Chapter Thirteen

MICHAEL

"Sir, this is just five minutes past six. Are you sure you want to go to school this early?"

The both of us are the only ones seated in the Mercedes that he is currently driving to school. After I had gotten that brilliant idea, I knew I just had to put it into action as soon as possible so I can start today.

"Kunle, do you know when the principal comes to school? I need to talk to her."

He turns to look at me before returning his gaze to the road, "Sir, you do realize the principal isn't your secretary that you can talk to whenever you please."

I reply his statement with a glare and I make sure to stay that way until he sees me.

He clears his throat when he catches the look on my face, "I doubt she will be in school by this time." He responds instead.

"I'll just wait for her."

He glances at me again and I notice the questioning look on his face. He is probably thinking that I've gone crazy or something, going to school this early in the morning.

We arrive at the school and instead of parking at the entrance like he used to, he drives into the school compound.

"Since you aren't with your bodyguards and there is practically no one in school." He explains.

I nod as I unbuckle my seat belt, it's only when I'm about to get down from the car that I remember Dorcas is still asleep on my bed.

"Kunle, drive Dorcas to school or anywhere she wants when she is awake."

"Okay, sir." He watches as I get down from the car, then turns the car around and drives away, leaving me in the middle of the empty school compound.

I look up at the school building which looks intimidating in the dusk with the light from the street bulb illuminating it. I adjust my school bag and head for the last floor where our class is.

Femi had been the only one to call me yesterday to check up on me, I know Wole is still annoyed at me and Peter probably doesn't even care. I'm pretty sure none of them is in school yet.

I discover how wrong the last sentence is though when I arrive in our class and I meet Peter sitting with his legs raised on the table, a book in hand.

He doesn't even know someone entered the classroom as he is so engrossed in the book he is reading.

I clear my throat to announce my arrival and that's when he looks up, his eyebrow raising in question at my presence.

"What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that."

He gives me an 'are-you-for-real' look, "I've always been in school by six in the morning."

My eyes widen at his statement.

Really? He has always been in school that early?

Why?

The question is on the tip of my mouth but the word doesn't come out.

"So why are you here this early when you are still usually asleep by this time?" He asks instead.

"Not like it's any of your business but I have something to do." I retort, dropping my bag on my chair.

"What? Another plan to get close to Cynthia Williams?" He asks with a small smile and I freeze, eyeing him warily.

How does he know that? And why do I feel like he is mocking me?

I harden my expression, "It's still none of your business."

"Good luck." He shrugs.

I give him a hard glare, "Why are you suddenly talkative this morning?"

He responds with a light chuckle and turns the page of his book, ignoring my question.

Whatever. I can't stay in the same class with only him anyway.

I head to the principal's office which is locked and decide to wait outside for her. After a while of waiting, I remember Peter has the key to the office and I can sit inside to wait for her instead of standing outside like this, but I'd rather stand like this than have to request something from Peter.

I wait for almost thirty minutes, playing games on my phone to pass time and just when I'm getting tired of waiting, the principal appears in all her business suit glory.

She is walking down the corridor towards her office but suddenly stops when she gets nearer, probably because she has seen me. She eyes me wearily and for a moment, it looks like she is thinking of turning around. Before she can do that though, I quickly approach her with a wide smile on my face and offer to carry her bag for her.

She looks at me like I've grown two heads when I collect the bag from her and even gesture for her to walk in front of me but she says nothing. We walk back to her office and she asks me to bring the office key from her bag which I gladly do but she keeps looking at me warily, as if she doesn't believe I'm actually being obedient.

Michael seriously, you have to change.

We both step into her office and the memory of the last time I was in her office comes to mind. It was the time she had forced me to sign the undertaken and she had made it very known that she doesn't want to see me in her office for any reason again.

She sits behind her desk and intertwines her hand on it, looking like a shrewd businesswoman, "Bankole, why are you here?" She asks without wasting time.

