Empire High School

Katherine's POV

"Walkie,walkie,it is a beautiful Morning.." The alarm sang loudly.

The sound of the alarm jolted me up from my sleep. My hand reached for the snooze button,pressing it down to stop the noise. It was 6:30am. I yawned loudly as I hopped out of bed lazily. I slipped on my soft slippers and was almost headed to the bathroom when a knock sounded on the door.

"Katherine are you up?" The voice said behind the door. It was my mom.

"Yes mom" I replied

"Can I come in?" She asked

"Yes mom" she popped her head in.

"Good Morning Sunshine" she greeted with the brightest smile as she stepped in.

"Good morning Mom" I went to her and hugged her.

"How was your night?" She asked. I pulled back and yawned again.

"It was fine.."

"Uhmm you're still sleepy?"

"I supposed so Mommy" I sat on my bed. My mom went to my wardrobe and brought out my new school uniform. I rubbed my eyes.

"Come on sunshine" she tapped my laps. "Go and take a good shower"

"Oh mom..I'm so tired"

I was up late last night. I'd slept around 11:45pm.

"Do you want to be late on the first day of school?" She asked

"No"

I stood up and headed to the bathroom. I picked up my toothbrush to brush my teeth.

"So Sunshine what were you doing online by 11:45pm?"

She asked in a loud voice. I wish she could just keep her voice down so dad won't hear I slept late last night. I poured the foam in the sink and opened the door slightly.

"Can you keep your voice down?" I said in a tight whisper.

"Oh! I'm sorry" she said in a low tone.

"But he already knows.." She pointed to the entrance.

OMG! Now I have to answer a query this early morning.

"How did he find out?" I asked

"He was online talking to a business partner. And why didn't you block him at first?"

"I didn't stay online for too long. I only checked my messages before going to bed"

She nodded

"Let's talk when you are done" she said

And I closed the door gently. Now I'm in a hot soup!

My name is Katherine Adebowale. I am the only female child of my parents Mr Bayo & Mrs Joke Adebowale. And a sister to 5 Big Brothers, only one of my brothers left not married - the 5th Child. He is in Italy studying. All the others married,with children. I missed them so much. My mom and I go on a round of visits every year. Vancouver, Wales,Scotland and Manchester. I turned 18 two months ago.

I am what you might describe as "Tall" with a long black hair,very fair skin and plump lips. I am unbelievably shy. Everyone makes me nervous actually. I'd so adore being the cool sort. I can say I'm very reserved. And once I get to know someone and we become close all of sudden I am entirely different. Confident and very capable.

My mom own several boutiques in Lagos. My father is a Businessman. They are very busy people. They both travelled a lot. When I was 12,I left home for the boarding school since no one was around to look after me. I attended the Girls College in Abuja.

My mom is very funny,kind and generous. My dad is kind and nice but not funny. I loved my parents,no doubt about that. But I was particularly close to my Mom. She was the only true friend I had even though she wasn't always around. But she came around on my birthdays and whenever she was less busy at work. My Father hardly remembered birthdays,including his own. However, Mummy would never forget. I remembered mom fought with him when she found out he didn't send me a present when I turned 16. He apologized and made things up to me.

When I turned 18,dad sent me greeting card and gave me a Teddy bear when I came home.

Whenever mom was around, she always made me feel I could discuss anything with her. My dad could be strict on some things. I recalled on my 17th birthday,mom gave me a cellphone as a gift but dad didn't let me use it. He said I was too small to use a cellphone.

I had cried that year but there was nothing I could do because his mind was made up.

"After your secondary you will use a cellphone" He'd said to me.

My father is so old fashioned!

All thanks to Banjo,my brother in Italy,he came home for a vacation last month. And he managed to convince dad to let me use a cellphone. He was reluctant at first but later gave in. So Banjo took me to Slot at Ikeja and bought an IPhone 6X plus.

"Katherine" my mom called

I opened the door and stepped out.

"You have to stop spending too much time in the bathroom. Se o fe di Eja ni?" She asked in her native Language

"No, I don't want to turn to fish. I'm not a mermaid" I answered. And she laughed

"Please get dressed before old soldier go vex" she said again

Old soldier? Well that's my dad. I can't speak the native language fluently but I understand when someone speaks it to me.

