Chapter 4 JASON FAILED

Ring, ring, ring, the bell ranged and the entire student were gathering at a special place, it was speech time and the beginning of a new session.

The boys were standing with their green ironed trousers with well knotted tie, and white flashing shirts, while the girls were flexing their white ironed blouse and their tight green skirts showing off their hips.

Every girl had a new hairdo why the boys were flexing the new Afro hair-cut.

St. Davis high school was very popular in Texas, not only for their neatness but for their intelligent and brilliant pupils.

Christian walked majestically to the assembling ground, holding his civic notebook in one hand, he sighted Suleiman and he walked straight to where they normally stood for the assembly, he saw David already standing there, they exchanged pleasantries and the speech began.

The principal Mr. Richardson Evans came out to address the pupils, he spoke firstly to the junior ones which were the Grade 1 students.

"A new session has begun, I know many of you had repeated, passed and some withdrawn from this school, everybody to his/her fate, this session I want those of you who repeated to work harder, as it is the only way to be promoted, but if you refuse to adhere to my instructions then you can kiss this school goodbye, and for those of you who had passed narrowly, it won't happen every time, it may not likely repeat itself, so I urge you to put more efforts to pass without stress."

"Now to those of you in Grade 2 who are about to write mock examination, I hope you have been preparing very well, your examination starts very soon, remember if you fail, that is the end."

The students started murmuring in low tones, but the principal continued ignoring them. "I didn't ask for anybody's opinion, so why the murmurings? If you fail you're going home, simple it's is no big deal."

"Hope everybody got all what have said?

"Yes Sir!" The students chorused.

Soon, they were already matching to their various classes.

***

Days ran into weeks, the mock examination was a day away, Christian was busy reading at the back of the house he had made up his mind to be the best student in the mock exam.

"Christian! Christian!" He heard his name from the front of the house; the voice was faint so he didn't recognize it.

"Yes, I am here," he called back, still facing his book, when he raised his head, he saw Abigail standing right in front of him. What had she come to do? He asked himself in his mind.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Abigail voice jolted him back from his thoughts; I am just surprised to see you at this time he replied lowering his gaze.

"Well I came to tell you something,"

"What is that?" Christian asked anxiously, "Jason Fernandez is going to repeat Grade 1."

"Why are you telling me that, it none of my concern, besides I am not his friend."

"I just thought you should know,"

"So you came all the way to my house to tell me Jason repeated Grade 1, that's ridiculous", Christian said, frowning his face, "don't you have sympathy on him," Abigail queried.

"Why should I be sad that he failed, he brought it upon himself, I wonder why you're concerned about his failure or are you starting to feel for him," Christian teased, without thinking.

Abigail heart almost jumped out of its place, "of course not," she snapped, "Christian stop teasing me; you and I know that I don't like Jason, but he is still my friend."

"Well if you say so, he should read hard this time and stop following girls, i am sure he will make it through," Christian said.

"I hope so," Abigail replied. "Well I didn't come all the way here to tell you about Jason's failure; I came for something more important than that,"

"So what is it?" Christian asked,

"I heard rumors that there is a particular topic that will probably come out in Mathematics for the mock exam,"

"And what topic is that?" Christian asked again, but anxiously this time. "I think it is called.......... Hmmmmm.........Ma..... "Matrix" Abigail replied scratching her head.

"Oh I know that topic very well; I could solve it even in my dreams."

"You know it!" Abigail exclaimed, "Thank God I knew I could count on you, please teach me right now, we have only today to go,"

"Easy girl, don't rush the master," Christian teased, "Stop teasing and get down to business," Abigail yelled at him.

"Yes maam. Well it very simple if only you know the logic," he said remembering David's words.