Growing up

So...

I walked into my class the next morning with a smile on my face. I just had a premonition that today was going to be a good day. I could see Idara and the other girl. I think her name is Victoria.

I couldn't see my obnoxious seatmate, who probably would be among the group of boys who near the last window to the left of the class. Infact he was at the centre of the boys. Something within me made me so sure of the fact that it was his brother, I met the other day on the street. Sitting on my part of the desk, I took out a novel from my school bag. ' Notes on a Scandal ' by Zoe Hëller. On the front cover was written ' Shortlisted for the Man Booker prize '. That was the main reason I bought the book at Plaza yesterday when I went out with mom.

That made me suddenly remember the embarrassing situation o found my self in when I gave 100 Naira to an 'Amajiri '.One of those Hausa/Fulani kids that are always seen on the road begging. The girl was so beautiful and small that I gave her the little money that was with me. Mom had warned that it was a bad idea. Immediately i gave it to her, about 15 others surrounded me from no where like flies to a festerning wound. If not for the timely intervention of Mom, who shooed them away, I think I would have lost my purse. Although to my despair, my watch was gone by the time they left me.

'Hello'.

I looked up to see Ubong looking at me with both hands thrust deep in his pockets.

'Hey'. I smiled closing the novel I was with. He sat down, keeping his well manicured fingers crisscrossed. He turned around,when the girl behind tapped him. She smiled and asked for his biro, which he gave her but asked her to keep it as he had another. I thought about apologizing for what happened in the last class,when the bell for first period went. 8O'Clock. The Maths teacher walked into the class, scrutinizing everyone as she set her teaching aids down on the table. According to the scheme of work for the term pasted on the notice board, we were having Inequalities today. Maths isn't my favourite subject. But I was good at it.

I paid attention as she went on mechanically reeling off words off her tongue. I understood perfectly what she was at, but couldn't help being amused as I thought of how and when this can be of use in real life.

'New student, can you please tell the class why you're smiling?' Miss Ebong asked. Her name was displayed on her ID. The teachers of the school weren't happy with the fact that I was admitted in Senior Secondary Three. They always found a way to drive that point into my head in every given opportunity.

'I'm sorry ma.' I said standing up.

'Yunno here, we actually listen to lessons so we won't have to quit school because of bad grades.' she snapped. I looked at her amusedly. That was what they thought was the reason for my leaving my former school.

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

I submitted my classwork to the class prefect girl. Her name was Evelyn. I was sure I solved them all correctly. They students all eyed me when I submitted some few minutes after the teacher left.

I returned to my seat to find Ubong flipping the pages of my novel.

'Ubong'. I called.

He looked up 'Hmm?' he stared straight at me. With a slight grown on his face.

' I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday. I shouldn't have been so mean'. I said looking at him in the eye. He smiled and the chuckled.

'You know, you don't look like one who will apologize even if they're wrong.'

'Does that mean you accept the apology or what?'

'Ofcourse I do. And I shouldn't have said that either it was inappropriate. I'm sorry too.' he said seriously. I smiled nodding my head.

'We're cool now. Right?' I asked

'Yeah'. I peered at the pages he was at curiously, scooting closer to him as he pushed the book into a neutral position between us.

'Have you read it before?' I asked him.

'No but I think it's boring.' he replied laughing a little.

'That's what my brother says. But it's one of the best books I've read.'

'Can I borrow it then?'

'Yeah sure. I've read thrice. So you can take it. Didn't know you love novels.'

' I do. A lot. Have you read ' Arrows of God by Chinua Achebe.'

'Of course. Obika is my favourite character. Too bad he dies.'

'Yeah. Ezeulu is my favourite character. I mean he spews words of wisdom.'

'Are you sure you both are Science students? the way you discuss literature na wa o.' Idara says walking towards us. We all laugh.

'How many things have you learnt today?' she asks as she plops on the desk, pushing me to the middle.

' Just one for the meantime we have just two classes today.' Ubong answers. That's what you get for being in SS3 about to write SSCE. Suddenly the bell for break goes.