"So have you heard from Charles?"

"Charles?" I snorted

"What's wrong? Are you guys fighting?"

"No mom"

"So what?" She threw my undies at me

"Listen Mom, Charles and I are not a thing"

"Well I thought he was your boyfriend due to.."

"No"

"But you liked him when he was in Nigeria"

"Yes but as a friend"

"So what's up with him?"

"He's dating a white girl now"

Mom spread out my new uniform on the bed.

"I'm confused here..you slept late and you weren't chatting with Charles.. "

"Yes I was digging up some old stuffs in my wardrobe"

"Oh yeah I noticed it well arranged" she nodded

"Mom do you think my classmates will accept me?" I asked

I bit my lower lip when I realized how foolish my question was.

"Never mind"

"I'm sure -"

"Darling!"

Mom was interrupted by dad's call.

"I have to go sunshine. Come down for breakfast when you are done"

"Okay Mom"

She walked out of the room. I stared at the uniform on my bed. It was pretty. A short navy blue skirt,a short cream shirt with a red bow tie and navy blue jacket. The skirt exposed the skin on my Laps and I don't like that, so I asked mom to buy me a sock..a navy blue long sock.

Empire High school was imprinted on the left side of the Jacket. I got dressed and moved to the large mirror in my room. I exhaled deeply as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

A knock came on the door again.

"Kate"

It was Nanny Patricia. She's the new Nanny dad hired to take care of me while he and mom are out of the country.

"Come in Pat!" I said

"Wow! You look good Kate!"

I turned to face her

"Thanks Pat"

She was short and chubby with very black skin and Black eyes, with strong and able looking hands.

"Your dad want you downstairs now"

"Okay" I went to the wardrobe and brought out my backpack.

"Ready?"

"Yes Nanny"

I moved out of the room while Pat stayed behind to set my bed in place and switched off the electrical devises.

"Wow! Sunshine looks good!" My mom said with her hands on her eyeglasses.

"The uniform suits you"

"Thanks Mom"

"What do you think Honey?" She tapped my dad. He dropped his newspaper and stared at me.

I moved slowly to the chair and sat in it. I knew he wasn't going to say anything good like mom did.

"Check your time Miss"he said

I glanced down at my wrist watch.

"7:05am" I replied in a low tone without looking at him. Patricia came around the table and served me Moimoi and yellow pap.

"Now tell me what took you so long?!" He yelled and my heart raced.

"You still have to finish your registration and I also have meeting at the office by 8:00am. You woke up late and spent the whole time dressing up. Is this how you want to continue living?" He asked in a low tone.

"No sir" I replied shakily with my gaze fixed on my plate.

"But you promise to change and be a good girl -"

"Yes dad"

Tears,I felt them the corner of my eyes.

"But you were up last night..chatting with Charles is it or Faith?"

"None of them Dad"

"Honey please let's not do this. It's too early" mom said

"You are the one spoiling this child"

"She's not spoilt. And you have to stop going off the hook"

"Well maybe I will when she starts behaving like her father's child"

"What do you mean Bayo?" Mom asked

She only calls him that anytime she was angry. He cleared his throat.

"I'm just saying she should behave like her brothers. They are good children"

"So she's the bad one?"

"I didn't say that.."

"Well If only you could give Kate the chance to explain things to you"

"There's nothing for her to explain. I saw the evidences of what she did. She wasn't accused falsely. She did it"

"No Kate was Innocent"

"You have any prove?"

My head snapped up and my gaze met hers.

Dad was wrong. Everything that happened was a set up. I told mom the truth because she was the only one that was ready to listen to me, but dad never did. The evidences shown to him was enough to make him believe i did it.

Tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought of what happened at Linda Girls college.

"Where is your cellphone?" He asked

I wiped my tears with the back of my palms.

"Its in my room" I replied shakily

"Get it Patricia" he said.

Pat stood up. I picked on my food as i listened to him call out his new set of rules.

"No More cellphone till I see changes. Your driver won't be taking you to school anymore. You find your way to the estate gate and take a taxi to school. And since you won't be buying food at school,no more feeding allowance except T. fare"

Patricia brought the phone and gave it to him. Mom tried to talk but he raised his finger and moved it from side to side.

