1 CHAPTER TWO......Marie's High School

CHAPTER TWO

Welcome to Marie's High School, kids", uncle B announces as we alight the car after facing the heck of traffic at the school's main gate. Anyway, I give kudos to MH traffic wardens for ensuring all cars stay in two lanes demarcated by cones, which enables all drivers to drive in at their appointed time, though it took long.

 "It's so big", Segun comments, showing more expression with his big eye balls as though he's never seen a building like this before.

 Uncle B locks the doors, and then leads us to the general reception. I can't lift my head up right now cause I feel everyone around is staring at me, well , I'm not to be blamed , we were no fewer than peanuts in my previous school ,so I'm having troubles dealing with a crowd this big. Oh God!!! , can I put up with this for three freaking years?

 "Good morning, welcome to Marie's High. How may I help you", the receptionist greets us with a smile showing cool dimples - which I'm a fan of. Obviously, I don't have it.

 "Hi, ma'am…." Uncle B responds.

 "Oh no, sir", she cuts in and laughs, almost making me blame God for not blessing me with those! 

"Miss Angela's fine by me. So are your kids old or new students?" She asks politely.

"Seriously I was actually thinking of asking you out on a date, but you just reminded me of my marital status. Thanks for making me feel old, ma'am", Uncle B jokes – or I hope he did, she laughs again - intimidating me more. "Well, they're new students and I'm their uncle", he then tells her.

 "OK", she checks our details on her computer. "They're so lucky to have you, and they are adorable too", she gives him a tab to sign for security purposes as she explains.

 "Oh, I'm flattered", uncle B smiles.

 "I'm sure you'll enjoy learning here. Just sit right there, my colleague will attend to you soon. Thanks", she points to a bench beside a nanny trying to pet a cute crying baby-a baby who's supposed to be lying on the mother's warm bosom presently. Well, it's the 21st century, so what do I expect?

 Shortly, a middle aged woman asks what kind of drink we want. Gbemi asks if the drinks are free, which is quite embarrassing, and she replies that it's a bonus for new students. However, she orders for a cappuccino. Segun and Tominwa do a "copycat", while Bola and I decline her offer maturely as Uncle B has done. He then receives a business call and leaves, after giving us each a hug and encouraging words.

 Few minutes later, a representative of the registration department takes the new students to the orientation hall after grouping us according to our educational level (elementary, junior and senior high school), so I was separated from my siblings, then we are being told the school's history, rules and regulations, vision and mission, clubs, uniform code etc. Thereafter, another representative of the tourism department takes us on a tour around the school with a book which makes it easy to remember the locations when we decide to return.

As I sit in the assembly hall after the tour, I watch students coming in from different entrances. At the stage, the school's band is all set with different instruments (piano, drums, guitar, and violin) with a Hey, let's unleash what we've got here look on their faces . Soon the lead singer, a fair and short girl sings the "Yesu almasiysa song ", and silencing murmuring students. Well, it's worth it cause she has an angelic voice supported by a good backup making me feel jealous, cause I've always wanted to be a chorister. What else is stopping me but shyness? Still, I must confess I doubted her at first but she exceeded my expectations. I don't want you guys to think I have a very good voice oo….. Lol, though it's not bad either.

 "Let's give it up one more time for Marie's high voices", a female prefect mounts the podium after the choristers sing the "Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord" song in the school's hymn book and leads the prayer session.

 "Good morning to you all. Firstly, I welcome all new students to Marie's High and everyone to a new term and session. Lastly, I appreciate the efforts of the management, staffs, prefect and fellow students in ensuring our standards remain unshaken. I pray the lord will give us the strength to keep up the good work", the school's president addresses us and we clap in return.

 "Now I call on Chidere Nwachukwu, the neatest student for the last session to anchor today's five minutes talk", the assembly prefect hands the microphone to him.

 As he starts, the "woo hoo" sound fills the air. He talks about cleanliness and gives on tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. After he left the podium, the school band returns to lead the national and school anthem with their pledges. Lastly my new principal starts his speech by thanking the almighty for the grace to witness another term and welcomes us to a new term, admonishing us to get ready for work, say no to bad conduct in and outside the school's premises. He lays more emphasis on what we were told in the orientation hall and dismisses us. Thereafter, we move to our classes.

 As I move into my new class room, thousands of eyes gaze at me. My small ears turn red, my willowy body frails as my dark glassy eyes read the unwelcoming expression on their faces. What am I supposed to do?

 From nowhere, I heard a cool voice singing, and the rest of the class joined in , this eased my tension. Whoever composed the lyrics of their welcome song did a great job, as well as the guy who rapped.

 The white walls in the class were designed with art paintings and portraits of great men and women in our society with their quotes some of which were Nelson Mandela, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Margaret Thatcher etc. A big projector also stood behind the white board which is opposite the teacher's desk and the remaining space in the air conditioned room accommodated the student's desks with lockers and chairs.

 "Tell us about you, miss", A scary looking teacher says.

