The classroom felt strangely tense as everyone settled into their seats.
I could feel it the moment I stepped in.
Normally, the room buzzed with the usual noise—people talking, chairs scraping, the occasional laughter. But today there was a different kind of energy in the air. Curiosity.
Every few seconds, someone's eyes drifted toward the new boy sitting near the window. Including mine. He hadn't moved much since we walked in. His head was still lowered over the book he was reading, one hand resting calmly against the desk. From where I sat, I could see the reflection of the classroom lights on his glasses.
Amanda leaned slightly toward me.
"Do you think he's a genius or something?" she whispered.
Chris muttered from behind us, "Or a spy."
Daniel chuckled quietly.
Before anyone could speculate further, the classroom door opened.
Our Government teacher, Mr. Franklin Hart, walked in with his usual composed expression. He placed his books neatly on the table at the front of the class.
But before he could say anything, another voice came from the hallway.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hart."
Everyone turned.
Mrs. Matilda stepped into the room. The moment she appeared, the whispering stopped.
She gave the class her usual warm but firm smile.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma," we replied.
She gestured toward the boy sitting by the window.
"I believe you've all noticed we have a new student today."
Several heads turned immediately again—even though we had already been looking at him.
Mrs. Matilda continued.
"This is Ethan Cole. He recently transferred from Hillside Academy in Abuja, Nigeria."
A soft murmur spread through the room. Abuja?
Mrs. Matilda raised a hand slightly, and the murmuring faded.
"Ethan's parents relocated here recently due to work," she explained. "So he'll be completing the rest of the academic year with us at Briston High."
She looked toward him.
"Ethan, would you like to say a few words?"
The boy finally closed his book and stood up.
For the first time, I heard his voice.
"Good morning," he said calmly. "I'm Ethan."
His tone was simple, steady.
"I enjoy reading… and I hope to settle in well here."
Then he sat down again as if introductions were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Mrs. Matilda smiled.
"Alright then. I'll leave you in Mr. Hart's capable hands."
She turned and left the classroom.
Mr. Hart adjusted his glasses slightly.
"Well," he said, looking around the room, "since introductions are over, let us begin today's lesson."
He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the board.
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
He turned back to us.
"Who can tell me what a system of government is?"
The class was quiet for a moment.
Then Daniel raised his hand.
"Yes, Daniel."
"A system of government is the structure or method through which a country is governed," Daniel answered.
"Very good," Mr. Hart said. "That's correct."
He wrote on the board again.
> A system of government refers to the way political power is organized and exercised in a state.
He turned back to the class.
"Now, there are several types of systems of government. Can anyone name one?"
Chris raised his hand.
"Yes, Chris."
"Democracy."
"Excellent."
Mr. Hart wrote it down.
• Democracy
"Now," he continued, "who can explain what democracy means?"
Amanda raised her hand.
"Yes, Amanda."
"Democracy is a system where the people have the power to choose their leaders through elections."
"Very good."
He nodded approvingly.
"In democracy, sovereignty lies with the people."
He wrote another on the board.
• Monarchy
"Who knows this one?"
A student from the back answered.
"It's when a king or queen rules the country."
"Correct," Mr. Hart said.
"In a monarchy, power is held by a royal family, usually passed through inheritance."
He continued writing.
• Military Government
Chris whispered behind me, "Nigeria flashbacks."
I tried not to laugh.
Mr. Hart continued.
"This is when the armed forces take control of the government—usually through a coup."
He paused and scanned the room.
"Now I have a question."
He pointed his chalk slightly.
"What system of government does the United States practice?"
I raised my hand.
"Yes, Sharon."
"Democracy, sir."
"More specifically?" he asked.
I thought for a moment.
"Federal representative democracy."
"Excellent."
He smiled slightly.
"Now, let's make this interesting."
He crossed his arms.
"Which system of government do you think is most effective, and why?"
Immediately, hands went up across the room.
Chris spoke first.
"Democracy," he said. "Because people choose their leaders."
A student near the window disagreed.
"But democracy can still produce bad leaders."
Daniel added thoughtfully, "But it still gives citizens a voice."
Mr. Hart nodded.
"Good discussion."
Then something unexpected happened.
The new boy—Ethan—raised his hand.
The class turned again.
"Yes, Ethan?"
"I think the effectiveness of a system depends less on the system itself," he said calmly, "and more on how responsibly leaders and citizens behave within it."
The room went quiet.
Mr. Adewale smiled slowly.
"Very thoughtful answer."
I glanced at Daniel. He looked impressed.
The class continued like that for a while—questions, answers, debates. It felt more like a discussion than a lecture.
Eventually, the bell rang. Free period. Students began chatting again.
A few minutes later, someone appeared at the classroom door.
Mrs. Matilda.
"Sharon, Chris, Amanda, Daniel," she called.
We all stood up.
As we stepped into the hallway, we saw Mr. Matthews standing beside her. And someone else. Ethan.
He looked up from the notebook he was holding.
Mrs. Matilda smiled at us.
"Perfect. Everyone is here."
Mr. Matthews spoke next.
"As you know," he said, "the literature club teams are meant to have five members."
I felt my stomach tighten slightly.
Mrs. Matilda continued.
"After reviewing the new student's academic record—and speaking with him—we realized he has a strong interest in literature and writing."
Mr. Matthews nodded.
"Ethan participated in literary competitions in his previous school," he added.
Mrs. Matilda smiled.
"So we decided he would be the fifth and final member of your group."
For a moment, none of us spoke.
Then Chris grinned.
"Well… welcome to the chaos."
Amanda elbowed him lightly.
Daniel extended his hand toward Ethan.
"Nice to officially meet you."
Ethan shook his hand.
"Same here."
Chris followed.
"I'm Chris."
"Amanda."
"Daniel."
Finally, Ethan looked at me.
"And you're Sharon."
I nodded.
"Yeah."
He smiled slightly.
"I've heard about your poem presentation."
My face warmed a little.
"Thanks."
The bell rang again, echoing through the hallway.
Mrs. Matilda clapped her hands once.
"Alright, team. Back to class."
Mr. Matthews added with a small grin, "We expect great things from the five of you."
We turned and started walking back toward the classroom together.
Five people now. Five voices. And suddenly, the story I had written that morning felt even more real.