MARIE'S HIGH - CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THE SAFE
"The other beat is just perfect for the romantic mood of the song", Bola said to DJ Freaky through Skype in the reading room the next day.

"Ma'am, your time's over", I scowled.

After returning from church, I decided not to remain a selfish elder sister and help my siblings in any subject they find difficult to understand. But since we started our lesson, Bola hasn't been concentrating.

"Five minutes more", she whispered.

"Seriously?" I yelled at her.

"Calm down!" She yelled back."It's not like I begged you to be my tutor.

"Fine. I think it'll be very much convenient for you to do whatever you want when you leave this place", I returned to my usual calm voice.

"Okay", She reached for the doorknob but Gbemi called her back."What else do you want?"

"Can you tell me what a fraction is?" She closed her recently opened mathematics textbook so Bola doesn't peep from it.

"Of all questions, you chose to ask me that!" Bola laughed.

"Just answer the question and take your leave", I said to conserve time.

"Well, Fraction is when.....", she stuttered, and we all laughed at her.

"I know it, okay? It just slipped my mind", she defended herself.

"That's why you need to revise Freaky's been pretty much of a distraction to you lately", I wanted to make her stay badly.

"Of course not", She scoffed and returned to her seat beside Gbemi.

"Anyways, a fraction is a number that represents part of a whole", Gbemi told her and continued solving the questions I gave her, concerning the topic.

"See why you need touring from me", I told her with pride in my eyes.

Marie's high midterm test was computer-based like jamb. I was afraid I won't be able to finish up on time because I wasn't tech-savvy so I listened attentively to the tips given by the computer operator in my hall on Monday morning.

"As soon as you turn the computer on, you log on to your school profile..."He started his speech.

"We know what to do Mr. Max, you're wasting our time", Rose interrupted him rudely.

"Have you forgotten Nife is with us?" Michelle called Rose's attention and almost everyone in the hall made fun of me.

"I'm so sure no one's ever operated a computer in her family", said another member of my class who wasn't in my good book. Several times, I heard students talk about her ruining the previous cooking competition held at Marie's High.

"That's enough!"A nearby invigilator shouted yet they kept mumbling. "You have just one hour to finish your test", He looked at his wristwatch. "If you have any questions... "

"Excuse me, sir", I raised my right hand before he ended his statement, ignoring the unpleasant stares from my mockers.

"Yes. How can I help you, new bee", He walked towards my desk with a smile on his face.

The test was easier than I thought because the computer operator was there to guide me all through since others didn't need his services. Nevertheless, the questions were as tricky as the setter itself. It took the intellect of an econ genius like me to answer them!

Did I just call myself an econ genius? Wow! Then, what am I supposed to call Professor C. Robbins?

"Hi Nifemi", Timmy left his seat for mine as we were preparing to go to the biology lab for our next test after a 15 minutes break.

"Hi. Is there a problem?"I asked, still peeping at my biology note. I know it's impossible to have A in the practical aspect which is why I wanted to do well in theory. I was glad they didn't divide them because it would have been more stressful preparing for one test twice. Unfortunately, I heard that will happen during our Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and I'm not too pleased with it. I hoped the examination council changes their routine before my time.

"Sorry for bothering you...", Timmy was still standing in front of me.

"I'm so sorry", I adjusted myself."Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Shola's my reading partner, and I've not seen her anywhere today....", He told me with deep concern in his sad-looking eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I read alone", I gave him an immediate reply.

"Don't you think it's rather too fast to change a reading partner of three years", He smiled. "I just wanted to know if you know her whereabouts".

"Oh", I replied, with a guilty feeling.

"Thanks and sorry for wasting your time", He turned back.

"Hey, Timmy", I called and he answered instantly." I don't think I'm the right person to ask about Shola's whereabouts because I've only caused her pain".

"I know yet you were the first person that came to my mind", he sighed.

" All SS one students should head to the Biology lab now. They'll be having their test practical with a finalist as lab partner for each person", said our class radio announcer.

"What", the class echoed. Few students started murmuring while others like Michelle found it favorable.

"My brother's good with biology. He'll figure everything out while I keep on slaying", She applied more pink lipgloss on her sultry lips.

