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The next day came in swiftly with yet another heavy rain. I got ready in my school uniform and my bag hanging low on both shoulders as I walked out of my room with the door closed.

Yesterday wasn't what I expected, but I guess I could call it progress. I got to know another story about Danielle's death and about the fact that Krystian might have had a hand in it. I wanted to tell all this to Seidi since she was the only one I could talk to, but we agreed to summarise everything that happened in both schools on Fridays while giving responses on Mondays. I mean, I could give my response on Fridays since I had a laptop and phone at arm's length, but I needed to wait for when Seidi could get her hands on electronics again.

"Morning Delphine," Debby greeted. Good thing she was the only one at the table.

"Morning, sister," I said, pulling my backpack and placing it on the foot of the chair I was about to sit on. I slid the tea she'd prepared toward me and stirred it quietly.

"Let me call in an Uber," I heard her say.

"Can you not?" I questioned, stopping my sister's action. "I mean," I shrugged slightly, "it costs a lot, and there's keke and buses around."

"You want to take keke and buses?" Debby questioned. 

"People take it," I answered.

"Because that's what they can afford." It felt like she couldn't believe I was even considering those options. "I'll take you to school."

"We've talked about this," I sighed.

"Then let's—" I was grateful she could stop herself before calling his name. "It's raining." 

"It's rainy season." As if that wasn't enough, I pointed at the umbrella I'd placed close to the front door when I came back from school yesterday, and it was still there. "And there's an umbrella."

"But keke?"

"Okay, I'll take the bus." I wasn't going back on my decision anyway. I'd kept my socks and sneakers in my backpack and was ready to put on my rubber slippers until I got to school. I mean, what was the point of entering a fancy cab when I'd get splashed on at the end of the day?

"This is ridiculous," Debby said, while Trust decided to grace us with his presence. "Okay, you do you."

I was glad she was agreeing to my decision, as I gulped down the remains of my tea while Trust walked up to her and pecked her on both cheeks. I wasn't sure why both were fighting based on Danielle's report in the past, but I hope they had remained separated.

"Bye, sis Debby!" I announced while completely ignoring Trust. I rushed out of the living room while not forgetting to get the umbrella.

It felt nice strolling outside in the heavy rain. I mean, there were no worries because I had an umbrella above me. Yes, I got splashed on a few occasions, but none went above my knees. There was a bus stop at the street junction, but I had to trek to get there. I finally got a bus that was going in my school's direction for one-fifty, and I got in. Inside the moving vehicle, I thought of ways to talk to Kim. I wanted her to open up about certain things that could lead me to anything, and I had the best way to start.

After Ore had turned me down yesterday, I didn't have time to tell Kim all about it because she was busy with her class rep duties. I thought it was the best time to bring it up.

The bus stopped close to my school gate, and I quickly paid the driver his money before stepping down. I walked past the school gate, and the atmosphere was the same as yesterday. Cars zoomed past to drop off students; students were trying to get into the school building.

I walked into the halls and shook the umbrella before closing it. I looked at my legs to see that they were forming wrinkles and wriggled my toes playfully. With everything going on in my life, it didn't stop the fact that I was a sixteen-year-old kid.

"Delphine!" I looked ahead and was relieved to see the person I wanted to meet the most, Kim. She had her backpack on her shoulder and her school jacket she'd replaced with a pink cardigan.

"Kim," I said, walking up to her. I noticed some flyers on her palms, and I reached out to help out. "What's this?" 

I looked at the boldly written words on the flyers: 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁.

"It's for the debate club," she said. "I was thinking of asking permission from Toyosi, and Sodiq from Science class to talk to the vice principal about posting these on the notice board."

"Why them?" I questioned her as we walked together to class.

"Toyosi is the head girl, and Sodiq is the head boy. They're like the students' representatives, so it's their job." Kim said, then added, "You've got one of those in your previous school, right?"

"Of course. Head prefect and deputy head prefect are what we call those. Both titles could be given to either a boy or a girl." I said to her, then looked at the flyers as we climbed the stairs. "But must you need these to get members?"

"Yes," she sighed. "I mean, I was the happiest when the press club got dismissed, though it didn't have any members, but I thought that would give more room for the debate club. But it didn't. Amongst all the clubs in school, everyone who is not into sports or who can join a sport and a club usually goes to the music club."

