Pictures of Keith and Ben^

The boys had a separate assembly from the girls every Wednesday. I lead the assembly every Wednesday and Friday, which meant I had to learn the national anthem in *Igbo and French.

Presently, all the girls were on straight lines according to our classes, starting from Year 7 to Year 12, and according to our heights. Our Female teachers surrounded us like bodyguards having stoic expressions on their faces. I was standing on a fleet of stairs facing the students, who were all wearing a purple polo shirt that was tucked into an a-pleated grey skirt with a few purple stripes it was our Wednesday uniform, singing a hymn

"Nearer my God to thee

Nearer to thee

En though it be a cross......

I sang in a loud voice looking down at my hymn book, the students singing along with me in a not so melodious voice. All their eyes fastened to their hymn books looking like ducks.

I chuckled, which made all eyes focus on me including my teachers.

" Sorry," I said pretending to cough. Clearing my throat in the process. Then went back to singing the hymn

I mentally face palmed myself, how embarrassing

After the hymn. It was time for the National Anthem.

We all stood like soldiers, face forward with squared shoulders. Then we began singing the Anthem in Igbo, some students mumbling the words, most of them were Freshmen and some pathetic Year 12 students. I spotted Carla making funny faces at me, I squinted my eyes at her. She was never serious.

We said the pledge, placing our right palm on our chests. The teachers doing the same.

What did Davyn say to Keith yesterday?

Can you stop thinking about that, Maria

As I got down the stairs, the students clapped and I bowed in appreciation. It was a protocol in our school. I thought it was unnecessary. I headed back to the line, standing at the back of my class' line.

Miss Anita Olatunji, our English teacher, who was of mixed nationalities, a British-Nigerian, she had the most unique voice which I loved, climbed the stairs her black heels making a "tap" sound, she was wearing a black peplum skirt, paired with a Fuschia pink chiffon shirt, She smiled as she faced us her white teeth contrasting with her red painted lips.

The reason we had a separate assembly from the boys on Wednesdays was that a seminar was conducted for both genders of the school. Our female teachers spoke on everything relating to being a "girl child". We were instructed on not allowing the other gender to manipulate or deceive us because of silly teenage desires and the basic do's and don't on how we're supposed to behave in public.

Miss Anita was talking about how a female's life was like an egg, I was surprised to see her bring out an actual egg from a little purse I didn't notice before. All the students watched her as she threw the egg on the floor demonstrating with her hands and saying that "once an egg has been broken it can never be gathered back, Girls, please don't live a life of regret and shame. I want you all to live a fulfilling life"

What a waste of food

Everyone was clapping now as Miss. Olatunji got down from the stairs. I joined in the clapping. All the girls seemed touched by what they just heard but I knew that by tomorrow most of them would have forgotten about this lecture, going back to being their usual selves.

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At the end of the assembly, we all made our way back to our classes. The boys were also heading to class. Most of the girls hovered around not moving and I was beginning to get angry.

"Did you see the new boy yesterday? he's so handsome." A junior student squealed

"Handsome isn't enough to describe him. He is the sexiest male I've ever seen" her friend answered dreamily

" I would let him shatter me like that egg Miss Olatunji threw on the floor" a senior joined in. The girls all laughed at this.

They've gone mad

"Yo! Move" Cynthia yelled. All the girls eyed her as she pushed through them.

She has been in a bad mood since yesterday, I just thought it was one of her mood swings. Cynthia could be laughing one minute and frowning the next minute. When we got out from school yesterday, she just acknowledged Carla's rant about Davyn with a "hmm" and she got into the car that usually came to pick her up and zoomed off. Carla and I looked at each other confused.

I looked around searching for Carla, we were together just now. That girl.

"Is something wrong?" I asked Cynthia holding her hand.

She looked at me trying to smile but ended up pulling her brows in a frown

She sighed "you know about Stephen, right?"

Stephen was Cynthia's older brother who schooled abroad. He was the black sheep of her family and he brought shame to the 'Rochas' name. He was expelled from school due to his drug addiction causing harm not only to other students but to himself.

