CHOCOLATE T

New Places, New Faces

The rest of the school day drags on, each lesson blurring into the next. Mathematics is a whirlwind of formulas I barely remember. English is easier, though the teacher, Mrs. Obinna, has a sharp eye and an even sharper tongue, making it impossible to zone out. Civic Education turns into a full-on debate about corruption, with some students arguing so passionately you’d think they were in the National Assembly. The real test, however, is Biology—because I end up sitting next to Ryan.

He doesn’t say a word to me. Just flips open his textbook, neatly underlines a few lines with a blue pen, and listens to the teacher with an expression so unreadable it’s almost frustrating. Occasionally, he taps his nails against the desk—short, clean, and painted with clear gloss.

I steal glances at him when I think he’s not looking, but once, just once, he meets my gaze, and I swear he smirks before turning back to his book.

The final bell rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. My head is pounding. I gather my books and sling my bag over my shoulder, following the stream of students pouring out of the classroom. Elvis nudges me with his elbow as we walk.

“So, how was your first day?” he asks, smirking like he already knows the answer.

I shrug. “It was okay.”

“Just okay?” He raises an eyebrow. “Bro, you got a whole welcome party. People were staring at you like you were some lost prince.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well, I don’t like attention.”

He laughs. “You better get used to it, Tony. This school? It’s all about status. The rich kids, the popular kids, the ones who think they run the place—they love fresh meat.”

I glance at him. “And you?”

Elvis grins. “I’m in my own league.”

We step outside, the heat slamming into me like a wall. The sun is still high, burning everything in sight, and I instantly regret wearing a black shirt. The air smells of dust, sweat, and the faint scent of fried akara drifting from a roadside stall.

“You walk home?” Elvis asks.

“Yeah, my house isn’t far.”

“Cool, I’ll walk with you.”

I don’t argue. It’s nice having someone to talk to, even if I’m still getting used to him. We pass by clusters of students—some laughing, some bickering, some sneaking glances at me. I pretend not to notice.

“So,” Elvis says after a while. “What do you think about the class?”

I hesitate. “It’s… different.”

He smirks. “Yeah, SS3D is wild. You met Esther and Ada, so you’ve already seen some of our stars. And then there’s Ryan.”

I think back to the boy with the lip gloss, the way he had scanned me with his eyes like he could see right through me.

“He’s interesting,” I admit.

Elvis chuckles. “Interesting is one way to put it. He does whatever he wants, and no one stops him. Rich, good grades, talented, and doesn’t care what people think. But—” he pauses, lowering his voice. “He’s different. You know what I mean?”

I know exactly what he means.

We turn a corner, and I spot my house in the distance. The gate is slightly open, which means my mum is probably inside.

“This is me,” I say.

“Nice.” Elvis stretches. “See you tomorrow, Tony.”

I nod and watch him leave before stepping into my compound. The house is quiet except for the low hum of the TV. My mum is in the living room, cradling a cup of tea, the screen casting a soft glow on her face.

“How was school?” she asks.

“It was fine.”

She eyes me. “Just fine?”

I sigh. “It was… a lot.”

She chuckles. “New places always are.”

I don’t say anything. Instead, I head to my room and collapse on my bed. My body aches, my mind is still processing everything.

Ryan.

The way he had looked at me.

The way Elvis had said he was different.

I close my eyes.

Tomorrow is another day.