"Music club?"

"Yes," Kim nodded. "Its president happened to be Hymn, so who wouldn't want to be in it? I mean, if it wasn't for my love for debate, I would go for music."

"You really need those members," I said absent-mindedly as she helped open the classroom door.

"Many say it's boring, but enjoy little arguments like the one we had in Economics class yesterday. It doesn't make sense." We both approached our seats. "I think they'll like it if they give it a chance."

"Is she guilt-tripping you into joining the debate club?" I looked at the far end to see Romeo slowly lifting his head from his desk. It looked like he was sleeping.

"I wasn't guilt-tripping her," Kim said, seeming offended by his comment. "And please, mind your business."

"Whatever you say, princess," he brushed off, then slowly trailed his gaze to my feet. "What happened to you?"

"Took the bus,"

"Took the bus?" Kim questioned. "I thought you usually get dropped off at school like everyone else."

"She knows how to live," Romeo answered.

"Oh my God, I wasn't talking to you!" She fully turned to Romeo, and I thought it was best to excuse myself.

"I need to go rinse my leg," I said to them.

"Oh yes," Kim pulled her backpack out and opened the zipper to bring out a bottle of water. "Take, use this."

"Oh no," I said, shaking my head. "It's too much."

"Just use it," she said, placing the bottle of water on the desk. "They'll soon sound the alarm for morning assembly, and you need to be properly dressed for that," said Kim while pointing at my rubber slippers.

"Alright, thanks." I quickly took the bottle and went out of the classroom to find a place where I could rinse my legs properly. I returned to the classroom and wore my socks and sneakers before the alarm went off.

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The assembly was what I expected. Students got lined up according to their classes, and the assembly prefect picked two students, a boy and a girl, to lead the praise and worship and pray once they were done. The head boy, who Kim said was named Sodiq, came out to address the students; five other teachers took turns to also address the students; and the vice principal, speaking on behalf of the principal, spoke his remarks to the students before finally letting everyone get back to their various classes.

Kim and I got to class, but unlike me, who went to our seats, she walked over to Toyosi's. Surprisingly enough, Ore didn't have a look of malice when looking at Kim, probably because she was the class rep.

"I wanted to ask for permission to paste these," I heard Kim say as she pushed her right hand into her skirt pocket to fetch out a folded flyer.

"Let me see." Toyosi took it from her, and both she and Ore digested the content written on it. "I'll have to speak to Sodiq first," she said to Kim. "You'll get your answer probably after the lunch break."

"Thank you," Kim beamed, then rushed over to her seat, which was beside me.

"I can relax now," she said, resting against the backrest.

"I'm surprised Ore didn't spit at you," I said, looking at Ore.

"She is like that, I know," Kim responded absentmindedly, then paused. "Did she not give you procedures on how to get into the track team yesterday?"

I turned to Kim and said, "She said the slots were full."

"But that's for the coach to announce and not her," Kim creased her brows in confusion. "She's always like that when she sees a threat. But it's not like she'd seen you run before. Or has she?"

"I doubt," I responded. "She's just insecure. I just need to talk to the coach."

"That will be Mr. Akpan," Kim informed. "But you can only see him on Wednesdays and Fridays since it's usually days for sports and everyone is considered to wear their sportswear to school because the last periods are usually spent on each respective sports team."

"So I'll have to wait till tomorrow?" Kim nodded, then got up.

"I need to remind the teacher of her period," she announced, then wiped her school skirt from invisible dust before heading for the door.

The class was a bit noisy, with everyone talking to their respective friends. The door to the classroom opened, and Krystian, alongside Hymn, walked into the class. I thought of bringing out my note and placing it on my desk when a shadow befell me.

"Been wondering." I looked up to see Krystian standing beside my desk. "Why did you come to our school in Ss3?"

"None of your business," I spat but not too hard. After my unusual outburst yesterday on literally everything, I'd made a note to myself to have better control of my emotions. If he was the killer, then I had to be extra careful around him.

"Did you fail to get into Ss3 at your former school?" The class was quiet now. "If that's true, then I want to know who your parents are. Are they rich, or filthy rich?"

"I said it's none of your business!" I said harsher this time. Krystian smirked, happy to be getting a reaction from me.

"Am I getting warmer?"

