SCHOOL DAYS

CHAPTER ONE BACK TO SCHOOL

The day most students dreaded finally came, the day I have patiently waited for. A small banner saying 'WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL' stared right into my face as I entered my classroom. I was greeted with dust, which coated every inch of the class, AaRrGgggg.....!!!!! This was the part I hated the most, having to do a thorough cleanup of the whole classroom. This was also one of the reasons why most students decided to come late on school opening day, while others came the next day, and the rest decided to add one more week to their holiday, resuming the next week. I quickly grabbed a dust rag and joined the others in cleaning.

The school bell rang for the assembly, but the ground was scanty. It was short and fast, our principal didn't really have much to say to us. Back to the almost empty class, I brought out a novel to read to keep me occupied while waiting patiently for Amaka Anthony to arrive. Finally she stepped into the classroom, looking smart in our uniform of checked blue and white shirt with a pleated skirt, looking more beautiful than the last time I saw her last year. She ran towards me screaming my name "Genevieve!" and engulfed me in a big hug. She's so dramatic.

I felt my heart jump out of my chest, I even pictured myself picking it up from the ground.

"CHRIST! Do you want to gimme a heart attack at this very young age", I screeched, struggling, trying to free myself, as she was squeezing the hell out of me. "HABA! You don't want me to breathe again?

"Ki lo de, I was just greeting you nah", She said defensively, letting me go when she realized I couldn't breathe. "How are you na? Going to your village did you good, I can see it all over you. You really enjoyed the Christmas holiday oh, oya come and sit down and gist me jare", I laughed.

As she began to talk, I heard a voice singing, "When the gbedu dey enter body", and I knew it could only be Aishat that could have entered the classroom singing a song by Burna Boy. She is such a party freak, I'm 100% sure she spent more than half of her holiday going to parties. I watched as she sashayed towards us still singing, then stopped to say, "Hello ladies, wassup? I know you both missed me terribly", as she sat down beside us.

"I thought you would have changed this your singing-as-you-enter-into-the-classroom nonsense", Amaka said.

"Just because it's a new year doesn't mean I have to change my attitude", Aishat mumbled.

"Ehen? But you posted a picture online and your caption was 'New Year, New Me', or have you forgotten?" Amaka laughed.

"Abeg you guys shouldn't start this your cat and dog show this early morning oh, now both of you should gist me about your holiday!" I pleaded.

We talked for so long and at intervals I looked around the class, saw the same group of girls who always disturb the class with their horrible voices singing, saw the gossips and the bad boys gang. Some people never change. Not a single teacher stepped into the class, till after our break, when my class teacher entered announcing abruptly, "Tear a sheet of paper, take away your bags, it's time for the resumption test." The first subject she wrote on the board was Mathematics. O.M.G! I and MATHS don't get along, I strongly detest that subject. Literature, Government, and Civic Education followed and the day dragged along like that.

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Finally it was time to go. I walked home with Aishat and Amaka; we walk home because that way we can spend our T-fare on something else or save it. The tragedy involved is that they canln't stop arguing about anything and everything. This time they were arguing on who is the most talented musician, Amaka said it was Wizkid while Aishat disagreed saying it's Davido, and they went on arguing like their lives depended on it, as if they would be rewarded by the musicians themselves. Thankfully, they soon separated to their various homes. Aishat lives on the street after mine, while Amaka lives five streets away. As I entered my home, I was welcomed by my Mom with her usual," My pikin you don come?". One day, if she keeps asking me like that, I will tell her 'No, I'm still on the road'. But I don't think I am ready for what would follow that kind of answer.

"Yes, mummy good afternoon", I answered instead.

"How was school? Did the teachers teach you anything today?"

"No, we only did the resumption test."

"How was the test Genevieve?"

"It was just there", I replied, escaping to my room before she could interrogate me more.

As I entered my room, I dropped my bag on the chair and immediately reached for my phone on my shelf to check for messages on WhatsApp, Instagram, media accounts.

"Genevieve drop that phone now and go take a shower", Mom said, standing in the doorway. I didn't even hear the sound of her slippers dragging across the floor.

"Mom I just want to check some messages, then I'll ----"

"If you don't drop it, I will seize it throughout today", my Mom snapped.

I knew she meant it with that tone, so I obediently dropped it and grumbled all the way to the bathroom.

"Children nowadays are so addicted to phones, tell me if we didn't survive without it during my time". She's always saying this, as if phones didn't exist when she was born, maybe she was born when letters were used to communicate. Mtchewww....

