And Then Again, We Fell

HIGHSCHOOL DAYS: I

It was their last year at highschool.

"Tessy, we are late for school already". Anna informed checking her watch.

" Just a minute". Tessy called out.

Anna knew her sister was over-dressing to impress the boys at school.

"Annie, come have breakfast. Your sister will go hungry to school if she doesn't come out now". Rose stated.

Tessy rushed to the dinning room.

" Let's have breakfast". Tessy said smiling.

Breakfast was scrambled egg with sausages, toast, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Anna rolled hey eyes good-naturedly as Tessy pimped in front of the mirror, smoothing her hair and checking her makeup.

"Rose, Tessy's going to be the death of me". Anna joked, shaking her head. Rose chuckled and handed Tessy a plate.

"Eat quickly, girls. You don't want to be late for school". She reminded them.

Tessy dug in savoring the flavors. " Mmm. Mum, this is delicious".

Anna smiled, taking a bite of her toast." Yeah, Rose is the best cook ever".

Rose smiled, pleased with the compliment.

"It's 9am already". Rose reminded them.

"Oh my gosh. We are late already. I don't want my make up to wear out". Tessy said getting up.

" Goodbye mum". Tessy said giving her mum a slight kiss on the forehead before rushing out.

Anna heaved.

"That girl is something else".

"Yeah Rose". Anna said picking up her school bag.

" See you later". Rose said smiling at Anna.

Rose stared at Anna until she was out of sight. She remembered when she first met Anna. Anna had hated Rose so much that she didn't always eat the food Rose prepared. Her dad would scold her for it but Anna didn't care. She felt Rose was the problem. Rose didn't give up on Anna, and later on, Anna began to see Rose in a different light.

$

Tessy and Anna got to school with the welcoming face of students. A lot crowded Tessy and no one came to Anna. She was the "nerdy" type, always into her books and had no friends except Tessy.

"Hey Annie". Tessy rushed to her.

"Those girls almost killed me". Tessy said and walked into her class but not without a 'see you later sign' to Anna.

Anna checked her class schedules. History was first. She walked into her history class, and went to her usual sit at the front, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.

As she sat down, she noticed the teacher, Mrs. Bryd, writing on the board. "Welcome class, to our new project. You'll be working in pairs to create a multimedia presentation on a historical event of your choice".

Anna groaned inwardly. She hated group projects. She always ended up doing all the work while her partner slacked off.

Mrs. Bryd continued. "I'll be assigning your partners randomly. Please take out a piece of paper and write your name on it".

Anna scribbled her name on the paper and handed it to Mrs. Bryd, who put it in a hat.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Bryd announced, "Okay, here are your partners".

Anna held her breath as Mrs. Bryd read out the names

"Roland Cross, you are paired with Nathaniel Brooks". She called out the names.

"Anna Wright, you’re paired with Collins Lee," the teacher announced.

Anna’s eyes widened as she scanned the classroom. Collins Lee? He was slumped over his desk, half-asleep. 'He’s sleeping? How am I supposed to work with him?' she thought.

Collins Lee was the school’s star quarterback—popular, and gave off an aura of complete unseriousness.

“Collins, wake up, you jerk!” Vincent, his best friend, barked, shaking him.

“Is it lunch yet?” Collins mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

“Lunch, my ass!” Vincent snapped.

“I told you to wake me when it’s lunch time…” Collins groaned.

“We were paired for the history project.”

Collins gave a thumbs-up. “I know. I got paired with you again.”

“Nope,” Vincent replied. “You got paired with Anna.”

Collins sat up, alert. “Anna? She is so serious whenever it comes to school work. Why didn't you get me paired with you?". He complained

“Ask your history teacher,” Vincent said, smirking.

“You little—!” Collin lunged, but Vincent ducked and ran, laughing.

$

Two classes later, the lunch bell rang. Tessy met Anna at their usual cafeteria spot. Anna had already ordered.

“I got us orange juice,” Tessy said, placing it on the table.

“Thanks,” Anna replied.

“So, how was morning class?”

Anna hesitated. “Nothing much,” she shrugged, she didn't see the need of telling Tessy about being paired with Collins Lee.

"So, I will talk about mine". Tessy said.

“Well, biology sucked,” Tessy complained. “And guess what? Frankly Band gave me a stare today. I felt like I was in heaven.”

“You’re crushing on him?” Anna asked.

Tessy nodded.

“Not again,” Anna laughed.

Suddenly, a wave of high-pitched squeals broke through the cafeteria. Collin Lee had just walked in. Anna hissed.

“That guy is extremely cute,” Tessie said.

"Really?" Anna scoffed.

"Stop acting dumb" Tessy said

Collin walked toward their table.

“I always see you two together,” he said to Tessy.

“I’m her sister,” Tessie replied.

Collin looked at Anna. “Anna, I need to talk to you,” he said, then whispered, “About the project.”

