"Are you blind?" Jewel yells. This brought almost everyone in the classroom toa standstill. It's a Tuesday morning, and they just got back from the assembly hall. 

With the look on her face, you would think something tragic happened to her.

"Why do you always step on me? Your day hasn't begun if you haven't done it, now I think you are doing this on purpose. You always do this. If i step on you now. I would look like a wicked person." Jewel raps, not minding that she had gotten everyone's attention, with the way age shouted.

"Wahalah oh. Just that little thing!” Jessica, one of the occupants of the back seats says in a carefree tone.

"Aporoko, who invited you? If it's so little, why don't you come let me step on your shoes? Or you think i am as dirty as you are? Dirty pig.” Jewel rushes her words without blinking her eyes. Her eyes were both fixed on Jessica and the occupants of her seat.

"Are you sure you are mentally okay? Because you act like a retard!" Jessica suddenly says, more like Jewel's statement got to her.

"Who looks more like a retard? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" Jewel asks, she looked very serious. "I would advise you to do...,"

"Jewel!" Geraldine who had kept shut all this while, watching the whole drama unfolds, says now pulling Jewel by the arm. Most times she wondered how Jewel got the energy. She was capable of standing against the whole class at the same time. And most things she said was hurtful. More like she didn't think before speaking.

It was just a little issue between Jewel and Munachi which just had to escalate, even without Munachi contributing to it.

"The next time you step on me. I would drench you with any liquid close to me.” Jewel suddenly says directly to Munachi's face. Munachi who seemed little affected by her threats, just chuckles, twitching her left cheek.

"Really?." With that, she takes a seat. This response seems to have hit Jewel on a spot, she hated it when she wasn't taking seriously, and she meant it.

The fact she and Geraldine had suddenly been acting like long lost friends, wasn't the issue. She felt Munachi had been looking for a way to get her to always talk. This wasn't the first, second or third time, she was stepping on her. So she didn't count it as a mistake anymore.

"Just don't hit it hard, because the day! open my mouth to talk to you. You would cry for days. I am not bluffing, and no one should come saying, I don't have human sympathy." With that, she takes a seat, not after meeting the confused look on Geraldine’s face, and Nengi's silent glares. She wasn't ready for him. But was keeping his cup ready, because he had been getting on her nerves.

"Must you always yell?” Jewel turns to her left immediately, only to see Leo staring back at her. He didn't look himself, he looked very pale. "At least have sympathy on the people around you, you can always settle issues calm..., "

"Mind your business." She cuts him off, even before he could complete his statement.

"There are many ways to settle issues, my head is blasting. And your nose isn't helping.”

With that, he places his head on the desk, without uttering another word.

"Compliment class!" Ekanem's voice is heard.

Everyone gets to there feet, meanwhile Jewel gets sluggishly, she couldn't help but wonder where Leo got the balls to talk back at her. Before now he never spoke back, but of recent, he had been doing it.

                       ______________________🖊️

    Almost bumping into each other, Jaydan involuntarily takes a step backwards, giving her space so she could pass, but surprisingly, she hisses, giving him a look like he was an irritating poop, what marvelled him was the fact, she didn't bother walking past him again, instead she heads back into the classroom.

Immediately she walked up to a decent distance, he walks into the classroom, and head straight to his seat.

"Jayden!" Ekanem calls out with a smile. Handing him a sheet of paper, which he recognised immediately as his test sheet. Seeing the score, he inserts it into his locker, with the aim of going back to it later.

Taking his head up, only to see Ekanem staring back at him. On instincts, he mutters some words of appreciation. Nothing more than thank you. Which was the least he could say, after someone had given him his belonging.

Also, he was expecting her to leave the way, so he could get in and seat properly, but Ekanem didn't seem like someone who was leaving the way anytime soon.

"Please excuse me.” He says politely. Ekanem doesn't waste any time, she moves as instructed. While Jayden uses the medium to get into his seat.

"You scored the highest. Almost everyone failed, why didn't you answer the question when he asked, if you knew it?" Ekanem asks, this was the first time she was directing a question to him. He had never seen her this serious.

"I only attempted. And got it, not like I am perfect in this area." Jayden responds involuntarily. He didn't like the way she was looking at him, like he was some evil creature. Besides he hated attention, that was the main reason, although it was a selfish act. He could have saved everyone from failing if he had just answered the question.

Ekanem watches him for a while before letting her shoulder slump. "He wants you in his office, " Ekanem says referring to Mr Demilade. Meanwhile, Jayden gives her a serious look.

                     ______________________🖊️

Geraldine's eyes are transfixed on a particular person, who hadn't looked her way ever since. Seeing him just spoilt her mood, instead of going out, she walked right back into the class.

She finally takes her gaze down to her notebook. She wasn't just in a good mood. More like she had woken up from the left side of the bed. Some days were like this, where every little mistakes irritated her. Seeing Jayden, the stunt he pulled gushed back into her brain, she hadn't forgotten about it.

