It was all bitter within the soul of Mr Maxwell. He probably wondered the planets we emanated from. He played mute throughout the journey. Even when most of us pleaded with him to ask the driver to halt so that we would buy water.

That was so unfair. Like, I found it rude for him to be mad at even those that weren't entangled in the mess.

We arrived back to school about four pm in the evening. The biometrics capturing took the time. At some point, there was network problem and the staff in charge of the capturing would have to wait until the network connection becomes stable once more before proceeding with his duty.

"This should be the very last time you people will disgrace this school in such a disdainful manner." Mr Maxwell warned before letting us get back to classes to carry our individual backpacks and then set for home.

Already, students were seen in their tens under the famous mango tree waiting for their parents to come pick them up. Some were just coming out of their classes with their backpacks, laughing and conversing with their friends. While a few number of persons who were probably working the class today could be sighted with filled dustbins heading to the incinerator.

"Today is finally wasted!" Amarachi Eke sighed bitterly. A loud sigh escaped her mouth as she pouted her plump reddish brown lips.

"It wasn't. I guess you have no idea how important the biometrics capturing is." Olamma reminded her.

"Oh please," Amarachi waved her hands briefly. "Shut it." She yawned.

That was it. Amarachi Eke was so head over heels with power. And that sort of feeling was quite toxic to both the exhibitor and the person on the receiving end.

That was one reason she never liked me. Just because I suddenly began to be noticed by all and sundry, she got bitter and curious to know what brought about the sudden magic.

And the interesting aspect was that she had never tried to come and openly confront me in public again like a lunatic after the cafeteria and market experience.

Idiotism was just her exact problem.

Olamma was really offended but she decided to ignore her since she just shook her head and walked on. Amarachi on the other hand walked on like an amputated chicken.

And then she tripped and I actually laughed. Holding back the laughter that erupted from within my soul, was something I couldn't do. With enthusiasm, I watched every move. As her left foot mistakenly got dashed against a little but mighty stone and how her eyes widened in shock. It was pure diamond, the horrific look on her face as her butt kissed the ground.

She shrieked and yelped. But everyone with the exception of no one helped her up. We all moved as an army of ants.

"Teddy Nnale!" Her voice called out as hot tears nearly streamed down her high cheekbones.

I frowned and turned. Why was she calling him and what was she expecting him to...

"Won't you help me up?!" She shouted with that her annoying voice as Teddy turned and stood in front of her. Hands in his pocket and face mean as a bloody fuck.

He hissed slightly as he actually bent and carried her bridal style to the sick bay. So we thought, until we heard her warning him not to dare that but to rather let her down in her class.

I rolled my eyes and then paused. Like I was now in front of my class and just before one of my feet could step into the class, I took a deep breathe and then morphed my face into a deep frown.

"Dindu," I muttered out loud. Where was he? I thought we were walking side by side. By what was happening now?

"He is busy with his actual girlfriend." Naomi threw at me before brushing my shoulder with hers and then cat walking into the class with Obinna behind her.

Firstly, my face had that sort of disconcerted look on. Then I narrowed my eyes and finally hissed. "Idiot."

Quickly, I entered the class and checked my backpack to be sure nothing I would want to use at home was missing. Then, I sauntered back to the arena where the school bus parked and we had alighted from it.

"You sef, where have you been all this while?" I stopped in my tracks when I beheld Zimuzor coming towards my direction.

"I went for the capturing too." He answered, pausing in his tracks. "Your mom is already here o. She is all riled up right now."

Maybe it was me that he was looking for to inform me of my mom's arrival cause he turned and followed me to the famous gigantic mango tree.

The scolding I received wasn't funny. I tried telling mom that we came back late from Awka but all she knew was how to bark and threaten to leave me to trek home next time I delayed her.

I nearly hissed in anger. But I knew better than doing so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sighed and fell aback on my bed. The softness of the foam making a smile creep up my face.

Finally, it was time to sleep and sleep until I wouldn't want to ever sleep again.

At times, I get so tired that I wish to just lay on my bed and sleep for three days straight. But then, that would be abnormal. And I wasn't anything associated with that word.

"Golden!" That annoying alto voice again. I groaned and fumed and rolled my eyes as I wondered why someone can't even rest in her own house again.

Knowingly, I didn't answer her. Maybe when she calls my names once, twice, thrice and she hears no response, she would leave me alone.

