LAST DAYS IN HIGHSCHOOL

The third semester examination usually put pressure on students, but this time, it was cancelled.

The ministry for education, United States had decided that Grade 2 students in colleges would seat for a mock examination as their promotion exam to their final class in high school. It came as a surprise, everybody had prepared for the normal exam, and I was going through my notes we had English oral that morning.

Suddenly the vice principal showed up, and us to follow her, everybody was stunned as we followed her under the big apple tree, we saw other students waiting anxiously, probably she called us last.

Everybody gathered forming a large circle in which she was in the middle. Mrs. Mitchell Madison began and everybody kept quiet hoping to hear good news.

"Unfortunately, your exam has been cancelled and you are up to a new system, you will be the first set of students to witness this, the ministry of education has decided that you write a mock exam as your promotional examination."

Pandemonium filled the air, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, several murmurs started between the student's but the V.P's voice brought them back and they concentrated again hoping to hear more.

"The mock examination is starting on August 8, 2019, so you have up to two-three months to prepare don't waste your time, now that there is more time to read. Let every single bit of distraction get away from you, no one knows where the questions are coming from, but probably it won't be any easy task, that is all I have to say."

The Vice principal left us, leaving us to our own fate, as I tried to assimilate all the words the vice principal said someone tapped me; it was Wilfred Suleiman my closest friend.

"Ooh Suleiman what's up?"

"What are you trying to do?" He asked ignoring my greetings.

"Nothing" I replied.

"Good I thought you were thinking what others were thinking"

"What is that?" I asked, looking anxious,

"Most of our class mates are planning to apply for the upcoming GCE (General Certificate Examination), with that certificate, they can also get into college instead of waiting for our high school certificate" He replied.

"It's their choice I said." I had also thought about GCE too; it would be interesting writing it.

I couldn't believe we were the only students now under the tree; we have been talking for some minutes.

"Let go back into the class"

I heard Suleiman saying, already heading towards our classroom, I followed him not minding my thoughts, I was also planning on doing GCE, i wondered what Suleiman was thinking as I stared at his expressionless face.

As we entered the classroom, everyone were murmuring about the topic, Abigail ran to my desk asking same questions Suleiman asked earlier, I replied in a more reluctant way saying I don't know, then she looked at me in a sought of way that told me she was angry, I looked away, I don't have time for your silly behavior this time, I said in my mind

.

* **

Back at home, I later told my dad the latest news in school, all he told me was to read and prepare well for the exam, he never talked about GCE and since my Dad's words were final, my hopes of doing GCE drowned like titanic.

Christian was the only son of Mr. Bailey, his mother died at child birth, he was taking care of by his aunt, Mrs. Linda, but when he was six, he went to live with his Father.

Mr. Bailey was the owner of an old small grocery store in Texas, he was a retired soldier, but due to the corruptions in the country, he didn't always get his pensions, the grocery store was all Mr. Bailey had.

They lived in a one room cabin, down in outskirts of Texas, Mr. Bailey was doing all he could to give is only son the best education and with the hope that one day his son would become a great person and changed the world.

* **

On Friday was vacation day and it was also the last examination day for the Grade 1 students.

Christian sat under one of the big apple tree in St. Davis high school, there were several brick molded chairs under the tree.

He was going through his History notebook which was the first paper in their upcoming mock examination.

Abigail appeared beside him, but he didn't notice, she tapped him,

"We still have time to read," she said frowning.

He looked up at her, "I know, but since there is nothing more to do, it's not bad reading from now," he replied smiling.

"You got me angry the other day" she said ignoring his answer.

"Ooh I am really sorry, my head was full at that time due to what the VP said." Christian apologized, before she could say anything more, Jason Fernandez was standing right In front of her.

Jason seemed to like Abigail but he couldn't tell her, he envied seeing her talking to Christian.

"Look who we have here," he smirked,

"So what were you two planning," Jason asked teasingly,

"Planning to kill you," Abigail teased back, he laughed loudly and said; "I am not the type of guy you could kill so easily,"

"Won't you say something Mr. Gentle" Jason asked, looking straight into Christian eyes.

