Jewel, let's out the forced smile, on her face, before using a handkerchief to clean her face with clear. She had mixed feelings, but couldn't tell why.

Nathan had finally noticed her, which was all of a sudden, it wasn't making sense to her, because he had never looked her way before, which always made her feel insecure, she was not his match, or up to his standards.

She felt some tingling feelings inside her tummy, but also felt insecure and scared, she like him, what if the feeling wasn't reciprocated, and he just wanted her as a friend?

They said he was a fuck boy, a bad boy, but she couldn't stop thinking about him.

She wasn't supposed to have a boyfriend, strictly from her Mum. Although she knew her Mum's reasons. She didn't want her to turn out the way she did.

Like her Mum would always say.

Jewel whenever you are up to eighteen and out of secondary school, I would let you do whatever you want, so long it's of moral. You could even introduce me to your boyfriend, and I won't have an issue with that, for now, I  don't want you being more than friends with a boy. They aren't your priority at this age.

Looking into the mirror, she lets out a small hiss, wondering why she was overthinking things, not like he had asked her out or something. He might not even reciprocate the feeling too.

She didn't know how to describe it. Was it love or infatuation?

She couldn't tell, but she had never felt such, for any boy before.

"Wow, hanging out with Nath! Impressive." Jewel recognised the voice immediately, what she didn't understand, was why she was talking to her.

She takes a deep breath, trying to bring out that intimidating look, out to display, although she knew Ekanem, if the girl wanted to annoy you, no matter what you did, it won't change a thing.

"Why are you talking to me?" Jewel asks turning to her, because she was at a corner, where the mirror couldn't meet.

"He would just use you and trash you honestly I was surprised when I saw you of all people walking with Nath!" Ekanem chuckles. "Are you that stupid, or has his cuteness blinded you?" Ekanem asks, making Jewel turn to her with a small smile. The events of what transpired between them, and how calm Ekanem was, flooding her mind.

"You are now raising your voice, showing your true self, because I didn't tell Ukeme," Jewel says, letting out a small smile, which you could tell wasn't genuine.

"Jewel. Do you want to start using that against me? That's in the past. Besides stop acting so high and mighty.” Ekanem says.

Jewel doesn't utter another word. She knew that was typical of Ekanem, wasn't she the person who was begging the other day? The girl was just so mysterious.

"If you want to tell Ukeme, you can," Ekanem says.

"Really?" Jewel asks with a raised eyebrow, meanwhile Ekanem let's out a small smile.

"Yes! i would just deny it, " She laughs. "It's your word against mine. So tell me who she would believe, her best friend or her worst enemy?" Ekanem chuckles.

"You are pathetic. " Jewel who hadn't been so speechless ever in her life says, wondering how someone could be this confident.

"Thank you! At least I have a friend, what about you? It's not something people won't notice, you and Geraldine haven't been walking together, it's obvious you have been replaced." Ekanem chuckles, now letting herself show in the mirror.

Jewel couldn't deny she was beautiful, it was something everyone knew, it, she was desirable from the outlook, but her behaviour was off, just too wild for a girl. She had great qualities, which she had managed to ruin herself.

"She is now friends with Munachi. How did this happen? I thought you always guided her, like you where breastfeeding her?" Ekanem asked in a mock tone, Jewel doesn't respond but let out a small hiss.

“Ekanem, I don't want to talk to you.” Jewel finally says.

"You should be grateful, I am talking to you! I can see how lonely you feel." Ekanem says, her face void of any emotions. Jewel could tell she was mocking her.

To prove it, Ekanem burst into laughter. She doesn't utter a word, but heads out of the door, meanwhile Jewel watches her without uttering a word.

Immediately Ekanem gets to the door, she stops and turns back.

"Holy Mary, you would soon join the hoes committee, I give Nath one week, he would handle you. You won't even be able to walk properly.” Ekanam laughs.

