benjamin and Eric's discussion.

Donny and I had "fun" sometimes. The typical "friends with benefits" relationship, just another of the guys I hung out with from time to time. I had a feeling that Eric knew and that even if he didn't, he'd observed my "closeness" with other guys. But since he hadn't said anything, I liked to assume that he didn't mind.

*"How can you say that about Salah!" Efe suddenly shouted "My baby is the best player on the team. He's literally carrying it on his back!"

"Ah ahn, Efe!" Donny said, instantly distracted by the mention of a Liverpool player. Men and their unnatural obsession with football.

"We both know that this hasn't been his best season." Donny continued.

"With that stupid bear-bear that he carries around." Benjamin added. The guys guffawed while Efe just looked really upset. Chisom on the other hand had her table open, completely oblivious to what was going on. I'm pretty sure she was using her phone. Indifferently, I continued to watch everyone argue.

"Forget about the beard!" Efe argued. "Why do you think it's his name we hear everywhere, it's because of how good he is. And mind you, I didn't say he was the best striker in the league, but he's a pretty good player."

"And this is why girls shouldn't watch football." Benjamin grunted. Eric took this as his cue to slip out of the argument. Honestly, I couldn't hide the scowl on my face. I wasn't really a fan of some of Eric's guys and Benjamin was most definitely one of them. Always making comments like he has the IQ of a drumstick.

"How dare you!" Efe shouted before proceeding to leap on him. Donny held her back by her waist. I could tell he was enjoying himself, but trying to hide it, from the amusement dancing in his eyes. I was watching the drama in front of me, when I noticed Eric was walking towards me. He gave me a smirk before proceeding to sit on my lap. This guy sha.

"Isn't it supposed to be the other way around." I giggled. He shifted a round a little supposedly trying to get comfortable. But I knew exactly what he was trying to do. Satisfied now that he was at an angle from which he could see my face, he grinned at me.

"I see you didn't come to greet me because of your argument." I said feigning annoyance. I folded my arms and looked away from him.

"Babee." Eric cooed before titling my face gently with his hand. I looked into his cute brown eyes then down at his equally good-looking pink lips. Damn.

"I'm sorry." He said genuinely. "I just got carried away. You know that nothing is more important to me than you are."

"Really?" I asked, batting my eyelashes at him. I don't know how guys found this rubbish romantic but it was definitely working on Eric. I watched his eyes drop down to my lips before his gaze went back up again. Funny how we were having an intimate moment in a class full of people, in broad daylight, where any teacher or snitch could catch us.

Exactly how I liked it.

"Really." Eric replied with a smile. And of course, a certain someone just had to ruin our moment. My moment.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring!

"FIRST PERIOD!" The time keeper yelled right in front of our classroom. There were exclaims from some of my classmates, some had their hands on their ears and others were hurling insults at the prefect. We heard him chuckle to himself before hurrying to the other side of the building to make the same announcement.

Some people sha... Make I no talk.

Suddenly, Eric got off my lap. When he turned to look at me, I pouted and his face softened.

"My math note isn't complete Doyin." He explained softly "I need to quickly borrow Donny's note so that I can finish it."

"Can we meet up during a free period?" I asked.

"Definitely." He said with a wink. I looked to my left just as Chisom mouthed "Nawa oh. "I rolled my eyes at her.

"Look who just walked into the class." Efe said suddenly. She'd left Benjamin alone and was presently seated on Donny's locker, which wasn't too far from mine.

I looked to the back door and watched as Esosa, walked into class, her shoulders slackened, obviously exhausted from the punishment she'd served this morning.

*"See the way this one is walking." I sneered. She looked at me, eyed me then just kept on walking. It's funny how she probably thought her morning had been so stressful, because it is most definitely about to get worse. A few students looked up when they heard my voice, ready to watch the drama unfold. Brilliant! I loved it when I had an audience.

She somehow managed to bump into Eric while she was making her way to her table. I couldn't help but smile. She didn't apologize and tried to step around him but Eric got in her way.

"Didn't anyone teach you how to say sorry?" He asked, sizing her up.

