Second days are never as shiny. The bell rang like a tired warning, and Rudd dragged himself through the gate, more prepared than the day before, but already running on mental fumes. He hadn't slept much — too many thoughts, too much Scarlet.
He spotted Dayo instantly, balancing two meat pies and a bottle of water like a magician. "You're late," Dayo said, chewing already. "Scarlet was looking for you."
Rudd blinked. "She was?"
"Yeah. Said something about borrowing your Physics note since hers is... imperfect."
Rudd felt something tighten in his chest. Scarlet. Looking for him. "Where is she now?"
"Class. Probably glaring someone into silence."
True to prediction, Scarlet was at their seat, elbow-deep in a textbook. She glanced up once when he arrived.
"Morning."
"You needed my notes?"
"Yeah." She handed him her book. Two pages were smudged beyond saving. "My pen exploded mid-calculation."
He grinned. "Happens to the best of us."
She gave him a tiny smile. "I doubt you count as the best."
He ignored that. Their shoulders brushed as he opened his notebook for her. It felt less accidental than yesterday.
Classes went by, the usual blur of chalk on board and teachers struggling to get attention. But Rudd's attention kept drifting. To Scarlet. To the way she frowned when focused. To the way her leg bounced when she was anxious. Everything felt new.
Then third period came.
Gabriel walked into class again. No introduction. No smile. Just walked straight in, slow and confident. The teacher — Mr. Iyere — froze mid-sentence.
"Everyone out," Gabriel said.
Mr. Iyere gave him a questioning look. "I beg your pardon?"
Gabriel didn't answer him. He looked at the students instead. "Out. Now."
The class filtered outside slowly, confused murmurs trailing behind them. Rudd was halfway to the door when Gabriel said, "You too."
Rudd turned. "I didn't do anything."
"Did I say you did?"
Scarlet lingered at the door. Gabriel noticed.
"You too, miss perfection."
Her jaw tightened. But she left. Rudd gave Gabriel a long look before stepping outside.
Ten minutes passed. No one knew what had happened in there. Gabriel walked out alone, nodding to no one. The teacher returned with a stack of textbooks, looking irritated.
"Let's continue."
But the class didn't.
That day, rumors exploded.
Someone said Gabriel was collecting names — students who 'disrespected' him in JSS3. Others claimed he was trying to expose a cult group. A few said he had something against Scarlet specifically.
"He dated her cousin or something," a junior whispered during break. "And it ended badly."
Nobody knew anything for sure.
Scarlet didn't seem shaken, but Rudd noticed how she scanned the halls before walking.
That afternoon, both of them were called to the staff room.
They exchanged confused glances. "Did we do something?" Rudd asked.
Scarlet shrugged. "We're not that interesting."
Inside, the vice principal explained that their class had been selected for the inter-school quiz competition. Rudd and Scarlet had been chosen to represent them.
He tried not to smile. Scarlet tried not to frown.
"I don't really like group stuff," she muttered as they walked back to class.
"Well, lucky me. I'm barely a person."
She smirked. "Don't flatter yourself."
They met Dayo mid-aisle, who launched into a dramatic gasp. "They said you two are partners for the quiz! My ship is sailing!"
Scarlet didn't miss a beat. "Your ship is sinking."
"Tragic," Dayo said, clutching his chest.
They had to meet later that evening for an orientation. Just them and the supervising teacher, Ms. Aluko.
Ms. Aluko gave them a folder with past questions, then left early.
Scarlet stayed.
"You're not bad at this," she said after glancing through Rudd's workings.
"You sound shocked."
"I am."
He laughed. "And you? Always this mean, or do I just bring it out in you?"
She looked at him. "Both."
They worked side by side, comfortably silent for a while. It wasn't romantic. But it was something.
Later, as Rudd walked back toward the hostel, he passed the science lab and heard a voice.
Gabriel.
He was speaking to someone on the phone. His tone was low, hard to hear.
"No... I told you. Not yet. Let them feel safe. Especially her."
Rudd froze. His back pressed against the wall.
"Once the trial is over, we move. No traces. It has to look like a coincidence."
A chill ran down Rudd's spine.
He left quickly, not daring to make a sound.
He didn't know what Gabriel meant. Or who he was talking about.
But a horrible thought flickered.
Was Scarlet in danger?
Was he?