The Family Secret

School Resumes

The holiday was soon over, and we returned to school. The pain of surviving another boring term hit me like a pile of rocks; “At least I would get to see my best friend Nita” That was the only thought that calmed me

The school was alive once again; large groups were formed. This group would break into smaller ones when new friends joined, then pull out to form new ones.

I reached for my locker, put my stuff inside, and headed for class. There the class bully girls sat, beside the window; Queen was reapplying her lip gloss; her followers, as I called them, gathered around her, chatting and laughing out loud

“I know, right?, I am the most beautiful,” Queen said

I rolled my eyes. That's what she thinks.

Then I saw Nita walking into the class. At that time my joy knew no bounds

“Rose! Rose! How was your holiday?” Nita asked

“My holiday was good. What about yours?” I asked

“I enjoyed every bit of the holiday; sadly, it's over now. I missed you a lot, and I am happy we are back together now”, Nita said, smiling. I smiled back because I really missed her

“Settle down, children”, Mrs Jessica said

She was our Biology teacher, a very cheerful soul. I liked her classes.

“We are going to be talking about microscopic organisms, but before we go into that, we have a new student. Alex, please come in,” she said

“He's cute”, Benita, one of Queen's followers, whispered

“I love his eyes; they sparkle”, another girl added

I rolled my eyes. He just came in, and my class girls could no longer breathe; the thought of it irritated me

“Hi everyone, I'm Alex Walker. I moved to the neighborhood from the States, and I hope to make friends with everyone,” he said

Before he was done, the girls wanted to faint

“I love his muscular features”, Angel said

All the girls were whispering at this time

“Alex, go find a place to sit”

“I have space here! Sit here!. Most girls said

“All the girls were running crazy”, I thought to myself

“Can I sit beside you?” The familiar voice brought me back to reality. It was Alex “You can, if you please”, I added

There were murmurings

“He sat with her," Zoe whispered, pointing. She was also one of Queen's follower

“Can I get your attention, class?” Mrs Jessica said. “So, for this topic, I will be sharing you into groups, you will need a partner; we will be using the lab

There was another commotion in the class as every girl wanted to be paired with Alex

“Silly girls”, I thought to myself

“Settle down!” Mrs Jessica said, already losing her patience. Ok children, let's play a game

I will write 16 people's names down, then you pick your partner. Since you guys are 32, the people whose names I didn't write will then pick. Is that ok? I said Is That Ok!

“Yes, ma'am, " the class replied. No one liked to see Mrs Jessica annoyed

Then the game started. After Mrs Jessica had written some names, she called Queen to pick. Who is your partner, Queen? Mrs Jessica asked

“Thomas”, Queen said with disbelief, but Thomas, on the other hand, was happy; he was beaming with smiles

“Favour, come over and pick”, Mrs Jessica commanded. “Who's your partner?” she asked

“Nita,” she said

Nita was not quite happy with the situation, but I encouraged her. “It's just a lab partner; it's not like we won't be together after the practical”, I said to her, and she nodded back

“Alex, who is your partner?” Mrs Jessica asked with a smile

“Rose”, he said, smiling at me.

“I hope he is sensible; I won't want to pair up with a person that will drag my grades down”, I thought to myself

“Why does she have to be paired with him?” Somebody said behind me

“Ok, class, I would like to ask some questions. Are you ready?” Mrs Jessica said

“Yes, we are!”

“What is a bacterium?” she asked

“Yes, Alex”, Mrs Jessica said.

“Wow, our new boy isn't dull as I taught that's good for a start”, I thought, almost loud enough for the class to hear

What was that, Rose?. “Nothing, ma’am I said

“Ok then, we will continue in our next class”, Mrs Jessica said with a smile as she walked out of the class

Rinnnnnnnnngggggg…

That was our school bell. Mrs Jessica had never left a class after the bell rang to signify that her period was over; it was like she had a clock in her head

………………………………………………

At our school cafeteria, the bullies were laughing out loud,” I think I like the new boy”, Queen said

“Are they still talking about him?” I said to myself, getting disgusted

“He is cute though”, Nita said. I just rolled my eyes. “Stop behaving like he isn't handsome”, she pressed further

“Yes, he is handsome, but must they drool over him?” I said

“ Can I join you, ladies”

“They are boring; come join us instead”, Queen said, holding Alex’s hand. She smiled at him.

“I am sorry, but I would love to share a table with them instead”. Alex said, smiling back at her. I saw the smile fall off her face. She went back to her table, visibly bitter

“You just embarrassed the star girl of the school”

I’m sorry if I …

“No need to be”, I said, almost laughing

“You know? She is the Queen of her girls and most boys fall for her, so your actions would cut real deep,” I said

“Rose, why must you say that?” Nita asked

“Don't take it personally; I was just saying my mind”, I said, looking at my best friend. “I need to go”

“Why?” Nita asked

“I have got some research to finish”, I added

“I would love to join you. What are you researching ?" Alex asked

“No need; I love my privacy”, I replied, walking away

“That's how …… Was the last thing I heard my best friend Nita saying

After 3 or more classes, the last bell rang. I was happy that classes were over,at least I would get some privacy

“Rose! Rose!” Nita called. See you tomorrow she said, waving as she entered her dad's car

After a while, I went back to class for some research; I particularly wanted to see a bacterium with the microscope.

“I’m free”, I said to myself as I entered the classroom.

“Free from what?” a voice asked from behind

I froze,

Who stayed back today? I was always alone in class after school; I was still asking myself different questions when he tapped me. “Alex!! What are you doing here? School is over”

“I just stayed back to read; I usually do that in my former school”

Wow, a handsome boy that reads, that actually good. It looks like I have a competition already

“Thanks for the compliment”, he added, smiling

“No, don't get me wrong; I didn't compliment you; I just stated the obvious fact, you know. According to my research, 99% of handsome guys like you don't invest in their brains. They just go after their looks and after girls

“Well,l I'm not like them”. He said

“No need to tell me if you are or are not like them; I will know myself”, I said

I left the class for the Biology lab, where I saw Mrs Jessica, “Ma, can I see a bacterium?” I asked

“Yes, my darling, but that will be tomorrow”, she said

I just stood there disappointed. After a while, i decided to go home ,I was hoping to see a bacterium all day,, but it looks like that's not gonna happen.

“What happened to you?, you look disappointed” Alex asked looking at me as I entered the class

“ Nothing, I'm just ready to go home”I added.

“Is it me ? Did I take your space or annoy you ” he asked

“If you annoyed me, I would have said it to your face. Do I look like I can't tell you my mind” I added

Sorry I was just trying to…

“No need to try, it piss me off. Thanks for trying anyways” I added as I left the classroom for home