 "I'm Oluwanifemi Adeoye. I hail from Abeokuta, Ogun state. It's nice meeting you all", I reply trying my best not to stutter, but I did eventually. Amidst the clapping and jeering up, I could still see lips ridiculing me. It wasn't a first time experience though, so I got over it quickly. "Hey, I'm Shola Majekodunmi", A girl with chirpy voice rises to give me a hug ,and offers me a seat close to her in the front row unexpectedly. I don't think I belong to any of their social class here to start with. "It's nice meeting you", I smile and we have our sits.

"Good morning. I welcome you to Marie's High school regardless of being an old or new student. Here in Marie's High, we have standards morally, academically and culturally which distinguishes us from other schools. You've heard it all from the principal. I'm just saying this on behalf of our late comers. If you want to be an official student of this prestigious school, you must be ready to use your energy and time to maintain the standard else you'll cease to be a part of us. We're not after the number but quality of students produced from this citadel. And here in SSS1 emerald class, we've been known, since I became its distinguished homeroom teacher, to uphold the standard. I'm sure you wouldn't want to create bad records for yourselves. I wish you all the best", our home room teacher says, walking to and fro the class then marks the attendance on his computer before leaving.

 While looking through my schedule for our first class, the tall fair guy who rapped the part earlier approaches me.

 "Baby, what's up?" he asks, sitting on my desk.

 "Hi", I reply to make a good first impression besides he looks like a gangster to me. On a normal day, talking to my mates especially guys is the last I would do, that's why people think I'm arrogant, which isn't true. I just enjoy being alone. Thanks to grandma.

 "I'm DJ Freaky, the most talented artiste in MH", He tries to impress me. Well, I don't know if complimenting him will be the best thing to do or keeping to myself, cause the last time I checked, I was never a type of girl that guys would love to impress. Still I wish I can tell him I'm different from other girls that aren't like me, that my education is all that matters to me, and that I don't mind people calling me a loner, but I hope he'll figure it out soon enough.

 "That's dope", I reply against my will just to hasten the conversation. He can be the president's son for all I care!

"So are you single?" He draws attention towards us which is what I hate most in the world. The only way I plan to make myself popular in school is being outstanding in our forth coming examination, yet I don't want to embarrass him in front of everyone. Wait, I can't believe I stooped so low to that kind of thought! He didn't ask me to be his girlfriend neither, am I ready to be anyone's ?.

"Yeah, I am, but I'm certainly not searching "I say humbly.

"What made you think I was gonna ask someone like you for a relationship? You're nothing compared to my girlfriend", His rude response makes everyone laugh at me. I should have known from the beginning that he's a bully. All he wanted to do pick on me - embarrass me. He had no intention of having a relationship with me or better still welcoming me to MH. Like any girl my age will feel, it hurts, but it's certain I'll get over it very soon.

Fortunately, Mrs. Adewummi didn't choose me to narrate the "How I spent my last holiday" session, in English class. There's no doubt I'll stutter if she did reason being I'm always scared of talking in public due to my shyness. I prefer writing my thoughts, besides I didn't enjoy the last holidays, so there's nothing to talk about. I can't even recall travelling since I was born!

 Anyway, I listen attentively to the chosen ones. One of them is Rose John. She talks about her vacation in Rome which included her visit to the Trevi fountain commonly known as the fountain of love, where she threw two coins hoping to return there someday, find love and meet an attractive Italian like the instructor said. She didn't throw the third one because she wasn't ready to buy a wedding dress which made every one laugh. She also visited the pantheon and Vatican museums. While narrating she projects video clips and pictures to make it more real and understandable to us. 

Shola Majekodunmi on the other hand tells us about bittersweet experiences in Abeokuta, her home town where her grand ma stays and her visit to the Olumo rock which is an historical place of the Egba people. According to her, the rock was said to have long served as a fortress and a rock of offense of Egba land since the 19th century. Its 137 meters in height above the sea level and a bit easier to climb than the Zuma rock which is725 meters. From the apex of the rock, one would be afforded a panoramic view of other tourists' location in Abeokuta like the first church of Nigeria, the central mosque, the river Ogun as well as the family hou-se of the late Moshood Abiola. Hotels within minutes' drive from the rock include Gateway Hotel and Olumo guest house.

I felt proud of her while she was saying those things and at the same time, I was jealous and sad that I didn't know the history of a place in my home town which grandma claims to be very close to grand pa's house.

 "Do you mind joining us to check out our new locker", Shola says after English class. I believe beyond unreasonable doubts she's being nice to me because I'm a new student but I'll enjoy in while it lasts. The last thing I'd wish for is having a female friend anyway.

"Yeah…sure", I follow her lead.

On our way, she introduces me to her friends. The first, Dolapo, is a new student like me, plump with an average height and dark while the other, Aisha, nick named "Jesus baby" by her friends, is slim, fair and short(the lead singer at the assembly hall). I could tell from their conversation that Dolly is more in vogue than others. Aisha is cool and reserved and Shola possesses both attitudes.

 "Hi, Rose. I'm so glad you enjoyed your vacation. It's been a while", Shola turns to Rose whose locker is beside hers. 