Well, I kinda like this 'straight-to-the-point' approach.

"Ma'am, I promise I'm now a changed person. I don't get into fights again." I say, trying to get into her good books first.

She scoffs, "Coming from someone who beat someone to a pulp just yesterday."

My hand flies to my mouth in surprise. How does she know?

"You remember the undertaking you signed, right?"

My eyes widen at the mention of the undertaking and quickly give her a pleading look. I really can't afford getting suspended right now. 

"Let's just hope that matter doesn't get too out of hand and we will be able to settle it."

"Amen." I mutter quietly, earning a dead look from her.

"Why are you here, Bankole? I know you didn't wait outside my office to tell me that you are now a changed person."

Wow. My respect for this woman has just grown ten folds.

"Well, since you look really interested in finding out why I'm here-" I respond and also intertwine my hands on the table, leaning forward. "-I want to change classes."

She doesn't even seem surprised by my request and only states simply, "I'm sorry but that's not possible."

"Why is it not possible? I want to become a science student."

"You are a commercial student of the exclusive business class so it doesn't make sense that you want to become a science student when there is just less than three months for you to write your final exams and graduate."

Oh, I didn't think of that.

I give her my best winning smile, "Are you scared that I will not cope? Oya, I'll cope."

She rolls her eyes and pulls a file from under some documents, "Michael, don't let us waste our time this morning. It's not happening."

Now, we are on first name basis. Thank God.

I press my intertwined hands together in a form of pleading and give her a sulky look, "Please, you can give me a one month chance, if I don't improve in that one month you can return me to my class."

She glances up from the file with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you suddenly interested in becoming a science student?"

"I had a dream that I became a doctor."

"You are not well." She replies with a shake of her head. "Just get out Michael and stop wasting my time, morning assembly will begin soon."

I let out an exaggerated sigh and pout, "Maybe I should just call my dad so you can talk to him."

She doesn't look bothered by my words at all and continues to read through the file.

"No problem, I'll just call him." I say again, making a show of bringing out my phone from my pocket and dialing his number. Only, I can't bring myself to actually call him and she probably knows that too.

I drop my phone on the table with frustration and start to sniffle, I'm literally on the verge of tears and I'm really desperate.

I fall on my knees in front of her and beg, "Please na."

Not being able to apologize to her is one thing but when I'm at her mercy, I can plead from now till tomorrow and honestly, she's the only person who isn't fazed by my actions. I bet I'm also the only one who can act like this in front of her.

After begging for a while and practically wailing, she sighs and looks up at me.

"Fine, but I'm giving you just one month." She agrees and I jump up in happiness, almost going to give her a hug.

"Thank you ma." I bow in front of her instead and she rolls her eyes, muttering something along the line of 'look at the person that was crying'.

"Anyways, as soon as the assembly is over, go to the staff room and ask for Miss Adewale. She is the class teacher of the SS3 science class and she is going to add your name TEMPORARILY to the register and point out where you are going to sit, then...

I tune out the rest of her words when she mentions where I am going to sit.

Why didn't I think of that? It's a very important part of my plan because I need to sit next to Cynthia for it to really work.

I then realize it's not really difficult. I just have to get rid of her seat partner if she has one.

I blink repeatedly when I see that the principal isn't talking anymore but is now staring at me with a questioning look.

"Were you even listening?"

I nod immediately, "Of course! I'll meet the class teacher and tell her everything you said." I reply, heading out of her office.

"Thank you ma!" I shout as I exit her office and go right to Cynthia's class to find out where she sits and if she has a partner.

She probably doesn't know what's coming for her.

The day is already clear and bright when I leave the Principal's office and there are already students in school.

When I get to Cynthia's class, I see that some students are already present and even more surprisingly, I see John looking like a serious students with a textbook, pen and calculator in front of him.

