Y'all will wake up to this update...

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I wasn't sure if I should go to the field and inform Romeo about his fate or if I should go over to Mr. Obi and plead on Romeo's behalf while asking Mr. Obi to scold him privately. The second option seemed like the better one, as I decided to call on the teacher before he could get into the class completely.

"Sir!" I opened my mouth to say something, but it wasn't my voice that came out. I quickly turned to see Krystian about to walk past me. He smacked my face with his left palm, pushing me further into the corner so Mr. Obi wouldn't get a glimpse of me as he walked over to him.

"Yes, Krystian, what is it?" The class teacher asked. I moved further to the edge just to get a look at both of them. Krystian was now limping towards him.

"It's this bandage, sir; it's too tight." He said, trying to wiggle his hurt ankle to show proof. "I went to the nurse's office, but she wasn't there. I just want help in rewrapping it so it won't feel so tight. It's uncomfortable."

Mr. Obi bent to look at his bandage by pulling off his sneakers a bit. "You shouldn't have worn canvas to school. The school would've given you an exception."

"I know but. . . ." He stopped to look at Mr. Obi. "Can you help, sir?"

"Of course," the class teacher said without hesitation. "Let's go to my office. We need to be fast because I need to do something urgently."

I noticed them coming my way and quickly ran to hide at a different corner leading to a separate lobby. Krystian and Mr. Obi disappeared down the hall to the class teacher's office, leaving just me and my thumping heart. I peeled myself off of the wall as I skirted my way into the class. I rushed over to Romeo's seat and pulled out his sling schoolbag. It didn't have several compartments like a normal backpack, so it was easier to inspect.

I decided to look at the smaller places first, but nothing relating to drugs could be found. While doing this, my heart kept beating like it was threatening to burst out of my chest. Mr. Obi could be back any second, and if he caught me in this position, Krystian would be in trouble too. I wanted to ponder on why he was helping me, but I knew it wasn't the time.

I opened the zipper of the book compartment and set aside his text and exercise book, only to see a small black nylon bag at the bottom. Exhaling, I looked at the door before opening the nylon. There were different tiny wraps, and in those wrapped nylons were white substances. I grabbed what I came for and shoved it in my pocket before putting his books back into his schoolbag and pushing it into his locker.

I raced out of the class without a second thought and far from my class's lobby. Once I knew I was at a place the teacher wouldn't see me, I fell to the ground in exhaustion. I was going to yell and scream in Romeo's face, and I did not care if he was going to hate me for it. But the biggest question was: where to dispose of his drugs? I couldn't keep it with me. If Mr. Obi saw it on me, I'd be punished. Debby would kill me.

I got up after an idea struck me, and I found myself racing to the female restroom. I arrived and noticed how deserted it was. I rushed into one of the stalls and kneeled before the toilet before bringing out the black nylon in my pocket. One after the other, I busted the powder substance into the toilet. The smell that came with it made me want to choke. I couldn't process the fact that most humans took this into their systems. Once I was done dispersing it into the toilet along with the black nylon, I reached for the handle beside the toilet and flushed it down the drain.

Romeo owed me . . .

I got out of the stall only to see two girls looking at themselves in the mirror. I pretended like they weren't there as I moved to wash my hands and leave the restroom. I could've gone straight to the sports complex, pretending that all that just went down didn't happen, but I remembered that Daniela had asked me to get her water. I moved to the cafeteria, got her a bottle of water with my money, and went to the sports complex.

I skirted over to my chair, which was beside Daniela. Anita was no longer in Kim's chair, and Kim was still not present.

"Sorry, I'm late," I said as I sat down and handed her the water she needed and her money. "The queue was surprisingly long, maybe because lunch break is next."

"You bought it with your money?" I nodded, and she squealed. "Thank you!"

"No problem." I turned to the empty chair on my left. "Kim still isn't here." It wasn't a question. Daniela nodded, and I sighed. "Mr. Obi asked me to gather everyone and ask them to go back to class. What Anita said might be true. He wants to search. I was thinking Kim would help since she's the class rep."

"So someone is doing drugs in our class?!" She placed both hands on her head.

"We can't be so sure."

"How can we not be so sure when the class teacher is involved?" She then leaned in to whisper. "Do you think it's Femi? Or Chidi? Abi, is it Nosa?"

