"Don't forget to write your name and ensure each page is well numbered" the invigilator instructed in his loud voice. Sound of rumpling papers filled the hall as they go through what they had written down.

A petite figure stood up, with her answer script in her hands, every eyes moved towards her direction and it took everything in her not to seat down.

Taking bold steps towards the external invigilator, the woman sized her up with her eyes before asking her the question that was on everyone's mind.

"Are you done?" She asked before peering down at her leather wrist watch before looking at her with a questioning gaze.

I used approximately one hour eighteen minutes to write the exam. I know i wrote well but the same time i need to get out of this hall cause i feel like I'm being suffocated.

She collected the answer scripts from me, I didn't wait for her next instruction knowing i have done everything she instructed, i walked towards the exit.

Stepping out of the hall, i let out a huge sigh. I thought the past few days were the worst while we did the exam in the laboratory but being in the exam hall with everyone was much harder.

I moved towards the direction of the girls dormitory, being empty is an added bonus, i don't know what i will do if i should meet anyone in my year there. I see them talking about me, although in hushed voices but i know...

I quickly climbed my bed immediately  I got into the room i shared with Theresa. My side of the room was so clean and well kept, she must have been taking care of it while I was away.

Pulling off the thick blazer and shoes, l laid sprawled on the bed, blinking at the white ceiling and i count from one to ten just like my shrink said i should do whenever i feel anxious or stressed out.

"I can do this... These people got nothing on me" i reassured myself of the fact that graduation is a few months away and i will never have to see their sick rich faces again.

Turning my face towards the wall, I gained control of my breathing. I felt for the tip of my short hair which was fast becoming an small puffy afro and i was almost tempted to cut it again.

I bit my lower lip in anguish when i remember the crestfallen look on my mother's face the day they came to check up on me. My uncle told them. My parents were furious and sad that such happened to me in school under the protection of my so called school and they were so hysteric that they even came up with the idea of me withdrawing from the school.

It was my uncle that saved the situation by telling them the effect it will have on my education if i should leave the school now. My dad said it was because he was not rich that was why they were trying to sweep the case under the carpet, my uncle assured him again that the culprit will be rightly punished for his crimes.

I haven't heard from Bro Martins but according to what Tega told me, he didn't take the news too well. Bro Martins was avoiding me, i know he was.

I hear the sound of the door opening but i acted as if no one has joined me in the room. Light footsteps was heard here and there as Theresa scent filled the air. She was definitely changing out of her uniform into her house wear.

"Omo T..." She called out but i said nothing refusing to look at her "are you up for lunch?"

My silence was unnerving as i hear her let out a sigh of frustration. My unresponsiveness to questions and words directed at me must be getting on every body's nerve. Don't they get it? I just want to write my exams and leave...

"I'm not leaving this room until you answer my question" she said adamantly but i said nothing like before. Not until something soft hit my head in a harsh manner making me gasp, turning around to glare at her only to be welcomed again with a fast and sharp swing of her pillow to my face.

"Hey! What's that for?!" I snapped at her in annoyance while glaring at the instrument of assault in her hands.

"I hate it when someone ignores me when I'm talking to them, i do the ignoring" she declared, looking pissed off .

"And what is my business with that?!" I gasped as she swinged it at my face again making me go dizzy for a moment.

"Don't get smarty mouth with me" she warned , i scowled and she repeated the action in a more scary manner.

"What do you want?" I succumb and she noticed this as she throws her pillow on her bed.

"Let's go get lunch, you haven't eaten all day" she commanded but i shook my head.

"I will pass.. "

"I can't hear you..." She sing sang going towards my closet before retrieving my house wear, i got flashbacks of that night which made me shudder. She noticed this but said nothing.

Laying it carefully on my bed, i shook my head at her but she ignored me.

"I'm not in the mood to go out there-"

"Get dressed Omotolani or i will get my pillow" she commanded.

****

Soon, i find myself trailing after her towards the cafeteria. I mentally cringed as the noises escaped from the slightly opened door.

I can't do this... Noticing my reluctancy as i slowed down, she gave me a side glanced before snatching up my hand in hers.

"You are not bailing on me" she grumbled, dragging me along.

I looked down as soon as we walked in, not looking up at anyone and I hear the noise die down a bit. As expected.

I mentally prayed that she doesn't take me to their table, i was mildly shocked when she brought me to a table which was occupied by Ejiro and Miriam.

When did these two start eating together?

Ejiro gave me a small pity smile which i didn't return while Miriam just stared at me in question as if asking what i was doing on their table.

Theresa excused herself, leaving me with the two, i started fidgeting as the noise returned but i can hear my name in the whispers as students from different classes steal glances my way while engaging in hot gossip over what happened.

