I REMOVED my contact lenses.

That act took me a lot of courage because, for a while, I hid behind them due to my bullying experience. After the conversation I last had with Chioma, she reminded me not to fear being bullied anymore and for me to be myself.

I woke up earlier so that I could go to school early; as Chioma advised me. Never, at any point, would I follow someone's advice so closely, but I had every reason to follow her advice. It felt like the right thing to do.

I stood at the school's parking lot at 5: 30 AM. The earliest I have ever gone to school at.

The school was already open, thankfully. So I went to it and I was grateful not to notice Akin or any of his fellow bullies.

It sure felt awkward to see very few students walk in the hallways. I checked my school timetable and the first subject was art, so I sauntered into the art classroom.

It was empty, so I settled in my usual seat. Only 15 minutes had gone by and for the classroom to get filled up, it would take way longer, so I needed to keep myself busy.

I grabbed my favorite psychology novel entitled 'facts about girls.' When you're single as hell, such a novel is very appealing to read. I found it in one book store and I immediately bought it upon seeing it.

My jaw instantly dropped when I read one particular fact.

If a guy remembers something important to a girl that she said and brings it up later, it makes that girl feel special.

So it's that easy to make her feel special?

I kept reading more and gathering information I probably might not use because it's like I will be single till death.

When I read over fifty pages, I saw some students walk into the classroom. I at once closed the book and put it into my bag. I would not want someone to judge me for reading such a weird book. I grabbed one of my school textbooks and read that instead.

Shortly, the entire class got filled up with students, and then later came Mrs. Chinara. Like any usual day, she greeted the class with her unique smile.

"How's your project going?" Mrs. Chinara asked, grinning widely like the project she gave us was so easy to execute.

"Madam, I still do not know what to do. What exactly should we do?" Jane, a chubby dark-skinned girl, asked. Her question drew murmurs from the entire class.

"She is right, madam." Two other girls seated near her complained.

The smile on Mrs. Chinara's face slowly turned into a frown. "I thought my instructions were very clear."

"They were, madam, but not crystal clear. I didn't understand them." Jane said, fueling the anger of Mrs. Chinara.

"Before I scream, how many of you agree with her?" She asked, her nails biting into her own palms.

The entire class raised their hands and I couldn't make it awkward by not raising mine.

"Even you, Aretta?" Mrs. Chinara muttered. Aretta has always been her favorite student, so seeing her raise her hand too might have disappointed her.

"Okay, if that's so, I will explain, but I wish you told me earlier that none of you understood what the project was about." Mrs. Chinara grabbed chalk and walked toward the board.

"We are sorry, madam," Jane said on behalf of the entire class.

"I previously said that the project will involve the use of art to portray the life story of both you and your partner. What I meant was you need to do an art piece that tells your stories. Art is there to tell a story, and this project is here to test you guys on all the elements of art I have been teaching you since we began. Let me just elaborate further."

She immediately used her chalk to draw on the board. We all patiently watched as she drew a woman with a kid on her back. The woman she drew wore a very short dress that kind of exposed her buttocks. In one of the woman's hands was a canvas that had something scribbled on it.

"Sorry for making you watch me draw, but this drawing you see here tells you my life story."

Jane raised her hand." How, madam?"

"Okay, I hate telling people my life story, but this is for you guys to understand what I am asking for in this project." She took a seat on her chair, showing that it will be a long story for her to explain.

"When I was young, I lived with my uncle and aunty since I lost both my parents. My life was peaceful until I turned puberty. I became very shapely and as you already see, even now, I had huge buttocks. But being this sexy has its disadvantages. With time, my uncle noticed, and he abused me sexually. I said nothing because I feared ruining my aunty's marriage and being chased out of her house, but everything changed when I got pregnant."

The entire class gasped in shock and I subconsciously did the same.

"Yes, I got pregnant and so that forced me to tell my aunt. She couldn't believe me. She beat me up even though she knew that was my condition. Her husband even denied it and I..." She paused as she secreted tears. I felt bad seeing her like that.

"I got sent out of the house to fend for myself and I was only 16. I suffered in the hands of poverty and I pleaded for help, but no one ever offered to give me it. I couldn't let my unborn child suffer just because I was suffering, so I had to look for a way to make money. So I become a prostitute."

My hand flew over my face, and everyone looked equally surprised.

"I did many of the nasty to gain money and before the pregnancy had gotten big enough, I had gathered enough cash to keep me and my child. I hated the baby in my womb at first, but when I gave birth, everything changed. I just loved that kid. I didn't care what suffering I went through for it, its existence made my every suffering worth it.

Everything changed when I entered an art exhibition. I had my son on my back as I entered that place because I admired the poster at the door. When I saw the price people sold their paintings, I got determined to learn art. It would be better than sleeping with men for money.

I bought art supplies and tried for weeks to do paintings. I got surprised at how much I enjoyed it and I guess I was not so bad at it. So I immediately started to sell my paintings. I would walk with my son on my back trying to sell my paintings at such a cheap price of 500 naira.

