Geraldine had heard about the FGIQC before now. Although since she got into senior secondary, Hilton College, hadn't brought back the trophy, in fact since the existence of the school. They either failed along the way, got close to winning, but never won. Like the last set which came second place. FGIQC was a quiz competition held for Senior secondary students in the county.

It's an annual competition, hosted by the federal government. It starts as an inter-school competition. The best school represents the state, for the finals. Which is an inter-state. The competition takes over a month, before the final competition.

"You know yourselves! Pick five of the best in your class, who would be representing the school, and hopefully the state, I already spoke with your mates in the arts class. We got you two already, so we need three more." Mr John says, looking grim. "Don't forget its an inter-school competition first. And if we bring the trophy home, we won't just make a name for our state and school, but for yourselves." Mr John says.

"Absolutely." Mrs Otelemate contributes.

"So we have got you, " Mr John says looking at Ekanem. "Geraldine, who else? We have Munachi. That girl is a rare gem." Mr John says. Geraldine didn't miss Ekanem’'s face twitch into a frown.

"Sir, The new boy Jayden. I think he is better, you should test him. He is really good." Ekanem explains, without stopping to breath. She looked very serious. More like she would rather have Jayden than work with Munachi.

Immediately Jayden's name is mentioned, Geraldine's facial expression changes. She suddenly looks very serious.

"Sir, I think Munachi is better off. Besides she has more experience, like you said." Geraldine chips into the little conversation, she didn't miss the glare Ekanem threw on her. Although neither Mr John or Mrs Otelemate noticed the silent argument going on.

"You are on point. That girl is a star. She has won a lot of prizes for herself and previous school. What's the use of having such a priceless gem, when we can't make use of her. Besides, I already ruled her in before now." Mr John who was oblivious of the confrontation going on between his students says innocently.

Ekanem who couldn't hide the frown on her face, tries to keep a straight face.

“Also sir, we have Leo, we don't need Jayden. He is a new student. We don't know his capability. | mean Ekanem saying he is worth it, doesn't guarantee..., "

"Gidi don't contradict my word. Because we are both bringing in suggestions. And the way you are driving it like it's a personal issue is..."

"Excuse you! Who is been personal here?" Geraldine cuts her off immediately.

"You are being sentimental." Ekanem attacks.

"Not another word.” Mrs Otelemate chips in. They could hear the seriousness in her voice.

"I think Jayden is good too. He did superb in Mr Demilade's text. I was there when he was invited into his office. But I would text him, if he isn't, we would drop him. So we have Munachi, the both of you, Leo and Jayden.” Mr John say, meanwhile Geraldine facial expression changes, immediately she heard Jayden's name.

"Sir, why don't we take Ukeme instead of Munachi?" Ekanem blurts out boldly. Making Geraldine turn to her direction.

"Abeg, we aren't looking for completion of number." Geraldine blurts out without thinking. The look on Ekanem's face, showed she had been provoked.

"What do you mean by that?" Ekanem attacks Geraldine, who stared back at her without blinking.

"Ekanem!" Mr John warns now turning to Geraldine. "| don't want such statement again." He warns.

"Why can't you both be responsible, like act responsible for once In your life." Mrs Otelemate asks, she looked pretty serious.

"You both should go to your classroom and get things in order, get ready to create a time for your study sessions. I would be coming to make the announcement." Mr John says.

"Sir, should i be in charge, or should she?” Ekanem says turning to Geraldine like she was a poop or something.

"None of you are in charge." Mrs Otelemate says eyeing both of them wickedly. "I don't want that stupid competition between you both. When will you both stop this rubbish, you aren't kids anymore, and on the verge of graduating.” Mrs Otelemate who seemed tired of them complains.

"About that. Munachi will be in charge." Mr John says innocently, trying to bring in peace and unity.

"Sir, we can go with Ashley, he is good." Ekanem pushes on.

"We would take him, if Jayden doesn't turn out well. Tania too.” Mr John says. "He would be a backup."