"Disgusting!" Jewel responds involuntarily. Making Ekanem pause and smiles out.

"Jewel, stop feeling yourself, because Nathan is talking to you. He also talked to me. We are alike, no matter how you want to deny it. No one likes you, you irritate people, stop feeling yourself, you aren't better than I am, because everyone hates you, the same way they hate me." With that Ekanem walks out, meanwhile Jewel stares at the door, speechlessly.

                         ______________________🖊️

"We are meeting in the auditorium," Ekanem says keeping a straight face, she doesn't wait for Jayden to reply, she walks out of the classroom.

Jayden doesn't utter a word, he only watches her till she was out of the classroom.

"Any special reasons for holding it in the auditorium. Wonderful people, what is the stress?" Jayden recognized Leo's voice immediately. For the past few days, he had been used to having Leo around.

"I wonder!" Jayden responds, in all honestly, without hiding how he was feeling, or toning his voice down. Making Leo chuckle.

"More like you aren't in a good mood," Leo confirms now picking up his book. "Let's go, I need to get something from the cafeteria, I can't think about anything currently, except food," Leo comments truthfully. Meanwhile, Jayden doesn't utter a word, he picks up his notebook, without before responding.

"Seriously, I will be seeing Mr John after this, I am not interested. Besides, it isn't mandatory. My peace of mind." Jayden complains wholeheartedly.

All this while, Leo stared back at him with an amused look on his face. The sight of Jayden feeling cheated, was just funny to him, although he didnt want him to pull out, partly because he was literally the only person he could relate within the team, because he might go into invisible mode if not.

"Honestly, I strongly advise you should give this a trial, there is no harm in trying. It's the school's reputation at stake." Leo who looked so serious says. "Not just that, changing location could be something worth it. Being stars of the school is also fancy." He laughs after making the last statement.

"I don't like being in the spotlight,” Jayden says referring to the last statement made by Leo.

Leo smiles at this statement, before nodding.

"I won't say that for sure," Leo says, he seemed serious at first, but burst into laughter in seconds.

                        ______________________🖊️

    The environment seems too hostile, you could tell they all had some issues or disapproving history with most of them, if not all.

No one had spoken since they got in. Even Munachi and Geraldine hadn't uttered a word to each other, neither had Leo and Jayden. All five of then seemed quiet. It's been past three minutes already.

"Are we going to stay like this all day?" Leo suddenly asks involuntarily, making the three girls turn to him, like they wanted to swallow him, meanwhile Jayden doesn't utter a word.

Funny enough he hadn't taken his eyes off Geraldine since he got in, also her body language wasn't encouraging at all. He had taken notes of that. One of his special traits, observing people and things around him. He could tell, she still had something against him. The way she looked at him, with something which seemed like hatred, also like he was some poop, sold her off.

"Not really, i was just thinking about how to go about it. After this, most persons would like the take the credit. In the name of assistant prefect. Who Is the one trying so hard to make this work?" Ekanem suddenly says picking everyone's attention.

It was clear, they were trying to understand what she was saying.

Jayden who had noticed Geraldine's body language, in reaction to what Ekanem had said, quickly understood what was going on.

"So what are your thoughts?" Munachi suddenly asks, meanwhile Ekanem turns to her immediately, she doesn't miss the eye roll.

"As I was saying, we need to work as a team. We have a set goal, which we must achieve. As you all know, we would be interchanging and teaming up with the Arts class." Ekanem begins, looking more serious than ever. Meanwhile, Jayden watches her carefully, he hadn't seen her this serious.

"Mr John said, Munachi would be in charge." Geraldine blurts out, her face void of any emotions, you couldn't tell what was going on in her mind. Although she was slightly irritated.

"I know, you don't need to bring your bad energy closer. Also she isn't complaining. No one is!" Ekanem says blinking her eyes.

Geraldine on the other hand launches towards her. Leo interference, stops the foreseen, he pulls Geraldine away immediately.

