⚠ Warning ⚠ insensitive remarks ahead ⚠

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I dreaded waiting behind after school and being caught by Krystian the instant I walked beyond the front gate. The gateman's expression was like a telepathic homage to my own burial. I was in a pretty enormous soup, and I knew it. It was about nine o'clock at night, and I wasn't sure how my sister would respond. She wasn't sitting on the balcony like she had before, so I prayed to God that she hadn't returned from work. My prayer was cut short as I came through the front door and into the living room.

Debby quickly stood up when she saw me. She was dressed in the same clothes she had worn before leaving the house for work, implying she hadn't showered.

"Where are you coming from?!" She ordered in a stern voice. Trust turned, probably to see my reaction as Debby yelled at me.

"Sister I—"

"I told you, didn't I?" I was about to find an excuse when Trust interrupted me. "Give them a chance, and they will take chances. You're spoiling this girl too much."

As his words sank into my veins, my palms tightened into fists. Why was he contributing to this conversation? I turned to Debby in the hopes of getting past her. "Sister, I can explain."

"Then explain," Debby said, stretching her right hand and pointing to the wall clock in the living room. "Because I don't see why a girl your age would come home from school at nine o'clock at night. What has come over you, Delphine?"

I fell quiet. What was I to say to her? I chose to stay behind after school because I wanted to break into the class teacher's office, but I got caught by my classmate before I could even make any attempt to succeed with my plan. I couldn't tell her that.

"I'll tell you, love," Trust said, I guess he wasn't done 'contributing'. "She's a hormonal sixteen-year-old girl that is trying to open her legs for a hormonal sixteen-year-old boy, or boys in her age bracket."

"Sister!"

"Is he lying?" I couldn't believe my sister was already siding with her boyfriend again. "What can explain this situation? Yesterday was the excuse for following a friend to the hospital. What's today's excuse? What will be tomorrow's excuse?"

I closed my eyes, trying desperately to keep the tears from sliding down my cheeks, but the action pushed the tears down both cheeks faster than I had anticipated. "I'm not opening my legs for anyone, sister. I'm too young for that. I swear, sister Debby, I'm not interested in any boy my age."

"So you have an interest in older boys then? Men abi?" Trust slid in, trapping me with his words. I focused my concentration on Debby, praying she'd see my point of view.

"Sister—"

"Go to your room." Debby gave her orders while pointing at the stairs. "Now!"

"I can't believe you, sister." I burst into tears, my heart hurting. "You listen to Trust way more than you listen to me."

"He's not your mate," I bit my lower lips, trying to control myself, but I couldn't do that.

"I'm surprised at how Danielle could live in such a toxic environment," I sniffed, attempting to suppress my running nose. "I hate you, sis Debby."

"Delphine—"

"I do." I wiped my tears again to clear my vision before turning to Trust, "And I hate you even more."

I turned and stormed up the stairs, blocking out Debby's calls until I reached my room and slammed the door shut. I climbed into my bed seconds after entering my room and buried my face in my pillow, crying my eyes out.

I couldn't believe Debby would think so less of me just because her boyfriend said so. I was stupid to return home so late at night, but couldn't she have given me the benefit of the doubt when I informed her I wasn't opening my legs for guys my age, as Trust claimed? Why couldn't she side with me?

How did Danielle manage? How, exactly? I would have killed myself to get away from Debby and her complete trust in her boyfriend. I haven't been in this place long, yet I already felt unnoticed and suffocated. It was manageable around the holidays because the breaks were usually short and Danielle was with me. But now? Everything was much worse.

I hate you, sis Debby. The words I'd said to Debby rang in my ears, but the rage I felt boiling inside of me didn't allow me to feel guilty. That night, I cried myself to sleep.

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I shifted in my bed, then let out a small moan as I felt the thumping headache. Yesterday's incident felt like a dream, yet the dampness on my pillow was proof that everything had happened. Trust had accused me, a sixteen-year-old girl, of sleeping around, and my blood sister Debby had sided with him.

With a muffled groan, I rose from my bed and sat down. I couldn't continue with my day; I had to wait for everything to register in my head. I realised right away that I was still dressed in my uniform. I was extremely hungry because I hadn't eaten anything last night and had cried myself to sleep in my uniform. It was fortunate that today was a Friday. I didn't have to wear my uniform because I had my sportswear as an alternative.