"If you are not ready to train her in the right way then I'm willing to help" he said with a frown.

"I hope you understand me Kate?"

"Yes dad"

"I'll be waiting in the car" he stood up and walked out of the room. I had already lost my appetite so I let my spoon drop. I stood up and followed him.

It was the beginning of a new term and new class. The students of Empire High School are on the assembly ground. The principal, Mr Joel, small, pot bellied and full of good looks was chewing gum even though he had purnished many students before for chewing gum.

Mr Joel himself was a gifted mathematician and though now the principal, he still enjoyed teaching mathematics in top class.

Mr Joel happened to be inspecting every student on the assembly ground. And it was caused by a letter which he had received from the proprietor of the school. And the last few sentences of the letter read:

"And I am directed to convey to you that no Empire Students should be seen wearing chains, bracelets or any other socks aside the school sock and any rough haircut. It would be appreciated if the principal would take disciplinary action against all these things"

This amused Mr Joel, the proprietor had allowed these things before.. Why now?

"Good Lord" he said softly.

"Good Morning Students " he greeted.

"Good Morning Sir" They chorused

"How was your holiday?"

"It was fine Sir"

He gestured to the headboy and other prefects to fix themselves to their rightful positions . And they did. He addressed the students again.

"There are new rules in the school" he told them about the letter he had received from the proprietor's assistant Mr Bade.

He ordered the prefects to begin inspection on students looks and dressing. After the inspection, they sang the marching song and went to their respective classes.

Katherine's POV

A young lady on cream skirt and white top was already waiting outside to bring us to the principal's office.

"Good Morning Sir " she greeted cheerfully

"Morning" Dad replied

"Mr Adebowale Right? "

"Yes Miss.. "

"I'm Rose" she said

"Please come with me" she said again.

And we followed her.

"This is your new school, try to be a good girl. You need to be very careful. And i don't want you to make the same mistake here again. Remember we did alot of things before you got admitted here.. "

My dad's words echoed in my head. I made a promise to him that I would be very careful in this school.

"Mr Joel is waiting inside Sir" she pointed towards a door. Then I knew she was a secretary.

"Thanks Miss Rose" Dad said

I followed him Into the office.

"Good Morning Mr Adebowale" the middle aged man said. My dad shook hands with him.

"Mr Joel this is my daughter Kate" he said

"How are you doing Kate?" He asked

"I'm fine Sir.. Thanks"

"You are welcome to Empire High School. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay here" he said.

I nodded slowly

He cleared his throat

"Your dad told me everything that happened in your ex school"

I avoided his gaze. I was too embarrassed to look into his eyes.

"And I want to believe it won't happen here right?"

I nodded slowly

"Please don't hesitate to come to me anytime you need anything"

"Okay Sir" I answered

"She will get her ID by the end of today"

Miss Rose stepped into the room with a file in her hands.

"Your signature Sir" she said to my dad and he signed some papers .

"Anything else?"

"No.. That's all" Mr Joel replied

"Thank You Mr Joel" My dad stood up

"You're welcome Sir" he stood up and shook hands with dad

"Rose please take Kate to her class" Mr Joel said

"Take Care" Dad said to me.

And I followed her. We both walked down a long hallway. Miss Rose stopped and turned to face me.

"Empire High School is a nice place to be and the students are nice too. So you don't have to be scared of anything"

She continued walking but soon stopped in front of a white door. She opened it and stepped in. I didn't follow her in because I was already nervous.

How do I introduce myself if am asked to?

What if i start stammering again?

"Excuse me Sir.. You have a new student" Miss Rose Said.

She turned to face me.

"Come in" she said softly

"Feel free gorgeous" she said again.

Miss Rose opened the door wide for me to walk in and I did. All eyes were on me. And I couldn't bring myself to look up at them.

Oh My God! What do I do?!

"Take Care Kate" Miss Rose whispered before moving out of the room.

"So won't you introduce yourself?" The man said

I didn't respond. I felt like the ground should open up..But I have to say something so they won't think am a fool.

"Do you intend to stand there the whole day?" he asked again

"I.. I.. Am..Sorry" I stuttered in a low tone

"What's your name?" He said

I looked at him

"Ka.. Ka.. Katherine Adebowale"

I can't be doing this.. They might think I'm a dummy or a fool.

