HELENA

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky.Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene waking me up from my sweet sleep.I rubbed my face continuously and yawned before going into the bathroom to have my shower as school is resuming today after a short holiday while I am not emotionally ready for school,lazy me!!!!!. " Helena I thought you said your school is resuming today or have you decided not to go to school today?" My mom asked me just as I was coming out of the bathroom.I believe she got to my room just now. " It seems you've forgotten that you gave birth to a lazy daughter. I'm sure she is not going to school today," my younger brother Klow said chipping into the conversation uninvited. I don't know why a small boy like him would just like taunting his sister every time. I need to deal with him soon. " Will you keep that tiny mouth of yours shut!! Who told you to put your mouth when elders are talking?" I said casting him a warning look. " Where is the elder talking?" he said smirking obviously I know he won't keep quiet until I bounce on him which is likely I do soon with the way he's behaving. " Mom don't mind him,I was actually preparing for school when you came into the room". I said facing my mom who was smiling earlier with the way I was exchanging banter with my younger brother. " I thought as much, I had to come inside when I didn't see your shadow". She said and left the room to the kitchen (I guess) with the rude brat following her out immediately as he knows that failure to leave with her, he's in trouble. Before I move on, my name is Helena Bright a seventeen years old senior student at Klanfor High school here in trembor. It's not a big school as it is us that our parents can't really afford paying a large sum of money as school fees that attend the school. I lost my Dad five years ago to a car accident leaving my mom, my younger brother and I all alone.We were once rich but lost everything after the death of my father to his friend but that is a story for another day.My mom works as a maid and cleaner for some influential people here in Trembor while I also work part-time during the weekend to assist her as it has not been easy since my father's death. My mom being a hardworking woman started working as a maid to take care of us as we had nobody to turn to for help. ....... We all ate our food in silence and immediately after eating, I hurriedly took my bag and bade my Mom goodbye before rushing out of the house because I was already late. I bumped into Jasmine on my way out of the house.She is my neighbour, classmate and friend since I'm not someone who really keeps a lot of friends. She's from an average family but not poor, she lives with her parents as she's the only child. " I thought you would have gone to school you lazy ass," I said facing her as that was our way of conversing by taunting each other. " I woke up late as yesterday was hectic for me at my mom's shop you weakling." Jasmine said to me and I sighed as I know what it looks like to stay in the shop from morning to night thanks to the part-time jobs. " I also woke up late, let's us start running before we miss the first class today on our first day in school." I said and we both started running we know that the principal does not tolerate any form of lateness particularly the week we resume. The old man will just be moving up and down checking the classes to see who is not around and who came late. ...... We entered the class breathing heavily from running all the way to school.Mr.Tommy was already in class then teaching us Mathematics when we entered the class.He was facing the board writing an example I guess when we sneaked in and silently went to our seats as fast as possible. " Helena stand up, come and solve this question!!" Mr.Tommy said smiling mischievously at me. " Or you think I won't know you're just coming in with your friend. Stand up and come out to solve it immediately!!" I knew I had to stand up and so went to him and collected the marker from him and then went to the board to solve the calculus question. Mathematics has always been easy for me even without studying it. Therefore solving this question was very easy as I wasted no time in solving the question after which I returned the maker to Mr.Tommy who was beaming with commending smiles as he collected it from me. " Can you now see that this is very easy unless you've decided not to know it." Larry or you're not part of those that are not interested?" Mr.Tommy asked Larry and everybody burst out laughing at his question. Of course who doesn't know that Larry is the leader of the unserious people and he made sure that he made this obvious to people that he's not interested in education but just had to attend school to satisfy his mother. " Yes Sir, I'm not part of them, I am a changed person now." Larry said to him even though it's obvious that he's deceiving him. " I will hold your word for that, and others I don't want you to relent you can do better. I wish you success this term....." He said and left the class. " You were cool back there," Stephen said to her. Stephen