I came to a halt around a hundred meters from the school gate to inspect myself. I cleaned my shoes, wiped away some sweats, and so on.
Before returning to my cleaning routine, I took a brief peek at my wristwatch.
8am? Yikes! I'm a little late. I upped my pace and was only a few steps away from the school entrance in no time. Eric, David, and a few other prefects were standing nearby. Kneeling down were also some of the ‘late-comers.'
“Good morning, senior,” I said. I flexed my knees, already concocting a list of justifications...
“I wish you a bad morning! Come along with them!” Eric hissed and gesticulated at the other students.
“Let her in now; you know they're writing J.S.C.E exams...they'd start by nine o'clock.” Eric was on the receiving end of David's pleadings.
“No, she must be punished!” With a note of finality, Eric said. “What do you have to do with this girl?” He added, "Ehn?" He told me to "kneel down there!"
“You don't have the authority!” He was retorted by David.
“Who has it?” You?” Eric scowled.
“Come on in!” David informed me.
I sprang to my feet, dusted my bag, and strode by Eric.
“Come back here!” Eric drew me back in.
I yelled, appearing to be in pain and losing my footing. David swiftly grabbed my arm to help me regain my footing.
“Don't you dare to rough handle her” He gave Eric a growl.
“Why? Is it because she's your girlfriend? Look at this little boy, o!” Eric scowled.
David raised his hand and his palm fell on Eric's cheek as quickly as a flash.
“How dare you?” Eric dashed over to him. They got into a fight, and David got the better of Eric.
I couldn't tolerate it any longer and dashed into the classroom, where I needed to revise my notes. Who broke up the fight? I didn't give a damn.
:::::*::::::
The bell was rung by Ayo. He shouted, "School is closed!"
Every student ran out of school, picking up their bags, lunch boxes, and whatever else they had. I remained sat in my position for some reason.
“Won't you go home, Teju?” Bisi inquired as she was securing her purse.
They sent this gal to me, ni?! I bit my lower lip.
She cooed, "Teejumoolaaa..."
I answered, "Biiissiii."
"Won't you just go home?"
“How long have you been my guardian? Ehn?” I inquired.
She tried to explain, "Nooo, I was only trying to..."
“Silence! Over with the sabi-sabi! Is it true that we went to school together this morning?” I shaved her head.
“All right, I'm sorry o.” She went out of the room, leaving me alone in the now-empty room.
Goodbye, old friend! I chose to stay at school rather than return home to see Maami's hideous face. With the exception of a few faint sounds from the staff room, the school fell silent. To pass the time, I walked about the classroom, imitated several teachers, did some dancing moves, and even practiced kung fu, imagining Maami as my opponent, hitting her ugly face and kicking her buttocks.
I looked at my wristwatch; it was 4:30 p.m. good! At the very least, with 30 minutes of trekking, I'll be home by 5 p.m. My plans were swiftly rehearsed.
To begin, I go to the kitchen and stuff my bag with bread and five packets of indomie.
Second, say hello to Maami before entering my chamber.
That woman will not be able to murder me! Aside from that, I haven't paid for my practical yet. Maami was adamant about not giving me any money. When I arrived at the school entrance, I noticed a uniformed boy standing there. Maybe he's waiting for their family driver, the offspring of a wealthy family, to pick him up.
“Hey!” Standing up, David remarked
I replied, "Good afternoon, senior."
“How come you're still in school?” He inquired.
See, you, too, have a query about what you're doing here!
“I remained back to revise some notes,” she explained. Instead, I stated
“Oh really?” That's very nice.” He shook his head in the manner of an agama lizard.
“I've been waiting for my driver, but he doesn't want to show up,” he said, a tired expression on his face.
Did I ask you a question? Are you unable to trek?
“Eeyaah, senior, I apologize.” With a pitying expression on my face, I said.
“Is your driver on his way to pick you up?” he enquired
Driver, please!
“Noo, I'm trekking o”
“Wow, it seems like a lot of fun!” His dimples were visible, and his eyes glinted.
Fun! Indeed! I grinned.
“Can I tag along with you? I mean, let's go on a hike together?” He was also grinning, and those dimples... Oh! I was a sucker for dimples when I was younger.
“No problem,” I made myself sound significant.
We walked home together after he chose his books. That's how we got to know each other. We always walked home together because there was no longer a vehicle to pick him up. We'd stay in school for hours after it closed, doing nothing in particular.
During break time, he always gave me snacks and carbonated drinks, which I always accepted with a ‘thank you'.
I told him about certain school expenses I hadn't paid, and he paid them for me. Our friendship grew stronger. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm To me, he was a true buddy. Because my true father has no time for me, his lovely daughter, he was my brother, sister, mother, and even father.
No longer daring to chastise me, I became more obstinate and efficient in my mischief-making.