"Please be bold Miss Kate" The Man Said again.

I swallowed hard and refilled my lungs with a handful of air.

You can do this Kate! I reassured myself.

"Are you ready? " he asked

I cleared my throat and looked up finally. Pairs of eyes on me.

"Good Morning. My name is Katherine Adebowale but you can call me Kate for short"

I looked back at the teacher. He was grinning, his set of teeth on display.

What do I say again?

"Okay.. Everyone please be nice to me" I bowed slightly

"So class what do you say to princess Kate?" The teacher asked

Princess Kate? I didn't add that title during introduction.

"You're welcome to CLASS 3"

They chorused

"Thank You" I replied with a half smile.

"So what department?"

"Art department"

"Okay Princess Kate you are welcome to Empire High School. I am Mr Daniel, the mathematics Teacher" he introduced.

My eyes was quick to count the numbers of students in the class. 29 students in total.

"So everyone be nice to Princess Kate" he said

A black boy raised his hands

"Yes John.. "

"Where is she going to sit?"He asked

My eyes scanned the room again. There were two empty seats at the back now.

"Princess Kate will you sit with Empire biggest boy or Jamal the Genius?" A girl at the front row asked.

I looked at the two boys. The biggest boy has broad shoulders and muscular arms. No doubt he must be a regular at the gym. That name suits him. The Genius looked small. He had a fat baggy cheeks, small eyes, ears and well shaped pointed nose. There's no way I'm going to sit with the school biggest boy.

"I'll seat with Jamal the Genius" I said

Everyone laughed

What's so funny?

"Okay Princess Kate" Mr Daniel said

Then i started the walk to the seat. All eyes still on me. My gaze fell on this girl on my right side. She was beautiful. Long thick braids, large brown eyes, tight cheekbones, a nice nose and ebony skin. She was absolutely gorgeous. Our gaze met but I looked away quickly. Her stare made me uncomfortable.

I settled down in the chair and brought out my book.

"Welcome Kate" a voice said behind me. I turned and saw the biggest boy grinning at me.

"Hi" I greeted

"Thanks for rejecting me" he said in a sarcastic tone that I almost laughed.

"I am sorry" I apologized

"You're pretty"

His voice so soothingly low and gently. I flushed hotly.

"Thanks "

"I am Cullen"

"Nice -"

"Cullen you can do that after class" Mr Daniel interrupted me

"Pardon me Sir" Cullen apologized

Jamal passed a note to me. It reads:

"Cullen can be funny. Anyways its nice to meet meet Kate"

I looked at him and Jamal grinned sheepishly. I knew he was someone like me.. Shy and timid.

I avoided looking at the girl I saw seconds ago. I focused on the Board and prayed that she won't be another "Cynthia" in my life.

Joseph's POV

"Oh Boy! This girl make sense die!" My silly friend Emeka wrote down at the back of his mathematics note.

I shook my head.

"I don't want to get into trouble with Mr Daniel" I replied on a piece of paper.

"You no feel the girl? She be like Miss Universe"

I stiffed back a laugh after reading his note.

"I no feel the girl.. one bit. Concentrate on mathematics class boy"

"Okay we go discuss after class"

Thank Goodness! That note would have continued if I had said otherwise.. 'Like I feel the girl'.

I looked at the new girl in the third row. She's incredibly beautiful! I sat back and looked at her. Kate turned and our gaze met but she looked away. She had a dynamite body, large brown eyes, high cheekbones, a perfect nose, perfect skin. A very much uplifted pair of breasts on a narrow quiet body.

Absolutely Gorgeous! And the shyest, most nervous girl I'd ever encountered. I smiled at myself. It was hard to concentrate in class. I couldn't take my eyes off her. And I wondered what Cullen was saying to her.

Silly Boy! Always introducing himself to new girls before anyone does.

My name is Joseph James. I am the first child of my parents. My father is the principal of Empire High School. I am the captain of the Basketball Team. I am tall, bright with intelligent eyes and charming smile. And I am a nice person. All the girls are drawn to me. And I'm fond of the girls too. I have a girlfriend. Her name is Angella Benson.