"Sir, I mean replacing Munachi. Sir, we don't need her. I and Geraldine are here, and we are capable, you are placing her like we can't do anything without her." Ekanem says boldly.

There is a sudden silence in the office for a while.

"Ekanem no one is putting anyone at the top. I am only trying to do what best for the school. Besides that girl is good, sorry if it offends you or downgrades you, but in all honestly, she is one of the best we have got.” Mr John said. "You both can retire to your
classroom.” Mr John says.

                      ______________________🖊️

  
   Immediately Ekanem shuts the door to Mr John's office. She turns around only to meet Geraldine standing in front of her, obviously trying to restrict her movement.

“Aunty what?" Ekanem sassed.

"If you want a repeat of the drama that occurred on the first day of resumption. Continue pushing it." Geraldine who looked like someone who had lost her temper says. Meanwhile, Ekanem chuckles.

"Geraldine, I am not scared of you. What else have you got, rather than acting like a madwoman and fighting all the time? Excuse me abeg." She says now trying to walk away, but get pulled back by Geraldine.

"Don't push it. I am warning you. I don't mind been suspended. So long as I design your face." Geraldine says, now leaving her way. Meanwhile, Ekanem smiles.

"Gidi, order than fighting like an animal, what else have you got?" Ekanem asks looking grim. Her face turning red with anger.

"Dragging you, scratching that your ugly face and beating you up like a baby,” Geraldine says. Meanwhile, Ekanem hisses and starts walking away.

"You are walking away, because I let you. Don't feel too bold and important." Geraldine calls out to her.

                     ______________________🖊️

"Complement class." Jayden takes his head up slowly, immediately Ekanem's voice is heard.

He wasn't feeling too well. He had been feeling odd since last night, feverish and headache. He hadn't taken anything to resolve it, and it seemed more like it was getting worse. At first he thought, it was something that was going to just stop this morning.

Now he missed his mother, she never took chances with his health, and always noticed even before he could talk, she took her time to not just only give him medications, most times she would just stay back at home. She never took chances when it came to there health. Up until now, at times he wondered, if she didn't know he was no longer a six-year-old child anymore.

But this moment, he was missing her, more than ever.

He watches Mr John, while he advanced into the classroom, as usual the whole class becomes quiet, the students keeps shut.

"Good Morning class." He responds to there greetings. Meanwhile, Jayden who wanted nothing more than to take a seat, murmurs. "You all can take your seats." Everyone gets back to there seats.

"Settle down." He clears his throat.

"I am sure, we all heard what the principal said during the morning assembly. Unless you weren't present." He pauses, looks around the class like he was looking for someone, before he finally continues.

"To throw more light on that. |am sure, most of us have heard about the FGIQC, if you haven't, you are hearing it now. It's a quiz competition for senior secondary students, funded by the federal government. It isn't just an inter-school, but also an inter-state.
Our school has always been at the edge of winning, but has never brought that trophy back. But we are sure your set's would make a difference." Mr John says. Meanwhile, Jayden licks his dry lips.

He didn't seem interested in the motivational speech Mr John was giving. Because to him, he was just seeing a toy standing in front of the classroom, dancing around.

His head was slowly killing him.

"We aren't just getting the trophy, but the sum of ten million naira for the students. Not to forget the fact you are not just making a name for the school, representing the state, but making for yourselves. We all know this is one of the biggest quiz competition held in the county. I already talked with the Art students, and have picked them." Mr John says looking grim.

"Schools like UCHSSS, Elites High School and Royal Gem Academy would be participating." There was a way he made mention of the last school, there was no excitement in his voice, more like he held grudges or had something against the school.

Jayden had not just heard about Royal
Gem Academy, which was situated in Abuja, his previous school had participated in a debate competition against them, and as embarrassing as it sounded, they had not only won them, but flogged them. he didn't know where they got their students from, because they were just so good. After the previous competition against them, he tagged them as living computers, which wasn't garbage in and garbage out.