"Ah mummy, you'll be talking as if you people didn't have phones during your time, you weren't born in the stone-age period", I grumbled.

She immediately removed her slippers and threw it at me, but I dodged it and quickly ran into the bathroom.

"Nonsense!" she said as she walked away.

An hour later, she called me to come eat lunch,

"I'm coming oh", I replied.

"Come and eat your food before it gets cold, that phone will not disappear, your brother is back, and I know you didn't realize that because you are so engrossed with that phone, I wonder what's so special about it."

I immediately ran down the stairs excitedly screaming 'James!'. He was already seated at the dining table, so I walked up to him for a hug. "Ba wo ni? ", he asked in Yoruba, which means (how are you) "Odinma", I replied in Igbo, which means (I am fine). It was our usual style of greeting. I know it's funny and weird, but I love it. I pulled out a chair and sat close to him.

"So tell me how many boys have started toasting you oh?" he teased.

CHAPTER TWO BOYFRIEND?

I almost choked on the water I was drinking. "Which boys?"

"Gen don't befriend any boy oh, only girls, they only bring distractions to your studies", my Mom warned, looking at me sternly.

Actually she meant NO BOYFRIEND, that's just how she says it. It's almost impossible not to have a guy who is your friend. I have also seen girls who have boyfriends but still excel in their studies. Well I think it depends on the kind of boyfriend, the one that has sense or the one that doesn't, if the guy makes you excel more in your studies by helping you and also prioritization, the boys or your studies? Which is more important?. If not, the guy will be a major distraction to your studies like my Mom said. I have also watched a lot of teenage movies where their parents are not bothered or against the boyfriend issue, some even encourage it. I recently watched one titled To All The Boys I've Loved Before. I'm totally in love with that movie, and my Mom loves it too, despite all the teenage dating involved. Why is it different with some Nigerian parents?? I could totally get one and trust me she wouldn't know.

I vividly remember the day I invited my friend and classmateEmmanuel, a guy from my class, to explain a subject I was having difficulty with. The way my Mom was looking at him, it was like she wanted to eat him alive. He was so scared that he left earlier than expected. Immediately he left, my Mom came into my room saying "You have started having boyfriends abi? If I see any other boy in this house you will know yourself."

She just jumped to conclusions without asking, and I was so pissed. I tried explaining to her but she refused to listen to my explanations. She even threatened to tell my father. If she had done that, that would have been the end. "Penny for your thoughts?" James snapped his fingers at my face, forcing me back to earth. "Huhn.......?" I replied, totally confused.

"Don't tell me you're actually considering the idea of having a boyfriend", my Mom looked at me.

"Haba! No oh", I replied with a frown on my face.

"Oya abeg make we chop oh, the tension in this room is giving me goosebumps", James said.

"So James gist us about Unilag na, how is Architecture treating you?" I asked, digging into the delicious spaghetti and egg.

After lunch I went straight up to my room, and a few minutes later my bro came up for a chit-chat. As usual, we mostly talked about school stuff.

"James, can I ask you a question?" I looked at him.

"Sure Gen, ask away" he replied.

"Did you have a girlfriend while in secondary school? Answer me sincerely oh" I asked.

"So that's your question", he chuckled. "Well I did oh, it was fun sha", James smiled.

"But tell me the reason why", I pressed further.

"Well it was out of curiosity, I wanted to understand how it felt to have one and also most of the guys had one, it was kinda cool", he stated.

"So do you have one now". I teased.

"No oh, I'm not ready abeg, girls and their wahala, let me finish school first", he laughed.

"Okay sir", I snorted. "But boys also have wahala."

"Tah, girls are the worst, confused set of human beings."

"That's a lie", I whined, hitting him lightly on the head.

"That's a lie", he said in a small animated voice, mimicking me.

"Hey I don't sound like that", I pouted. He grabbed me and began to tickle me.

"Get off, let me go." We both started laughing uncontrollably that we couldn't stop, tears streaked from our eyes. My Mom came to check what the excitement was all about.

"James, why are you people laughing so hard?", my Mom asked, staring at us.

"Nothing", we both said in unison, and started laughing again. My Mom left looking more confused than ever.

"Anyway how is that your crazy friend Amaka", James asked.

"She's okay, and yes she still has a thing for you so don't bother asking."

"Oh God, she's not well o", he laughed. "Anyway I'm a spec so it's understandable."

