Chapter 4 : New Girl
1030 Words
Few Weeks after Efosa's arrival at Camp Academy, a new student walked into their classroom, commanding everyone's attention. Itohan's striking beauty and confident smile left the class in awe.
"Hello everyone, I'm Itohan, and I'm thrilled to join this school," she said, her voice radiating poise.
Efosa couldn't help but admire her fearlessness, especially compared to his own awkward introduction on his first day. As Itohan took her seat, Efosa noticed Eshoe gazing at her, but this time with an intense glare. Efosa wondered if Eshoe's piercing stare was a standard welcome for new classmates or a sign of something more.
Later that day during lunch break, Itohan searched for a seat in the crowded cafeteria when Eshoe invited her to join her, her voice tinged with an enigmatic smile.
"Thanks," Itohan replied, her smile brief as she sat down.
As they ate, Eshoe abruptly asked, "So where are you from?"
Itohan's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not sure what you're getting at," she said, her tone measured.
Eshoe's smile turned condescending. "It's a simple question. I mean, what's your background? Old school, family, etc.?" Her gaze drifted to her friends, who watched with interest.
Itohan's smile returned, but with a hint of caution. "I understand what you're asking, I just needed you to be more specific."
"Really?" Eshoe's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as she glanced at her friends, seemingly embarrassed by Itohan's response.
"My family and I recently moved from Lagos to Benin due to my father's job transfer," Itohan explained, her smile genuine. "That's why my parents enrolled me in this school, since it's one of the top institutions in the city." She added.
"And who's your father?" Eshoe asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Itohan's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that really a necessary question?" she replied, her chuckle nervous and laced with a hint of annoyance, finding Eshoe's questioning invasive.
"I don't see anything wrong with my questions, unless you're embarrassed to talk about it." Eshoe smirked.
"I heard you're on scholarship?" One of Eshoe's friends chimed in, trying to provoke Itohan.
Itohan's expression turned cautious. "Yes, I am... But what's the point of these questions?" Her eyes narrowed, sensing a hidden agenda.
Eshoe rolled her eyes dismissively. "What do you think?" she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah and Efosa sat at a corner, as Jeremiah observed the exchange between Itohan and Eshoe. "What do you think they're discussing about?" Jeremiah asked, his eyes fixed on the girls.
"No idea." Efosa shrugged, uninterested.
"Do you think Eshoe is trying to befriend her or set boundaries."
"Why are you so invested in their conversation? Let's just let the girls be." Efosa sighed.
Jeremiah gazed at Efosa with a mischievous grin. "If I hadn't stepped in on your first day, you'd be carrying Eshoe's bags and washing Efe's shoes by now."
"I doubt that." Efosa chuckled, shaking his head.
Jeremiah's grin widened. "I'm like your guardian angel in this academy, Efosa. Without me, you'd be constantly bullied."
Efosa raised an eyebrow, his eyes scanning Jeremiah's slender frame. "You? Protect me? Can you even protect yourself?" He chuckled.
Jeremiah's grin faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Hey, watch it! I may not be the biggest guy, but I've got brains and wit."
"Sorry, sorry. Let's just forget about it." Efosa's laughter was stifled, not wanting to hurt his friend's feelings.
Efosa later shifted the conversation back to the initial topic, trying to play along. "So, what's your take on Eshoe's conversation with the new girl? Is she genuinely trying to befriend her, or is it just a power play?"
"I think she's testing the new girl, establishing her dominance. Eshoe is very insecure; she always want to be the best." Jeremiah replied.
"Look at her friends – she's the most beautiful one, and she loves it that way." He added.
"So, you think the new girl is more beautiful than Eshoe?" Efosa asked, amused.
Jeremiah responded with a humorous tone, "Isn't it obvious?" Efosa burst into laughter.
Jeremiah's curiosity was piqued as he watched Efosa struggle to stifle his laughter. "What's so amusing?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Nothing, just...go on." Efosa waved his hand dismissively, still chuckling.
"You're weird." Jeremiah shook his head, a hint of a smile on his face.
As Jeremiah turned his attention back to the girls, his gaze inadvertently met Eshoe's. For a fleeting moment, their eyes locked, and Jeremiah felt a shiver run down his spine. Eshoe's glare was piercing, her voice low and menacing as she walked past him. "What are you looking at?"
Jeremiah quickly averted his gaze, his face betraying a flash of fear. Efosa, still trying to control his laughter, was now grinning at his friend's misfortune.
"So, have you ever had the pleasure of carrying Eshoe's bag to class or washing Efe's shoes?" Efosa playfully teased.
Jeremiah's expression turned mock-offended, but his eyes still sparkled with amusement. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I just wondered if you'd experienced it firsthand, since you warned me about it earlier. Maybe it's a rite of passage you've already endured?" Efosa chuckled.
Jeremiah feigned annoyance, "It seems you take great pleasure in mocking me." He replied.
"Sorry, man! But seriously, you should consider a career in comedy. You've got natural timing." Efosa grinned.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment or insult?"
Efosa laughed, "Definitely a compliment! Comedians are rolling in dough."
As the lunch break drew to a close, the bell rang, signaling the end of their playful reprieve. "Time to face the music," Efosa said with a sigh, gathering his belongings.
"How many more classes until freedom?" Jeremiah asked, his eyes pleading for a swift end to the school day.
"Math and physics," Efosa replied, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.
Jeremiah groaned, his frustration palpable. "My arch-nemesis subjects!"
Efosa chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Don't worry, comedy genius! You won't need to solve for x or calculate trajectories to make it big. You're golden!"
Jeremiah playfully rolled his eyes. "You're a weirdo," Efosa's laughter echoed down the corridor, as they walked to their next class.
- Writer