I finally got out of bed and went into the bathroom to the needful. When I was finished, I walked out of the bathroom with a white towel around my chest. I went to the wardrobe to bring out my sportswear, which I paired with my white sneakers. As I approached my mirror, I noticed how swollen my eyes were. I couldn't go to school this way; everyone would know. I reached into my bedside drawer and pulled out a pair of brown glasses. It wasn't allowed in school, so I knew I'd have to work hard to not get caught.

I walked out of my bedroom, my hands wrapped around the strap of my backpack, and descended the stairs to the living room. I felt hungry, but I wasn't going to eat anything.

"Delphine." I paused at the bottom of the steps, gazing into the dining room. Debby was there, fully dressed for work. Trust was with her; no surprise there. Debby looked uneasy as her mouth opened and closed several times.

"Your breakfast is set."

"Not hungry," I turned around and walked towards the front door. I was sick of her taking her boyfriend's side and saying bad things to me while miraculously expecting we'd reconcile the next day. She had made it very clear that Trust was way more important to her.

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I felt self-conscious when I arrived at school. If they hadn't been distracted by another student, the security men would have taken my glasses. I slid past the gate and headed to the main school building. I felt eyes on me the entire way to the school's main building, but I was trying hard to ignore them.

"What's wrong with her?"

"This one is taking fashion at school to a whole new level."

"I bet she's just trying to hide her face; I heard she's pregnant."

Students kept murmuring around me, and all I wanted was for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I was wearing glasses due to swollen eyes, but they were unaware of this. Pregnant? I blamed Ore. I was determined to get back at her, and the stuff I got from a mallam after I had left the house would do the trick.

"Delphine," I paused in the hallway and turned in the direction of the voice. It was Romeo. Because of what happened last night, I couldn't question Debby about him. He walked with a long stride towards me.

"I need to talk to you," was all Romeo could say to me before leaving for God knows where. I pushed my glasses up my nose and followed him, disregarding the stares of others.

Romeo brought me to a see-through building filled with green plants. It appeared like a greenhouse to me, and I was unsure of its purpose at this school. Romeo sat on a bench, and so did I. He wasn't thrilled, so I assumed Debby didn't give him the job.

"I need to ask you something," Romeo said. I saw we weren't the only ones in the building; it seemed to be a popular hangout for other students as well. Romeo looked at me through his medicated glasses and questioned, "How did you know the dead girl's sister?"

Dead.

"The girl that got killed was Danielle. How did you know her sister?"

Killed.

Romeo didn't have a filter in his mouth and said things as they were, which I should have known given how he constantly gave Kim, reality checks. Dead. Killed. Romeo was the first to use those words rather than the usual 'tragic incidents', which was used by the majority of the students and teachers in this school. Danielle was dead; she had been killed, and Romeo was not afraid to use those words.

"I don't understand you, Romeo; I only referred you to my make-up artist." I tried to keep myself together so he wouldn't see right through me.

"I know," Romeo sighed, finally lowering his guard around me. "If only you could have seen my face yesterday. When I first met her, I was stunned and all I could do was express my condolences. It's not my style to pity someone, but I couldn't help myself."

I gazed at Romeo and asked, "How did you know? How did you know she was Danielle's sister?"

Romeo shrugged. "I've got eyes. She used to drop Danielle off at school. Everyone knows that."

The alarm went off at that very moment, prompting Romeo to get up from the bench. "We should get moving. It's unheard of for a school prefect, like myself, to be late for the assembly."

That made me smile. "Yes, Mr. Romeo Isa, officially known as the Greenville High School assistant sports prefect."

That solidified Romeo's confidence, and he held his head high as if he were the President of Nigeria or something.

"Yeah, right, Romeo," I called as we walked out of the greenhouse-like building so we could get to the auditorium. "About the assistant position for my makeup artist, Did you get it?"

"Surprisingly, yes." Romeo glanced at me as if he couldn't believe it himself. "She said all I have to do is hold products for her while she works on a client's face, and if I wanted to learn while at work, it's completely up to me to decide."

Romeo stopped on his track, and I did the same. "I get to be paid sixty kay for just holding powder and lipstick. How?"

"Are you questioning it now?" I laughed and continued walking but at a slower pace. Romeo was alongside me in seconds. "Perhaps she has enough money and doesn't care. I've heard she has two to five people per day and charges at least twenty-five kay each. The minimum wage for her every day is fifty kay, so I'm sure she has sixty thousand naira to spend on someone who does nothing except hold lipstick and powder."

