Chapter 15

I jumped on her and forcefully snatched my diary from her. The diary tore into pieces and we both scrambled for the paper. I took all the pieces together and hurriedly put it my bag and left the class.

Whew! I heaved a sigh of relief, that was close. I couldn't help but imagine what would happen if my secret got out.

We had home e.c class and social studies after Spanish. During social studies class, an announcement came from the principal that all final year students are to assemble in the hall for an emergency meeting. We all stood up immediately in a way that says "we hate social studies". I guess the feeling is mutual because the teacher did not seem reluctant to end the class.

Principal McAllister's secretary walked in so silently that she might have been a spy in her past life.

"All class representatives are to meet the principal in her office right now for a closed-door meeting with the teachers".

She announced and walked out of the room as silent as she walked in. She is about five foot four inches tall, with chestnut brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a nude pink knee-length skirt and long-sleeved white blouse.

"If principal McAllister was going to have a closed-door meeting with the class representatives, why did she have to give invite us all". Clara, Kim's second minion said.

"McAllister can be so dramatic at times".

"I agree with you". Monica said.

I was standing beside a burglar-proof window and I leaned on one of the bars for support. I took in the whole environment in one view. There seemed to be about two hundred students in the room. Turns out final year Art A has the least number of students in the whole final year classes Other classes should have at least thirty students each. I would wonder why this is so but I needed not to wander far. Final year Arts A is the most notorious class in the whole final year set and probably in the whole school.

"Hi am Reggie". I jerked and turned around to see who this Reggie guy is.

"I am so sorry to startle you".He said.

I looked at him like I wanted to swallow him. Oh my God, he is handsome. He was wearing his school uniform with his tie well knotted in place, and a neatly polished shoe. His uniform was well ironed and he looks like he just had his hair cut, and his accent? My God, I could bet he is South African. He pronounced his name with the "R" stressed and he talks calm and composed. Did I mention that a dimple shows on one side of his cheek when he talks and that he has gap teeth too and looks quite muscular? He could contest in a pageant for men and win.

"Hi am Reggie". He said again and extended his hands for a handshake. "Hi am single.....uhm.....no..... Barbara....babe...Bar....no.....arh...no....Marvel ...yes...Marvel". I babbled and shook his hands clumsily.

"What is wrong with me," I thought. I had never felt so embarrassed in my entire life until that day. My cheeks heated and I blushed.

"Reggie". A girl called from behind and walked towards us.

"Who is she?"The girl asked.

"She is a girl I just met. I think she is new, I have never seen her before. Her name is..."

"Barbara Marvel Jesus". I completed the sentence for him.

"Hi Barbara, I am Angie".

"Hi, Angie, nice to meet you".

"The pleasure is mine". She said and hugged me.

"So.....what class are you in?".

"We are both in science A"Reggie responded.

"Oh am in Arts A," I said.

"Kim's class".

"Tell me about it". I said dryly.

"So are you on the bad student side or the nerd side?". Reggie asked.

"What?".

"You see more than half the final year students are bad, it just happens that Kim's class is the worst. So students who are seriously minded here are referred to as nerds. Most of the nerds are basically in science A and B classes. The cool kids consist mainly of science D and C and Arts A and B classes". Angie explained.

"Am on the nerd side if you ask me".

We chatted on and on for a long time. For the first time since I resumed, I laughed with people I could really trust. People who are not trying to make me change who I am.people who gave me a sense of Deja Vu, a nostalgia for what used to be. For the first time, I found friends.

"Come let's introduce you to other friends". Angie said cheerfully.

Turns out I am going to have a memorable final year anyways.