"She will be back". He said to Tessy

He gestured for her to follow him. The cafeteria was filled with jealous whispers.

"What did Collins tell her?"

"Why is she walking away with him?"

" Where are they going to?"

Anna returned minutes later.

“So, what was that about?” Tessy asked. “A secret admirer?”

“No. We just got paired for the project.”

"Oh". Tessy nodded

Tessy's eyes widened with curiosity. "A project, huh? That's all?". She raised an eyebrow skeptical that Collins would take Anna away from their lunch table something as mundane as a school project.

Anna shrugged, "Yeah, that's all. He just wanted to discuss some details".

Tessy leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone." Well, you're definitely making an impression. I've never seen Collins take an interest in anyone like that before".

Anna's cheeks flushed slightly as she glanced around the cafeteria, noticing the lingering gazes from other girls at the cafeteria. "It's just a project, Tessy. Don't read too much into it".

Tessy grinned mischievously." I'm just saying you are suddenly on Collins Lee radar. That's got to count for something"

***

After school, Anna was at the library, searching for books to begin her research. She had told Collin to meet her five minutes earlier, but he was late.

The door creaked open. Collin entered.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “Had to sort some stuff.”he apologized.

“Why not work during school hours?” he asked.

“Because you’d be unavailable,” Anna replied firmly.

“Oooh, pumpkin speaks,” Collin teased.

“My name is Anna,” she snapped.

“We need nicknames,” Collin smirked.

“Suit yourself.”

“What would you call me?” Collins asked

"Unserious". Anna said

“Ouch. That’s harsh.” Collins said faking hurt.

She threw a book at him, which he caught swiftly.

“Good reflexes,” she noted.

“Find a simple historical event,” she said. “Tell me tomorrow.”

“Yes, boss,” he teased, bowing.

Anna was making her way to leave.

“And by the way, I’m one of the top students.” Collins said making her stop.

"Suit yourself". Anna said giving him her middle finger as she left the library.

"That asshole". Collins cursed.

As Collin left, he bumped into Sandra—his ex.

"Sorry". He muttered and was about to leave but she stood on his way.

“Still at school?” she asked.

He ignored her.

“Is that your new girlfriend?” she probed, referring to Anna.

“You have no right to ask,” he replied.

“I’m still your girlfriend,” Sandra insisted.

“You *were*,” Collin corrected.

“I’m sorry,” she tried.

“We’re done. Sorry won’t fix the damage.”

“That’s why you moved on? You were cheating? We broke up two days ago, and now you’re into her?”

Collin didn’t answer.

“The school doesn’t know we broke up. I’ll give you time. You’ll come back.”

She tried to touch him. He shoved her away.

“I have things to do,” he said and walked off.

Sandra’s face twisted with fury. “I won’t let anyone take what’s mine,” she hissed.

How was school today girls? Rose asked when they were preparing dinner.

"I have a new crush mom, his name is Franklin. He is amazingly cute," Tessy said dreamily.

"Quit it girl, your crush on someone doesn’t last," Anna teased.

"Hey, what was that for? I know this is going to last," Tessy said and playfully hit Anna.

"Ouch! "Anna winced.

Tessy, Apologize," Rose scolded.

"She is not hurt, she is faking it," Tessy said.

"Apologize, Tess," Rose scolded again.

"I’m fine, Rose," Anna said smiling. "I wasn’t hurt," Anna added.

"Please pass the salt, Tess," Rose pleaded.

"Anna is closer to it than I am."Tess mumbled.

Anna stretched her hand towards the salt beside her and gave it to Rose.

"Thanks, dear," Rose said.

"Blah blah blah," Tessy said.

Anna and Rose both exchanged looks and started giggling.

"You look cuter this way," Anna said.

"Oh my chubby baby," Rose said teasingly.

"I’m going in," Tessy said.

"Come on, Tess, you know we are just teasing," Anna said.

"And I’m not mad either, just trying to play along," Tessy said smiling widely.

"That’s my girl," Rose said as she washed her hands.

Anna and Tessy left for the dining room to arrange the tables as Rose brought the food over. Dinner was juicy roast chicken, flavorful jollof rice, and crispy fried plantain.

"How was school today?" Rose asked Anna.

"Cool. I have a project to work on," Anna said.

"Mom, she got paired with Collins Lee," Tess chimed in.

"That’s not necessary," Anna said.

"Who is Collins Lee?" Rose asked as she ate a fried plantain.

"Collins Lee is the most popular guy at school. He is rich, handsome and the perfect guy for Anna" Tessie described.

"He is not my boyfriend. We only got paired for a project, nothing more," Anna said.

"Aww. Do you like him?" Rose asked Anna.

"No," Anna answered sharply.

"Do you see yourself having feelings for him?" Rose asked.

"No," Anna answered again.

"You are something else," Rose said.

"Do you have feelings for him, Tessy?" Rose asked.

