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Lela's POV

  Suspension? Seriously, if this was a joke I think it should stop now.

  “You can't possibly mean that ma'am.” I stepped closer to the desk. “I was also injured ma'am, so I don't understand why I'm the only one going on a suspension!” I half yelled.

  “You better mind your tone Missy,” she snapped. “You should count yourself lucky that you are only being suspended for a week. I can't believe you fought, on your second week here?”

  “But ma'am....it was Edith's fault.” I cried.

  “I don't care whose fault it was!” she yelled. “Did you see what you did to her? How do you expect me to explain that to her parents?”

  'This wasn't fair. I'm also injured too.'

  “Please ma'am,” a tear rolled down my cheek. “Punish me in any other form but please, don't suspend me. I can't get a suspension in my second week here.”

  'I should rephrase that—I can't get a suspension at all.'

  She peered at me from her glasses and said, “you should have thought about that earlier. My decision has been made Lela, you may leave my office.” With that she looked down on the open files on her desk.

  I took two slow steps backwards, shocked at such a cruel decision. What would I tell my parents? I turned and motioned slowly, towards the door.

  “Lela?” I heard her call and my lips curved up in a smile and I twirled around to face her.

  “Yes ma'am?”

  'Please God, let her change her mind.'

  “I called your mom. She's on her way here, so don't bother on how to get home.” She said dryly without looking up from all the paperwork.

  Everything seemed to stop at that moment. The world seemed to be on slow motion and the buzzing of the air-con and the fast racing of my heart were the only sounds I could hear.

  'This couldn't get any worse. Someone please kill me.'

  I stood there with my mouth open. I couldn't find the right words to explain how I felt. I saw the principal's lips moving and she was staring at me, but it seemed like I was in a distant land and her voice sounded like indistinct echoes.

  “Lela!” The principal's indistinct calls became clearer and I looked into her eyes. She looked worried and I could tell that I had missed out on another thing she said. Anyways, whatever she had said was far from the least of my problems right now.

  I strolled towards the door, turned the knob and walked out of the office. I didn't even notice when I left the staff's block. Students walked past me, but I was in daze to notice anything happening around me.

  'My life was officially over.'

   Miss Clara had phoned mom, she must already know about the suspension. Oh God, this wasn't happening.

  “Lela?” I heard someone call and I flinched. I looked around me and wondered how I got to my classroom's block. “Lela.” The voice called again and I looked up the stairs and immediately a frown creased my face.

  “What do you want?” I said with gritted teeth and I hurried up the stairs, pushing past him, but he grabbed my arm.

  “What's going on? What did the principal say?”

  'God, this guy was the last person I wanted to see. Him and that Edith.'

  “Let go of me!” I jerked my arms and twirled around to face him, but I lost my balance and fell. No, I didn't. Well, I thought I did, but no. I opened my eyes to see Temi holding me in a firm grip.

  I pushed him away immediately almost loosing my balance again. Well, I didn't care if I fell, I just hated him, Edith, the principal, this whole school.

  “Easy Lela.” He held my hand.

  “I said let go of me! Haven't you done enough!” I  yelled in his face, fighting the urge to cry. He looked sorry and concerned but I didn't care.

  “I'm sorry that I pushed you Lela. I didn't mean it. But, what happened at the principal's office?”

  “Really now? So you care?” I scoffed.

  “Seriously Lela, I'm sorry. Now, please tell me what happened at the principal's office?” He tucked his hands in his pocket and stepped closer to me.

  “Well, thanks to you and your stupid girlfriend I got suspended!” I yelled in his face.

  “What?!” He gasped. “You are not being serious, are you?”

  “Would I joke about something like this?” I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Whatever, just get lost. I hate all of you!” I yelled and ran up the stairs.

  “Lela!” He hollered behind me,  but I ignored him.

  “Lela! What happened?” Judith asked when I sat in class. It was very noisy and I just wished they could all shut up. God,  I couldn't even her my self think. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore and it just rolled down my cheeks.

  “Lela, what's wrong?” I looked up to see Huoma. She had a worried expression and so did Judith.

  I remained silent and just cried. Judith moved closer to me and wrapped her hands around me.

  “What happened Lela? Please tell us.” Judith pleaded.

  I took in a deep breath and glanced from Judith to Huoma. “I got suspended.”

  “What?!” They said in unison. Their foreheads wrinkled and they gave me a pitiful look that made me cry some more.

  “I don't know what I'm going to do. Mom and dad would be so disappointed.” I used the back of my right palm to wipe my tears. “You know, they just told me we could stay here in Port Harcourt and now this. How am I going to face them?”

  “Judith handed her handkerchief to me, “it's okay Lela. Just calm down and everything will be fi—”

  “No! It isn't okay and nothing is going to be fine!” I half yelled, gaining the attention of the class. “So don't tell me to calm down. My mom and dad would be so mad.” I said, bringing my voice down a bit.

  “We did tell you that fighting Edith was a big mistake.” Huoma chipped in as she sat on the desk.

  I looked up at her and finally I asked the question that had been eating me up, “why? Why was it a big mistake? Why didn't Edith get a suspension as well?”

  “You see, Edith's parents are one of the school's benefactors.” Huoma answered.

  'I couldn't understand this. Anyone's parents could be benefactors.'

  “Edith's parents contribute a lot to the school more than any other benefactors.” Judith added.