"Daniela, I don't know." I hoped she would stop. "I need help in gathering the students."

"Na Toyosi you go ask cause she be head girl." I nodded at her suggestion and stood to scan the place for Toyosi. My action caused others to grumble because I was obstructing their view of the game going on.

I spotted Toyosi at the back with Ore and Hymn. Hymn seemed like he was watching the game, but it was clear he was listening to whatever was playing in his headphones. Ore, who was sitting between them, seemed to be in a dilemma about whether to watch the game or watch Hymn, based on how her eyes wavered between him and the field. And Toyosi? She seemed like the only one interested.

I left my chair and moved over to where Toyosi was seated. All three lifted their heads to look at me.

"What do you want?" Ore snarled. I ignored her and turned to Toyosi. She hated me, and that feeling was mutual, and I wasn't here for her.

"Toyosi, I need your help. Mr. Obi asked me to gather everyone back to class," I said to her, then turned to look at the students around. "But I don't see how that's possible."

"Is it urgent?"

"I don't know," I said to her. "Maybe he wants to announce something."

"I'll go to the field to talk to the boys while you announce here," Hymn suggested. "It will be faster that way."

He got up and moved over to the field while Toyosi made her way to the front of the bleachers to make her announcement, leaving me with Ore.

"Everyone!" Toyosi yelled so loudly that everyone seated turned to her, forgetting the field within seconds. Those playing football were seen leaving the field, and Hymn was making his way back. "Mr. Obi instructed everyone to go back to class now!"

Of course, there was grumbling; it would've been weird if there wasn't any. But students obeyed. The boys in sportswear quickly went off to change back to their uniforms, while others sluggishly moved back to class. Getting to class, Mr. Obi was at the doorpost. He was blocking the path with his body, refusing to let anyone in.

"I believe everyone's schoolbags are in the class," he announced.

"Yes sir!" Everyone answered. I sensed a presence beside me, and I turned to see that it was Romeo. Just looking at him, I felt angry. But I wanted to contain every rage within me until later.

"What's going on?" He asked his eyes on Mr. Obi.

"I heard someone from our class is using drugs, and Mr. Obi knows about it," Daniela answered instead. "He's here to search and sniff out the drug user."

"Drugs?" Romeo's face was drained of colour as he turned to face Daniela.

"I know, shocking, abi?" An oblivious Daniela shook her head. "I'm sorry for that person, expulsion straight."

Romeo glued his gaze to Mr. Obi, who was already searching everyone's bags, starting from the front row. All I did was look at Romeo's frightful expression and picture the earful he was going to receive after this. I didn't know him that well, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

My classmates kept whispering. Some boys had turned it into a bet. Whenever Mr. Obi grabbed someone's backpack, Femi's friends would bring money out to bet on whether the class teacher would find the drugs in the bag or not.

Mr. Obi got to Romeo's bag after checking that of his seat partner. Romeo visibly exhaled, and after that, there was a blank expression. It was like he'd accepted his fate of getting expelled. Mr. Obi opened every compartment of his sling bag and brought out several papers and naira notes. Now he was in his book compartment. Mr. Obi brought out every note and textbook Romeo had in his bag and searched the space thoroughly, but there was nothing.

"What?!" Exclaimed Romeo in a hushed tone. I turned to him indifferently.

"I need to talk to you after this," Romeo turned to look at me. One look and he could tell I knew his secret. But I ignored his stunned expression and turned back to focus on Mr. Obi with a frown.

Mr. Obi, after searching for the last bag, strolled over to the door. He looked at each one of us with folded arms. "I was told by someone that a student of mine was using drugs, but I clearly can't find anything." No one said a word, though it was clear they all had a million and one questions lingering in their minds. "I'll just pretend that y'all are clean. If you know you're doing drugs and I catch you, you'll be in big trouble. Not just expulsion, but other punishments from the law will be attached to it."

"Yes sir!"

"Where's Kim?" He asked, but no one had an answer to that.

I was told by someone that a student of mine was using drugs . . .

I had a thought, but I tried pushing it down. I didn't want to dwell on that now.

"Toyosi," Mr. Obi said to the student in question. "Follow me to my office."

I saw Toyosi giving a small nod as students made way for her and Mr. Obi.

"I need to talk to you," I said without looking at Romeo's face and then stormed off. I didn't need to look back; I knew he was trailing behind.