"Sorry." She muttered before trying to side step him again. But Eric only blocked her path again.

"Look." She snapped "Can you just not be a douche for once in your life."

I couldn't see Eric's face from where I was sitting, but I watched as his hand balled into fists as he tried to control his anger. I laughed a little, sitting up in my seat. This was going to be fun.

Quietly, Makayla made her way into the class, initially oblivious to what was going on. When she saw Esosa and Eric at each other's throats, she turned to look at me. She sighed and shook her head before settling down in her seat behind me. I rolled my eyes knowing I would deal with Makayla later.

"You should watch your mouth." Eric said before shoving her. She faltered a little but a shove like that should've sent her to the ground.

"I don't know what the fuck you think you are." Eric continued "But you just got lucky with Benjamin. Don't try any rubbish with me."

"I'm the girl.." Esosa began as she moved closer to him. She didn't seem to mind getting all up in his face, trying to get him to cower. But Eric just glared right back at her.

"Who almost put your beloved Benjamin six foot deep in a grave." She continued. "Mess with me and I swear, you'll be next."

Eric raised a hand to slap her but she skillfully dodged it. She side stepped him, successfully this time, before getting to her table at the back of the class. I was most definitely not going to let her get away with the stunt she'd just pulled.

"Snitches get stitches Esosa." I shouted "You're running on borrowed time."

She eyed me dismissively before looking away.

"You constantly hide behind your puppets and you expect me to take you seriously." She laughed. "Laugh my fucking ass off Doyin. There are things that are more important than establishing your make-believe dominance over everyone in the school. Get a life."

I was going to reply when Chisom closed her locker with a loud thud. She adjusted her glasses again, a glare on her face.

"You're saying she should get a life but look at yours. You got her boyfriend suspended and in the end, you were almost expelled yourself. Just stop it with your 'oh I'm such a victim façade and find a goddamn mirror!"

The class went silent. Everyone turned to look at Chisom and Esosa, who had turned her attention to her. I guess that's just one of the many things I could count on Chisom for. Shades harsh enough to silence an entire class. She was always this ruthless, it was why she preferred to keep her nose out of other people's business.

"It happened last term." Esosa explained calmly, but I knew I wasn't the only one who noticed the twitches in her left eye.

"Let it go, find something better to do and for God's sake, forget about it." She continued. "And I really don't care that in your twisted worldview, you think Eric was doing the right thing and Benjamin was a fucking martyr. They were both idiots, that's a universal truth. Nothing you say to me now or in the future will ever change that."

I was going to have another go at her when Mr. Abioye walked into the class. He was panting a little like he had rushed all the way down here. The students who weren't members of our class quickly rushed out as he set his things on Remi's table. Efe and a few other students also returned to their seats when they noticed he'd walked in.

This man and his stupid timing. He just had to waltz in right at this moment.

"Stand up and greet!" Remi shouted before everyone rose to their feet. Technically, it was my job to do that but when have I ever done anything I was supposed to do as a captain.

"Good morning sir." The class chorused, "You're welcome to SS2B."

"Have your seats." He said before proceeding to stroke his stubble. "Where did we stop in our last class?"

I sighed, slumping in my seat, knowing this was the onset of yet another dreadful math class. Suddenly, Makayla tapped my shoulder and I turned to see what she wanted.

"Do you and Eric always have to attack her like that?" She whispered.

"Wouldn't you be pissed if someone messed up your boyfriend's school record because they couldn't mind their business?" I whispered back.

She went quiet for a bit, so I assumed that she had nothing more to say. But then, she spoke up again.

"That wasn't the answer to my question though." She said.

"Mind your goddamn business Kayla!" I whisper-yelled, bringing the conversation to an end. "She's a nosy bitch who needs to get what's coming to her. I don't care if you were friends in a past life."

And with that, I turned to page eight of my math textbook. I remembered that I had to get my note from George before long break, which was the submission deadline. I also had to make sure that I put Esosa in her place later. I wasn't worried though, because I always got everything I wanted. That's just the way life has always been.