  “Well, I don't think that's enough reason why myself alone should be suspended.” I retorted. “My parents can also be benefactors, anyone's parents can. Edith isn't the only one with rich parents.” I said and swung my locker open.

  “True. Then, think. If you were in Edith's position, what would your parents do?” Judith asked.

  “They'd probably want to sue the school and Edith, ” I said briskly, throwing my books into my backpack. Then, I realised what I had just said. “Oh.” I turned to look at Judith and Huoma. They were smiling but it didn't reach their eyes.

  “So you get the picture Lela.” Huoma said.

  “Yes, I do.” I said slowly and turned to look at them. “I wish I could turn back the hands of time though. Now, my mom is on her way here and I got a one week suspension.” 

  “Lela! Who's Lela here?” I glanced in the direction of the door to see a female student. Seeing that she didn't take any permission from the class, she must have been an SS3 student.

  I looked at Judith and Huoma with a worried  expression and we turned back in the direction of the door. I saw the class looking at me, probably wondering why I wasn't answering. The student noticed I and the girls looking at her and she asked, “are any of you Lela?”

  “I am. Who wants to know?” I said, slamming my locker.

  The girl shook her head and said, “whatever. The principal wants to see you.” She simply said and walked away.

  My heart skipped. “Okay girls,” I stood up swinging my backpack up from my desk. “See you after one week.” I forced a smile to my lips.

  “Group hug.” Judith said getting to her feet. We laughed and did the group hug.

  “It's almost the long break. Eat wild and have fun while I'm gone guys.” I said pulling away from the hug.

  “Stop talking like you are going to die jor.” Huoma said,  giving me a light slap on my arm and I smiled rubbing my arm.

  “That's right, you are not dying. Come on, we'll escort you to the principal's office.” Judith said pulling my hands.

  I slid my hand out of hers with a smile, “it's okay, I'll go by myself.” Judith and Huoma frowned. “Please guys.”

  They glanced at each other and said, “okay.” They gave me one more hug.

  “Bye guys.” I waved and walked out of the class.

  'I'm sure mom was here already, why else would she call me or did she change her mind?'

  I held my breath as I knocked on the principal's door. I could hear whispers from within the office. “Come in.” I heard the principal say.

  I turned the knob and the door creaked open due to how slow I pushed it. Immediately I entered the office I met mom's enraged eyes. They were boring holes into my skin and I felt a huge lump grow in my throat and I swallowed hard. Mom looked so disappointed in me.

  “You came in just in time, Lela.” Miss Clara said. “Your mom is here to pick you. It's good that you have your bag.”

'Jeez. It felt like I was being kicked out of school entirely.'

  “Thank you Miss Clara and I am truly sorry for all the trouble.” Mom said getting to her feet, she picked her black purse from the chair she was sitting. It was her favorite purse, the silver stones on it always shone brightly like the stars, lighting up the dark night. Perhaps, that's why I liked it so much, because it depicted the dark night and the stars.

  'I was in deep shit and I was thinking about a stupid purse?'

  “No problem Mrs Adams and I'm also sorry too, for all the inconvenience.”

  Mom faked a smile, “can I see the girl who is wounded?”

  'Hellooo, I'm also wounded.'

  “Of course, I'll take you to the sickbay.” Miss Clara said, stepping out of the office first, then mom's phone rang.

  “Hello..” Mom said into the phone then, she said something about being on her way. “I'm so sorry,” mom turned to look at Miss Clara. “I have to get going now. I'm really late for an important appointment.” Mom tossed her phone into her purse.

  “It's no trouble Mrs. Adams. You just go.” Miss Clara said with a small smile.

  “Thank you Miss Clara. Please apologize on my behalf to the girl's parents.” Mom said with empathy. “If there's any trouble with the girl's parents, please give me a call.”

  “I will.” Miss Clara smiled as she led us out of the office.

  “I am so disappointed in you, Lela,” mom scolded me as we strolled towards the car and I bowed my head, afraid to look at her. “Fighting? You almost killed someone.”

  “But mom, I didn't do anything.” I cried.

  “Just shut up now! I've had enough of your childishness. Just wait till your father hears about this.”

  'Dad, that's right. Why was all this happening to me?'

  “Please don't tell dad mom.” I pleaded and mom stopped walking. She turned to glare at me.

  “And, what should I tell him when he sees you at home for a week?”

  'Okay, I didn't think about that.'

  “Please mom, just figure out something, please.”

  Mom gasped, “I can't believe you Lela. You'll have to bear the consequences of your actions dear, I'm sorry.” She jerked the car's door open and said, “now, please get into the car.”

  I didn't realize that we had reached the car already, I heaved a sigh and dragged myself to the car. I glanced around the school before opening the door and my eyes stumbled on someone.

  'Temi?'

  He had his hands in his pocket and he was staring at me. He had a sorry expression. Well, that can't help me now, can it? I shook my head and got into the car and mom drove out of the parking lot. I could still see him standing there from the rearview mirror, but slowly he became vague as mom covered more distance and finally, she drove out of the school.

  'One week of suspension was just the beginning, I wonder what mom and dad would do to me.'

A/N

Heyyy. Okay, I am on my knees begging. Please don't kill me. It took so long to update and I'm sorry. It's just that I have a lot going on, but hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. You know what, just tell me your thoughts in the comments and any other thing you have to say to me.

I missed you guys and so did Temi and Lela. I'll try to update soon lovelies.

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With love, Anna💜