Romeo chuckled incredulously. "The Udeme's family is definitely swimming in money."

My heart skipped a beat as Romeo said my last name. Romeo, oblivious to this, opened the door to the auditorium, and we both walked in. Throughout the assembly, I attempted to keep my head down so the teachers wouldn't notice me. A student named Sodiq approached me and asked me to remove my glasses, but because I was reluctant, I had to lie that I had Apollo. It was an embarrassing excuse, but it worked.

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I dashed out of the auditorium as soon as the assembly ended and hid in a corner where the teachers wouldn't notice me. To be honest, I wasn't sure whether I was overreacting because I didn't have a mirror with me to see how puffy my eyes were compared to this morning at home, but I didn't want to take any chances.

Most of the students continued to whisper after seeing me, saying something along the lines of me being pregnant. Even in the auditorium, that seemed to be the only thing on their minds, and I was tired of it.

"What's got you all shaky, new girl?" Krystian approached me. Students glanced at us as they passed, and the Elites came to a halt when they noticed Krystian talking to me.

"Let's go, Krystian," Toyosi said, making her way to us. She tried to appear composed but failed miserably.

"You can leave, Toyosi. I'll be right behind you three," Krystian said, turning slightly to Toyosi. Ore folded her hands and rolled her eyes as he spoke. Toyosi only stared at me, then back at Krystian.

"But we usually go together," Toyosi nearly complained. "Right, Hymn?" She nudged Hymn.

"I mean," Hymn continued, pointing at Krystian and me, "he looks like he wants to talk to her."

"What would someone like him want to discuss with someone like her?" Ore, unlike Toyosi, was bold in her actions. She despised me and the fact that I was seen with Krystian and Hymn, and she wasn't afraid to show it.

"Someone like her?" I took a step forward but was stopped by Krystian, who grabbed my wrist in an attempt to keep me in control. I hated it. What exactly was I? His dog?

"Hymn, can you take them to class?"

"We are not kids!" Ore yelled at Krystian's request before storming out. Toyosi was hesitant to go, but Hymn pressed a hand against the small of her back to get her moving. Krystian and I waited until his friends had left before he focused his attention on me.

"What's with the glasses, new girl?" I folded my arms. Was this why he stopped me?

"I'm going to class,"

"You'll eventually take that off in class." His comments halted any sudden movements on my part. He leaned in, as if to get a better look at my eyes through the glasses, but then surprised me by reaching for my glasses and pulling them off.

"What's your problem?!" I snapped and snatched the glasses from his grip. "Haven't you heard of boundaries?"

"Your eyes are fine."

"What?"

"Your eyes," he said pointing to them. "They are fine. You do not need the glasses." I glanced at Krystian, unable to figure him out.

"Hi, Krystian." Kim found her way beside me and waved sheepishly at Krystian. She was surprised to find Krystian talking to me. That appeared to be his cue, as he pushed both hands into his pocket and smiled down at me.

"Hi, Kim. Bye, new girl."

I waited there watching Krystian make his way down the lobby. I waited until he was out of sight before looking at Kim.

"Hey Kim, what's up?"

"What's up?" Kim's jaw dropped. "W-w-when d-d-did—"

"Kim." I closed my eyes and sighed before opening them again. "Use your words."

"I'm trying," I observed as she tried to calm down before strapping her waists. "When did you and Krystian become so close?"

Me? Krystian? Close? What was she on about? "I don't get you."

"You both were like . . ." Kim began by using her hands to demonstrate. ". . . so mushy."

"You and these are your words," I sighed and began making my way to class with Kim, attempting to keep up.

"I'm serious," I sighed, attempting to tune her out. What she saw was Krystian not minding his own business and constantly getting in my face. Toyosi's expression suggested that her heart had been shattered but that wasn't my concern.

Kim and I entered the classroom, only to discover the guys in the back, sliding into Romeo's seat and writing something on paper. Well, the majority of the guys. Krystian and Hymn were not included.

I walked over to my seat, sat down and pushed my backpack into my locker. The fact that no one was paying attention to my eyes confirmed that I was being dramatic.

"What are they doing?" I inquired, turning to the back. Romeo appeared to be the most invested, laughing whenever a person said something and then writing it on paper.

"Ignore them." Kim did not bother to glance at the back. "They saw the science class making a list, ranking the top five girls in their class based on their pretty faces, brains, and hotness, and decided to follow suit. Awful, right?"