"Kaima!" Now she was calling me my native name and I could hear her loud thudding on the steps.

Without hesitation, I sat up from my bed and pretended to be reading. Just at that moment, the door of my room flung open with two angry eyes glaring at me. "Are you deaf or dumb, or is both your problem? How can I call you severally and you remain balanced in your bed reading what?"

I glanced down at the book before me and I immediately realized the height of my foolishness. The maths textbook was upside down. Plus, there was no jotter or rough book to indicate that I was attempting complex questions.

"Ezinne is around, better go down and keep her company." Mom finally hit the hammer on the nail.

I whined. "Mommy nah. I'm tired." Not that I wasn't happy that Ezinne came. Of course I was. Her mom was my favourite aunt. And Ezinne herself, though a year younger than I, was just vibe to be with.

"You are now tired of your cousin sister. But you will not be tired of talking over the phone with your boyfriend." She eyed me accusingly.

Oh No! I knew it would end this way, las las.

"I don't have a boyfriend." God! Did I just deny Dindu? Why did he even ask to talk with my mom then. And foolish me went on to process his request.

"I dare you to deny that guy I spoke to over the phone as your boyfriend!"

"Momm.." I slurred, with pouty lips.

"Will you get downstairs before I get mad at you? Who is even your mom?" I knew she was kinda teasing me right now. If she was in her best of moods, I would replied her You, but she wasn't in that playful mood.

I slugged my way downstairs. Snails could probably walk faster than I was doing right now.

Ezinne was right inside the kitchen discussing with Zimuzor when I entered.

"Hey," She stood up and hugged me. "You've finally grown taller and prettier. I thought you would remain as you were."

I scrunched up my face. "Why would you think so?" Then with sudden need for air, I slightly pushed her away and breathed in oxygen. "Do you want me dead?!"

"Maybe," She shrugged. "You kept me waiting for minutes. What sort of cousin are you?"

"But he was keeping you company. And from what I saw when I entered the kitchen, you were engrossed." I stated, pushing out a chair and making my lazy ass comfortable.

"That is the apology you are meant to be dishing out to me." Ezinne hissed.

"How is Tobenna and your parents?" I ventured to ask. She noticed my change in the topic at hand and eyed me playfully. "Tobe is fine. Just that he is getting more and more playful. And it's affecting his intelligence quotient."

I chuckled. "As if you were not worse when you were small. Abeg Zimuzor did you cook? Like noodles?"

No longer could I prove to be stubborn for hunger. It was already about to injure me.

"So that's your name?" Ezinne turned and eyed Zimuzor before turning back to me and saying, "He tricked me to tell me my name but refused to say his."

Zimuzor shrugged. Perhaps, he had nothing to say and rather than being amongst we girls, he decided to leave the kitchen.

"Come back, we are you going to?" Ezinne snapped and then pursed her lips while darting her eyes here and there, upon realising how she sounded.

I gave her a particular look and she just twitched her lips. And the most amusing thing was that he did as she had said. "What's going on that I'm not aware of?"

"Nothing." They both chorused. And then nothing now seemed like something.

They exchanged looks. It better not be that Zimuzor was hitting on Ezinne.

"I heard that your JAMB is next week. How far studies?" The latter inquired.

"Good. I just hope to pass the kind over hyped exam. You know, that of last year was massive failure." I shrugged. "But...we move!"

"Yes o, my dear. We are on the moving train." Ezinne got all dramatic. "You...rather than boring holes into us with your stares, make us pancakes."

"Pancakes? I should make you pancakes?" A deep frown was etched all over his face as he gave her the you better be kidding kind of look.

"Hey!" Ezinne raised her right hand with a serious look. "I said us, who are you to even make me pancakes? You sure don't know the kind of boys that service me." That carefree look on her face made me smile before I actually grinned like a Cheshire cat at her. Did I just hear the word service me,?

With the disconcerted look on Zimuzor's face, it was obvious that he was lost in the oceans. "When did frying pancakes require qualifications?"

"You two are actually making me cringe. Zimuzor make us the damn pancakes or you fuck off." He had to choose any.

Zimuzor shrugged casually. "Nope." He retorted popping the letter p in it.

"Then we will talk about periods all day long till you excuse us." I stated and then with the most mischievous smile, turned to my cousin sis.

"Did I hear you say that you have dysmenorrhea?"