Looking at him like this, one will think he is a good and kind person, a model student, one who can do no bad but I know that's all bullshit. He is far from being a good and kind person, he is a liar and cheater, a backstabber, a betrayer.

But I'm not here for him, I'm here to find Cynthia's seat and I discover that I don't even know where that is.

I look up and see that all the students are looking at me so I give them a smile, trying to seem polite.

"Can anyone tell me where Cynthia William's seat is?"

At the mention of Cynthia William, I notice John raise his head from the book to look at the person who is asking after her. I ignore him and follow the direction most of the students are pointing to and it brings me to the front of a short nerd who looks anxious that I'm standing in front of him.

I guess this will be easy.

"What's your name?"

He adjusts his glasses on his face and I notice his hand tremble, "T-tobi." He stammers and I smile.

"Tobi, let's talk outside." He looks so scared to stand up that I feel like I have to reassure him. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you if you listen to what I have to say to you."

His eyes bulge from beneath his glasses and I can see fear written in them. Maybe that wasn't really reassuring.

"Come on." I say, grabbing him by the arm when it seems like he won't move. He stands slowly from his chair and we head outside together. I can feel the eyes of the other students on the both of us and I'm sure they are all wondering what is going on, especially John.

I place Tobi against the wall by the entrance of the classroom and come to stand very close in front of him. He squirms at our proximity, clearly not comfortable but it is none of my business as he is exactly where I want him to be.

"So, I need you to do something for me." I state and he immediately nods. "You sit next to Cynthia, don't you?" He nods again. "Good. I want to sit next to Cynthia instead."

He starts to nod again but suddenly stops, a look of confusion on his face. "Wh-What do you m-mean?"

"I mean I want to be Cynthia's seat partner instead." He still looks puzzled so I lean towards him and proceed to whisper in his ear, "Don't let anyone know this but I'll be transferring to your class today."

I lean backwards to find a dazed expression on his face and I had to hold back my laughter.

God! This guy is funny.

"And you know I'll need a place to sit, right?" I continue and he nods. I mimic him by nodding too, "So what do you say? Will you find another seat willingly or do I have to make you find one?"

He quickly shakes his head, "I'll find one willingly."

I smile and raise my hand to pat his head but he cowers in fear so I drop it. "Thank you." I say instead.

He looks surprised that I thanked him but says nothing, looking away from me.

"You're free to go."

I expect him to dash away from me as fast as lightning but he only moves away from the wall slowly and carefully, his hands and legs visibly shaking.

Did I traumatize him?

I chuckle slightly as I watch him walk to the entrance, only to realize there's someone else standing by the entrance watching me.

I smirk at him, not in the least unnerved by the murderous glare he is giving me.

"What are you up to? And what's this about sitting next to Cynthia?" He asks.

I pat his shoulder and he glances down at my hand with disgust, "John. John. Don't concern yourself with my matter. Wole might have been easy to deal with but I am not."

He places his hand on mine to still it and smiles, "Anything involving Cynthia concerns me and you should do well to remember that." He says then pats me twice on my shoulder before turning back into the classroom.

I glare at his retreating back, feeling totally disgusted.

That bastard.

I remove my handkerchief from my pocket to clean where he had touched my hand because it felt like slime.

Just like how he is.

***

CYNTHIA

The next day, I'm unable to talk to Grace before the morning assembly. I only see her standing on the queue when we are halfway through the assembly. She sees me staring at her and I smile to greet her but she looks away, not acknowledging my smile. I know immediately that she is annoyed that I didn't return her call yesterday but she should understand that I wasn't just in the mood and I will still tell her at lunch anyways.

When we enter the class, and most of the class has settled down, I notice that Tobi, my seat partner is yet to arrive which is very unusual since when he is hardly ever absent from school, even when he isn't feeling well.

I glance around to confirm if he is really not in class only to find him sitting at the far-edge of the class, completely parallel to where I'm sitting. His head is buried in what is probably a textbook and I stare at him until he looks up to see the questioning look on my face and when he does, he looks away so fast it's almost funny.

