Esosa

Finally! Math is over and I can leave my dreadful classroom and my even more dreadful classmates. I walked out of my classroom through the front door so as to avoid Doyin, her friends and their madness. Trade class was one of the few periods when I actually got to get away from the chaos of it all and have at least a little bit of peace. A few of my classmates also offered my trade subject, catering and crafts but I honestly didn't mind. The best part of the class was that I got to hang out with my friend, Aramide.

I walked down to SS2D, slowing gown when I reached the front door. I quietly walked by, acting like I was distracted but sneakily trying to peep into their class. The new further math teacher Mr Chibong was in the class, writing in quick little strokes on the whiteboard. I could see Mide from her seat by the window, talking to the person behind her. When she saw me, her eyes suddenly brightened up and I could see the joy and hope in them. What did she want me to do?

She looked at Mr. Chibong to make sure his back was still turned before she whispered to me.

"Tell him Mrs. Funmilayo is calling us." She said "He wouldn't want to intrude on or steal her period and he'll let us go."

Mrs. Funmilayo was our catering and craft teacher. She was kind but also strict and late coming was awarded with one stroke of cane per delinquent. Two, if you were late and didn't have your note. As much as I understood why she was asking me to do this, I also knew how much trouble I could be in if Mr. Chibong were to find out that I was lying.

I shook my head. Aramide frowned, rubbing her hands together as she pleaded.

"Please nau." She whispered desperately "You know what she does to late comers."

I sighed before nodding my head. Aramide and the girl behind her smiled in excitement and whispered their appreciation. I walked in through the front door, hoping that I wasn't indirectly signing another suspension letter.

"Good morning sir." I greeted politely.

He stopped writing before turning to look at me. He eyed me, not in a dismissive or observant way but in a... sexual way? I couldn't really believe it myself but this bastard was leering at me. He sized me up, his eyes lingering on my chest, an action that made me shrink back internally. Where the fuck was Emerald high getting its new teachers from anyway?

"Good morning dear." He replied with a creepy smile that probably wasn't meant for teenagers "How may I help you?"

I took in a deep breath before continuing so I wouldn't end up slapping out whatever ounce of sense was left from his bald head.

"Mrs. Funmilayo sent me to call the catering and craft students." I said.

"Oh, sorry about that." He said before proceeding to cover up his marker "You can go for your classes. We'll continue from here on Wednesday."

The students began to move around, packing their things, gisting and the class became a bit noisy. I was about to leave myself, when Mr Chibong called me back.

"Come!" He said. I wanted to ignore him so badly but then I remembered that he was a teacher. I turned around, reluctantly before giving him my answer.

"Esosa." I replied stoically. I really wanted to tell him that my name was Chiamaka but I knew that with my luck, I'd end up bearing the consequences.

"Oh, that's a nice name." He said "I'm guessing you're not a science student."

I nodded because I wasn't even sure how to verbally reply to that.

"Are you having any problems with your math?" He asked me. I shook my head.

"Alright then. If you are having problems with your general math, don't hesitate to stop by my office." He said with a wink. I wanted to scrunch up my face in disgust but I nodded instead.

You have self-control Esosa. You have self-control.

"Thank you sir." I said quickly before rushing off. I walked outside and met Mide by the door, waiting for me. She opened her mouth, probably to tease me about wasting time, but stopped when she noticed the look of irritation on my face.

"Is everything okay?" She asked as we walked.

"Is your further math teacher always so pervy." I said with disgust.

"Yup." Mide said with a shrug "The girls hate him and the thought of going to the math staffroom spooks them."

"Yet another detail to add to this morning's list of miserable events." I huffed. "Is your catering and craft note complete?"

"Don't deflect." Mide said with a frown. "What happened this morning?"

I smiled. This was why I liked Mide. Despite the fact that she was one of the school's most prized social butterflies, she didn't let it get to her head. Unlike, a certain someone we all know too well, she was nice and still pretty sassy at the same time. The only issue with being friends with Mide is that she hung out with way too many people. We also weren't in the same class. But she'd been kind to me, even when the entire school had turned their backs on me. For that, I was forever in her debt.

I sighed "My mum was being her annoying self this morning. Senior George and Amanda took advantage of the fact that I had been late to school this morning and upped the ante on my punishment. And of course, the cherry on top, Doyin, her sicko boyfriend and amebo friend all took turns in insulting me this morning."

"Ouch." Mide said, wincing "I'm sorry about your mum. Was it a really bad argument or will she be cooler when you get home?"

I laughed but it came out mirthlessly and maybe a little dark.

"My mum hasn't been cool since the day I almost killed Benjamin." I said "It's safe to say that she's never gonna be cool with me again."

Mide knew it was a sensitive topic, so she decided to bring up something else.

"I'm also kinda bothered about Doyin to be honest." Mide admitted. I stopped walking, just as we approached the staircase, my eyes wide with shock.

"She's bullying you?!" I asked incredulously.

"What?! No." Mide laughed "Why is that the first thing that came to your mind?"