"What else do you know, If not to display your madness.” Ekanem suddenly says, smiling sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Geraldine licks her dry lips and lets out a smile, mere looking at her, you could tell she was trying hard to pull herself together.

"Please, we shouldn't fight." Munachi suddenly says quietly.

"Absolutely." Leo backs her up.

Munachi didnt miss the eye roll, Ekanem gave her.

"I don't want issues, we are a team, anyone can handle this," Munachi says looking very harmless. The sincerity is visible in her eyes.

"Fine!" Ekanem blinks her eyes twice, in a rude manner. "We will split..., "

"Why is that?” Geraldine attacks immediately.

"We will split into two parties,” Ekanen says, openly ignoring Geraldine.

"It will be in both. Munachi and Jayden, Leo and Gidi." Ekanem manages to say, like the last name was poison, which could kill her.

"Why Is that?" Geraldine whose face looked so pale asks.

"Can you just shut up and let her talk. What's your problem, if you dont have any other things to do with your time, we certainly do." Jayden suddenly says, shocking Geraldine.

The hall is suddenly quiet, more like a ghost had walked past, it was obvious his words sent chills to there body.

The look on Geraldine's face his priceless, he didnt miss it, but he was tired of the stupid rants, it was upsetting his brain, so he did the only thing that could solve an issue.

"Also, try to talk more of sense than rubbish." This time he was referring to Ekanem. "We all have other reasonable things to do, if you dont."

The aim was to turn there attention and anger to him, and ignore them.

Surprisingly, Ekanem doesn't respond, thinking he had solved the issue, only for Geraldine to speak up.

All this while Leo and Munachi watched speechlessly.

"Idiot!" Geraldine blurts out. "Who are you telling to shut up, are you high or something." Surprising he wasn't shocked, he knew this wasn't the effect of today’s issue, but of before.

Determined to make her shut her mouth, and also beat her to it, he speaks up.

"ITK!" Jayden blurts out, looking grim, making Geraldine turn to his direction. You could see the anger visible in his eyes.

"You are just a proud fool. I don't know what you are feeling like. " Geraldine sparks, meanwhile Munachi pulls her away calmly. Because she was almost attacking him. You could tell, whatever just happened wasn't the cause of this beef.

"Gidi!" Leo call out calmly. "Please! Jayden..."

"Jayden isn't at fault. Gidi is!"Ekanem cuts Leo off supporting Jayden.

"Say one more word, and | would slap that smirk off your stupid face." Geraldine threatens. You could see she wasn't bluffing.

"Guys, can we calm down." Leo suddenly says, you could see the seriousness in his eyes.

"I can't tolerate her," Geraldine says pointing at Ekanem. "But either this thing here, resigns or I do," Geraldine says pointing at Ekanem.

"Can you all see there is no difference between her and those mad people in the..., " Ekanem moves back immediately, while Leo pulls Geraldine away from her. Meanwhile, Jayden doesn't utter a word.

Seeing instead of diverting and ending the issue, he made it worse.

"I will show you the big difference now.” Geraldine threatens, now launching towards Ekanem, making Leo pull her, she tries the overpower him, but it proved futile, due to how tight his grip was.

                          ______________________🖊️

    Walking down to the classroom, Geraldine doesn't utter a word, although Munachi had been saying something. She felt miserable and pained.

She realized, she had gone out of her way this time, remembering she almost slapped Jayden, and if she wasn't stopped when she was, she would have given it to him.

She overreacted, but the biggest problem in life, was controlling her anger, she couldn't and it always made her do things without thinking.

And she could be very violent too. She always tried to, but it wasn't working. Her Mum would always tell her to take a glass of water, it worked for a while but stopped.

Whatever happened in the auditorium wasn't because of its effect. She already had it bad for Ekanem and Jayden, she disliked him with everything she got.

To her, he was proud, annoying and a weirdo. Seeing his face, always sparked this anger from within. She hadn't forgotten the snub incident, and didn't know if she could ever forget it. That was one of the most humiliating days in her life.

