Growing up

New School

“I've gone through your results from your previous school and through what I saw, you are an A student right?”

“Yes ma'am”I replied glancing at mom who had a satisfactory proud smile on her face.

“Although we don't normally accept students into SS2, she's an exception on one condition" she lifted her index finger “her averages will always be above average."

“I'm sure that won't be a problem" mom said looking with eyes that had a tinge of pride in them.

“ E fit shock you” I said in my head grinning mischievously.

“She's smiling to show you that's not a problem” mom continued smiling. I laughed inwardly at how she mistook my smile for that of confidence.

“All being said” Mrs Nnah clapped her hands.“ I'll take her to her class."

******************

“Ok you take the middle seat. Ukpono give her some space and she'll be you seatmate throughout the term. Infact throughout your stay in this school. If you like frown your face" he snapped.

I turned to my seatmate while walking through the rows of desks made of plywood.

“Hello" I greeted

“Can you pls mind your business" he snapped.

“Woah calm down what crawled up your ass and died?" I said with a surprised expression. How can someone be so mean? I stared at him disgustingly. This is going to be tougher than I thought.

“You cuss even" he said disgustingly.

“Can you mind your business"I retorted.

He smiled slyly.

“Can you two keep quiet and stop distracting me?"a soft voice said from behind.

“Humm sorry" I whispered softly.

“Focus on the learning and stop distracting yourself" Ukpono replied.

“Jerk!" she replied.

******************

“Let's go to the canteen” one of the girls said. I was surprised to know that they had breaktime here. In my former school it was all work and no play. Silently I watched the students trickling out in pairs of twos and threes. I wondered when and if I'll make friends,have real friends. In my former school I was popular for my being a trouble maker, expertise in playing practical jokes on teaches and students. The surprising thing is that I was barely ever caught. After a boring and needlessly long instruction class this morning mom and dad finally let me leave the house. With a contrite and innocent look on my face I left for school.

I was still flipping aimlessly through the pages of my note, remembering the numerous practical jokes we had pulled on our teachers. I smiled spread slowly across my face.

“Please someone shouldn't tell me we have a cuckoo for new mate.”

I lifted my head to see a beautiful dark skinned girl staring at me with wide eyes.The few students in class burst into laughter.

“Hey! cuckoo I'm Idara” she said smiling. Then extended her hand for a shake.

“Firstly I'm not a cuckoo, secondly I'm Etiene” I replied before taking her hand in a shake. She laughed softly, and squeezed my hand gently.

“Well what will you say about a person who suddenly smiled to herself?”She said

“That she's probably fantasizing about a little boy who's using her heart to catch cruise”Ukpono said. I didn't see when he came back to the class.

“I don't date” I said suddenly, feeling exasperated. Many heads turned in my direction.“I don't believe in love. So next time when you are talking about a stranger try to find out about the person more and don't go about drawing silly conclusions.” I hissed angrily.

“Hey! babe chill.” Idara said to me “he was just making a suggestion.”

“Whatever.” I replied.

“I'm sorry if I hit a raw nerve.”Ukpono apologized quietly. I suddenly felt bad. He wasn't the cause for what I passed through, I shouldn't have yelled at him. I made a mental note to apologize. The tension in the class was suffocating.

“Escort me to the canteen” Idara said dragging me out of the desk.