I was among the set of students that didn't like the idea of having our biology lab test with the finalists because I didn't find it easy associating with my mates (I didn't even know the last name of my lab partner for class practicals), talk less of someone older and more experienced than me. 

Well, most art and commercial students like me didn't take it seriously because they're gonna have a diversion soon but I did. I littered my tiled bedroom floor last night with papers of flawed drawings of Mitochondria until I perfected it. And in the morning, I quickly entered our laundry room to have my lab aprons ironed, catching the important angles which gained respect from my distinguished lab partner for its test.

He was otherwise known as Cleo Martins!

I didn't need to be told by anyone that if I were to leave this world through murder, my murderer would be none other than Michelle Martins. You should have seen her face when my name came out of the supervisor's mouth earlier instead of hers!

"I look forward to changing the world with our experiments today, ma'am", he joked and shook my cold hands gently.

"Same here, sire", I played along.

As the chief invigilator told us to commence our test, we examined the specimen for the day carefully and wrote their names in the clean sheet of paper which was provided by the school's examination board. Then, we started to go through the questions whose answers we were expected to derive from each specimen. Some included drawing their longitudinal view after cutting them out. 

Another reason I was not quite pleased with biology practicals is that no matter how much I try, I can't cut things straight, so they'll definitely be an itch whenever I'm cutting out my specimen parts and drawing them out if needed. But with Cleo's "straightforward" hands here available, I only have to worry about drawing, which is also made easy because I only have to watch his steps. Else, I would have been confused as to if I should start drawing the mango from its steak or bottom. It's that bad!

"Thanks for helping out, Mr. Cleo", I said as we walk out of the lab few minutes before the final script submission time.

"I just happen to be made your guardian angel today", he said gladly.

"Then, I should thank Eledumare(God) for sending you to my path", I blushed.

"Yeah. I'm going to have lunch. If you don't mind, you can join me..", He suggested when I was about looking for ways to escape the awkward silence growing between us.

Of course, I wouldn't mind having lunch with one of the most intelligent finalists in Marie's high but I was so scared of what "they" might do to me.

"Don't worry, you're safe with me", He added yet waited for my reply which came as a nod, then led the way to the cafeteria. He was the true definition of a gentleman.

As usual, my haters were already waiting for me in the cafe but they couldn't do anything to do because Cleo was by my side. I was dumbstricken!

"Ladies first", He said at the counter.

"Ok", I placed an order for a plate of Jollof rice with fried rice, salad, and chicken nuggets.

On the other hand, Cleo ordered two wraps of Amala with gbegiri, ewedu, intestines, and goat meat.

"You have a nice taste, Mr. Cleo", He made me wish I simply ordered the same thing, instead of worrying about being mocked.

" Thanks, ma'am", He found a table close to the spot where my haters sat.

Before eating his meal, Cleo unknotted his tie for comfort and started to dig in. So many faces scorned him, especially because he was eating with his naked hands but he didn't mind Although Cleo told me I'll be safe with him, I still feel a bit insecure so I ate my meal slowly and looked around me every second, to ensure no one's planning anything against me. 

"Father, thank you for this meal", Cleo stood after his meal and then moved to the hand basin to wash his hands with a lemon-flavored hand wash.

"Are you done?" I still asked him, feeling anxious because I had only gone halfway through my meal. The last thing I wanted to do was waste his money, yet I lacked the guts to stay in the cafe after his departure.

"Yeah. I've got an unfinished business within the library but you can stay and enjoy yourself for as long as you can", He assured me with a smile.

"Okay. Goodbye", I say inaudibly with a trembling voice.

" Alright", He reknotted his tie and moved out of the cafe.

"This goat is so lucky", One of the girls sitting close to me said angrily.

"First it was Freaky then Loveboy and now Cleo", Another exclaimed.

"Hey! If you dare come near my boyfriend, you're dead", The last one yelled. She attempted to hit me but withdrew her hand at the last minute.

As far as I'm concerned, the moments spent with Cleo were the ones I enjoyed most during the test, and that was only on Monday. During the remaining days of the test, our paths didn't cross even though my class still has affiliations with his, and I visited the library often.