Christian just stared at him he could see in eyes the intensity of jealousy and hate. Christian stood up smiling at Abigail.

"I think I'll use the toilet,"

"I'll be right back;" he said without waiting for an answer, he sprinted off, leaving the two of them behind.

Though Jason was his grade 1 student, he didn't want to fight over a girl. Abigail was not his girlfriend either but she seems to like him more than Jason, or maybe he was just thinking too much, not like he cared though, he had nothing for Abigail. Jason had known Abigail from elementary school, when she hadn't even known Christian. He had admired her since then, though they were just friends, he started having feelings since they entered high school, seeing how Abigail grew to become a pretty creature and now, one unconcerned brat wants to snatch her away from him.

Christian had been watching Jason, he knew what he wanted, Christian actually knew Jason didn't love Abigail, all he has for Abigail was infatuation, he noticed that Jason wanted to use her, then dump her, but he couldn't bring himself to tell Abigail without getting her annoyed, or making her think otherwise, her hot temper was one big problem to handle, but someday he would tell her before the worse happened, he thought.

* **

The bell ranged breaking the deadly silence in the school compound; Suleiman and Christian were busy arranging grade 1 student's examination scripts at Mr. Chadwick's office.

Mr. Chadwick was their Biology teacher; he was a lazy one and always allows students do some of his own jobs, although he compensates them most times, that's the bait he used in getting them.

All grade 1 students were rushing rapidly to the exit of the school with great joy, it was the end of the third semester examination and the vacation was a very long one.

Abigail appeared at the window of Mr. Chadwick's office, she called at me, telling me she was about to go home, I persuaded her to wait but she told me she couldn't, so I gave up.

As she left, David my other friend ran into the office, Mr. Chadwick was surprised at him,

"What was chasing you lad," he yelled,

"Nothing sir, I just wanted to see if Christian was still here." David replied trying to catch his breath.

Mr. Chadwick looked at him then went back to the newspaper he was reading. David ran to me, still breathing heavily.

"I thought you guys had gone home, I wanted to tell you that we could create a study group for ourselves."

Christian looked at Suleiman who stared back at him.

"That a bright idea," Christian said.

"Where would be the venue?" Suleiman asked, staring confusedly at a script.

"We could use my place," David replied smiling, "my mum would be glad to have you."

"Okay it is agreed then, we start when?," Christian chipped in, arranging stacks of scripts.

"Tomorrow will be fine," David said, "No problem" Christian and Suleiman replied simultaneously and laughed.

We were the only students remaining in school when we finished stacking up the scripts; the school compound was as quiet as a grave yard.

"We should be going" Suleiman said backing his bag, "don't forget guys," David cried out, reminding us about the study group we had planned earlier on.

No problem, Christian replied. "You guys should be get going already, it's late"

Mr. Chadwick's hoarse voice filled the room, "yes sir" we replied.

He then gave us ten bucks to share among ourselves for our hard work, as we went home we bought burgers and drinks, it was an interesting evening as we chatted and laughed in the quiet evening. David and Suleiman normally use train, but as for me, I usually walk down to my dad's grocery store which was located some miles from our school.

We had parted ways and I was now walking alone, I threw the wrap of the burger in my hand and I watched the cool evening breeze floating it in midair, it was a very cool evening, you could hear the songs of birds, they perched at every nearby tree, although the horns and sirens from cars won't let you get the full rhythm, it was a busy evening in Texas, the sky was brownish gold, illuminated by the evening sun, it was setting in the east, as if it was entering the ground, Christian liked watching the sun at this time, the rays were now very weak, not like the fierce afternoon rays which scorches you, burning through your entire skin.

Christian wasn't surprised seeing his Dad at the front of his grocery store, he knew he was late, he looked at his wrist watch, it was past five; it was time to answer some thorough questioning........

"Where are you coming from?" His father asked softly still standing at the entrance of his grocery store, it was obvious that there were no customers.

"F...f...from school dad,"

Christian replied, stammering, he was standing some meters away from his father.