 Yeah but your face looks uglier. I almost couldn't recognize you", she flips her long chest nut hair and laugh with her squad.

"Don't tell me you're gonna die soon!" the second girl says. I can't believe someone could be so vulgar to say that to her fellow human, a class mate at that! I feel like slapping her right now. Wait, what if there's a reason behind it? I don't even care about the reasons. They were even mocking her. Why am I even so concerned about her? She's not a new student and it's obvious she knows their attitude yet she talked to them and received insults in return  .

"Rose, I don't mind getting a vacation treat to Rome from your dad. I can't wait to throw a coin in the fountain of love so D1 won't be able to keep his eyes from me", Shola replies excitedly, not a bit affected by the words that came out of their mouths.                                                               

"I'll advise you to stay home till you die. Your family no doubt can't afford flying your dead body back here besides I'm sure Chief John's not gonna waste on an unprofitable and shameful thing like that", the second girl scoffs. It's getting more serious than I thought.

" I did that once and Freaky's acting like he's just hasn't seen me. Even if you try it a million times, he can never fall for you. Anyways, I'll tell my dad about the trip, he does charity for poor people like you", she utters. Did I just hear Freaky? I shouldn't be surprised. Birds of the same feather...…. 

     "And you can try washing your head in the Ogun river, when you go there again", the third girl says and they leave.                                                                                                                                           

"Jesus baby or not, I wouldn't take insults from that rude girl", Aisha says.

 "Bitch is the right word", Dolly cuts in.

 "What's an insult compared to a trip in Rome?" she sways joyfully.

"It's about pride and dignity", Dolly replies.

"What do you think?" Shola turns to me.

"The way we view things differ" I tell her.

"You're the same with Esau in the bible who sold his birth right for a pot of porridge. End of discussion", concludes, Jesus baby.

Mr. Kunle, our new biology teacher, starts by explaining the topic outline for the term, and gives us assignments. He didn't even ask if we understood or not.

After the lesson, Shola and co. tried to force me into eating in the café but I didn't. The truth is I'll think people's gazes are fixed on me especially my mouth so I try as much as possible not to eat in a public place. Instead, I go to the library, which is as silent as a memorial park, to read. The books are arranged in shelves according to their subjects e.g. history, Mathematics, literature, accounts and others. There are also the novel, magazines, journals, CD's and other sections. Besides the shelves are chairs and tables for readers to sit and read on with water and drink dispensers nearby. The librarian moves around at intervals to ensure every where's noise free, cool, calm and every reader is satisfied.

I'm going  through the literature section, searching for something new to read since "Faceless" is meant for my personal study time at home when I heard a whisper, "This will crack you up". I turned and a giant built guy stood right close to me. I almost peed in my pants!

"I'm Timileyin Adeosun. It's nice meeting you", He says offering me a hand.

"Nifemi Adeoye", we shake hands and he gives me a play, "She stoops to conquer" by Oliver Goldsmith.

"This place's meant for reading, not discussing", the librarian with thick-lens glasses approaches us.

"I'm very sorry", we say in unison.

Timmy was right about the book. It's comic all through from the first scene when young Marlow mistook his father-in-law's house for an inn and treats him like an inn keeper all because of George Hastings, his fiancé's half-brother, how he mistook his fiancé, Miss Hardcastle for a maid, how miss Neville Constance and her lover took her jewelries from her Aunt, Mrs. Hardcastle who was planning a forceful marriage between her and George because of her inheritance (the jewelries). They were both planning an elopement with the jewelries but it ended up with Mrs. Hardcastle.

"Who's gonna answer my next question", Our Literature teacher, Mr. Yemi asks and almost everyone in the big class raises up their hand. If you think I'm part of them, you're wrong. True, it's the joy of every reader to answer questions and show off what they've read; I still have the phobia for not getting the correct answer.

"Hey there", he points towards Shola who was talking with some unknown girls at the back row.

"Yes sir", she answers shockingly probably because she didn't expect him to see her where she's seated considering the size of the class and afraid of what he'll do to her. I think it's a stigma on Shola to know people's attitude yet ignore it.

"What figure of speech was used in this expression- Freedom is slavery", he asks staring at her weirdly.

"Oxymoron", she answers confidently with a look that she's been bail of the crime that she's committed.

"Nifemi Adeoye, is that the right answer", he turns to me; aware that I won't stand yet I looked around waiting for someone else to talk. None did so I had to.

"Yes sir. You're in the position to decide the right answer, sir", I say trembling still humbly. I didn't want him to think I'm acting like I know more than him. Teachers generally say they want their students to know more than them and if they eventually do everyone, they feel hurt especially if the student acts rudely which invites cane which is not the best way to welcome a new student.

"I believe instructions from teachers to students are meant to be obeyed as well as questions, right or do you think I don't know it?" he smiles which isn't a good sign. I didn't want to disrespect him. Now, he thinks I'm a bad girl. There's no way that'll happen.

"I think its paradox", I actually said think so he'll know I'm not sure.

"Okay, girls", the right answer is...…"

Literature students out there, what do you think?