Echoes of Evan’s Academy 🖤

Echoes of Evan’s Academy Chapter One: The Girl Who Couldn’t Answer The first bell at Evan’s Academy always rang five minutes before the morning assembly. Students hurried through the wide iron gates, their polished black shoes tapping against the tiled walkways as laughter echoed across the compound. To visitors… Evan’s Academy looked perfect. Its spotless classrooms, disciplined students and outstanding academic record made it one of the most respected secondary schools in the state. But every student knew one thing. Not every story at Evan’s Academy ended happily. ⸻ Inside SS3 Science, Neemah carefully arranged her Biology notebook on her desk before glancing around the classroom. The room was already buzzing with noise. Some boys argued over yesterday’s football match. Two girls compared hairstyles. Someone at the back was trying to finish Mathematics assignment before the first period. “You’re smiling again.” Neemah looked up. Tina had dropped into the seat beside her with a mischievous grin. “I’m not smiling.” “Oh really?” Tina folded her arms. “Then why have you looked at the classroom door exactly eight times in the last two minutes?” Neemah rolled her eyes. “You count too much.” “I count because I know my best friend.” She leaned closer. “You’re waiting for somebody.” Before Neemah could reply… A folded paper landed softly on her desk. Neither of them saw who threw it. But Neemah already knew. Her heartbeat quickened. Tina gasped dramatically. “Oh…” “So it’s Oscar.” Neemah quickly hid the paper beneath her notebook. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Liar.” Tina laughed. “Open it.” Neemah hesitated before unfolding it beneath the desk. The handwriting made her smile immediately. Meet me behind the library after school. I have something important to tell you. — Oscar ❤️ Before she could read it again— The classroom suddenly became quiet. Too quiet. Even Tina stopped smiling. Mr. Philip had entered. ⸻ He wasn’t the kind of teacher students joked with. He was respected. Feared. Admired by parents. His Biology students rarely failed external examinations. He always dressed neatly. Always spoke calmly. Always smiled. But for reasons Neemah couldn’t explain… His smile always made her uncomfortable. “Good morning, class.” “Good morning, sir.” He placed his lesson note on the table before slowly scanning the classroom. One row. Another row. Then… His eyes rested on Neemah. Only for a second. But somehow… She felt cold. “I hope everyone revised our previous lesson.” Nobody answered. Mr. Philip adjusted his glasses. “Let’s find out.” He looked directly at her. “Neemah.” Her stomach tightened. She slowly stood. “What did we learn during our last Biology lesson?” She knew it. She had read it twice yesterday. The Human Reproductive System. She knew it. But with everyone staring… The words disappeared. “Sir…” Silence. “We learnt…” Nothing. Her mind was blank. Mr. Philip sighed loudly. “I expected better.” The classroom remained silent. He took a slow step closer. “Or perhaps…” “…being the prettiest girl in SS3 has distracted you from your books.” A few students laughed. Neemah lowered her head. She felt every pair of eyes on her. She could even hear whispers. “She doesn’t know.” “I thought she was brilliant.” “What a shame…” Mr. Philip folded his arms. “So tell me…” “What exactly have you been doing with your time?” Her fingers trembled. “I’m sorry, sir.” “Sorry?” He chuckled. “No.” “Sorry doesn’t pass examinations.” His voice suddenly became louder. “If this continues, your parents should save their school fees and let you sell tomatoes in the market.” The classroom burst into laughter. Neemah bit her lower lip. She refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of everyone. Across the room… Oscar’s smile disappeared. Something wasn’t right. Mr. Philip had embarrassed students before. But never like this. Never with this much cruelty. Oscar slowly clenched his fist beneath the desk. His best friend, julius, noticed. “Guy…” Oscar didn’t answer. He couldn’t take his eyes off Neemah. ⸻ Mr. Philip looked away. “Tina.” She stood immediately. “What was our previous topic?” “The Human Reproductive System, sir.” “Excellent.” He nodded. Then turned back toward Neemah. “See?” “That wasn’t difficult.” The words felt more painful than the humiliation itself. Before opening his lesson note, Mr. Philip spoke again. “After school…” “I want to see you in my office.” The classroom became unusually quiet. Neemah’s heartbeat quickened. “…Yes, sir.” For the rest of the lesson… She didn’t write a single word. And from the other side of the classroom… Oscar couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. Mr. Philip looked away from Tina and returned his gaze to Neemah. “After school…” “I want to see you in my office.” The classroom fell silent. Neemah swallowed hard. “…Yes, sir.” ⸻ The rest of the lesson dragged on. Mr. Philip continued teaching as though nothing had happened, but Neemah couldn’t hear a single word. She stared blankly at her notebook while one question kept echoing in her mind. Why me? When the dismissal bell finally rang, the students rushed out, laughing and chatting. Oscar remained seated. His eyes never left Neemah. She slowly packed her books without saying a word. “Baby…” Oscar called softly. She forced a smile. “I’m fine.” He frowned. “No, you’re not.” Tina walked over immediately. “What happened? Why did he ask you to wait after class?” “It’s nothing.” “Nothing?” Tina asked. “You’ve barely spoken since Biology started.” Neemah avoided their eyes. “I’ll be back.” Without waiting for another question, she turned and walked toward the staff office. Oscar watched until she disappeared around the corner. Something inside him didn’t feel right. ⸻ The staff room door was slightly open. Mr. Philip looked up as Neemah arrived. “Come in.” She hesitated. “It’s alright.” “I won’t bite.” Slowly… She stepped inside. He walked to the door… …and quietly locked it. Click. Neemah’s heart skipped. She turned to look at him. He smiled. Not the smile every student admired. This one… …made her blood run cold. ⸻ Outside… Oscar couldn’t concentrate. Five minutes passed. He looked at his wristwatch. Seven minutes. Ten. “Guy, relax,” Julius said. “She’s probably just being punished.” Oscar shook his head. “No…” “This doesn’t feel like punishment.” Without another word, he stood up and headed toward the staff room. The corridor was empty. The closer he got… The faster his heart beat. Then… He heard it. A frightened voice from inside. “Sir… please…” Oscar froze. His eyes widened. His fists clenched. Before he could think… He grabbed the doorknob. 🖤🖤 What is Mr Philip hiding behind that locked door with Neemah Will Oscar get to know any clue of what’s going on Find out in episode 2: don’t forget to add this story to your library and leave a comment if you are hooked 💘