"Yeah I do, is something wrong?" I asked knowing how the whole thing affected Cynthia.

We stood beside the entrance of the stairs leading to our classes, most of the boys and girls interacting. The boys usually wanted to know what we were told during our seminars, so they usually teased us about it.

"He was deported because of drug trafficking and he's coming home today," Cynthia said staring straight ahead trying her best not to cry.

I hugged her "Cynthia, just let it out, you don't need to hold it in."

She shook her head pulling from the hug and staring at me. "I can't cry here. The students would think I got my heart broken by a boy".

I nodded and smiled, she smiled back" I'm here for you, you know that right?"

"I know," she said hugging me again.

"Let's head to class, classes will soon begin." I looked around, most of the other students had left except for a few seniors that lurked around to punish any student that wasn't in class.

As we were about to climb the stairs, Carla came running down looking disgruntled and sweating profusely, her uniform looked rough

"Where have you been?" Cynthia and I asked at the same time.

She clutched her tummy moaning, "I am sorry guys, I've been in the toilet. I think I have diarrhea. I ate too much candy yesterday"

" Carla, I've warned you severally to take it easy with sugary foods. Sorry ehn" I said rubbing her tummy for her looking at her with concern. Her face look contorted as if she were holding in a fart

"Let's take her to the school's nurse," Cynthia said rubbing Carla's back.

I nodded in response looking at Cynthia but my eyes settled on the figure making his way towards us.

Latecomer

As Davyn made his way towards us some of the seniors stared at him as he passed them by. He stopped walking as he reached us and looked at us probably wondering why we were standing at the entrance of the staircase.

"Uh. Excuse me" he remarked

His deep voice echoed. Cynthia and Carla turned their heads to him shocked that he was standing behind us

"Ohh. So-rry" they said stuttering as they moved aside for him to pass.

He nodded his head at them and made his way up the stairs, his cologne whiffing into our nostrils.

Carla blew herself with her hands pretending to pass out.

Davyn only climbed up a few stairs then he turned around , shocked to see me trying to pull Carla up from Cynthia's body.

He rushed down to us looking concerned" is she okay?"

The three of us whirled our heads to the side stunned to see him standing in front of us.

Carla stood straight pulling her skirt down.

" I'm fine, I was just trying to scare these two," she said pointing to both Cynthia and me.

I shook my head while Cynthia raised her eyebrows at him playfully. I was glad to see that she was in a better mood.

"Okay...." he was probably thinking that we were crazy.

Then he turned to face me. His eyes upfront looked magical, God did have his favourites.

"I saw you in class yesterday, I don't seem to know my way there. Please can you show me?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck. His biceps bulged as he did so.

I could only stare. How could someone look and sound like this? This wasn't fair.

Cynthia and Carla were blowing kisses at me from his back. I ignored them and faced him

" I don't think I can I have to take my friend to the...."

"Katty, just take the "new" student to class," Carla said cutting me off, with emphasis on the word new

"Your duty as a student of this school is to take care of your fellow students in their time of need," Cynthia said smirking quoting Principal Tobi.

They were enjoying this.

"Fine. Let's go" I said frowning.

"Thank you," Davyn said following me up the stairs.

I didn't like walking in front of boys because they were usually stared at my ass. I glanced back to look at Davyn and met his eyes.

Weird

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Thankfully, everyone was in class because the hallway was empty. Davyn stood beside me as we got off the stairs. I sneaked a glance at him. He stared ahead not even sparing me a glance as we walked side by side. I was tempted to take him to the wrong class and abandon him there.

When we got to class, I opened the door. Mr. Nicholas was already there. I guess the bell had rung and I wasn't paying attention.

Everyone looked shocked as Davyn stood behind me.

"Maria, why are you late for class? That is unlike you. Is that the new student standing behind you" He asked folding his arms. That wasn't a good sign.