Angella is the most popular girl in Empire High School. I just hope she doesn't bother Katherine. I know my girlfriend, she's nasty and Angella does crazy things just to make new girls stay away from me.

And Kate being beautiful and the new girl then I think she's up for a challenge with Angella Benson.

Katherine's POV

"Hello" a group of five girls came around my desk. They introduced themselves as "Elena, Brenda, Linda, Shade, Shayo" And they each welcomed me. Elena was the headgirl of the school. She was a plump,small eyed girl with short hair, plump chest and wide mouth. They are all nice and friendly. And they even complimented my beauty. Elena was sitting next to me but on the next row. The other girls left,leaving just Elena with me.

"We're free now" she said

I replied with a nod. I felt I needed to pee.

"Where is the toilet please?" I wrote down in a note and passed it to her. She read it and smiled at me.

"Come with me" she stood up

All eyes were on me as we moved out of class. I sighed with relief when I was out.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked

"Yes"

We walked down the hallway

"Elena" a familiar voice called at her. We stopped and turned to face the person.. It was Mr Joel.

"Where are you going?" He asked when he got to us

"To the ladies Sir" Elena replied

"I needed help to get to the toilet so Elena offered to help me" I said

"Oh! So nice of you Elena. You're a good girl" he said

"Please make sure you show Kate around during lunch okay?" He said

"Yes Sir" she answered

He looked at me with a bright smile on his lips

"I hope you are enjoying our school?" He asked

"Yes Sir" I said

"Its good to hear that from you. Please go ahead"

He walked into a class. And we continued walking too.

"Elena..what's the next subject?" I asked

"Literature/Physics/Account. You're an art student right?"

"Yes, I'm taking literature"

"Don't worry I'll help you with the time table" she said

"Oh thanks Elena"

She stopped in front of a white door

"This is the ladies toilet, go in. I'll be waiting outside"

"Okay" I twisted the knob and went in

Wow! Elena was such a nice girl! She deserved that position given to her. The headgirl in my ex school was mean and rude. She doesn't care about anyone but herself.

Then I thought of that girl that didn't stop staring at me in class with her two friends. Don't they get tired of staring at people?

I hate it when someone stare at me. It makes me nervous.

I did my thing and went back to Elena. The bell rang and her expression changed.

"Are you okay Elena?" I asked

"Yes but I'm sorry Kate, we have to race back to class. Mrs Salako, the physics teacher is a tough woman. We get punished for coming late to class" she explained in a rush

"Okay"

She walked ahead of me and soon we were running to class.

Katherine's POV

The next class was literature. Elena and some other students already left for Physics and Account class. I glanced sideways and my eyes locked with three girls. They all looked away at the same-time.

Perhaps do I have something on my face that won't make them stop looking at me like that?

I felt a presence next to me and I looked. Cullen had taken Jamal's seat.

"Hello" he said

"Hi Cullen"

"I noticed you need someone beside you" he said

I rolled my eyes

"I'm fine alone.. Cullen"

"Sure?"

"100%" I answered

"Have you noticed students around won't stop staring at you?"

I nodded

Exactly! And its freaking me out! Big time!

"Those three girls.." He pointed to them. They are the main lookers! I wish they will stop stating at me!

"And that guy behind us" he whispered

I looked back.

My eyes locked with the black boy behind me. He was the only one sitting at the back with no partner.

He looked away and stared out through the window. "Angella, Caroline and Elizabeth" he pointed respectively. The girl I saw when I wanted to sit beside Jamal was Angella.

"They are mean girls. You have to be careful around them. Now I know they already have their eyes on you"

"Me? Why? I barely know them" I said to Cullen

"You don't have to know them. Angella Benson is the most popular girl in Empire"

Oh! Like i knew it! Angella is another Cynthia in Empire High School.

"Don't worry I'll be your black knight in shinning armour if they try to bother you"

Cullen said

He raised his hands on the table and tightened his muscles.

I smiled at him. Damn it! I don't need a protector or a bodyguard! That might sound too harsh if I say that to him.

"So.. Who.. Is.. That.. Guy?"

I stuttered

Cullen lifted his brows

"You mean Jeffrey Adams?"

I don't know his name but I gave him a short nod.

"That guy.."

He did the tsk tsk sound

I suddenly became desperate to know Jeffrey Adams. There was something strange about him. His expression was distant and he looked unhappy.