When our midterm test had been done and dusted, teachers as shown on our classes' flat screen started collating the result of each participant. I was one of the favorite students among teachers in my previous school because I help out during times like this, but in Marie's High, the workforce was more than enough. Any student caught pacing around the staff quarter this period, will warrant the cancellation of their result.

So no matter how eager students like me were to see their results, we prayed silently in our classrooms using our minds. We tried not to think about it too much by watching educational programs on our laptops. The carefree ones among us played truth or dare in the game room despite the numerous game facilities available there.  They really loved that game because it gave them the liberty to do what would have been "impossible" on a normal day.

Also, a few passionate members of the press team were displayed on the flat-screen TV in my homeroom, as they go into each homeroom with their recorders, and cameras to ask a few students who gave them an audience, about their experience in the just concluded test. A guy in front of me known for his revolution talk agreed to be interviewed and started making some useful points like bringing external bodies to conduct the test,(which many students protested against). 

Well, his words inspired me to say yes to an interview, but I became a bit intimated as the press girl walked up to me with her spotless face and straight smooth legs, asking me if I'd like to be interviewed by her.

Despite my fears and insecurity, I said yes to her. Although I didn't say much as I wanted, the few I said made a lot of sense to me!

A few minutes later, the announcer told everyone to leave their classrooms, or wherever they might be for the prize-giving program, which kicked off with the principal's mounting of the microphone, to thank us for putting our best in the test then a clapping ovation from the workforce and shouts of excitement from students filled the air.

When the noise in the hall died down, he started calling the names of those who had an outstanding performance in every class, and each subject. Rose got the award for Best in the English Language. Well, I envied her ability to combine both the oral and grammar aspect of the comprehensive subject. Loveboy also got an award for being the best in mathematics for his class while Cleo won the award for best in all art subjects and in the whole school as well. I was beyond envious of him.

For major art courses like Literature and Government, Michelle and I had the same score which was quite interesting, so we had to share the awards. But for the overall best in Arts subjects, I took the glory with just one score!

"Congratulations, dear", Grandma kissed my face several when I showed her the multiple awards I got andIndustrieselped the kids to bring in gifts from Dufil Industries, one of our school's sponsors.

"Thank you ma", My smile was endless.

"Grandma, I also got a giftGrandmaing the best in history", Gbemi showed grandma  her gift as well

"You're such a good girl!", She kissed her on the forehead as well.

"Grandma, I'm hurt. Do you now see me as a bad girl for not bringing any gift home?", Bola sounded hurt.

"Well, our area of specialization is different from each other", Grandma said to my utmost surprise." Let's see how you'll perform at the fashion fair".






Grandmareaky was able to convince Grandma to let Bola attend the school's fashion fair which he registered her for a week, while we observe our midterm break.

"I heard this indomie relish has a very big chicken inside. Is it true?" Tominwa asked, trying to open the carton of indomie relish noodles which was among our gifts, to confirm his speculations.

"You'll know when it's time", Grandma took the carton from him gently and hid it in the store which she planned on locking after all the gifts have been arranged inside. "Go and put off your school uniform. I cooked jollof rice with fried turkey and plantain for you guys".

"Yay!", The guys went to their rooms outfitted to change their outfits then they return to the living room in blue knickers and white polos. Grandmater, followed Grandma to get their plate of food in a tray and returned to eat while we kept sorting out the gifts. Because we were celebGrandmaa joyous occasion, grandma didn't bother them for eating in the living room

"There's a 99.9 percent chance of Nifemi doing this because she wants to remain in Marie's high. Rather than being straightforward, cutting corners is her hubby", Bola said, fully aware that her words wGrandmang to taunt Grandma.

A/N: Today's episode is called " THE SAFE" because like a samosttects mostly documents from being stolen or damaged, Nifemi prevented her siblings from failing their tests, by revising with them beforehand. Cleo also acted as safe to Nifemi because his affiliation with her prevented her from being bullied in the cafe. Hope you enjoyed .his chapter?😀😍 If you do, please drop a comment, below, vote and ensure to share this book with your loved ones. God bless you as you do so🤗

Yours teensfictionly,

Eniola Oluwamuyiwa.