It was insulting, and he never attempted to apologize or talk to her about it. Most times she wondered how someone could be so full of himself.

It really hurt her, she knew it would be difficult forgetting that anytime soon, especially when she sees his face.

"What's wrong?" Jewel asks, giving Geraldine a look of concern.

"Nothing," Geraldine responds without looking her way.

                      ______________________🖊️

"Who made your hair?" He asks immediately he got closer to her. She also stopped walking and turned to him.

He had hastened up, immediately he sighted her, fully aware she might just say something annoying to him.

She had no company. She was currently on her way to the hostel. Also in her day wear. The hair in question was just weaving, with her natural hair, which Munachi made her along the weekend, since she couldn't meet up, to make it.

She and Munachi had gotten along pretty well. In her view Munachi was not just intelligent, she was smart, Jovial and cheerful. They got to relate a lot because, coincidental, they were in the same room.

She didn't give him, her usual suspicious or displeasing look. He also took note of the fact, she looked tired.

"Munachi.” She responds without creating a false.

Her response did surprise him, because he was expecting her to say something that would cause an argument, but she doesn't.

"It's nice. On your way to the hostel?" He asks walking alongside her, a sight which would have been impossible to see, a term ago.

He didn't even know what was pushing him, but whenever he saw her, he couldn't just stop himself from trying to go close to her again. Before now he would just try to annoy her from a distance, thereby getting her attention.

But this days, things just changed. He didn't stop trying to annoy her, but instead of from a distance. He went closer to her.

He took note of the fact her behaviour was off, instead of talking he keeps quiet, while they keep walking.

                       ______________________🖊️

   Getting off his laps, she adjust her panties, alongside skirt, before trying to button her shirt properly. Meanwhile, Ashley watched her while she got dressed. He still looked indecent, he doesn't bother to put himself in other.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Ekanem asks cheerfully. Before leaning on the wall. For a change, instead of there usual meetups in the toilet, they were both in an empty space, which could also be used as a classroom.

They where just few chair and tables in it, which was dusty too.

"Nothing," Ashley responds now breaking an eye contact.

"I love you!" Ekanem says, making him look up that moment. This wasn't the first time she was telling him this, as usual, he doesn't respond. He could see the disappointment in her eyes.

"I don't want to hurt Ukeme." He says. Honestly, there was some truth in what he just said. Although he didn't love either. He knew this because he had strong feelings for another.

He did hurt her feelings, but the fact. And he felt bad, which was surprising, because no matter how he deceived a girl he never felt any remorse. But this was turning into something else.

He was only interested in her body, and her best friend was his girlfriend, not just any girl, but Ukeme.

Ekanem had told him to break up with Ukeme if he didn't like her, which he always agreed to during sex, but acts on something else afterwards.

"Ashley, is this a joke to you?" Ekanem suddenly asks, making him let his eyes grow wide. He wondered what it was with girls, who got close to him.

They would start it off, like a joke, before he would know what's going on. They would start acting serious.

He only tried Ekanem because he heard about her scores, besides she made it easy for him. But all of a sudden, she is turning it into a lovey-dovey issue. When did it get to that?

He wasn't only trying to get rid of Ukeme now, but Ekanem has joined the team. At times he wished he could act like Nathan, who didn't care, if it were to be Nathan, he would have dumped them a long time ago.

                      ______________________🖊️

Attempting the equation for the seventh time, Cherish suddenly gives up, she seemed to have blanked out now, because instead of solving the equation, she is busy staring at the wardrobe in the room, thinking about God knows what.

"Are you having issues with understanding this?" Eva suddenly asks, it didn't seem like she just got there, with how confident she looked while she spoke, like she knew she was definitely right.

"Cherish." She calls out when she doesn't get a response, followed with a tap. She could see the confusion when Cherish looked her way. It was obvious she was wondering when she got there and what she said.

"Senior Eva." Cherish calls out in a calm tone. Her voice as tiny as it always been.

"I was watching you. Is Science really giving you so much problem?" Eva asks quite concerned, while she seats on the reading table, moving the book closer, to take a good look at it.

"Not really. Just this topic." Cherish responds looking at her notebook.

"Have you thought of meeting a classmate who knows it or maybe your teacher?" Eva asks quite interested, meanwhile Cherish faces her properly. "Maths has always been a problem." She says.

"I don't speak to them on normal bases. Will they agree to help? Besides I don't like our maths teacher, she is very rude and abuses for just any little mistake." Cherish argues.

"If you want something, you have to tolerate certain things,” Eva says. "Like keeping a blind eye to thing which would infuriate you, just so you could achieve that set go,” Eva says, meanwhile Cherish looks up to her, before nodding her head.

"I would asks Zara for help." Cherish concludes without thinking, making Eva smile, because her answer made it seem like, she had wasted her time giving her that encouraging speech. Because Zara was her friend, and she was referring to those she doesn't speak to and her teacher.

"You seem very quiet,” Eva says and smiles. "It's not a crime, but you could warm up with people,” Eva says, meanwhile Cherish looks up to her. She hardly saw Eva around people, she was a loner too. Was she actually saying this?