Tessy looked at her mom in surprise. "Where is that question coming from, Mom?"

"I don’t see Collins as someone I’ll have feelings for. I don’t have the interest or the intention of sharing a guy with my sister. That’s weird," Tessy said.

"We are not dating, Tess," Anna reminded.

"But you guys will date soon," Tessy said.

"We are not in love. He didn’t confess his feelings, so stop the drama," Anna said.

"Okay, okay. I’ll never bring it up again," Tessy said.

Rose chuckled at both of them.

$

Anna and Collins were at the library.

“Why don’t we do something unique?” Collins said.

Anna stared at him. “What about the unique?” she asked.

“We can do something different. We can work on the Nigeria Civil War. I have a lot of books on it,” Collins said.

Anna thought for a while. “That would be cool. You are smart,” she smiled.

“Pumpkin is smiling,” Collins teased. “You can’t resist my charm.”

Anna slapped him on the arm. “Wake up, dude. I’m not smiling because of you. I’m smiling because of the project,” she said.

“Who smiles because of a project?” Collins scoffed.

“Don’t forget to bring the books tomorrow. And if you do, I’ll slit your throat,” Anna warned, playfully miming the action.

“Yes, boss,” Collins replied.

“Collins!” someone called, and he rushed to the guy.

“What are you doing alone with her?” Jake asked.

“Having fun,” Collins answered, staring at Anna.

Anna gave him a dead glare.

“What will Sandra say if she sees this?” Jake asked again.

“Oh, Sandra? You don’t have to worry about her,” Collins smiled.

“We’re working on the project. There’s nothing going on between us,” Anna added as she walked away.

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Sandra’s going to kill you if she finds out, man,” he said, nodding toward Anna.

Collins shrugged, still smirking. “Like she said, nothing’s going on.”

Jake snorted. “Save it for someone who believes you. I saw the way you were looking at her.”

“You’re reading too much into it,” Collins said.

“Just be careful. You know how rumors spread here,” Jake warned.

Collins nodded, watching Anna across the courtyard. He felt a pang of guilt and decided to smooth things over.

He approached Anna. “Hey, sorry about that. Jake’s got a big mouth.”

“It’s fine. I can handle myself,” Anna said.

“I know you can. I just didn’t want you thinking I’m not taking this seriously.”

Anna’s gaze softened. “Let’s just focus on the project.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

$

The next day, during their free period...

They sat in the library, working on the history project. Collins had brought books:

- The Nigerian Civil War by John J. Stremlau

- The Nigerian -Biafran War: Some Personal Perspectives, and others.

“So, the war started in 1967, right?The eastern region seceded and formed Biafra.” Collins said going through the books.

“Yeah, led by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu,” Anna added.

“I found some pictures online,” Anna said, showing him on her phone.

“Wow, so many displaced people. We should include that,” Collins said.

“Definitely. I want to highlight the humanitarian crisis,” Anna agreed.

As they worked, they discovered shared interests in music and movies.

“I’ll bring my laptop tomorrow,” Collins said. “Or… would you like to come to my house to work better?”

“No. Never,” Anna replied sharply.

“We’re working on the project—nothing else. Why is your mind dirty?” Collins teased.

“You’re the spoilt brat here. Stop talking,” Anna scoffed, leaving the library.

Collins laughed and followed. He spotted Sandra nearby and quickly grabbed Anna’s hand, interlacing their fingers. Anna glared at him to remove his hands.

He smiled and didn’t let go until they passed Sandra.

“What was that for?” Anna asked.

“I just love the way your hand feels,” Collins said.

“Don’t try that again without my consent.”

“Without your consent—so you love it too?” he teased.

“Don’t change the topic. Your girlfriend was passing, and you used me to make her jealous.”

“We’re not dating anymore. We broke up a few days ago,” Collins explained.

He was different when he was with Anna. He had never felt this way towards Sandra, she was just there for the fun of it.

“Sorry about that. My instinct tells me you’re the cause,” Anna said. “ It's none of my concern tho. You have your own problem, I have mine. And don’t use me to atone for your sins.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again.” Collins smiled.

Anna scoffed.

“I’m probably on someone’s blacklist now. If she tries anything, you both will pay,” Anna warned.

“Stop smiling. It’s annoying,” she added, holding a pen to his neck.

Tessy appeared, staring at them.

“Anna!” she called out.

“Hey, Tessy, your sister almost took my life!” Collins said dramatically.

“Why?” Tessy asked muse in her voice.

“Don’t believe this jerk,” Anna snapped.

“Tessy, you saw it! She was holding a pen to my throat!”

Tessy smiled, amused. “What’s with that look?” Anna asked.

“Nothing,” Tessy grinned, dragging her sister away.

“You and Collins were flirting,” she teased.

“Come on, girl. You saw it. Nothing is going on. Don’t blabber at home,” Anna warned.