"You look different" Miriam finally said causing me to look up in her direction as her strong voice compelled me to do so.

"Uhn... Thanks?" I muttered.

"It made you look smaller and younger."

I said nothing at that, i am not ready to engage in conversations just yet. Miriam don't seem to get this as she kept on dragging me into conversations i had no energy for.

A food tray containing jollof rice with a big lap of chicken and coke was placed in front of me. I look up to see Theresa settling down beside me with her own food tray.

I stare at her in question. She shouldn't be here... She should be at a particular table which i have been avoiding but here she was.

Sitting here also brings unwarranted attention that i am not even ready to deal with.

Slowly, i started eating as conversations resumed, it felt like nothing happened between us or no one was trying to address the elephant in the room.

I was taking a sip of my drink when i heard snickers behind me. Judging from the nasty looks of the people on the table me, i know it can't be good.

"If it isn't the self acclaimed queen of SJC who decided to grace us with her ungraceful presence" the familiar voice which was coated with everything sweet and poisonous made me suddenly lost my appetite.

"Celine... Shut up and get lost" Theresa stated calmly.

"Oh please Theresa... We all know she must have done something for Akeju to act that way... I mean what did he even see in her?" She taunts.

I felt something growing inside of me, it was rapid and hot and i felt it was going to explode soon. What it was, i don't know...

"Nnaji... Don't you have anything better to do than to taunt innocent people?" Miriam asked, looking quite interested in her answer.

"I'm saying the truth and you all know it... What's so special about her?" She asked adamantly and i did not know when i rose up with my bottle of coke in my hand, turning around to face one of my biggest fears.

The nasty, ugly face of Celine Nnaji which i want to deal with this afternoon. Her minions were no where in sight. Her mistake...

I still haven't forgiven her for what she did to my hair, how she and her friends bullied me so bad that i had to start questioning my mental state.

"You were saying something?" I asked.

"You heard me right. I'm sure you must have done something that provoked Akeju into acting that way. Why will he want to go down with someone like you?"

The scene had gathered attention as everyone in the hall was now sitted really quiet, anticipating our next move or statement.

"So you believe it was my fault that i almost got raped?" I asked before chuckling and i tell you, it's not in a happy way. "Well I'm glad you accepted that he did what he did" she rolled her eyes before opening her mouth again.

"It's not your first time considering what you did with KK" then a sick smile crept to her face with an evil twinkle in her eyes "oh... I forgot to inform you, Akorede and i hung out recently and it was fun"

I felt my hand unconsciously clench the poor bottle. I heard about the video that went live on Instagram. I shouldn't feel anything cause i cut ties with him but it hurts so much.

"And so?"

"Seems he got tired of your poor, deranged ass..."

"And you think you can fill in my position? Being the rebound and second choice?" I asked her with a smile on my face as i watched hers drop.

She moved closer towards me, right were i want her to be.

"You must be delusional if you think I'm the second choice, I had always been in his life before you came into the picture so the next time your pride gets the best of you thinking you were his first love... Just know it was all a farce and he will never go for a dirty, deranged girl like you whose family feeds off the rubbish of-"

It happened so fast that i actually thought my hand had a mind of its own as i threw the liquid content right into her face, causing her to gasp and shriek due to the gas of the liquid but her shriek was swallowed up into her throat when my fist buried itself on the surface of her cheek.

I could hear shouts and gasps fill everywhere but I'm too livid to care. I was actually looking for a way to let out my frustration and she kindly provided herself.

She wobbled like a fish out of water as she fell due to pain and shock. She tried steading her breath which was impossible due to the liquid in her nose and the throbbing of her cheek.

She stared up at me in shock and something akin to fright as i stood over her frame on the floor. Wiping her face while coughing hysterically.

"The next time you open that hole in your face to say something about my family? It is not only my fist that will make friends with your sorry excuse of a face... I will make sure you are forgotten like you never existed or attended this school" I threatened while she simply gaped at me just like everyone was looking at us.

I turn around, taking my seat before resuming my meal, ignoring the surprised look on everyone's face.

                            😮‍💨🙄😒

After the incident with Celine, a lot of students have been avoiding me. They were not willing to have an encounter with the new Omotolani Peters.

What they don't know was that she had always been there, buried and breathing hot coal like a sleeping dragon waiting for its day of resurrection.

The incidence had also been the talk of the whole school. I even saw some caricature of the incident. The artist made my fist bigger than my whole body, as it rammed into what was meant to be Celine's frightened disfigured face. Someone even called it Drown N' Punch.

She will know well not to approach me for some time.

I was in the hall not studying but just sitting and staring at nothing in particular but thankfully, no one bothered me. They all kept their distance after the afternoon drama, each studying me like a new creature they just discovered not knowing what it could do or the harm it could possibly cause.