UCHSSS was another tough school, which was located in Ibadan. This where school’s in Nigeria, which were known for there excellence.

They had clashed with Hilton College once, and won the trophy that year. That was one of the reason's Mr John mentioned it.

Elites High School was another tough school, located in Lagos State, they could be referred to be a pain in the neck during competitions, because they weren't willing to let go during school competitions. They were known for there various victories. this set of schools, always qualified and were very tough, during this competition.

"Munachi Ameachi, Ekanem Edet, Geraldine Johnson's, Leo Wachijem and Jayden Adenuga. Make sure to see me, before retiring to your various hostel's. We need to talk about this coming competition. This is something big for us, and not ajoke. " Mr John says looking grim.

Jayden eyes almost bulge out, he had this confused look on his face, clearly wondering if he had heard his name, or was just hea mistaken. You could see the disturbed look on his face.

Hearing Mr John mention Jayden's name, Geraldine's facial expression changes. She couldn't hide the displeased look on her face.

She didn't want anything to do with him, seeing his face always ruined her mood, always reminded her about the way he snubbed her. Which made her feel so less of herself and insulted, she hated that feeling.

"We won't only bring home the trophy but defeat Royal Gem Academy." Mr John says, making Geraldine think twice.

Weren't they talking about winning FGIQC and bringing the trophy home? So what was it with defeating Royal Gem's Academy.

The truth of the matter was, Royal Gem Academy had won the trophy straight three times, before UCHSSS, which won two years back. Royal Gem Academy shocked them again and won the trophy last year.

Propaganda had been carried around that they always applied some foul plays, but no evidence had proved that. So Royal Gem Academy, still remained one of the best school in the country, due to there academic excellence and the record-breaking.

Apart from last year, when UCHSSS, sent them back, Whenever they got qualified for inter-state, RGM always disqualified them. So Mr John talking about defeating Royal Gem Academy, if they actually qualified for inter-state, knew what he was on about, and was talking out of experience.

                   ______________________🖊️
           
   The jingle bell is heard making Mr John round up what he was going on about.

"I would leave you all, to retire for your lunch breaks, Munachi and co, don't forget to see me in my office." Mr John says. Meanwhile, Geraldine rubs the back of her neck, which she stared back at him.

"Talking about the quiz competition. I am not anxious about it. I have gone to bigger competition, and trust me. I am cool with this. If there is one thing we ought to do, its prepare hard before time, we would nail it.” Munachi says, meanwhile Geraldine and Nengi watches her attentively, while they eat. Jewel stares at her food, with no attempt to touch it, but could hear Munachi clearly.

"I have only done internal," Geraldine says contributing, and trying to make the conversation more lively. "l am also scared, what if we just fail like other sets. Especially with the way Mr John is talking about winning, we haven't even started, and it's already exhausting.” Geraldine says with concern. Meanwhile, Munachi smiles.

"I never play to lose, I always win, failure is like poison to me. So having me in the team, should boast your moral, okay?" Munachi says smiling sweetly. "My previous school, they can't attend an academic competition without me!" She lets out a small chuckle. "I can remember..., "

"You don't have to brag about it."

Even though, they didn't see the person talk, or know the owner of that voice. They knew the only person who could bring bad vibes into there conversation.

Most times Munachi wondered how someone would seat in the company of people who are discussing, and not utter a word or try to be friendly.

“How am I bragging?" Munchi says directly to Jewel. Meanwhile, Geraldine who didn't want any more drama watches them.

"Can't you hear yourself? I don't like people who brags.” Jewel blurts out. "You aren't only bragging with your words, but bragging with your eyes. Also your voice is giving me a headache, can't you just close your mouth for once and for a change?" Jewel spits out with confidence.

That was the height of it, Nengi who didn't know how to react drops his spoon and turns to Jewel, most times he wondered what kind of species she was? What kind of human being acted the way she did.

"Bragging with her eyes too. Jewel!" Nengi calls out quite amused.