"He hardly ever spoke to anybody. He walked up and down with his nose in the air and sour expression on his face. So students gave him a nickname.. GHOST. Actually, Jeffrey was never interested in being friends with anybody" Cullen said

I glanced back at him, he was still staring out through the window.

"Some students said that he attends the school on welfare while some got to thinking that he was from an orphanage home. But I think Jeffrey is hiding like that.. So people won't question him about his financial background" He added

Well I don't think that expression on his face was pertaining to those ideas.

There was more to it. And I wondered why he had such expression on his face. The door opened and a young woman entered the class. She was on blue jeans and black top. She must be the literature teacher.

Cullen stood up

"Attention,Greet the teacher" he said

"Good Morning Ma" They greeted

"How are you all doing?"

"Fine ma" they chorused

"Please sit down Cullen" she said

"Life of a captain" he whispered

Oh! Cullen was the captain of the class.

"I can see we have a new student" she said as she moved closer to my desk

"What's your name?" She stopped two desks to mine.

I stood up to answer

"Katherine Adebowale"

It wasn't hard to say my name this time.

"Can.. I call you Kate for short?"

"Yes Ma"

"Nice.. and i like your shoes"

She said and walked back to the Rostrum in front of the class. Everyone stretched their necks to take a look. And I almost laughed at the sight of long necks. I know my shoe was beautiful. Banjo brought it from Italy. He brought so many stuffs... Some of which my other brothers sent through him to deliver to me.

"I'm Miss Shola, the literature teacher"

She wrote literature on the white marker board.

"Sit down Kate" she said

And I settled back in my chair

"She's fond of complimenting students outfits.. Mostly shoes. I think she's crazy about them"

Cullen jolted down in a piece of paper.

Miss Shola wrote "POETRY" on the board. It was one of my favorite Genre of literature. I'm more familiar with poetry than other genres.

"So what is poetry?"

She asked

I wet my lips, looking down at the tips of my fingers. I pondered if I should raise my hands to answer the question. First day at a new school.. They might think I'm showing off.

No one answered the question. I bit the inside of my cheeks hoping someone would just answer the question. But none, then I heard my name.

"Kate.. Can you help us out?" Miss Shola said

My heartbeat accelerated

Why did she call me?

Oh my God! How do I answer it without stammering?!

Everyone was silent

Angella's POV

I hated this aspect in literature. I was more familiar with Prose and Drama. I just have few ideas concerning Poetry. I knew Miss Shola was going to call the new girl. Its her way to testing new students to see if she's worth to be in the class. Katherine would have to answer many questions from serval teachers. It's Kate testing period 1,she would be taken to the lower class if she doesn't pass the Test 2 which is written.

I wonder why she was in Class 3.. Usually they don't admit student into Ss 3. And I got to thinking that Kate's Parents must be rich.

She stood up to answer Miss Shola's question. Now let's see what you've gat Katherine. I hope she fails.

"Poetry.." she stopped

Oh! There she goes stammering like Father Moses. She's probably his descendant. Or was she trying to put up an act?

"Poetry has no universal definition like some other fields of learning. Nevertheless, it can be defined as an imaginative rendition that gives powerful expression to experiences, ideas and feelings in a metaphoric language"

She stopped

Miss Shola smile at her

"That was amusing" she said

What was so amusing? Mtchew.

"Now Kate..tell me how Williams Wordsworth defined Poetry" she said

Wow! She won't get that! Only a Genius would remember Wordsworth definition of poetry.

Kate was silent

Kindly give up and sit down with shame.

"Williams Wordsworth defined poetry as the spontaneous overflow or outburst of powerful feelings recollected In tranquility"

I opened my old note

Unbelievable! She got it right!

"W. H Aiden?"

"He defined poetry as a memorable speech"

"W. B Yeats?"

"Emphasized the emotional aspect of poetry when he declared it as truth seen with passion"

"Thomas Hardy?"Miss Shola asked again

"Uhm.. He pictured it as emotion put into measures"

Then it ended

"Wow! Very..very.. Good" She said

"Honestly I didn't expect -"

She was interrupted by a clap. It was Cullen who started clapping and other joined in except me. My girls clapped too

"Wow! She's a genius" Caroline whispered and winked at Me.

