The Suspension
685 Words
The news spread across Agunbiade Victory High School faster than anyone expected.
By the next morning, almost every student knew two things.
First - the Head Prefect had been suspended for two weeks.
Second - a new student named Ether had walked into the disciplinary meeting and spoken to the teachers without fear.
For many students, that was unbelievable.
Students whispered as Ether walked through the compound that morning.
"Na that boy be that."
"The one that defended the Head Prefect."
"He no fear teachers at all."
Ether heard the whispers, but he ignored them.
To him, it wasn't a big deal.
He had simply said what he believed was right.
But to the students, it was something else entirely.
Courage.
Aminat, however, was not in school that morning.
Her two-week suspension had already started.
Some students mocked her absence.
Others felt bad for her.
But Ether felt something strange.
The school suddenly felt quieter without her.
He didn't even know why he cared so much.
After all...
They had barely spoken.
Three days later, during the afternoon, Ether was sitting under a tree near the football field with some boys from his class.
They were talking about the upcoming inter-class football match.
Football was on thing Ether loved more than almost anything.
It was his peace.
His therapy.
His escape.
Even though he had only been in the school for a short time, students had already noticed how good he was on the field.
"Ether, you go play striker for us," one boy said.
Another boy laughed.
"With the way you play, Art department fit beat Commercial."
Ether smiled slightly.
"Football no be by noise," he said calmly.
The boys laughed.
But as they talked, someone suddenly walked past them.
Ether looked up.
And frozen for a second.
Aminat.
She had come to the school briefly to speak with a teacher about her suspension.
She wore a simple dress instead of her school uniform.
But somehow, she still carried the same confident presence.
She noticed Ether almost immediately.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then she walked towards him.
The boys beside Ether suddenly became quiet.
Head Prefect is coming here.
Aminat stopped is front of him.
"Ether."
It was the first time she called his name.
Ether stood up slowly.
"Yes?"
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say many things but didn't know how to start.
Then she sighed softly.
"I heard what you did."
Ether shrugged.
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing."
Her voice was serious.
"You didn't have to speak for me."
Ether looked at her calmly.
"But I wanted to."
Aminat stared at him for a moment.
Most boys in school were either afraid of her or tried too hard to impress her.
But Ether did neither.
He just spoke normally.
That was new.
"Still," she said quietly, "thank you."
Ether smiled slightly.
"You're welcome."
There was a small silent between them.
Then Aminat shook her head with a faint smile.
"You're a strange person, Ether."
"Why?"
"Students here don't challenge teachers like that."
Ether chuckled softly.
"Maybe they should sometimes."
Aminat laughed a little.
It was the first time Ether had seen her laugh.
Then she checked the time.
"I have to go."
She began walking away.
But after a few steps, she turned back.
"Take care of yourself, Ether."
And she left the compound.
Ether watch her go.
The boys sitting under the tree immediately rushed towards him.
"Guy!"
"You dey talk with the Head Prefect like that?"
"Wetin she tells you?"
Ether only shook his head.
"Nothing serious."
But deep inside him, something had changed.
And he could feel it.
Because the girl he thought was just a random stranger from the corridor... was slowly becoming someone much more important in his story.
But Ether didn't know that something else is about to happen.
Something even more shocking.
Something that would make the entire school respect him even more.
A moment that would happen...
Right in the middle of morning assembly.
And it would involve something that was strictly forbidden in the school.
A phone.
- Writer