has been her crush ever since they got to the senior class though crushing on him in secret. " Thank you but I don't think so," I said calmly in the way I've never spoken to another person before. " You can't know. Geniuses don't pay attention to that it's people like us that can only read but can't write that will observe," Stephen said teasing me although I know he only wanted to use that initiate a conversation with me. "You're quite funny but I will take that as a compliment." I said to him beaming with smile. I always love it when we talk I'm sure you know how it feels like talking to your crush. I was about to ask about something when a junior student came to my seat to inform me that the principal is calling me though didn't state the reasons. I told Stephen that I was coming and went to his office to meet him. Mr.Ben the Principal of Klanfor High school is a disciplinarian to the core known for his rigidity when dictating rules and action when there is need for that. All the students dread going to his office as the aura around him is tense and so is Helena. She knows she can't run away but just have to face the strict man. " I was told you wanted to see me Sir," Helena said after he instructed her to enter his office. " Yes I asked someone to call you.I will go straight to the point as I don't want to waste your time. There is a science competition organised by the Roserman Foundation annually and they brought the form yesterday for two students. Students that with the highest results would be given a full scholarship to KAIS High school. I'm sure you know about the school?" He asked me. " Yes Sir, I know the school." I answered even though I have never heard of the school before but I don't want to be rebuked by the Principal so I had to pretend I know the school. " Good, the person that tops the competition would be given full scholarship to the school till they are done with high school. Since you are one of the best in this school, I have already picked you and Tevi for the competition,that is why I called you." Mr.Ben said looking at me you cannot read him so I don't know whether he's happy about it or not. " Thank you Sir, but when is the competition going to hold?" I asked because I don't think I heard him mentioning that. " Oh!! Sorry about that it skipped my mind, Next week Saturday. I want you to remember that you are not only representing yourself but the school also,so I expect the best from you .You know it's also a once in a lifetime opportunity so grab it well." He then signalled for me to leave his office as there was nothing more to say. I left the principal's office with mixed feelings. I'm delighted about the news but also wondering whether my mom would allow me go but I quickly brushed the thought away and decided to just inform her before I start concluding. ..... Around 4 PM in the evening,we all left the school with smiles. Funny enough, majority of the students come to school in the morning with frown on our faces but always happy when we close for the day I always have the feeli forng it's everywhere. Jasmine and I were walking home silently as I was still fantasizing in my world when Jasmine jacked me out of it with her question. " I wanted to ask you but did not have the opportunity to ask till closing time.Why did the principal call you?" Jasmine asked. " Ohh!! He only informed me about a competition that he registered me for and said that anybody that wins would be given full scholarship to one high school like that... what is the name again...KAIS High school,' I said with joy as if I was given a trophy for remembering. " That is good news!!!! with the way you're talking like a toad I don't think you know anything about this KAIS unless you won't be talking like this," Jasmine said happily while I just look at her lost. "Is it really that special?" I asked still lost. " Yeah moron it's still the best school here in Trembor. It's meant for the influential people and that is why it's the most sought in this city." Jasmine said with confidence as if she was paid a huge amount of money to praise the school. "I didn't know that it was that remarkable. I will inform my Mom first then do the needful if she agrees," I said still walking as we were almost home. " Yes what do you really know you ignorant fool," she said smirking at me. "I will deal with you later, I don't have your time right now," I said when my attention shifted to a crowd down the street. It seems something bad happened for people to converge there whispering and hissing as I heard when we moved closer to the place. " Let's reach that place, and find out what is happening," I said to Jasmine. " News Finder, did they call you always curious about everything like a cat. Let me just follow you so that it won't be as if I don't have human feelings." Jasmine said while I didn't reply her as I continued walking to the scene with my eyes fixed to the place. I got there knowing the kind of person I am, pushed my way into seeing what happened only to exclaim loudly to the ears of people staying there who were surprised at my outburst. " What happened here?" l asked .....