"For those not on the list, yes."

Kim slapped my upper arm, making me laugh. "It's just awful. Grading girls is also degrading. Why would they grade us?"

"The switch," I replied, sighing at her words. "Aren't you the one always calling Krystian a Greek god?"

"Because he is."

"And isn't that like ranking him high amongst the other guys in class?" Kim fell quiet.

She leaned in after a few seconds and whispered. "What if I'm not in the top five?"

"That's what you are worried about?" I scoffed, then fully faced Kim. "I wasn't serious when I talked about it being awful for those not on the list. You are a very beautiful girl, Kim, and don't let some stupid list made by some stupid boys in our class get to you. Look at me; I'm sure I'm not going to be on that list, and I do not care. You shouldn't too."

"You're lying." Kim grinned, thankful for my words. "You've bagged Femi; Romeo isn't cruel to you; Hymn talks with you; and Krystian appears to have something going on with you. You're like a boy magnet, and I know you'd make the list."

I sneered at her comments. Boy magnet? I wish. I didn't say anything, simply let her words slide. Femi got up from the back seat, drawing attention as he moved to the front to paste the so-called list they had created.

"Level pass level o. From rank one to rank five. If you know, say your name no dey inside; just know, say you no fine." His words generated laughs from the boys and insults from the girls, but despite their conflicting emotions, the majority of the girls moved to the front to see the top five girls in our class.

"Let's go." Kim began to drag my hand, and all I could do was frown at her.

"Go and check; I'm not interested."

"Come on, please; I'm curious."

"Kim, come and see," Daniela hollered at Kim, who practically dragged me out of my seat. After seeing the list, the majority of the girls returned to their seats, disappointed.

The list was simply the centre page of a notebook, with different handwriting. The header read 'Top Five Girls in Ss3 Arts Class'. It was more than just a list of names; it also included reasons.

"Are the guys serious?" A friendly voice spoke, and I turned to see Toyosi. She smiled genuinely when she noticed I was staring. "This is so childish."

"Childish with no taste, that's for sure." I watched Ore distastefully eye the list. The contrast between Toyosi and Ore was that of night and day. Well, that was if I wasn't looking beyond certain facades. I wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

"Congratulations, Toyosi!" Kim turned to smile at her. "You deserve it."

"It's not like she won a Grammy," Ore said, rolling her eyes.

"Jealous?" Toyosi leaned towards her friend.

"No, because I know I'm prettier. The guys just love you more, so no surprise there. What I don't get is her," Toyosi dragged her scornful look towards Kim. "Surpassing me in ranking. Like, talk about no taste."

The class was quiet, and everyone was staring at me, Kim, Toyosi, and Ore. Toyosi had ranked first due to her flawless shining complexion, pretty face, great personality and, in brackets, a beauty with brains. Kim came second with her charming looks which had the boys in class swooning. She was described as obnoxious but also the cutest person in class. Ore came in third due to her killer shape but terrible personality. They even stated that they would overlook her attitude just to get hold of her tiny waist and large hips. I was shockingly ranked fourth for the reasons of being an African queen and the only dark person on the list. Anita came in fifth place because of her killer backside but was also known as a very major gossiper.

"Okay, that's enough. Kim placed second; go cry. I mean, the reasons are there, so what are you ranting on about?" Their reasoning was a stretch, but who cares? Anything to keep Ore in her place was acceptable to me.

"Will you shut your mouth, you baby mama?" Ore dismissed in the most disrespectful way, which made several of my classmates laugh. "It's enough that we have to share a class with a whore like yourself; why do you have to force your existence on us? I wasn't speaking to you, was I?"

"You didn't just insult me." I took a step forward, but Kim instantly positioned herself between Ore and me. I felt my jaw tense and my fingers form tight fists. Ore was being quite unreasonable, and I intended to teach her a lesson.

"I . . ." Kim began in a trembling voice. "I think they made a mistake."

"Who exactly?" We all turned to the back. It was Romeo. He had his hands folded and was looking intently at the scene unfolding in front of the class. "Don't speak for us, the guys, that made the list."

"Why is he causing a scene?" Kim whispered to me. Then she composed herself. "This list shouldn't be made in the first place!" She yelled at Romeo, then curled into herself and said in a nervous tone. "How can you guys rank me over Ore?"