I shrugged "Cause she's a mini hitler with no conscience"

Mide laughed harder for a while before sobering up. Then, we kept walking down the stairs.

"As much as that is true," Mide replied "That's not what I'm worried about."

I waited for her to continue, with an expectant look on my face. She pulled off some thread that had gotten stuck to her low cut before she continued.

"My little sister has been hanging out with her. She's basically the demented Robin to Doyin's manipulative batman."

"Erife???" I asked, shocked out of my wits.

"Noooo, Kelechi." Mide replied sarcastically "Yes, I'm obviously referring to Erife. Which other younger sister do I have?"

"Chill out." I said before putting an arm around her shoulders, "Erife is pretty damn smart. She'll figure out how stupid Doyin is soon enough."

"She's smart but impressionable," Aramide said, "she doesn't really know much about Doyin and she really wants to make her name for herself at the school. Ignorance and ambition aren't really the best combo."

"You forgot to add the fact that she's really stubborn." I added just to make her smile.

"Yeah," Mide laughed, "that, she is." Mide laughed.

Erife, Mide's younger sister was in JSS3. She seemed nice and just like her oldest sister, she was quite popular in her set. Probably, she'd gotten tired of her small pond and wanted to swim with the big fishes, see what it was like. But Doyin wasn't a fish but a man-eating shark. She'd gobble her up before she could say a word.

"I'll keep an eye on her," I said to reassure her, "from a distance of course but at least it'll be something."

"I'll do that too," Mide said "It's not enough and I'll eventually have to try to talk to her about this, but till then it should do. Thanks Esosa."

"Don't thank me yet," I said as we approached the catering and craft class, "Let's just hope that Doyin hasn't sunk her teeth too deep into her."

***

After my class, I made my way back to my class alone because Mide had some notes she needed to copy. I walked into the class and met Joe on his seat, his English note in his hands. We'd submitted it last week Wednesday and there was an assignment we had to do as well. I stopped by his table to ask about the notes.

"Hey Joe." I said.

He looked up from his note and shakily dropped it back on the table.

"Hi Esosa." He said with a smile. "Whats up?"

If he seems so happy to see me then why are his hands shaking?

"Are you scared of me?" I asked, instantly derailing.

Joe sighed and adjusted his glasses. It was almost like he'd expected me to ask.

"I'm not scared of you Esosa. You're not as big of a monster as the school makes you seem."

I ignored his comment and focused on what I was looking for "Then why are your hands always shaking when you're around me?"

Joe laughed, and that was when I noticed how charming his smile was.

"You make it sound more like I like you." He replied, "I didn't know you were so cocky."

"Are you going to answer my question or not?" I asked, annoyed. I knew he was trying to rile me up, so why was I letting him?

Joe nodded and sat up straighter in his seat. "I shake like this around everyone Esosa. Not just you."

"Oh," My face was clouded with concern as I observed his twitching fingers which he'd placed on the table. "Do you have an anxiety disorder or something I..."

"No, I don't." He said, "I'm not sure why they shake like this but they always do. Even when I'm completely alone. They're called tremors."

"Hm." I said. I hadn't actually considered the fact that his hands might just be that way. I'd always assumed that people's hands only shook like that when they were scared.

"Have you gotten yourself checked out?" I asked "Maybe you have Parkinson's?"

Joe laughed, a deep and hearty laugh. It was genuine and sounded really nice even though I was the butt of the joke.

Pull yourself together Esosa!

"Only aged people get Parkinson's Esosa." Joe explained "But I don't know if I ever will get it checked out. I've had them for as long as I can remember."

"Okay then. Just be careful..." I said, restraining myself. Usually, I'd try to pry a bit more and urge him to get it checked out but he wasn't Mide. If he said he was alright, then he was alright.

"I will." He said with another charming smile "Is that what you really wanted to ask me about though?"

"Right." I said with a grateful smile "Where'd you get your note from?" I gestured to the note that was presently lying, forgotten on his table.

"Remi shared it a while ago." He said before turning back to point out where she was. "She held on to some of the notes when she didn't see their owners."

"Alright, thanks." I said before proceeding to leave, I'd bothered him for long enough.

"You're welcome." He said.

I walked to the back of the class where Remi, Doyin and another of her puppets, Efe were seated around someone's table. I sighed, I really didn't want to deal with Doyin's attitude right now.

Doyin scowled at me and I glared right back at her. Efe didn't even look at me, like I wasn't worth her time. Remi looked at me innocently, wondering what was up.

"Hi." She said.

"Hey. Someone told me you shared the English notes earlier." I said "Are you with mine?"

"I did share the notes earlier." She affirmed.

She paused and I waited impatiently for her to continue. I already knew what she'd done, she just had to say it.

"I gave it to Doyin to keep in your table." She said in a rush.

Fuck.

"I was in a hurry because the math teacher needed me..." She explained "And I didn't..."

I held up a hand to stop her. Excuses wouldn't help me now, it's time to fight the good fight of faith and get my note back. Besides, she was here having a tea party with the enemy. She didn't actually expect me to believe her did she?