"And what the fuck were you doing until now?" His father spoke softly again, trying to cool his temper.

"Mr. Chadwick, our Biology teacher asked us to arrange some scripts for him, unfortunately we finished late."

His father looked right into his eyes,

"Hope you aren't lying to me boy,"

"Yes father, I didn't realize it was so late," he replied nervously.

"Alright, get inside here" His father replied.

Christian went inside leaving his father at the entrance, he knew his father will never lay hands on him, it was okay to be overprotective to your only son, Christian thought.

Later that night he couldn't tell is father about the study group he and his friends had created, he postponed it to the next morning when everything would be calm and normal.

* **

The next morning Christian woke up to find his father already gone, he blamed himself for oversleeping, he decided to go to his father's grocery store, then he would from there set out to David's house.

He quickly took his bath, brushed his teeth and ate a light meal of bread and fried eggs, his father's store was some hundreds of miles away from home, he would have to use the train since his bicycle was bad.

After sitting inside a crowded train for almost an hour, he finally got to his father's grocery store; there were a lot of people waiting patiently to be answered, he was happy but at the same time sad. He left the grocery store for David's house; he would have to tell his father when he returned in the evening.

At nine o' clock, David was already waiting at the front of his gate, the sun was giving it all, summer in Texas was nothing to write home about so he took shade in a shop that was nearby, some minutes later he saw Christian coming from afar and ran to meet him,

"What's up," he said, stretching is hand for a handshake, "I am fine bro," replied Christian, also giving out his hand.

"Where is Suleiman?"

Christian asked, "he is not here yet" David replied, suddenly they heard a voice from behind, and they turned simultaneously, "hey guys," Suleiman called, he was wearing a white T-shirt and a blue jean, he also had a new hair-cut.

"You are looking splendid boy!" Christian exclaimed, "Are you going to a party?" David asked, teasing. They all laughed as they walked down to David's house.

Mr. Williams was a real estate agent, he was David's father, his wife Pricilla was a business woman, they were very rich couples but they had only one son, which was David. After so many years without children, giving birth to David was a great joy to them but they didn't spoil him like other parents would do, David's father was a strict looking man, he trained his child so he could accomplish what he could not.

David and his friends entered the house; David's father was watching the morning news, since it was a weekend, he didn't go to work. "Good morning sir," Christian and Suleiman chorused, "oh my boys good morning, how are you doing, David told me everything, you more than welcome to this house anytime, read well boys."

Mr. William said smiling, then he turned his attention back to the news he was watching. David and his friends went into his small room, the room was a typical boy's room; a small sized bed lay at one corner, a cupboard, posters of Eminem the famous rapper, Justin Beiber and Bruno Mars where hanging on the walls, David loved Music so Much.

There was also a Ps4 set at one corner with an old Desktop computer. David's Father provided everything he needed, but he wasn't spoilt child.

"Okay guys what should we do today?" Suleiman asked, "Oh I know a new topic in Mathematics, I can teach you guys" David said smiling,

"What topic?" Christian asked, "Matrix"

David replied, "I think I have heard that topic before," Christian said, scratching his head,

"No idea," Suleiman quickly put in.

"Okay guys, it is simple only if you know the logic, it is divided into four parts which are; Addition of matrix, Subtraction of matrix, Multiplication of matrix and Transpose Matrix........"

* **

After the lesson, David's mother treated them to a delicious meal of cobb salad; they ate happily, after which they departed to their various homes. When Christian got home it was past four, his father was not back yet, he looked at his faulty bicycle, and since there was nothing else to do he started to fix it to keep himself busy.

Later that night he told his Dad about the study group, his Dad was very happy, and then he started;

"Without concentration, determination and dedication one can never attain greatness, I know I made some errors but I had learned my lessons and I know you can never make the mistake I made. I took education for granted in my time, I cursed it, looked at it as a waste of time and energy, whereas it was energy itself, and when I was old enough to experience life, I regretted my dreadful action against education. But you will go places with education; your future is in your hands. Christian father said tapping his son on the shoulder, smiling.