"Sorry, sir. Carla was a bit under the weather so I had to take her to the sick bay. I met Davyn on the way there, he asked me to show him the way to class" I replied to him bowing my head respectfully.

" Hmm." He faced Davyn " Hey boy, don't you have any manners? Were you not taught how to respect elders where you are from." Mr. Nicholas said in a harsh tone.

What was wrong with this man?

Davyn stared at Mr. Nicholas blankly and mumbled a good morning to him with a curt nod.

"Better. Now head to your seats. Maria, you need to show the new boy how things are done around here. This isn't America. I don't condone deliquent acts in my class" He said facing me.

He was beginning to sound racist

"I will sir. Sorry for the interruption, sir." I said with a nod and headed to my seat.

" Hey, what's up" I heard Keith and Ben greeting Davyn.

"You got Maria to take you to class alone? bro, how did you do that" Ben asked whispering to Davyn but I could hear him.

I looked at Mr. Nicholas making sure he wasn't going to turn to face the class soon then I faced Keith and Ben, both of them smirking as Davyn told them he only asked for my help.

I knew I wasn't going to hear the last of this from my classmates, who were probably waiting for the teacher to leave so they could tease me about it.

"Ben, what is wrong with you? Why would you ask that?" I whisper yelled.

He stuck out his tongue at me making googly eyes.

Davyn seemed amused at this because he grinned. A faint dimple showed below his lips. So he smiles?

I faced the board not even bothering to deal with Ben anymore.

"We are still on Quadratic Equations. Now, who can tell me the four ways of solving quadratic equations" Mr. Nicholas asked facing the class.

My classmates immediately started mumbling, some were counting on their fingers while the others scratched their heads facing each other.

I raised my hand.

"Decorum" Mr. Nicholas thundered.

"You are all unserious elements. Maria, why don't you help these dumb classmates of yours out"

"The four ways of solving quadratic equations are by factorization, completing the square method, quadratic formula, and using of roots" Davyn answered in a monotonous voice.

What the...

Everyone looked at him shocked. Jennifer and Tonia were smiling at him as if he had just read a love poem out loud. Even the guys seemed impressed. I was livid. What right did he have to answer in my stead? Was his name Maria? Was it his middle name?

I'm sure my head was looking like it was about to explode from anger

" Hey, *yellow pawpaw, I don't know how you do it in America but here in Nigeria. You don't speak unless you're told to. This should never repeat itself in my class again" Mr. Nicholas spat out looking irritated

" Yes," Davyn said looking pissed." It's yes sir to you" Mr. Nicholas retorted

I could see Davyn squeezing his hands in a fist. "Yes sir." He said through his teeth.

Now, I felt bad for him.

The bell rang signifying the end of Mr. Nicholas' class.

Hallelujah

"Maria, collect the assignments I gave during the last class from your peers and bring them to the staff room," Mr. Nicholas said to me.

"Yes sir" I answered.

"Goodbye. Mr.Nicholas" Everyone exclaimed as he left the class.

"I hate that man," Ben said removing his glasses from his eyes.

"We all do" everyone responded even John who hardly spoke in class.

"Davyn, please don't mind him. He acts that way because his wife left him on the day of his wedding" Jennifer said in a tiny voice.

Davyn just smiled.

He looked kinda cute. The girls noticed this also because they all shared a look.

Carla walked into the class, looking better than she did previously.

"Hey bitches, what did I miss?" She said as she cat walked into the class.

The girls stood and gathered around her asking her different questions "hey where have you been", " are you alright", "I hope you're not sick"

"Carla, you should have seen the way Mr. Nicholas treated Davyn. He was ruthless" Keith said licking his lips.

"Aww, poor Davyn," she said waving her hands at him.

He looked at her and grinned. Then went back to writing in his book.

Carla turned to me and blew herself with her hands. This was becoming a habit. A bad one.

"How are you feeling now?" I asked with concern in my voice. I knew Carla seemed bubbly and all but I knew she only did that to distract people from her pain.

"I'm much better. The nurse gave me some drugs and I slept off for some minutes" she explained pulling her brows together.