"It's fine." I said curtly before turning my attention to Doyin "Where'd you keep it?"

"Stop being so rude and maybe I'll give it to you." Doyin said with a smirk. I took a deep breath, balling my fists at my sides in an effort to contain my rage.

"Can I please have my English note back?" I said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry," Doyin said with an even bigger smirk "I didn't get that?"

"Can I please have my note back?!" I snapped.

Doyin laughed "Good enough. But I don't have it."

Efe just laughed along with her. Remi had her eyes wide in shock and it was taking everything in me not to slap Doyin senseless.

"Where's her note Doyin?" Remi asked with fear in her voice.

"I dropped it off for her at home." Doyin said with a shrug. I took a few steps towards her and Remi stood up quickly to hold me back by placing her hands on my shoulders. Usually, I wouldn't be so angry at this bitch but I'd been through enough bullshit today.

"Relax, Esosa." Remi said calmly before turning back to Doyin "Oya serious Doyin, where is her note?"

"I already told you," She said stoically "It's at her house."

I shrugged Remi's hands off and just simply stared at her. Had her brain finally succumbed to brain rot, or had she always been this stupid. Or maybe she was running out of storage up there and she had to format the place.

"Are you on expired crack or something?" I asked her. "Where the hell is my note and what the fuck do you mean by 'it's in my house.'"

"Go outside," Doyin replied, pointing to the back door "Yellow trashcan on your right, you can't miss it."

Is this bitch serious right now?

"Please tell me you did NOT throw my note away." I said calmly.

Doyin stood up and got all up in my face. She stared me down, completely unafraid and I could literally taste her overly expensive perfume.

"I did." She said coldly "Watcha you gonna do about it?"

I raised my hand to slap her, when suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist. I knew it wasn't Remi holding me back this time because she was staring right at whoever it was. The person pushed my hand aside and I turned to see who it was.

"If you ever lay a hand on my girlfriend, I'll give you the fight you seem to be looking for. And this time, you'll be the one that Joseph will have to get the teacher for."

I glared at him, wishing desperately that it was enough to shoot holes through his pint-sized brain. Then, I stormed out of the classroom without looking back. Truth be told, I could take Eric on right here and now and teach his shitty little girlfriend a lesson. But I was tired of picking fights with people and didn't want to cause anymore trouble for myself today.

I reached the dustbin and looked inside. It was visibly drowning in waste, surrounded by snack wrappers, spoilt food and whatnot. But I could see the edges of my notebook clearly despite all the trash.

Can someone please tell me what I've done? I mean I do understand my part in this but is Doyin really this petty?

"Hey." Someone greeted snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Joseph, walking calmly towards me with his hands in his pockets.

"Didn't we just have a conversation like ten minutes ago." I said harshly. I wasn't angry at him or at the fact that he was greeting me, I was just tired.

"Relax." He said as he got to where I was standing "I heard the entire altercation between you and Doyin."

"I'm guessing you're here to help." I replied expectantly. He nodded.

Then, he pulled out a black nylon from one of his pockets. He wore it on his hand like a glove and used his free hand to smooth it down. The relief on my face was clearer than the sun on a bright and clear day. Yeah, I know I just said that. Ew.

"Where'd you get the black bag though?" I asked when he was done.

"I had some snacks earlier and the trash bin had been taken away," He explained "So I just kept it in my pocket and ended up forgetting about it."

Awww, he respects the environment. Not that I care so much about it myself but that's actually pretty cute.

He grimaced as he reached into the bin. He pulled out my note and held it up so we could both see the extent of the damage. Joe shook it a bit and a banana peel fell off. There were stains on the cover and bits of spaghetti all over it as well. I sighed as I observed the note, not even knowing what to do about it.

"We can fix this..." Joe said tentatively, he dropped the note gently on the floor.

"I'm all ears." I replied. I wasn't even being sarcastic this time. I had no ideas on how to fix this because my note was way too messy to keep back. I also couldn't just toss it away, it was my English note for crying out loud.

"We have to rip off the cover..."

"What?!" I exclaimed. I might be rough around the edges but my notes most certainly weren't. Something about me had to be organized after all.

"Well, we can't just leave it like that." Joe explained. "And you didn't let me finish. We can pull off the messy cover and try to make a new one."

"With what?" I asked. "Unless you happen to have a relative that makes book covers."

Joe laughed. "Chill out. With some cardboard, cardboard paper, and a YouTube tutorial, I think you could figure something out."

"Do you happen to have said YouTube video?" I sighed.

"Yeah it's on my phone." He said "I can send it to you, if you'll give me your number."

I smiled in amusement while trying to keep my thoughts to myself.

"Yeah, sure." I said with a shrug. Now, it was his turn to smile.

"Alright, I guess I'll help you pull the cover off." He said before bending to pick the book with his covered hand.

"Yeah," I said, suddenly shy for some reason. He was being so nice to me despite my you know... history.

"Thanks Joe." I said quietly.

"No problem." He said with a smile.

And I found myself shyly looking away. What's going on with me?