_Fatima Omolade Babatunde_
Immediately we got out of the class, Ada attacked me, "what did you think you were doing," she was a few months older and she excluded that intensity.
"I gave him a piece of my mind, that's all," I said rolling my eyes, her eyes shooting daggers, "he is a new student for crying out loud and what did he do to deserve to warrant such attitude". She asked, "he was mocking me in front of everyone telling them that he was better than me," I blurted. Ada stopped abruptly staring at me like i had grown another head, "he doesn't even know you so why would je tell them that, say the truth," she yelled snapping her fingers warning me to start talking.
"Well he didn't say it like that, he said he had been an straight A student and hopes to continue here," i yelled at her, my veins almost popping out with the intensity.
"So, what's bad about that, " She asked raising her brows.
"It has always been me," I whispered, my voice dropping with each sentence I made.
"Fatima, there is room for everyone and you know that," She softly pointed out, i tuned her out, i wasn't listening at all. What i wanted was to be the best in my set and the entire school must know about who Fatima Babatunde was.
"I don't want to talk about it, i am hungry," I interrupted her pulling her to the school cafeteria.
∆ ∆
_ Joshua Clyde Clinton_
What an attitude! I thought as i made my way to the cafeteria, i couldn't stop thinking about the exchange between fatima and i, how can a person be so selfish because no one had been able to beat her record.
Like i told her earlier, i didn't have a problem with her but if she was going to do this stupid rivalry then i would beat her in her own game, this had to be the stupid rivalry i had with anyone but it seems she won't change and she needs to learn that she can't have everything.
I met Simi at the cafeteria, "hey," I said tapping him on the shoulders, "your school fees has covered your lunch meals, let's get something to eat so i can introduce you to the squad," Pushing my wallet into my blazer's pocket, i followed him standing in line to get my lunch and can i say amazing. I was expecting to pay for my lunch just like we do back in abuja but i was forgetting something, castella was different from Malevich.
I got stir fry spaghetti with assorted meat and pepsi, my eyes taking in the beauty of the cafeteria, simi nudged me as i finally paid attention to the table simi and i had stopped at. "guys," Simi said, it was a long table with long chairs at both sides and the chairs had people on them, four guys as simi led me to sit beside him.
"Simi, would you like to do the introduction," a slightly light skinned boy with a tousled dark brown hair falling over his eyes said.
"Don't mind if i do," Simi looked at me and smiled then face everyone, "guys, i'd like you to meet Joshua. He is new here," he then faced me. "Joshua, these are the 'guys'," he made the air quotes with his fingers, "hi joshua, as the dude has said. .my name is Sochimachukwu but you can call me chima and welcome to our boring school, " he stretched his hand gesturing to the building.
"Do you guys call this school boring," I stated with a smile.
"It is a tradition, we tell every new student that the school is boring and by the end of the day, with all the activities and drama they find out it's not boring, " the other boy spoke and i nodded in understanding.
"Oh, i get the irony now," I stated nodding my head.
"I'm Chuibuike by the way," the boy introduced himself before slapping the other boy on his back, "and this mute fellow...".
"Haha, i am not mute," he spoke up for the first time since i got to this table, "then talk like a normal person, you are so weird sometimes," Chuibuike rolled his eyes.
"We are not supposed to talk why eating but you are too dumb to know that," he snapped, he looked at me and smiled. "I am Paul, the most mature one in the group," he bragged, "tsk," Chuibuike scoffed. Me and the others laughed at their banters, i picked up my fork savoring the sweetness of the delicacy in front of me when someone tapped me from behind, it was the girl from earlier, Fatima's friend. "Hi, can i talk to you," I frowned getting up regardless, was she here to support her friend then she left me no choice, "if you are going to support your friend then don't bother," The words left my lips shocking her.
"I came to apologize on behalf of fatima," I had to say she had a good friend, my lips curve up in a smile, "it's alright, i thought otherwise," She chuckled stretching her hand for a shake, "i'm adaora, we will see around". i shook her hand, her hand was so soft that any cut would destroy it, i smiled nodding my head, i watched her walk away till i couldn't see her again, "you have got to be kidding me. You jus came and you have the whole castella's girls attention," Chuibuike said teasingly.
"Ohh please, she just came to apologize on behalf of her friend and that's all," i don't think i am ready to jump into a relationship after my rocky past, the guys laughed.
I got to know that Sochima was in art class while Chuibuike was in commercial and paul in science, the bell rang and lunch break was over, "i have to go, i have literature class," Chima said putting his phone into his pocket, waving his hand he walked off.
School was finally over, i was so tired and hungry, first day of school was hectic, "i can't wait to hit my head on my pillow," paul said, we were both sitting in class, "i don't know what you did to Fatima that she wants to kill you with her eyes".
He added, i chuckled honestly i didn't think she would be so childish, "if i told you nothing. Would you believe me," I ran my hands over my face, Paul giggled talking about how we could turn out to be a couple.
My mom walked in through the door, "hey sweetie," she hugged me planting a kiss on my cheek, "i have been looking everywhere for you. I'm sorry for coming late, i had to finish some things at work".
"It's okay mom, paul kept me company, " i nudged paul in the side, he had been staring at mom since she walked in, i wouldn't blame him though, the woman was pretty for her own good. "Hello love," mum smiled at Paul, Paul suddenly turned slightly red because of his complexion as he pushed up his glasses. "Good afternoon ma," he bowed his head slightly.
"How are you?"
"Fine, ma". He replied, mum offered to drop paul off since his house was close to our estate, as we walked to the car, mum was in front while paul and i walked behind her.
"Your mom is so beautiful," he said, his smile widened.
"Thanks but that's my mom. That's a no-no," I teased.
He elbowed me in the side and i laughed moving forward to catch up with mom.
* * *
Soon we got home and i went to my room, it was only mom and i at home since dad was still at work, my thoughts trailed off to the events at school and i chuckled.
Pulling out my phone, i opened facebook and searched for the name 'Fatima babatunde', i wanted to know more about her, i convinced myself that i wasn't a stalker. I found her account easily, her pictures were not something that could be missed, i went through her profile, there was tons of photos representing castella in competitions and photos of her, Ada and another girl.
A knock on the door interrupted me, i quickly threw my phone underneath my pillow, pushing open the door, mom's head popped in with a smile playing on her lips.
"Sweetie, i need your help to prepare dinner, " She stated.
"Alright mum, i would be down in a minute," she nodded and left.
I got down to the kitchen and started helping mum make dinner, we were having jollof rice for lunch and amala for dinner, she had gotten so good in cooking traditional Nigerian dishes. "So tell me about school today," Mom said.
I decided to tell her about Fatima and her rivalry, i need an adult advice, "school was uneventful and fun, there is also this girl. Fatima who hates my gut because she feels threatened that i might take her spot as the best in the set which i actually might, " her face pulled into a grimace.
A frown on her face, "that does warrant her hating my baby," I chuckled, "she might be a sweet kid underneath those insecurities if you get to know her," She added and i made up my mind there, i was going to know her more before judging.