Even the sweet melodies of the birds outside had to stop. With the birds most likely flown away, so they wouldn't get deafened by the incessant off-key singing of some random human. Well, that human was no other than James Da-Silva, who was having a mini concert as he bathed furiously.

The whole room was immediately filled with sweet scented bath bombs, as he stepped out of his ensuite, still singing passionately even though it wasn't pleasant to the ear. His mom and sister and every other person around him were already tired of telling him to quit singing. Or at least get better. But James wouldn't. 

He dragged his white towel, all over his face and gently on his head, so as not to roughen up his curls. He just had them done. James was light skinned, average heighted, and what the girls admired the most about him is peach coloured lips. Well, not many girls, one should add. 

And amidst the slight handsomeness, was a topnotch master of mischief. He and his best friend, were the king of anonymous pranks in school. Pranks were never traced back to them, but every student in school, always had the feeling that they were behind it.

He was about grabbing his maroon blazer uniform when his phone rang. He dashed to his messy table and looked at the screen. It was his best friend, Ayo. The corner of his mouth lifted and then he picked up.

"What are we going to do about your tardiness, guy?" Ayo's first words busted out of the phone speakers.

"Guy, I didn't know what happened." James thought of a reason. "I think I overslept."

"That's what you always say." Ayo bit back immediately. "I've already set the prank in motion o. I can't wait anymore. First period is about to start." He delivered.

"Dude. Why can't you wait for me? I'm almost at school." He lied. 

On hearing that, he put his phone on loudspeaker, as he shuffled for his uniform and shoes.

"I already set the trap bro. Besides, this is more of a personal thing."

"Oh yeah?" James said out loud, as he laced his shoe. "Wait, on who?"

"That evil teacher." Ayo snarled.

James simpered, as he thought back to the numbers of teachers, Ayo hated. But narrowing it down to the ones who had recently pissed Ayo off, he took a guess.

"Mr. Ben?" He said, and paused to hear a reply.

"Yeah." Ayo replied.

"God." James laughed even harder, jaw gone slacked. He stood tall to scan his room for his backpack. He sighted it far off on his overflowed laundry basket and went for it.

"Uh, I gotta run, guy. And whatever it is that you've planned, it's gotta be epic." James grabbed his bag and reached for his phone.

"Just be here on time to see it," Ayo suggested, and then hung up the phone.

James stuffed his phone in his pocket and then hurried out of his room.

He only had to bolt down a few stairs before he landed in the living room. 

He scanned the whole area, in search of his sister, or his mom. There was some leftover coffee on the table. The TV was still on, with a newscaster boldy shown on the screen. His mother probably forgot to turn it off. Speaking of, he wheeled around to scan the dining area for his mom. But to his surprise his mother was already at the door, about to head out.

His eyes went wide, with the thought of his mother leaving him.

"God saved you! You know one day I promised you, you'll take a bike to school. That day is sooner than you think." His mom scolded, eyes burning with impatience, and a very serious expression on her face.

"I'm sorry, mom," James apologised as he propelled himself to catch up with his mom. 

He stepped out of the house after her, and shut the door behind him. It was obvious that James was the only one who had always made the whole family late.

In no time, his mom was already in their black hatchback, and had already ignited it. 

James plummeted down the short stairs, getting soaked with the fresh morning air and the balmy smell that came with it. Before his mother could change gears, he pulled open the door to the backseat, and hopped in.

"You can't even tell me mommy was already leaving?" James glared at Lisa, pupils flared, as he took off his bag, and put on the seat belt.

His sister only glared back, jaws clenched, not saying a word. Then she faced her phone, with all seriousness.

Her maroon blazers, and pleated skirt, looked like they never wrinkled on her slender frame, from where she sat. Her hair was made into a neat plait, and she had a slightly arched eyebrow, just like James.

James paid her no mind, and settled down into his seat as his mom drove them to school, on the highways of Ibadan.

Cars were speeding past, as expected, though his mom wasn't. She was moving at a moderate speed. The streetlights were still on, even though the sun had begun to peek behind the clouds. There were tall and moderate height buildings dotted by the side of the road. People going about their businesses, with the roadsides looking as busy as can be. Big billboards coming into view every passing minute with different commercials to bear. Road safety officials at their designated points. The view, without doubt, was quite vivid and arresting but cut short when his mom had to make a slow right turn.

They had already reached their destination, as the huge logo of The Concord School came to view. 

The gates were opened up immediately, and their mom drove in carefully all the way to their parking lot. As she turned off the ignition, she looked back to give her kids one more assessment.

"Alright kids, have a great day at school today." She said to them, her mouth curved into a smile.

"Sure mom." Lisa answered simply and reached for the door handle.

"Have a great day too mom," James responded, with the corners of his mouth turned up and then stepped out of the car.

There was no time to waste, so James and Lisa both crossed to the other side, and darted straight ahead to the school's transparent glass doors.

As they moved, they could hear their mom drive out of the school's parking lot.