CHAPTER SIX

"What's with you and the sour mood today?" Madi nudged Ivy.

They were seated in the cafeteria, having their lunch.

"And why're you picking your food? You used to love chicken kebab but you don't even seem to be interested in it today" Madi added, and Ivy just simply forced a smile.

"I don't have appetite for food today" she answered.

"Really? So you don't have the appetite for learning too?" Madison scoffed.

"What do you mean?" Ivy huffed.

"I noticed you in class today, you were not writing neither were you paying attention. You just seemed to be lost, Ivy what's the matter with you? This is so unlike you" Madi asked with concern.

"Like I said, it's nothing" she sighed tiredly.

"And you don't expect me to believe that, do you?" Madi huffed.

"She's dropping out of school!" Vina who had been quiet the whole time spoke up. And Madison quickly gasped and turned to Ivy.

"Ivy, is that true?" She swallowed.

"And how did you know about that? Coz I don't remember telling you anything" Ivy turned to Vina.

"Alvin told me about it" she simply responded.

"That big mouth" she mumbled.

"So it's really true Ivy, you're really dropping out of school" Madison said sounding so surprised.

"Yeah, I guess it is" she shrugged.

"But why in the world are you dropping out of school Ivy? You're one of the brightest student here in West High, so why the hell are you doing this?" Madison questioned.

"Really? So you think I would want to drop out of school, just like that, on my own. Come on girl! You of all people should know me, you should know how close I am with my books"

"I love my studies more than any other thing, and I would give up the world for it. And you really think l would take that decision on my own?" Ivy voiced out.

"So what's the reason Ivy? What's your reason for wanting to drop out of school?" Madi asked.

"You remember my grandmother right?" Ivy breathed.

"Yeah, the one who's down with diabetes" Madison responded quickly.

"Yeah she's seriously ill, her illness has gotten to the final stage, and it's costing my dad a lot of money. So I have to drop out of school coz he does not have the funds" Ivy explained.

"Awwn, that's so sad I'll miss you so much. How I wish there was a way I could reverse this, I would have done it" Vina said in a sad tone, feeling really concerned.

"It's okay Vina, I just pray she responds to treatment and gets back on her feet soon, maybe then I might be able to come back to school" she shrugged.

"This is not right Ivy. How would you sacrifice your education for that old lady, she's old already and deserves to die" Madison mumbled the last part.

"Madi!!!!!"

"What? It's not like I'm lying anyway" she rolled her eyes.

"You do realize It's my grannie we're talking about here"

"Hmpph, whatever!" She rolled her eyes again.

"But I'm going to miss school, I can't imagine myself staying away from school. What would I be doing at home" she sighed.

Madison looked at her and exhaled deeply before speaking.

"There's this new job opportunity that my dad's applying for, and If he gets it it's gonna be huge. The thing is I just pray I pass my scholarship exam, that way I can assist you. Instead of paying my fees, my dad could pay yours" Madi said trying to show concern, and Ivy stifled a laugh.

It took everything in her not to release that laugh. This isn't the time to laugh and argue, it isn't really the moment.

This is the same scholarship she's been striving for years now.

"It's okay Madi, I know you care about me, but trust me I'll be fine" she forced a smile.

"Waittttttt! I have an idea" Vina spoke up again for the second time, as her eyes lit up.

"Oh no, not again! Just forget about it" Ivy breathed tiredly.

"No Ivy you have to listen to me" she half yelled.

"Okay fine, let's hear it" Madi sighed.

"You talked about getting the scholarship and your dad assisting Ivy right?" She asked turning to Madison.

"Uhmm yeah" Madison answered carelessly.

"So instead of that, why not sit for the exams Ivy"

"What!!!!!!!"

"Yeah it's a scholarship exam right? Once you pass the examination you'll automatically become a student of Crestfield without paying a dime, think about it" she beamed.

"Oh no no no, that's a bad idea. What if I eventually pass the exam, what would happen next?" She asked and Vina huffed, eyeing her.

"No no no Vina, you of all people should know how much I hate Crestfield, in fact I detest that school" Ivy spat.