Fury crashed over me and I clenched my fists.

How come she knew all those definitions?

"Kate take your seat" Miss Shola said

And she sat back in her chair

Now what was she feeling Like?

"Please what's the name of your previous school?" she asked

Are we to discuss about Kate in today's class? Rubbish!

"Linda Girls College"

"So I guess you were a straight A student?.. Please be honest"

Miss Shola studied her

Well it easy to lie about stuffs like this since there are no evidences backing it up.

"Yes.. Straight A student. I scored A in all other subjects but I never scored higher than B in mathematics" Kate answered

"I like you Kate. You're honest. Well Mr Joel showed me your report card from your previous school. And I saw B in mathematics. Keep that record up in our school too"

Now Miss Shola thinks she's some kind of Book Goddess 'Efiko'. Kate was just a pompous show off.

My records are not so bad. I am a Straight B student but I never scored higher than D in mathematics. I hate Mathematics. And I was never friends with it.

Everything about Kate gives me concern. Her beauty, intelligence and composure. I hope Joseph doesn't fall for her. Silly Cullen was already making friends with Kate. Its none of my business if she decided to be friends with everyone but not with Joseph James. He's my boyfriend! And I can't stand him looking at another girl.

Two things I won't let Kate take away from me, Joseph and my recognition as the most popular girl and prettiest in Senior Class. I would deal with her ruthlessly if she takes them from me.

"From the definitions Kate gave one can sum poetry up as Passions, emotions, feelings, speeches, truths, thoughtfully articulated and conveyed in a condensed language. We've treated this topic but I'm surprised none of you can give me atleast one definition. Anyways let's continue. Types of Poetry"

She wrote down on the board.

After class that day, some girls went to Kate and demanded for more explanation about poetry and other Genres of literature. I listened to her as she explained to them until other students came in with the next teacher. Kate seems shy at first but when she started into work all of a sudden she was entirely different and confident.

And on several occasions in English Class, I caught Joseph staring at her.

It shouldn't be what am thinking!

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Katherine's POV

My parent weren't home when I came back from school around 5:00pm. Nanny Patricia said mommy went to see a friend who was celebrating her birthday today. I didn't need anyone to tell me Dad was still at work attending business meetings. I ate dinner with Pat and told her everything that happened at school. Actually, she warned me to stay away from Angella and her friends to avoid trouble. Exactly! I don't want Daddy yelling at me again for being a bad girl. And i keep praying over and over again that Angella won't be like Cynthia.

I sat writing on my bed. I really like my room. Fresh pink and white sheet on the bed,framed photographs on the dressing table on and pink painted walls. Its my little sanctuary and I take comfort in it whenever mom was away from home during my holidays. I sat writing in my diary Brother (Okunola) in Manchester sent it to me as a gift on my 16th birthday. And it been a while I've written in it.

"I am glad to be in Empire High School but nothing can be compared to Linda Girls College. I can believe how much I missed everything and everyone.. Especially Senior Faith. I sent an apology letter to Principal Joy during holiday but I hope that someday they will get to know the truth. Dear Diary, only you, mom and pat believed that I was innocent. Dad doesn't and I feel he hates me now. He seized my cellphone thinking I stayed up chatting with Charles and Senior Faith. What do I do to make him trust and believe me again? It Sad. I'll try to be happy in my new school. Well, I met some nice people today,Elena, Cullen, Jamal and others. I think someone in my class wants to be like Cynthia.. She didn't stop staring at me like I had shit on my body. I'll do my best to avoid her. And there's Jeffrey.. He looked Sad and unhappy. I think there's something bothering him. It none of my business but I feel sorry for him.. and I don't know why.."

I flipped pages in my diary. My eyes caught a page where I wrote my purpose of attending Empire High School.

"To read my books, mind my business and pass my SSCE"

I turned to the back page of my diary and I saw my favorite poem which I had written in it.

"Ulysses By Lord Alfred Tennyson" And i had picked a motto from a line in the poem.

"To Strive, To Seek, To Find and not to Yield"

I can do this! I have to prove to my dad that I am a good girl. Then i kept my diary in place and went on my kneels and prayed to God to softened my dad's heart towards me. And take every hindrances in my way...