"I am sorry if my victory is so painful to you. And yes I meet a lot of envious people all the time, it's not something new.” Munachi says with a polite smile, which Jewel saw as a mock smile.

“Munachi, "Geraldine calls out calmly. "It hasn't gotten to..., "

"Really?" Jewel chuckles. "Excuse me, what do you have, that I  Jewel Adenuga would be envious of? You have got brains, I may not be more intelligent than you are, but the fact remains, l am not a dummy. Apart from that what else would I be envious of? Girl, when I view you, guess what I see? A piece of rag, which I could use to clean my shoes whenever I want. Talking to you now, means downgrade on my side, you open your big mouth saying l am envious of you. Come to think of it what do you even have..., "

"Jewel!" Geraldine who seemed to have lost her temper yells. This causes a reaction in the cafeteria, because students started glancing at there direction, meanwhile Munachi stares at Jewel unmoved.

"How can you Say all that to her, just for that little comment she made, talking to her, like she was a piece of trash..., "

"But, isn't she?" Jewel asks boldly.

"God. You have really changed. i don't know who you are anymore. I can't even stand.., " Geraldine doesn't utter a word, but gets to her feet and walks away. Munachi doesn't spend any second, she does the same, but not after giving Jewel a long stare.

That moment, Jewel pulls her food closely, and starts eating like nothing happened.

"Jewel i don't even know what to say..., "

"Then shut up." Jewel cuts Nengi off immediately, turning to him.

"You keep pushing people away with these behaviours of yours. Deep down i know this affects you too, you can feel bad and hurt, because you are a human being, also everyone does, you don't have to always act tough, by spilling those things, do you know the impact it could have on an emotional minded person?" Nengi asks, he looked determined to push forward. "Most times you think, before speaking!" Nengi says.

"Are you done?" Jewel asks with a raised eyebrow. "You should go with them, more like

she is now important to you two, but I don't mind. You all can rot in hell." Jewel says now pulling her plate closer. Meanwhile, Nengi stares at her for a while, before opening his mouth to utter another word.

“I am only leaving, because I am done eating," Nengi says, rolling his eyes like a girl, he picks his takeaways, and that of Geraldine and Munachi.

"Errand boy." She mutters under her breath, she knew he heard her, but didn't respond.

Immediately he was out of sight, she pushes her food roughly. Her eyes were suddenly feeling glassy. Fully aware of the fact, the tears was going to drop soon, she gets up, picks her handkerchief, small purse, and walks away, leaving her take away on the table.

                       ______________________🖊️

     Jayden takes his head up from the desk, immediately he heard some noise. He didn't go for lunch break, because he couldn't even get on his feet properly.

"Hey!" Leo calls out to him. He took note that he wasn't the only one in the classroom. "You didn't go for lunch break?" Leo asks while he gets closer to Jayden's seat. "Guy, your eyes are red," Leo comments, looking grim.

"Not feeling too well," Jayden responds casually.

"Sorry, have you taken medication.., "

"Is there any way I can pull out from that quiz competition?" Jayden suddenly asks ignoring the previous question. Meanwhile, Leo pauses a while, before responding.

"Why?" He asks quite inquisitive.

"l am not ready for such competitions now, I would rather take my time preparing for WAEC, than touring around for that competition, besides i don't want to mount pressures on myself. I know how such competitions makes me feel." Jayden explains in all honesty, his eyes seemed like they where getting closed or something.

"Tell Ekanem, she is the class prefect, I'm sure, she is also in charge of working directly with Mr John, she can speak on your behalf to him, if you don't want to," Leo explains,
unknown to him, Ekanem had just walked in.

"I heard my name," Ekanem says casually, when she got to the seat, she looks from Jayden down to Leo.

"Jayden can't participate in the competition, I was telling him to talk to you about it, so you could tell Mr John," Leo says without stopping.

"Why?" Ekanem suddenly asks, turning to Jayden who looked so pale. "Jeez, you look like a dead body. Your eyes." She says bluntly. "Why don't you go to the sickbay,” Ekanem says concluding that he was unwell, even before he could say so, he could see the sympathy on her face.