Romeo merely stared, unable to say anything, as the class door opened and the Civic Education teacher entered. "What is going on here, eh? Ss3 Art."

I quickly snatched the paper from the wall and shoved it in my pocket as we all scurried over to our seats. I looked at Kim, who was still depressed just because Ore had planted the stupid idea of everyone in this class being below her.

"Kim, my dear, come out and help me dictate today's note to the class," the teacher called out. Kim immediately regained control of herself and stood up to retrieve the note from the teacher. "You," she gestured to me, "bring her chair here; let me sit down."

"You people should better pay attention." She continued as she sat on the chair I'd brought out for her. "I don't want to start hearing words like repeat, go back, or come again. If I hear it, I'll knock that person's head. Understood?"

"Yes, ma!" the entire class said as I moved to my seat to prepare for the class.

"Kim, my dear, you can start."

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I still wasn't myself. It was one thing for the school to believe I was pregnant; it was another for Ore to insult and embarrass me in the manner she did, knowing full well that she had kept that item in my backpack.

"Delphine," Kim poked me, dragging me out of Wonderland, according to the school's sleeping beauty. "Are you okay?" Her troubled look swept across her face. "I've been calling you. Are you okay?"

I shook my head and groaned. I didn't have the strength to make an excuse. I was about to lay my head on my desk when I noticed Ore getting up from her seat and leaving. I quickly unlocked my zipper and took out the small container I'd bought from the mallam, then stuffed it into my pocket.

"I'll be back," I told an oblivious Kim before running out. I followed behind Ore and realised she was heading to the ladies restroom. The perfect location. I entered the restroom straight after her, but she was already in one of the stalls. Some students were present, and they all threw glances at me. I attempted to ignore them until they exited the bathroom. After they left, I opened the container's lid to prepare. I heard the flushing sound and figured Ore would be out in a few seconds.

"Oh," Ore said, rolling her eyes when she got sight of me. "You."

She moved majestically to the sink, next to the mirror, so she could wash her hands thoroughly. Of course, I was alongside her, hoping for the perfect opportunity.

"Yes, me," we exchanged glances in the mirror. "I've been thinking about how someone could be any more pathetic, but then there's you."

Ore scoffed and turned on the dryer to dry her hands. When she was finished, she turned to me with both hands folded below her chest. "What's that line supposed to make me feel? I ain't the one preggo."

"You planted that in my bag?"

"And what proof do you have to back up your claim?" She tilted her head to the side with a slight smirk. "A piece of advice, fish, you better go look for the man responsible for that thing you are carrying."

Ore turned to leave, and I swiftly splashed the contents of the container all over her backside, without her knowledge. Fortunately, she was wearing her yellow house sportswear, which was the perfect outfit. I made it out on time and followed Ore to class. Whenever Ore moved past a student and they noticed her behind, they usually responded with dread, followed by little laughter. This carried on till we got to class.

I walked across to take my seat, and Ore did the same. When she turned to have her seat, many people gasped, followed by loud laughter. Ore hesitated and turned, only to see everyone laughing at her. Toyosi decided to check for the cause but gasped when she saw her friend's backside.

"Ore," Toyosi murmured. At the same time, Krystian and Hymn looked for something to cover up their friend but couldn't find anything because the majority of the class was dressed in sportswear. Those in uniform did not give their jackets to someone as rude and hateful as Ore. "You're stained, like badly."

"Stained?" Ore furrowed her brow, and I smiled, loving the drama. I had since discarded the container. "But I'm not even on."

"She must have a heavy flow, because wow," Kim's surprised comments were like music to my ears.

"Could you please stop taking photos? Are you mad?!" She exclaimed when most of our classmates began to pull out their phones.

"Please, who has a pad?" Toyosi jumped up to inquire, prompting me to laugh as hard as the rest of the class. This was really embarrassing. "Come, let's go to the restroom."

"What pad?" Ore removed her hands from Toyosi's grip. "I'm not on my period, smell it."

I laughed so hard when I saw Toyosi's wrinkled nose.

"Did she just ask Toyosi to smell her period?" Kim leaned closer and whispered. My laughter never subsided, prompting Kim to nudge me. "It's not funny."

"It is," I replied between laughs, "and you know it." My words made Kim laugh. Even she could not deny it. I wasn't the only one who enjoyed the show; everyone in the class, except the Elites, did.

"How can you ask me to smell—?" Toyosi refused to finish her words.