I let out a loud yawn, while stretching on my seat before jumping in fright at the body which sat next to me.

Faramade gave me a sheepish smile which i didn't return. There goes my quiet time.

"What?"

"That's a brave thing you did back then, I'm so proud of you" he said warmly before patting my head like all these oppa I see in Korean movies do to the main girl.

"Why are you patting my head like a dog?" I asked as he takes his hand away.

"I thought you don't want anyone touching you. I'm respecting your boundaries" he said sounding truthful.

"It's not like i don't want anyone touching me, i just flinch and i get uncomfortable at the slightest unwelcome touch" I told him truthfully, he watched me again with those his mismatched eyes and i almost shuddered at the sight.

I can't give him what he wants... I'm not the girl for him ... I hope he realises this before it's too late.

"How are you?" He suddenly asked and i know it wasn't the casual one, it was the one that needed deep and intimate answers.

Sighing, i look up for a moment thinking of how to answer that, i shrugged before looking at him.

"I don't know... Sometimes I am okay, sometimes I just want this phase to end?" He nodded.

"You will be fine... You will gain back your happiness, i can assure you that" I nodded even though I don't believe half of what he said.

Suddenly he grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers. I look at him in surprise and confusion.

"What are you-"

"Incoming livid ex...hold still" I shook my head in a bid to pull away when i noticed a furious Akorede marching towards our direction but the pleading look in his eyes made me stay still.

I sat, breath held in anticipation as he stopped in front of us, glaring down at our conjoined hands which was on display for him to see.

"Can you excuse us? I want to talk to Shetemi" he asked politely but it was in no way polite.

"I'm afraid i can't do that, as you can see we are in a middle of a conversation" he said tightening his hold on my hand, he was the one doing the holding.

It doesn't feel right.

"Shetemi. Please we need to talk" he said and it felt like he was begging me to come with him.

"I said we are in-"

"I can speak for myself" I grumbled pulling my hand away from his. "And there is nothing to discuss with you" their faces fell at my statement.

I stood up, dusting the imaginary dust from my dress knowing my quiet time is over.

"I don't know what happened between you two..." I said pointing at the two boys staring at me "but you need to get your shit together... The bad blood between you two is chaotic"

I said before slipping away refusing to listen or wait for any of them.

****
"Shetemi! Please wait!"

Of course he wasn't going to listen to me, he chased down after my frame at the classroom block. I have never met someone as adamant and strong headed as him, doesn't he ever get tired?

"Leave me alone" I hasten my steps but it was to no avail as he caught up to me. I gasped as pulled me by my arm into a narrow spot between the class and the equipment room.

"What is your problem?! Are you-" my question was seized in my throat when his lips descended on mine. I stood in shock before acting on reflex.

My hand flew to his cheek which made him stagger a bit.

"What the hell is your problem?!" I screamed at him in anger while he rubbed his cheek.

"Sssshhh..." He shushed me with a single finger to my lip but out of annoyance i pushed it away. "I said I want to talk to you"

"What is it?" I asked folding my arms, he is not going to let me go not until i listen to him.

"What's going on between you and Faramade?" I gave him a look "I saw you two together and i know he has a thing for you... He made it very clear after my squabble with him"

"You two had a fight?" I knew something was up with those two. He simply turned his nose to the other side like the egoistic jerk he was "what we talked about is none of your business" his head snapped back towards my direction.

"Well it is. What crap was he saying about me?" I scoff shaking my head.

"Not everything is about you, how many times am i going to tell you that? Life doesn't revolve around you every time!"

He opened his mouth to probably counter my words but stopped, visibly swallowing.

"Is it about the video?" I groaned, trying to walk away but he won't just let me.

"Let go of me Akorede" I said through gritted teeth.

"Listen to me..." I shook my head "let me explain myself"

"You have no explanation to give me!"

"It's not what you-"

"What's going on there?" I close my eyes in annoyance and regret knowing i was in another trouble considering the compromising situation we are in.

Akorede was facing him while i hid my face from the voice that sounded like Mr Ubong.

"It's nothing sir" his voice sounded cold. I quickly pushed him off, only for my flustered appearance to come in contact with Mr Ubong surprised one.

He gave me a once over before turning to Akorede with wide eyes.

"What do you think you were doing? Do you want to get into trouble?" He asked him in particular like I wasn't there.

"There is nothing wrong sir"

"You know what's on ground and still you are holding her to the wall in that manner? Do you -"

"Nothing is going to happen sir" his sir was starting to sound like a joke "unlike some people, i have what is called self control..."

Haaa.....

I gaped at the two and i am sure i might disappeared due to the glares they were sending eachother. Okay... Time to really disappear...

What the hell was that?!

Just passing through 🚶🚶
Nobody should stone me o...

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