"I don't just need that pressure right now," Jayden says ignoring the talk of the sickbay, and talking about what had been bothering him.

Since Mr John mentioned his name as one of the representatives, he hadn't been himself, he didn't want such pressure. Especially with the way Mr John was head bent on them bringing back the trophy. A competition they weren't qualified for yet.

He hated failure, and knowing the kind of person he was, it would be better off, he didn't participate.

"I was the one who suggested you to Mr John. Especially with how good you are with Chemistry and Mathematics. Question will be from different angels, Arts and Science. We are picking five students from Arts class and five from our class, we would interchange during competitions, and mix up.” Ekanem says truthfully. "Honestly, our combination is okay, but if it isn't convenient for you. Then we could talk to Mr John.” Ekanem explains, meanwhile Jayden noticed Jewel walk in, during her talks.

Her eyes seemed swollen, he didn't miss that, also she avoid looking his way.

                    ______________________🖊️

    Immediately the jingle bell is heard, everyone starts leaving the classroom. Jayden uses this medium to turn to her direction again, what seemed like an eternity, he had been watching her since she got into the classroom during break. She hadn't raised her head, and when teachers spoke about it, she would respond she isn't feeling
fine, without taking her head up.

He was feeling a little bit relieved, but knew it wouldn't be for too long, it could be malaria. He had taking the panadol extra, Ekanem had gotten him, when he insisted he couldn't walk, out. Low key, he noticed she was a nice person, despite how loud-mouthed a rude, she seemed most time.

Turning to Jewel's seat. He could see Leo seated also, he didn't seem like someone who was leaving anytime soon. He doesn't bother picking up his bag, he does the only thing that got into his mind.

The class was almost empty. He didn't miss Jason, who seemed busy packing up his stuff, which seemed surprising to him. He expected him to have been gone, also his friends that always stuck around him weren't there too.

"Jewel." He calls out after sparing Leo a glance, and taking a seat closer to her, when he doesn't get a response, he bends down trying to peep.

"What?" He heard her say, this made him calm down, when she didn't respond, a sudden fear had engulfed him.

"Aren't you feeling fine? Come let's go to the sickbay." Jayden suggest.

"No!" Jewel responds, he could barely make out what she was saying, her voice was down.

"Jewel!" He calls out again. When he gets no answer, he takes his head up, only to meet Leo's intense gaze, surprisingly, Jason was standing opposite too.

"What's wrong with her?” Jason asks, no matter how he tried to hide it, you could still see he was worried.

"I don't know," Jayden responds truthfully. "Jewel," Jason calls out.

"Leave me alone. I am fine." Jewel yells, making them still.

"If you don't want me to come and push you now, better get up, pick your bag pack. And let's start going." Jason threatens.

Immediately Jewel raises her head. Her eyes seemed very red and swollen.

"I didn't come to school with you. Mind your business." Jewel says directly to Jason, she doesn't miss Leo's gaze. She cared less. Although she looked like a mess.

Getting up, she picks her bag, and starts arranging her books.

"What happened to your face?" Both brothers asks almost the same time.

"You can't tell when someone wants to be alone." She mumbles arranging her bag pack.

"Jewel!" Jayden calls out calmly.

"I am fine, I just want to be alone." She responds in a calm tone.

"That one you are saying now is your business, pack up that thing fast, as I am walking out, you are walking out with me. I don't understand the obanje that is disturbing you today. Maybe once I slap it out, your brain would start functioning properly." Jason says in an authoritative tone.

3,867 words.

UCHSSS, Elites High School and Royal Gem Academy. I am sure most of us are familiar with this school.

UCHSSS from "Finding Fikayo" by ishpep2

Elite Highschool from "Detriment" by Zeelove17

Royal Gem Academy from "Nothing In Between" by Stardust_Wendy

A big collab is coming on. Anticipate, it will be worth it. ishpep2