"Stop being stubborn." Krystian frowned at Ore. "Go change."

"I'm not on!" Ore refused to back down, which was quite funny. Her gaze met mine, and her nose flared up. She looked at me and exclaimed, "You!"

I batted my eyes innocently at her. "Me what?"

"You did this!" She pointed at her bum, and I snickered. "You caused this!"

"Last time I checked, I'm not a menstrual circle." The boys roared in laughter. "You are rich enough to buy pads, girl. A piece of advice: always keep a spare in your backpack in case of emergencies."

"I'm not on my period!" Ore screamed. "You did this earlier in the restroom, right?!"

I paused to think, then looked at Ore's flared-up face. "And what proof do you have to back up your claim?"

Ore screamed like a banshee after I'd used her own words against her before storming out of the class. Toyosi ran after her, and I relaxed in my chair, feeling satisfied. It was insensitive of me, but it was so worth it.

"She's not really on her period?" Kim asked quietly. My smile caused reality to strike her. "Your revenge!"

That broadened my smile. I turned to face the front of the classroom, only to notice Krystian's gaze on me. He seemed disappointed, but who cared? Ore received what she deserved.

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During lunch, no one seemed to be discussing my alleged pregnancy, but rather, Ore's period episode. Everyone was having a great time attacking her in the group chat. Ore and Toyosi weren't at the cafeteria. My biggest hunch was that Ore was too embarrassed to face anyone. Good riddance.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side," Romeo said, breaking the silence. I stopped scanning the cafeteria to focus on my meal. I'd bought a bottle of Pepsi for both him and Kim as an act of celebration.

"Your revenge was wild," Kim muttered, focusing on her meal as well.

"Two can play that game."

"But don't you think it was insensitive?"

I gave Kim a deadpan look. "And it was sensitive for her to proclaim me pregnant after planting that stuff in my bag?" Kim fell quiet. "You should be happy; she low-key insulted you."

"It's not like she was lying," Kim shrugged, moving her focus to Romeo rather than me. "What were you guys thinking about making that list?" Romeo ignored her. "How could you guys rank me higher than The Ore? I am not even that—"

"I'm trying to have a decent lunch here," Romeo finally remarked, his voice icy.

I looked at Romeo and chuckled. "Decent lunch? With Gala?"

"You don't know how many nutrients are in this thing."

"That's if you classify poison as nutritional."

Romeo sent me a look as if saying 'rich kid' when a shadow fell before us.

"New girl," I turned around to find Krystian behind us. Romeo swore under his breath, and Kim tried to adjust herself. "I need to speak to you."

What for? That was what I wanted to say. But then I remembered yesterday's incident and decided it was better to follow along.

"I'll be back, guys," I told Kim and Romeo as I got up from the chair.

"Please hurry," Kim begged, then fixed her focus on Romeo. "I can't imagine sharing lunch with Romeo of all people."

Her comment made Romeo laugh hysterically. "Same here, Juliet."

As I walked out of the cafeteria with Krystian, I let them pick on each other. Of course, Krystian and I attracted the interest of many. Even outside the cafeteria, Krystian didn't stop moving. He was taking larger strides, forcing me to observe that his ankle wasn't hindering him. Perhaps he was recovered.

"Are you going to lecture me about your friend?" Krystian only spared me a side glance but kept on walking. "You do not expect me to fold my arms and let her do to me as she pleased without me retaliating, right?"

"What can I say? You just entered the lion's den."

"What does that even mean?" Krystian kept walking, and like a fool, I kept following him. "Where are you even taking me?"

That caused Krystian to come to a halt as he turned to face me directly. "You wanted to see the teacher's file sent to Mr. Obi and wanted to see if it tallied with Toyosi's student record, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, the school's having a staff meeting, and here's the right opportunity."

"You mean it?" My question earned a chuckle from Krystian.

"New girl," Krystian said, moving closer to me. "I'm not like someone who's all bark with no bite."

I rolled my eyes as I observed the mocking sneer on his face. He led the way, and I followed without a doubt.

As we approached the class teacher's office, I couldn't stop my heart from pounding against my chest. Against my will, my body understood I was doing something illegal, which may result in both of us experiencing expulsion if found. We finally arrived at the class teacher's office, and Krystian opened the door wide for me to get in, but I remained rooted to the ground.

"Having second thoughts, new girl?" Krystian gave me a playful glance. He was having the time of his life watching me in such a predicament. "We don't have all day."