"Spec my foot", I scoffed.

"You sef you know, sha send my greetings to her sha."

James left my room a few minutes later, I picked up my phone to chat with Amaka who told me something baffling.

"Gen do you know that someone new is coming to our school this year, actually to SS3 o, can you imagine? Our final year in school" She said excitedly

"Ehen issa lie! How can someone enter SS3 during second term, we're even writing WAEC by April! How is that even possible? Where did you even get that information from sef? I can't believe you on this one oh", I doubted.

"I'm serious, when I heard it I was as shocked as you too, I heard he's a science student", she replied.

"So it's even a HE, hmm.... If that's true, I want to know how his parents did it because I know that our strict principal won't allow it"

"I heard he's parents are rich na, money can do anything"

"Young lady, money is not everything" I could almost see her shrugging her shoulders at what I said. "Corruption has eaten into the bones of this country", I continued.

"Na so, anyway that's all for now, is that your handsome brother back from school yet?" Amaka has been crushing on James since forever, always wanting to know how he is, where he is, what he's doing and stuff like that.

"I wonder when this crushing will stop, he's back and yes he is doing fine, he even asked about you", I answered. "What! He asked about me?? What did he say? I demand you tell me now!" she said.

Chi mo why did I tell her that!

"Miss demander, he only asked how you are oh, nothing more, he's even going back tomorrow so don't bother following me to my house tomorrow after school oh", I warned.

"I'm sure it's more than that jare", she said, "Anyway, has any family occupied the new building beside yours."

"I don't know and I don't even care whose house that is", I replied nonchalantly.

"Of course you do, they'll be your neighbors, and well I wanna see who lives in that beautiful house. I'm 100% sure they are super rich, the house is big", she said.

"Genevieve, your daddy is back from work", my Mom called out from downstairs.

"Amaka, I gotta go, my dad is back, bye, we'll talk later", I typed hastily, dropping the phone.

I went downstairs quickly to greet my dad.

"Welcome sir, how was work?" I asked as I just stood there awkwardly beside my brother. I know you must wonder why I sounded like that, it's just that I'm not really close to my dad anymore.

"Thanks dear, work was fine, how was school?" he said.

"It was great", I replied.

"James welcome back, how is Architecture treating you?" He focused on James.

"It's challenging though, but it's nothing I can't handle", James replied with confidence.

"Okay, such a good career you have chosen, unlike some people?" He rolled his eyes at me.

My dad has never been a fan of art, he doesn't support me at all, infact I'm sure he wouldn't even be paying my school fees if not for my mum's intervention. He makes sure he reminds me almost everyday of what a useless course and career I have chosen. He wanted me to be a science or commercial student, which is a wise choice according to him.

"It's late, so go to bed and do not touch your phone."

It was not even 10pm yet, how was that late? AaRrGgHh... I was hoping to chat with Amaka and Aishat before I went to bed. What a way to ruin my plans. "Okay, goodnight daddy", I replied.

I went to my room, sent a goodnight message to both of them and went straight to bed because I know Mom will come to my room to check if I'm really sleeping or not.

CHAPTER THREE THE NEW BOY

First day of the second week, the assembly ground was full, and classes were noisy as students had resumed fully. We are having a combined Mathematics class with science students. Why must I start my first official week of school with Mathematics?!

"Gen have you seen the new guy, I heard he starts today", Amaka asked as we were walking to the classroom.

"No I haven't, I think Mr. Oyelami will introduce him to us", I replied, as she walked faster, leaving me behind.

I walked into the science class for the next lesson, desperately searching for my friend's seat, when suddenly someone bumped into me and all my books dropped to the ground. I looked up to see the person and it was a guy, who, I'm sure, must have been blind to have knocked me over like that. I was expecting an apology but rather he said, "Don't you have eyes? Watch where you're going missy!"

"What the-----" He was gone before I could complete the word. He didn't even pause for a second to help me with my books. I felt so angry and at the same time wondered who he was because I'd never seen him before, but then I don't know everyone in science class.

As I slid into Esther's seat, Amaka sat directly in front of me with Aishat. She quickly turned around to face me. "Why do science students have attitude problems, they're so proud, act as if they're the most intelligent students in the whole school and the boys are so handsome at the same time?"

"Well not all of us are proud, e.g. me", Esther answered brightly.

"Whatever! Gen when is that principal of ours going to tell us who the prefects are? I really want you to be head girl, not that busybody Funke!" Aishat stated.