Eva's short-lived laughter cuts her off. "I know what you are thinking. I am usually not this quiet. I have still not gotten used to the environment. The people around are just so narrow-minded...” She pauses. "I knew it would be pretty difficult fitting in. The country itself." Eva says, arising a lot of questions in Cherish mind.

"Aren't you from Nigeria?” Cherish asks, now comfortable discussing with her, which was a huge development.

"My Mum is. My Dad is pretty complicated. All I can tell is he been an African American." Eva says, meanwhile Cherish nods her head.

"So you aren't happy you came back." Cherish asks very interested in the topic.

Eva releases a weak smile. Before responding. "It would be difficult leaving where you lived almost your whole like, to come to a strange place. My Mum and Dad aren't together anymore." Eva says in acalm tone. Her facial expression changing rapidly, which Cherish didn't miss, she observed and took note of all her body languages.

"Where are you from?" Eva suddenly changes the topic. Meanwhile, Cherish takes her time to process the question for a while, before responding.

"Here." She pauses. "River's State. Ikwerre Local Government Area." Cherish comments nodding your head.

"Your Mum?" Eva asks. She doesn't miss the expression on Cherish face, it was more of confusion.

"She is also from Ikwerre." Cherish responds obviously not referring to her late Mum, because she knew, her grandparents, they were Igbo's, which meant her Mum was Igbo.

"Wow, that's nice," Eva says with a smile, which was warming to Cherish, who had never had a real chat with a Senior before, because every Senior seemed to have issues with her, even though she always minded her business.

                     ______________________🖊️
                 
    Seeing the principal presence in the Assembly hall. They all knew it would be a long devotion. Because he was hardly present during morning assemblies. There were two things involved, either someone had faulted the school rules, and he had come to talk against it, and give his verdict or he wanted to give an important announcement.

Either way's seeing the principal up on the podium, everyone did well to keep shut, be on their best behaviour, to avoid punishments or been used as a scapegoat, by those crazy prefects, who were always busy looking for who to punish, like they enjoyed it.

"Good Morning Students!" The man in his late fifties, greets immediately he got to the podium. He wasn't one of these men with a pot belle. You could tell he was a handsome man during his early years, he is dark-skinned, and also very tall, the way he dressed even now, his dress sense was top notch.

"Good Morning Sir!" The student responds.

"I can tell you all are energetic to start the new day, and I am happy about that. I am glad many of you are doing well, and there is no cause for complaints." Mr Briggs says.

The whole hall is quiet, you could even hear a pin drop. Everyone seemed eager to listen to what the principal had to say.

"To the SS3 students, very soon registration for WAEC would commence."

Immediately he made this statement, you could hear some murmurs, which was obviously coming from the SS3 students.

"That's not the major reason I am here. FGIQC is coming up soon." This seemed to have picked everyone's attention. The one's who had an idea what it was, and the one's who was just hearing it for the first time.

As funny as it sounded, he didn't bother elaborating, more like it skipped his mind.

"And as usual we would participate, although I hope the trophy brought back to us. Because we deserve it, and we can do it." Mr Brigg's says like he was leading a campaign group. "As usual, our final year students will be representing us. Mr John take note. Also the form mistress of the Science and Arts class." Mr Briggs says.

Immediately he was done, the hall suddenly becomes rowdy, although the noise, seemed to be coming from the Ss3 students.

                          ______________________🖊️

     Geraldine spares the form mistress one last glance before turning to Mr John who sat across the table. Most times she wondered how someone's face could never change. There was no time, she saw a smile on the lady's face.

Mrs Otelemate, their form mistress. One of the respected teachers, because of her fierce behaviour. The last time she saw her was after the fight with Ukeme, it now occurred to her, she hadn't seen her, in a long time.

"Mr John. Just handle everything. I really need this break." Mrs Otelamate says in a pleading tone. Meanwhile, Geraldine watches them silently.

"But you know their academic performance more than I do." Mr John says, looking calm. Meanwhile, Mrs Otelemate, takes a deep breath.

Geraldine takes note of something immediately, she spared her a look again. Her tummy seemed bigger. She stares at it for a while, before taking her eyes slowly to her face.

"That was why I brought them. They would help you." Mrs Otelemate says, reminding Geraldine, she had a company, someone she could never be on the same pace with.

"Have you written to the school for leave, due to str..., "

Mrs Lucy short-lived chuckle cuts him off.

"You know how Mr Brigg's could be." Mrs Otelemate says, trying to play cool.

"Honestly, you should try." Mr John says. "Well." He clears his throat now turning to Geraldine and Ekanem who looked very calm.

Geraldine who seemed very eager to go back to her classroom, because there was probably a teacher in there classroom, pays attention.

"You both heard what the principal said in regards to the inter-state quiz?" Mr John asks. Meanwhile, both girls stared at him, like he was speaking a different language.

3125 words

How was this chapter?