_Joshua Clyde clinton_
"Dude, that was really cruel. You know," Simi said as we walked into the hall together, my parents were yet to come and Simi was going home on his own so we still had a little time to chat.
"What did i do wrong," I feigned innocence.
"You know what you did was wrong, you intentionally asked for her score to humiliate her," simi replied. I looked at him and saw that he was a little annoyed, then i remembered that he liked her.
I chuckled, "i didn't do that for fun, Simi. I just had to put her in her place," he sighed, closing his eyes.
"Fatima might be selfish and rude but you still shouldn't have done that," He countered.
"If someone doesn't do it then she will keep walking all over us, she thinks she is better than everyone so someone had to prove her wrong. I had to do it and again i didn't do it for fun." I said with a tone of finality.
Mum stopped the car in front of us, "good afternoon ma," Simi politely greeted, mum smiled urging us to get into the car, "mum, this is Simi and this is my mom." I introduced the two. "Seems you've surrounded yourself with handsome friends," simi giggled, he had turned into a sweet gentle boy which i felt was impossible knowing his personality.
* * *
The gates of our estate opened slowly, mom drove the car in and we walked to the house, my headphones boomed with music as silence reigned between me and mom.
Entering the house, i went straight to my bedroom feeling dejected, collapsing on my bed with my eyes closed, "is there something that i should know about," I could swear that i didn't hear the door open.
"Nothing," mom chuckled walking in fully to sit on the bed, "i gave birth to you so i can read you like a book," Sighing i sat up staring at her in the eyes.
"I did something bad," I whispered, mom's hand on mine as sje urged me to speak, "the girl that i told you about, i humiliated her. We had this test and hers were extremely low and I just had to ask," The words flowed out of my mouth.
Mom said nothing, her shoulders slumped in disappointment, "i didn't teach you that way but since you have acknowledged your mistakes, you should apologize," i nodded my head embracing her.
∆ ∆ ∆
The fourth and final continuous assessment for students in castella was in the form of projects and practical, it was an initiative by the school to engage everyone in other activities that would help boost our grades.
Except for commercial students.
They still had to do written tests because there was no practical aspect in their field of study, we had chemistry and biology practicals and for arts students, their tests were in two forms, visual arts and drama. We were having chemistry class when the bell rang, indicating a change in period.
"Before i forget...." Mrs Tina, our chemistry teacher started.
The class was filled with whispers, Mrs Tina was known to be notorious when it comes to her subject, "quiet down everybody, time is far spent and you are having another period. So let's get done with this," She added picking the notebook on her desk.
My eyes unconsciously moved to Fatima's table, she had her head placed on her locker completely zoned out from what was going on in class.
"Your names have been pasted on the door, you will see it when you leave the class. The practical is due in two weeks and you know what to do so.... " she finished picking up her things.
"Class dimissed," everyone rushed to the door to check who their partner was, i patiently waited for the crowd to disperse, i honestly didn't want clustered up with sweaty bodies and different poignant smells, soon the crowd at the door had walked away, i stood up to check my name.
I gasped in shock, my partner was....
"Well you are in luck," I said to the girl in front of me with my hands in my pocket, my gaze meeting with her black orbs.
"We are partners," i smiled easing the awkward atmosphere. I watched her frantically rushing to the door and going through the list, i was amused, i inwardly facepalmed myself, we were arch enemies forced to work together; great.
I held her hand and i suddenly felt a jolt through my body, her hands were so soft and fragile, i shook my head to bring back my mind from wherever it had run to.
I took out my pen and quickly scribbled my number in it, she looked at me puzzled, "what do i need it for," she snapped.
We were supposed to have biology at the moment but we didn't care, we were the only ones in the laboratory, we weren't going to be punished anyway.
"You will need it to communicate about the project and i am sorry for humiliating you like that," I softly said staring at her straight in the eyes.
"I would also need your number," i said, her piercing gaze bore holes into mine with brows raised, i shook my head passing her my pen and stretching my palm out. She frowned immediately, "i will call you, you don't need to have my number," she eyed me before walking away.
I sighed following behind as we made our way to the class, Mr Jim was already in class, he stopped writing on the board and faced us, i was unbothered by his stares.
"Why are you so late to class," he scowled turning to face Fatima.
"Sir..." She stuttered looking for an explanation.
"Sir, it is all my fault," I simply said looking back at Mr Jim who waved us off.