"I guess my grades would have to speak for themselves." I hated the fact that he was all over me all of a sudden. Was it because of my reaction to his rudeness yesterday?

"That's something I want to see." Krystian finally stood up straight, both hands in his pocket. "I made a bet with the boys on how much of a failure you must have been to leave your previous school."

My hands balled into tight fists below my desk. "They said you were a complete failure to be let out of your previous school—"

"I don't care . . . "

"—but I'd bet on the fact that you probably are just full of surprises." I slowly met his gaze. For some reason, I couldn't read it. "Now a lot is at stake because I didn't just bet money but my newest gaming set, so you better prove me right."

Now I wish I was dull with schoolwork. "I never asked you to do that."

"There's no harm in a little fun," he said, like it was the most perfect response out there. "With all the tension going around in school. . . . "

Tension? But before I could say anything, he turned and moved over to his seat while talking to Hymn and Toyosi, who looked like she was ready to scold him.

I looked around to see everyone else in class looking at me, even Romeo. For once, he wasn't sleeping but was leaning back against his chair while staring at me quietly.

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I yawned a little, trying to keep my eyes open, as the boys in sportswear kept passing and dribbling the ball. It was yet another free period, and instead of everyone using the opportunity to work on the math class work that was due in the next two periods, they thought it was best to watch boys from my class play football on the field, with Krystian's team taking the lead.

"Go Krystian!" Kim cheered so loudly, that I almost winced.

"Come on, you cheering louder doesn't do anything to the game," I said to her. "He'll still win if luck's on his side and lose if he's bad at it."

"He's not bad at it," Kim defended immediately. "And you should be cheering for him too, Delphine. His bet with his friends was in your favour."

"I never asked him to, and betting in my favour doesn't make it okay." I got up and straightened my skirt.

"Where are you going?" Kim questioned. 

"Anywhere but here." And I didn't give Kim any chance to respond, as I rushed out of that place without giving the field a second glance.

I moved into the school building and thought it'd be best if I just headed to class and worked on the math classwork instead. I opened the door to the classroom and was stopped by the sudden melodious sound coming from it. The class was empty except for one person, Hymn. And he had his attention fully focused on the guitar he was playing.

"Does the school allow guitars now?" I mumbled to myself as I headed to my seat.

"This is from the Music Club." Unfortunately, Hymn heard me. "I'm allowed to take it."

"Mhm," was all I could say.

He sighed, placed the guitar on his desk, and fully turned to me as I sat down. "Look, I'm sorry about Krystian. He's not always like that. Look on the bright side. He was betting in support of you."

"Where you in on it?" I asked from my seat.

"Of course not," he said, shaking his head. "He did it with some guys that wouldn't stop talking about you. Still, betting from that perspective was wrong, even if it's in support of you. So here I am, apologising on his behalf."

I stared at him incredulously. "How are you four friends?"

"Sorry?" Hymn creased his brows.

"I mean, two are annoying and rude, and the other two are like angels."

"I'm guessing you must have met Ore." I nodded at his words. "Look, Ore is just being herself. She isn't all that bad if you get to know her."

I do not want to get to know her, was what I wanted to say. But I chose to keep it to myself.

"And Krystian's just . . ."

"Just? . . . What?"

"I don't know," Hymn shrugged, then looked down at his fingers playing with the guitar strings. "He usually acts this way when he's deep in thought. Other than that, he's nice."

"What would make that one deep in thought?" I commented under my breath, but Hymn must have heard it, as he let out a heartfelt laugh.

"Ever since . . . a tragic event happened in school, he'd been like that." Hymn finally said. Tragic. Danielle. "Anyways, I'm Hymn."

"I know who you are," I answered.

"So, are you planning on joining something? The music club is open to everyone."

"I plan on joining the track team," I said to him. "But Ore . . ." 

Hymn waited, but when he noticed I wasn't going to say anything else, he decided to speak. "She'll come around. Probably meet Mr. Akpan or something."

I nodded quietly. He seemed like an easy person to talk to, which made me scold myself. I couldn't trust him, not after what his friends said at Danielle's funeral. None of the Elite members could be trusted, and that was something I should always keep at the back of my mind.

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We've finally got a Delphine x Hymn encounter. What do you think of Hymn's personality? And also, your thoughts on this chapter as well.

Hope you're voting and not just being a ghost reader.

Till next time, bye!