The darkness within my silence

Chapter Three: Miss Goody Two Shoes

*In School*

"Hi Diane, how are you doing?" I said to my supposed best friend. I thought maybe I should try to know her better, since I always called her my best friend in compositions — or at least learn how she managed to always top the class.

"Hey, Miss Goody Two-Shoes, how may I help you?" Diane replied, her voice laced with sarcasm.

I froze. I wasn’t expecting that. I had assumed she was nice — after all, she got along with the other girls. I felt the weight of all the eyes in the room turning to me. Embarrassed, I quietly returned to my seat just as class began.

Our mathematics teacher, Mr. Austin, walked in right after. He was the most handsome teacher in the school. The fact that he wasn’t a playboy — and didn’t have a girlfriend — was a mystery to everyone.

There was always a silent competition for his attention, especially among the girls. His smile was their ultimate reward — they said when he smiled, his deep dimple made him look like an angel handcrafted by God Himself.

The boys weren’t left out either. Since most of their crushes were obsessed with Mr. Austin, they tried everything to be the best in maths. Some hoped the girls would come to them for extra lessons — or at least finally notice they existed.

Everyone was running their own race. Only a few of us, including myself, saw him as a teacher. In my point of view, he was just one teacher who never gave up on a student and tried to bring out the best in what was shattered.

Back to the present. "Hello, everyone," Mr. Austin said. "Hello, sir," we all echoed. "I trust you had a sweet night, as I can see your faces can't contain your excitement," Mr. Austin said. "Yes, sir, we are very happy," a girl said among us. "So, who will be filling my ears with the good news?" Mr. Austin asked jokingly. Diane stood up hastily and said with a tiny, forced voice, "I don't know what they are happy about, but I'm excited about the new topic you will be teaching us. We are all aware that you will be teaching us basic arithmetic." "Oh, is that the good news, guys?" Mr. Austin asked. "Yes, sir," they all chorused.

The class started swiftly, and due to Mr. Austin's teaching skills, we all seemed to catch on well.

Classes ended fast and it was time to go home. As I walked out of the school gates, the bright sunlight hit me and I know it will be a great day

I got back home from school and usually went to Mrs. Smith's house because my mum and dad didn't come back from work until late at night. By then, my mum was already heavily pregnant with my brother. It was all my mum and dad had dreamed of – a male child to hold the family name. I was happy for them, though. I had seen how they prayed for the child to be a boy.

I got home, but I met no one there; probably she had traveled, so I went back to our apartment and decided to stay with my neighbors. Even though hunger was gnawing at me because I don't accept things from strangers, I went back home, and it was only our university neighbor, Bro David, who was back. Since he was my friend and used to let me play games on his phone, I didn't see a problem with staying with him. I knocked on his door, and he welcomed me to his room. "Hey, hi, my jewel, how are you doing?" Bro David said in a cheerful voice. "Good afternoon, sir. I'm fine. Mum isn't back yet, and I was hoping if I could stay with you – that is, if you don't mind," I said in a low voice. "Oh, she won't be back until later. I thought you used to stay with someone around," Bro David asked. "Yes, but she is also not around, and most of our neighbors here are not around," I explained. "Alright, come in. How was school? I hope it's not too stressful," Bro David asked in his usual cheerful voice.

Later that evening I settled into bro David's cozy apartment feeling grateful for his kindness.

I entered his apartment, and I must confess he is quite a neat freak and has a good sense of fashion. It's a small apartment, but the was warm and inviting with soft pillows and a sweet scent of cookies wafting from a corner around , I think it should be the kitchen. He has a cushion chair, a well-designed wardrobe, and he even uses wallpaper on his walls – it's classy yet simple. I moved quietly and settled on the cushion, putting my shoes and bags aside. I brought out my assignment and started wracking my brain for solutions to it. "Do you need help?" he said suddenly behind me. I was shocked because I wasn't used to people helping with my assignments. My parents are always busy with their own stuff, so I just try to figure out the mystery behind the assignment myself. I mostly don't get good scores on assignments, especially those our teacher didn't give us any clue about.

I snapped out of my shock and raised my head to look at him before speaking, "I will figure it out, thank you." "Jewel, you've been trying this same question for almost an hour now, and I'm sure in the next two hours you still wouldn't have done anything productive," he said bluntly. What he said hurt, but I knew deep down that what he was saying was true but I won't give in so easily because of my pride, I really hate being helped because it feels as if I owe them a favour, I can't risk that and besides i love being seen as a queen with no flaw where thousands will look at me with awe and bow to my feet and sing my praise just like a goddess I chuckled at the battle I'm having within myself but I decided to at least try a bit more at least for ego's sake but it seems today is not my lucky day as I failed miserably at solve the question . I could only accept defeat and allow him to teach me. "Fine, come and explain it to me. I admit it; I'm clueless," I said. "That's the spirit, little girl," he said and smiled. He moved closer to me to take a look at my textbook and began to explain things to me. I realized that I had only been looking at the problem from one angle – so annoying. I had my pride, and I hate people belittling me. I sighed and told him I already understood. He smiled and said, "You've got the brains, dear. I wasn't expecting you to grasp it so easily." I smiled, feeling proud of myself.

It was late already so by the time I was done, my parents were back from work so I packed my things and returned to our apartment