"Ivy you don't have to talk like this, this is not matter of what you like and don't like. This is about finishing your education, and that should be your top priority" Vina explained.

"And what gives you the confidence that she's gonna pass the examination?" Madi huffed.

"I'm sure she will, Ivy's one of our brightest student here in West High. She's very brilliant, and I'm positive she's gonna make it" Vina said with a bright smile.

"It's not about being the best in West High or whatever, it seems impossible to pass the exam, there are so many brilliant students around the country" Madison scoffed.

"It seems impossible yet you're aiming to get admitted into the school. Why does it seem to me like you're not happy about my idea, or don't you want Ivy to continue schooling?" Vina asked in a suspecting manner.

"It's not like I'm against the idea...Madi blinked.

"It's just that I don't wanna keep her hopes high" she added nervously.

"Hey you guys just forget about it, I'm not sitting for any scholarship exams. I hate Crestfield, and I don't wanna have anything to do with them" Ivy announced with finality.

"No don't say that, please just try it out and see how it goes" Vina pleaded.

"What's with you Davina! She said she's not interested, so please can you just let it slide"

Madi fired, and Vina quickly threw her a glare.

She's so sure that Madi's against this, she's just pretending to care. But she wouldn't give up.

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Alvin and Ivy were seated under the shade of the tree in their compound after school hours, Ivy was helping him out with his assignment, and they were having a little chat.

"Such a lazy boy, so you mean you couldn't figure out this easy question by yourself" Ivy huffed.

"It's not easy, and you know it, you're just tryna mock me coz you know better than I do" Alvin answered.

"Many at times you make me laugh Alvin. You know what? I just have this feeling that the whole students in Crestfield are dullards" she mocked.

"You're just thinking you know much when you know nothing. If you come over to Crestfield, I'm so sure you'll be among the categories of the dull students" Alvin fired, and Ivy laughed out really hard.

"So how then are you coping brother, what category do you belong? Coz I'm well aware that I'm much better than you are" she laughed again.

"And who told you that?" He huffed.

"Mr Alvin, one more word, and I'm gonna quit this assignment now. It was given to you not me" she warned.

"Whatever, just go on with it, my lips are sealed" he rolled his eyes, and Ivy gave a satisfactory smile before focusing back on the work.

"That reminds me Alvin, why did you tell Davina about me dropping out of school?" She asked after some minutes, suddenly remembering all that happened today.

"Oops! I thought she was your friend and you were gonna tell it later, so that was why I did. It makes no difference anyway" he shrugged.

"It does Alvin! I wasn't planning on telling them, I just wanted to leave and then maybe they'll get to find out on their own later"

"Really?"

"Yes, coz I knew they'll keep troubling my life till the day I leave that school" she explained.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I totally understand why you're talking about" he cooed.

And just then, Davina began walking into the compound. She was putting on a black mini skirt, and a pink sweater.

"Vina!!" Ivy exclaimed.

And vina smiled as she continued walking towards her, but soon paused when she noticed that Alvin was also there with her.

She's always loved Alvin ever since she even became friends with Ivy, she had always had a crush on him, and she still does.

Ivy knows about this, but Alvin doesn't. He only loved her as a friend and that was okay for her, coz she had no intentions of telling him how she feels about him. Not even in years from now.

When she got to know that Alvin had a girlfriend she felt sad and cheated, but couldn't do anything about it.

Ivy would have preferred her to Sophia, but who was she to choose for her brother. And so, she just simply let it be.

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"Hi Vina, how you doing?" Alvin greeted, immediately he saw her.

"I'm fine thank you" she blushed, as she dragged her feet to where they were, and took her seat close to Ivy.

There was no point in hiding or turning back, since Alvin's already seen her.

"So to what do I owe this visit?" Ivy asked, staring at her in a suspicious manner, and she smiled shyly, knowing where Ivy was driving at.

"No no, it's not that at all" Vina quickly rushed her.

"Then what?" Ivy smiled.

"I just came to check up on you, and find out if maybe you've changed your mind about the scholarship" she answered.

"What scholarship?" Alvin chipped in, and Ivy shut her eyes tightly, signally Davina not to say a word.

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