"Hahahaha......" I laughed "Just because you hate her doesn't mean she can't be the head girl, even though I don't like her either."

"It's not just that, you deserve it better than she does, I mean she's rude, too proud, too everything. In fact no one except her stupid group of girls who think they're the prettiest in the whole school likes her, not to mention her classmates!" Esther joined in.

"Okay, let's just end this conversation here, enough about Funke", I sighed.

The Funke of a girl is totally a handful. She is that girl whose skirt is the shortest in the school. She acts like she's in a teenage movie where she and her minions are mean cheerleaders. Gosh! She's annoying, frustrating, if I start stating everything she is, it's going to take a long while. She takes after her mother who is a popular troublemaker in this school, and I just wonder how her father copes. I mean he's totally a different person, so calm, kind and very friendly. I've met him just once and we had a very nice conversation.

Few seconds later, our Mathematics teacher entered, and we all stood up to greet him.

"Good morning Mr. Oyelami", we all echoed.

"Good day class, you can have your seats." We all sat down. "Well for most of you who haven't met Jeremiah Eliot, he's a transfer student, Stand up Jeremiah so the class can see you" He continued.

Turns out Jeremiah is the same guy who bumped into me, and no wonder I didn't recognize him. Well this definitely wasn't how I pictured the new guy. I pictured him as a little nerdy looking guy, with glasses on, but surprisingly, and I hate to admit this, he's a drop dead gorgeous, totally a knockout!. As I glared at him he caught my eye and winked at me. Jerk! I turned around just in time to see Funke giving him the eye. She's such a flirt. When she noticed he was looking at me and not her, she frowned and gave me the (stay away from him he's mine) look. Something tells me these last few days of school are going to be quite interesting.

"We're going to start with the circle theorem, because most of you have serious issues there, most especially you Genevieve, so pay good attention" Mr. Oyelami pointed at me in particular when he noticed I was distracted.

Great! Just what I need to start my day with.

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"I still didn't understand what he taught us", I whined.

"Gen, were you even listening? We all know you hate the subject, you have totally given up on Maths", Aishat said as we walked out of the class.

"No, I listened this time but I still didn't understand, It was as if he was teaching in another language, I got lost", I complained. "Why won't it be another language", Aishat mocked.

"Well did you guys see the way Jerry was just answering all the questions in class, Omo that guy get brain! And did you see the way all the girls were ogling him even that nonsense Funke of a girl too" Amaka chipped in.

"Yes ooo, he is handsome, you gotta appreciate beauty when you see one, and I also noticed that he winked at Genevieve" Aishat said.

"He's just a showoff jare, and a big jerk", I growled.

"Well this showoff can help you with your problems in Maths, Miss Slippery Fingers", Jerry interrupted.

Of course he had to butt in.

"What did you just call me", I said angrily, turned to face him.

"You heard me didn't you? I don't need to repeat myself or have you also gone deaf too?" Jerry said.

"Just shut up, you're the one who turned blind and knocked me off, beside I'll rather fail Maths than ask for help from someone whose father bribed the principal to get into this school", I replied.

"Just so you know (not that it's any of your business) no bribing was involved, my father only explained to the principal why I had to transfer so suddenly and he understood perfectly", he snapped.

"Okay that's enough you two, Gen we have Literature class now, so you guys can continue arguing during break time but for now let's go, bye handsome", Amaka dragged me away.

"What was that all about?" Aishat asked immediately as we entered the class.

"Nothing serious", I replied, still angry.

Mrs. Omotayo, Our literature teacher, instantly entered the class.

Thank God! She chose the perfect time, because I don't want to start explaining what happened with Jerry to my friends right now.

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"So tell me, how many assignments do you have today?" Mum questioned me as I entered the living room.

"Well just two", I replied, dropping my bag on the couch, obviously exhausted. "By next week teachers would start flooding us with tests, assignments, projects and so on.....", I continued, carrying my bag as I went upstairs.

I collapsed on the bed with my bag, I stretched my hands towards the table to get my phone but suddenly remembered what Mom said yesterday about seizing my phone. I quickly ran into the bathroom for a quick shower, and came out in a few minutes to reply to some messages on my phone while eating my lunch. I decided to do my assignment after I was done with the internet. I wonder how I'm going to do this math assignment. This annoying Maths is giving me a headache o, all this circle theorem gan sef.

Later on, I was summoned by my Mom to come eat dinner. I was so happy for the distraction because honestly my brain was starting to melt.