I took her left hand in mine rubbing them with both of my hands.

"I'm glad you feel better. " I told her with a smile.

She smiled back and turned to the other side to talk to her other seat partner.

We were supposed to have English now. It seemed like Miss. Olatunji was running late.

My classmates were noisemakers everyone wanted to let themselves be heard thereby leading to a cacophony.

I stood. " Everyone submit your Mathematics assignment. I'm heading to the staff room to call Miss. Olatunji"

They all groaned, glaring at me. Davyn stared at me and I ignored his eyes.

"Maria, you're too uptight," Keith said standing from his seat at the back and came to stand before me, massaging my shoulders. " Loosen up a bit uhn," he said smiling down at me. His black skin contrasting with mine, his black eyes full of mischief as he grinned at me.

I glared at him.

Tonia looked pissed. She had had a crush on Keith since freshman year but he had always been one to play with people's emotions. He was the typical soft boy.

"Hey! Get your hands off my best friend you pig" Carla said pulling him away from me.

"You hurt me dear Carla" he clutched his heart as he went back to his seat.

Everyone except Davyn chuckled at the exchange between us.

"Maria, before you go let's do our class tradition with Davyn" Tonia announced, as she chewed a piece of gum.

Everyone nodded agreeing to what she said.

"Tonia, you deserve this" Ben said pretending to bring something from his pockets but bringing out his hand to show a thumbs up.

I shook my head at them as I sat.

Jennifer stood and dragged Davyn from his seat to the front of the class. He looked perplexed, biting his lips as he stood in front of the class. He put his hands in the front pockets of his denim jeans. He wore a grey round neck polo which brought out his eyes. His were rubbing the back of his neck he was probably feeling nervous.

Jennifer bit the tip of her tongue as she stared at him.

"Jennifer stop staring and tell him the rules" Carla teased.

"O-h..yeah...right. So you have to introduce yourself first by telling us your first and last name. Then we would all ask you questions which you'd have to answer truthfully" Jennifer said looking overly excited for a stupid tradition.

"Okay," he said his deep accented voice making that one word sound so good.

What was wrong with me?

Everyone cheered for him as Jennifer went to her seat and gave Tonia a high five.

I rolled my eyes.

" uh... My name is Davyn Azuka" He started. So he's Igbo? How interesting.

"So he is Igbo" Carla whispered to me.

"Where are you from?" One of my classmates inquired.

"I was born in America but my dad is Nigerian" my classmates started mumbling as he said this.

"That explains a lot" Carla whispered to me again.

I sighed.

"Maria it's your turn to ask a question" Keith expressed.

Davyn and I stared at each other, my tummy churning from nerves. It looked like he was inviting me to ask him anything the way he stared at me or perhaps it was all in my head.

I cleared my throat knowing that if I backed out I wouldn't hear the last of it from Keith. "Were you happy to leave America for Nigeria?"

Jeez, why would you ask such a personal question? You couldn't have just asked him for his favourite colour.

Everyone went silent after I spoke, they all turned to face me. I'm sure they were surprised by my question. I usually asked the most obvious questions whenever we did this.

Davyn turned to me "At first I was not happy but I think I'm beginning to like it here" he answered his eyes focused on mine. I looked away feeling my heart beating rapidly.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh" everything echoed clapping their hands.

"What was that" Carla turned to face me. I shrugged looking away.

"So, who do you think is the prettiest girl in this class?" Keith asked looking at me. It wasn't even his turn.

Everyone turned to Davyn, who smiled at the question. He looked down at his feet, then tilted his head to the side staring straight at me his eyes meeting mine and I froze in my seat. I didn't like the way he was staring at me. It made me feel uncomfortable.

He then turned to the class. "Everyone looks beautiful" facing me as he said the last word.

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A/N

Igbo is one of the major languages spoken in Nigeria.

Yellow pawpaw is a term used in Nigeria to refer to light-skinned people.

What do you guys think of this chapter? I honestly had a hard time completing it.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Danke!