Something is definitely wrong as he is acting weird. I stand up to meet him, determined to find out what it is and why he suddenly changed seats but I however don't make it far as our class teacher comes into the class.

That's another unusual thing as our class teacher seldom comes to the class in the morning on a normal day, she only comes after school to mark our attendance and that's if she doesn't feel like giving the work to the class captain. I rush back to my seat and so do the other students who are hanging around and the class becomes completely silent.

After the class greets her, she clears her throat.

"I have an announcement to make." She pauses. "We are having a new addition to the class."

The students exchange curious looks, even I am confused.

There's no way the principal will accept a transfer student to an SS3 class with just less than three months to our final exams.

Our class teacher continues, "He was once a student of the exclusive business class and now he seems to have changed his mind and would like to be a normal science student."

My confusion only grew bigger.

A student of the exclusive business class? Isn't that Michael and his friend's class? Does that mean one of them wants to join our class?

"Mr. Bankole, you can come inside the class now." She says and my eyes widen.

Mr. Bankole? Is that-?

My question is answered when he strolls leisurely into the class, his stupid cocky smile on his face.

"Introduce yourself." The teacher says and he raises an eyebrow. His lips twist in an amused sort of way.

"I feel slightly offended that you asked me to introduce myself, ma'am." He says to the teacher and she looks alarmingly at him. He smiles at her reaction before continuing, "But then it will be rude to not follow protocol so I will introduce myself."

Who the hell does he think he is?

"Hello, everybody. My name is Michael Bankole and starting from today, I'm a science student. I really hope to be treated well." He says and winks to an unsuspecting girl whose eyes almost pop out of its socket from widening so much that I roll my eyes.

"You may go to your seat." The class teacher says in a timid sort of way.

"Yeah, sure." He replies nonchalantly and I stare at him with disgust until I realize he is eyeing the empty seat next to me.

No! Never! That is not happening.

I glance at Tobi and silently plead for him to come back but he looks away, his attention on his book. When I realize that he isn't coming back, I remove my bag from my locker and place it on the seat. I try to look for something else to put there to make it look not empty and that's when I notice there is something else in the locker.

A package.

Before I can decide to bring it out and check it out, I realize Michael is now nearer to me and the sly smile on his face makes it obvious that he knows I don't want him to sit next to me and he is enjoying the fact that I can do nothing about it.

He finally gets to the seat beside me and removes my bag from it. He then slowly and painfully places his butt on the seat, chuckling at my expression that hopefully screams 'I-hate-you'.

It is funny how I told him just yesterday that I despise him for his shamelessness and here he is, still showing how shameless he is by becoming my seat partner all of a sudden. At this moment, there is nothing I won't give to disappear.

Or better still, make him disappear.

Forever.

"Michael Bankole?" An elderly female voice that doesn't belong to our class teacher calls out and I look up to see the principal in our classroom.

The principal hardly enters a classroom and she coming into one surely represents a big deal. The fact that she is calling Michael's name makes it an even bigger deal.

She isn't the only one who entered the class as there are three men with her and I immediately recognize one of them.

Frank's father.

This can't be good.

"Michael Bankole?" The principal calls again and Michael stands up from beside me. He doesn't seem bothered that the principal personally came into the class to call him but at least, there isn't any cocky smile on his face.

"Apparently, you have people who are looking for you." She sighs with a tired look and he gives her a confused look.

"You are coming with us to the police station." It is Frank's father who speaks this time and everyone in the class instantly begins to murmur.

Police station?! Wow!

"Cynthia Williams?" He calls out again, startling me.

That's my name.

"Cynthia Williams? As in me?" I point a finger at myself unsurely.

"Cynthia Williams?" He calls again with impatience and I slowly stand up, dread filling me.

"You are also coming with us."

***

Another chapter updated as promised ☺️.

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