There where just few person's she could tell she had ill feelings towards in her life, but Jayden had taken the largest place.

She was the kind of person who just "I am sorry" could calm her down, but he never apologized, instead he still walked with confidence, more like whenever he saw her, it would start oozing out, some kind of superiority.

Was she over thinking things?

Ekanem, the girl was just so annoying, funny enough she wasn't the type to stand in a fight, but her mouth would do just that, she was a big temptation to Geraldine, because she never stopped trying to get on her nerve.

Countless times, Geraldine had a confrontation with her, funny enough, the girl was always ready to dish out the insults, with the help of Ukeme.

Suddenly thinking about Ukeme, it dawned on her, she hadn't been seeing her around.

Maybe it was because she had been too busy these days.

"Honestly. you should have slapped that Ekanem, who does she think she is to boss us around." Munachi suddenly says, her facial expression showing she wasn't happy at all.

"I will talk to Mr John. He should pick one of us, but not Ekanem." Munachi pushes on, it was clear she wanted Geraldine to speak.

"He chose you," Geraldine says in all honesty.

"No, I don't want it. I think you should be the leader, you have all the qualities."Munachi pushes on.

"No! I don't want such responsibility currently." She says truthfully, being the leader wasn't what she wanted, she only wanted something that won't make her put up with Ekanem.

"We can talk to Mr John together, the quiet boy can be.” There was a way she pronounced the quiet boy. The look on her face, showed she wanted Geraldine to say whatever was going on in her mind. "Oh, you both had a clash too, we could go for Leo! I am tired of always being the leader wherever I go, I want to watch from behind for once.” Munachi says. Geraldine didn't miss the look of excitement in her eyes, neither did she know why.

All this while Geraldine stared back, making her wonder if she was listening. Finally, her eyes meets with what Geraldine was staring at.

Jayden walking towards to library's direction, it was obvious he didn't know he was been watched.

                     ______________________🖊️
"Tear out a sheet of paper.” Student dreaded this moment, whenever a teacher made this statement, most cringed inside.

With the look of things, they seemed prepared, because majority of them, already had their sheet of paper's placed carefully on the desk.

It wasn't a surprise test, they were all aware, it was a mid-term test. Its grades were very important. As most teachers will always say, failure starts from now.

"Your failure's starts from now." Mr Leonard says, you could see the serious look on his face, he looked like someone who meant business.

"Sir Leo!" A student from the back seat calls out.

"Shut up, I don’t want to hear Sir Leo from your mouth till the end of this test." Mr Leonard says, looking grim.

Munachi let's out a small chuckle, although not the his hearing.

"Are you Leonard too?" She finally asks Leo, what she had been meaning to ask, she had exchanged seats with Nengi, fortunately she was Seated beside him.

When Nengi had told her to exchange, she couldn't really tell why, but knew it was because of the test. Funny enough she was looking forward to seating close to Leo, because she had always wanted to talk to him.

He was just too calm, and she rarely saw him speaking, she wanted to know the real Leo, behind the calm and quiet dude, there was always more to quiet people, she had learnt this within the years.

She watches him take his head to face her slowly, it was obvious he was confused, he wasn't expecting her to initiate a conversation.

"I meant are you Leonard too?" She asks, looking interested in whatever conversation.

"Leo, Leonard, Leonardo. You can call me any." He responds in a calm tone, although he seemed very hostile, which Munachi took note of immediately.

"I get it, it's Leonardo?" She asks now smiling, making him nod his head.

"Once I meet you both there, you will explain if this is a classroom or a love garden." Mr Leo's voice brings them out of there comfort zone.

Funny enough, all eyes were on them.

Munachi doesn't utter any other word, she only takes her face down, and starts playing with her pen.

3105 words. What do you think?

Wow, Jewel and Ekanem, can this two ever relate.