He was correct. I didn't know how long the staff meeting would last, and I didn't want to risk it. I despised the cold feet I feel when I think of being exposed. I mean, look at Krystian; he was all about maintaining a drama-free existence to protect his parents' reputation, yet he had more confidence than me.

Before entering through the open door, I looked to the left and right to make sure we weren't b followed. Krystian shut the door behind us, leaving us in an empty office space. The room included three desks and chairs, with documents neatly placed on each office desk. The standing fan in the corner of the room was rotating at a normal pace, but the air flowing from it felt insufficient given how sweaty I'd been since entering this office.

"That's Mr. Obi's desk," Krystian gestured to the desk closest to us, so we approached it.

"What exactly are we looking for?" I questioned Krystian. I was not sure what the folder looked like. A proper description would've been appreciated.

"Do you think we have time to look for the hard copy?" Krystian gave a raised eyebrow. He slid his hand inside his pocket, and the next thing I knew, there was a thumb drive in his palm.

"What are you doing?"

"It'll be easier to copy the files from his system; you should know that." Krystian didn't wait for me to ask any further questions before moving to the opposite side to retrieve a black backpack at the foot of the desk. I stared first at the locked door, then at Krystian.

"You are going to put me in trouble, Krystian."

"Look who's talking," Krystian unzipped the backpack and pulled out an HP laptop. He laid it on the desk and sat in Mr. Obi's office chair. I gulped and silently prayed for this to be a success. The silence of the office yelled at me to leave, but I refused. I wanted to get to the bottom of everything. I watched Krystian open the laptop and turn it on, but we were welcomed with a password.

"Dead end," I sighed, placing both hands on my waist. "What now?"

Krystian's gaze shifted from me to the laptop's screen. He inserted some code and hit enter, but it returned an incorrect warning.

"Why didn't you click on the hint?" I asked him. "What was the first code?"

"His birthday. I knew that because the class made a gift for him last year," he continued, his amusing attitude completely gone. I saw him press another figure, and this time Mr. Obi's laptop displayed a welcome message.

"What was it?"

"Zero zero zero zero."

I looked at him incredulously. "What?"

Krystian shrugged. "Maybe he was going for the most predictable, being less predictable. It's a thing that people believe in."

"That's stupid," Krystian chuckled as he focused on the screen. I decided it was wise to do the same. Mr. Obi's laptop included a large number of academic-related files, and we did not have time to go through them all.

"You know what you did to Ore was mean, right?"

I refused to look at Krystian and just focused on the screen. He was one to talk. "You are doing that now?"

Krystian shrugged. "Just saying."

"Well, tell your friend to not cross my path, and we'd be cool."

Krystian said nothing after that, but that was because a file piqued our interest. The teachers had presented a file focusing on each subject grade by every student in our class, to Mr. Obi. Krystian smoothly connected his thumb drive and started transferring the file.

"Joking with something like a woman's period shouldn't be acceptable," Krystian refused to back down as the files continued to travel to his drive.

"And claiming that someone's pregnant is?" Krystian sighed and shifted his gaze towards me.

"New girl—"

"Please." I wanted him to stop before I lost control. "We are here for this and not to discuss Ore."

Krystian probably decided it was preferable to concentrate on the task at hand. Besides, we didn't have the time to talk about Ore in the first place.

"That's Toyosi's student record," I said, pointing to the file that had piqued my interest. Krystian clicked on it to ensure it was the correct one before uploading it to his thumb drive.

"That's it; let's get out of here." I leaned away from the desk, and Krystian quickly placed the laptop in its backpack and then returned the backpack to its previous location. Before turning towards the door, we both ensured that everything was in its proper position and that nothing was out of order.

As I was about to take a step forward, something caught my attention and I came to a halt, only to instinctively wrap my hands around Krystian's upper arm. It was the door handle. We both watched it move and as if someone had turned on an invisible air conditioner, I shuddered as the door pulled open.

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

That's it for today's chapter guys, I guess the gbas gbos between Delphine and Ore are far from being over.

What do you think about this chapter in general? Do you think Delphine went too far, or Ore deserved everything that happened to her?

I had to write this chapter twice😭. My MS app crashed and this chapter got wiped off because I didn't save it before that incident. I wasn't able to recover it and was just left with chapters 1-19, so I had to write it again😭

Anyway, it's here. Vote and comment on this chapter, and don't forget to share. Bye✨