We got to the back of the school, with me resting against the wall. I was so disappointed, and I was sure it was written on my face.

"Did you do it?" He asked, and I refused to answer unless he acknowledged what he did wrong. "Did you dispose of the stuff in my bag?"

"You are welcome," I said dryly. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Romeo sighed, looking at the side so as not to meet my accusing look. "What were you thinking about bringing drugs to school? No, let me rephrase that—what were you thinking about having drugs on you?"

"It doesn't concern you,"

"Oh, it does," I peeled myself off the wall, "because I just risked my last days left in school for you because I see you as a friend. I could've been expelled, you know?"

"I didn't ask you to." Why was he so ungrateful? I bit my lower lips in an attempt to say something I'd regret.

"Wow." I was trying so hard not to regret helping him. "Romeo, I came to this school, not because of you. I find myself helping you, and this is what you have to say to me? That you didn't ask me to?" I scoffed, licking my lower lips. "It's my fault."

I turned, ready to leave, when he stopped me by placing a hand on my shoulder. "Delphine, it's not like that."

"Then, like, what?" I turned to him with concern. "I saw you at Femi's party trading those substances for money. Why? Do you take it too?"

"No," Romeo said, letting go of my shoulder. "I'm not a fool, I know the dangers of it."

Of course, he was one of the smartest in class. "So why?"

"Because I need the money!"

I looked at Romeo with creased brows. "There are plenty of ways to make money, Romeo."

"But this is the fastest way." Romeo's eyes were bloodshot, but no tears could be found. "You won't know that because you're a rich—You know what? Just pretend this never happened."

"Romeo—"

"Later Delphine," he said, walking past me and heading back into the building but stopping, "and thank you."

And he was gone. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. I had to remind myself of why I was at this school. I didn't enrol to make friends or help anyone who needed help. I was here for Danielle.

"Trouble in paradise?" Ground, open, and swallow me now. I had forgotten all about Krystian and the fact that he'd helped out. I hated the fact that I had to team up with a suspected murderer.

"You owe me," I heard him take small steps.

"I do. How much do you want?"

"Not money," Krystian grimaced, then paused. He leaned towards me, and my breath stopped a bit at how close he was. He kept accessing my face with his eyes alone, then leaned back.

"What was that about?"

"Why were you asking about Danielle the other day?" He asked, and I frowned.

"All of a sudden?" He nodded. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because the question was directed to me?" He shrugged. "You owed me the truth for risking everything so you could help your friend."

"He is your classmate," I pointed out. "Our job is to look out for each other."

"I really don't care if anything happens to him. Now back to you," he nudged his chin in my direction. "The truth and nothing but the truth."

"We're not in court,"

"We'll see." Silence fell before us, and I frustratedly let out a sigh.

"I heard from someone that you were the first to see the student who died in this school. It's no news; it seems like everyone is aware of that." I watched him as he gave a small nod. "What were you doing in the press club?"

"What are you? A Riverdale reject?" I rolled my eyes at his comment. "It's not your business."

"You're impossible, do you know that?!" I snapped at him. I was so angry. He knew something. Or I felt that he knew something. And it wasn't my business? It was all my business. Danielle was my sister; anything concerning her was my business, whether anybody liked it or not. I looked at Krystian. He wasn't worth my time, and so I prepared to leave. "Thank you for helping out."

"You're welcome," he answered, and I turned to get away from his presence. "Delphine Udeme."

I stopped, as it felt like my legs were glued to the ground. It took everything to turn to Krystian. "What did you just call me?"

But all I could get as a response was a sly smile from him.

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That's it for today's chapter. Sorry for the late update.

What do you think about this chapter in general?

Krystian is aware of Delphine's identity. How do you think he figured it out? I want to see your theories.

So in the last chapter, I wrote about Delphine noticing Krystian by his scent alone, there's a back story for that.

When I was writing this chapter in Dec last year, my neighbour came to me with a sample of the new products she was selling and among it was oil perfumes. I smelled each to find out the one I liked but didn't like any. When she left, I decided to continue writing and subconsciously wrote about Krystian's scent😂. When proofreading, I was like I'd take off that part before publishing the chapter but forgot to do that😅

Anyways, I'd just leave it like that. Lol

See y'all on Friday...