I once came across a woman that refused to pay 500 naira for my painting. She insisted I deserved one hundred thousand naira for it and she always came to buy my paintings from me at that price. We became friends, and she told me how she used my art to make profits. She actually sold them to others at five hundred thousand naira. I was shocked to know people would spend that much on my paintings.

When she found out why I had been suffering, she vowed to pay my university fees. She took me in as her child and took care of my son. That is how I become the teacher you see now." She wiped her tears, and I was trying my best not to cry too. I just felt her pain.

I glanced at everyone and almost all the girls were in tears.

Jane stood up from her seat, her eyes were red from crying, and began clapping. The moment she did, everyone joined her and stood up from their seats, and clapped. The sound of clashing hands filled the room and Mrs. Chinara smiled with tears in her eyes.

"As the class spokes girl, I want to say that you're an inspiration, madam. You're strong and brave and now I respect you even more. It wasn't easy to tell us this, but since you did, you have inspired me and I can call you my role model." Jane cried as she spoke. Mrs. Chinara stood up and hugged her. She was speechless, and the hug told her she was grateful to hear that.

"Madam, thanks for telling us, I am inspired by your perseverance," Aretta screamed and ran to hug her, and then came all the girls to do the same. I would have hugged her too, but it was too crowded to do so.

"Thank you all." She wiped off the excess tears."I think I must leave you all alone to discuss how you'll conduct the project. I hope you get what I meant now. I just used art to portray my life story. I am sure you can all do the same."

She didn't wait for anyone's response and immediately stormed out of the classroom, leaving as all alone. I guess she needed to shake everything off.

I watched as Aretta ambled toward me. Memories of Akin's punch came to mind, and that reminded me why I needed to change project partners.

Instantly, I rubbed the back of my neck. How was I going to tell her that?

"Hey, Luca." She said, grabbing a chair and pulling it next to me.

"Hey, Aretta. How are you?"

She furrowed her brows." You look very different."

She moved inches closer, and that act made me more uncomfortable." Your eyes?"

"I removed my contacts," I said, hoping she wouldn't ask me more questions.

"I was thinking you were wearing some. Your eyes are naturally this color?" Her glance was solely fixed on my eyes and that forced me to glance at her chocolate brown eyes fringed with long eyelashes.

"Yes, I just wear brown contacts to avoid attention." I maintained my gaze on her because she was still staring at me.

"I'm glad you removed them. Your eyes are exquisite, and if I had them, I would never hide them."

I pressed my lips tightly to keep myself from smiling, but I failed miserably because a wide grin formed on my face."Thanks."

She giggled slightly. "So what do you think about what Mrs. Chinara did on the board?"

I glanced at her drawing. Her sketch was so accurate and I never thought it would take just that to explain many years of her life."It is a great and inspiring drawing. Madam is always so happy I would never guess she went through all that trauma."

"It is always the cheerful people no one suspects of sadness but one fact is the happiest people are usually the most hurt."

I narrowed my eyebrows. That was a deep statement, especially seeing that I know her to be a cheerful person, too. It kind of made me curious if she is hurt too.

"You're right. By the way, where were you yesterday?"

She bit her lower lip. " I... Uh... Did not come to school yesterday."

I rubbed my chin. I wanted to ask why she didn't come to school, but something told me it would be inappropriate. So I guess it would be better to tell her that I wanted to change project partners." Okay, so..."

She cut me off." Coming to think about it, Luca, I don't think I can talk during lunchtime every day. So I wanted to suggest something if that's fine with you."

"Sure, please suggest." No Luca, tell her you can't keep doing this project with her!

"What if I can call you to talk about the project? From what Mrs. Chinara did on the board, she showed me that to get this project done we have to know each other well and I don't think my current circumstances will allow me to talk about the project during lunchtime."

A girl calling me every day? I like the sound of that!

"If that is the only way to get this project done, then it is okay if we call each other to discuss it." I subconsciously smiled.

"Thank you. Can we make it a video call? It can be fun that way."

My eyebrows squished together. Her suggestion seemed suspicious, but I still liked the idea." That's okay with me. What time then?"

"When are you normally free?"

"I am normally free by 5 PM." After school, I always go to see my father at the hospital, but I normally come home and stay with nothing to do but read.

"Yay! Me too. Then expect a video call from me tomorrow. Please answer it."

"I will answer the call. I promise." I grinned excitedly.

"See you then." She got up from her seat and walked to where she had been seated.

I remained seated while grinning like a moron because, for the first time in my life, a girl will call me.

I remembered the promise I made to Akin to have nothing to do with her, but there I was, having a lot to do with her.

For a second, I stopped caring about whether doing so would get me punched. I guess it would be worth it.

______Authors note______

I almost omitted the teachers life story from the main plot till I realized how important it is. That story explains why this project with Aretta is a little more interesting than we expected. It is the beginning of all the dramatic events that are yet to transpire in Lucas life. So stay tuned.

For the none Nigerian readers, 100000 naira is 240 dollars. I hope that helps.

Omg Luca🤦🏿‍♀️! That boy has no idea what he is getting himself into by continuing that project.

What do you think will happen to him if he continues this project with Aretta?