THE LOCKER

We all alight from the train and walk towards the majestic building that is our school's main block. I see clusters of students chatting with one another, and some activating the education mode on their AI devices.

I do the same for Harry. My iPad and smartwatch beep when I do. I love that sound—it gives me a sense of control. Originally, Nigerians were sceptical about artificial intelligence. But we embraced it when AI helped us to manage the near-desolation state we have found ourselves in.
We're still very far off from the point of Strong AI so there's nothing to worry about, yet.

At the entrance, we have to swipe our student ID card at a device that the security guard thrusts forward.
Things have got so bad that there are security threats to schools and organizations.
Several terrorist sects much worse than the Boko Haram we've heard of in history have done their share of havoc on this country. It's a big miracle that despite it all, the country has not erupted in a flame of war.

There are monitoring CCTVs and audio speakers installed at corners in the ceiling and they change position automatically every 24 hours. I and Owen have made it a habit to spot every one of them just for fun.

Today, at the interlinking corridor that acts like a funnel through which we travel to the locker room, my eyes see 5 CCTVs in less than 30 seconds.
Owen wasn't as fast. I pump my fist in glee when I beat him to it while he just tells me I just got lucky today because it's my birthday.

Oscar and Owen head for the male sector of the locker room to drop their stuff and get their books for classes. Cordelia and I march to our respective lockers as well.

As I walk, I notice a few students glancing at their iPads and then at me with an inscrutable expression. It's like part 2 of the train episode. I wonder what it is this time around. I have an urge to check the school's gossip blog, but I resist the temptation.

Each student's locker is customised to their taste. The school authorities claim this is a way to promote diversity and individuality among the students. This makes the locker room quite a display room with all sorts of colourful things pasted on the lockers. Here in the female sector, there are things like astrology, fairy, and horror stickers. Just by looking at a locker, you can guess the owner's personalities.

Red stickers of cross symbols dot my locker's exterior.
Most people think it's because my mom's a nurse with the Red Cross Society that I have fancy Red Cross stickers both outside and inside my locker. I might have also mentioned that I want to
So, I don't get ostracized for being a religious nut.

My faith is my treasure. Though, ever since the nightmares began, I had been having this nudge to tell my schoolmates about the true saviour I'm scared. You should see how they speak badly of the small group of Christians who defy the government by publicly proclaiming their faith.

Dart whimpers and I jolt, suddenly remembering I have acquired a new companion not too long ago. Great! Where do I keep Dart and what do I feed him?
I'll figure that out, I'm sure.

"Hey, Harry!" I say to my AI assistant as I arrive at my locker.

The voice recognition works immediately and my locker lights up.
I press my thumb into the fingerprint sensor and the door clicks open.

"Hello, Naomi!" comes the robotic voice of Harry. "Welcome to school today. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"It sure doesn't feel like it," I mumble and bring out my school badge.

"The time is 7:52 a.m. March 21st, July 2052. Today is your birthday. I wish you a happy birthday, Naomi."

I grunt a response, slam the door shut and whirl around.

At that moment, my nemesis shows up.
Vera, with her blinding gold-tinted locks, sashays down the hall. Some jobless guys whistle and make some suggestive catcalls that she dexterously ignores and absorbs at the same time.

I roll my eyes internally and brace myself for this moment.

Vera is the school idol. Her Dad is the school's top shareholder. She's a stinking rich kid so she gets a private chauffeur to school and her customised badge. I think being super rich and popular has a way of getting into one's head. Looking at her, I am glad my family is what you'd call middle class. At least, it shields me from this stinking disease called pride that seems to plague all the wealthy.

I notice she is marching towards me with masked fury. What is it this time?
She stops, places a hand on her waist and eyes Dart who cowers, snuggling deeper into my chest.

I give her a forced smile.
"Vera," I say.

She narrows her mascaraed eyes at me.
"Naomi, I can't have you tarnish the image of this school! What's all this news I hear?"

I frown in confusion. "What news?"

She shoves her iPad at me.

On the screen in full HD is a picture of my perplexed face, still with the glob on it. Then another one of me trying to control Dart when he jumps on Oscar.
Headline: Lukan High School student on the verge of being a public disgrace.

Oh, no! Did someone take pictures of me?
How did the news get to the top gossip blog on Threads?
Drat!
I close my eyes and hear the beating of my heart.

It's not strange that some students will die to scrap whatever piece of juicy gossip they can lay their hands on, but this... This scandal can do mortal damage.

"You have to get rid of that vermin before he causes more havoc," Vera states.

I try to make a plea for Dart but she shuts me up.

You see, the thing is, I'm on a scholarship, and that's why Vera thinks she is the boss of me. Many times she has threatened to make her father do something to pull me out of the scholarship but so far she hasn't done anything about that ridiculous threat.

Cordelia, Owen and Oscar arrive on the scene, and Vera turns sickly sweet on seeing Oscar.

"Hi, Oscar! How are you?" she says in an irritating Queen's English accent, batting her eyelashes as she tucks her fake human hair behind her ear.
I want to gag.

I've always known she has a thing for my Oscar and it makes me want to pluck out her perfect facial features. It's not helping that she is so beautiful and I am the perfect candidate for a garbage truck commercial.

Oscar barely glances at her as he looks me over, asking me if everything is okay.
He finally gives Vera a controlled response when he notices her persistence. I suppress a triumphant grin. Oscar really is my friend. He knows Vera's antics.

"I was just on my way to class, Oscar. Want to walk with me?" Vera says. Sheesh, the girl doesn't know how to take a hint.

"I'll be walking with my friends, Vera," Oscar says, emphasizing the word 'friends'.

"Oh. Okay. By the way, have a happy birthday, Naomi," Vera says, an impish smile on her lips.

I shiver at the menacing way she says it before catwalking off. That girl gets on my nerves and gives me the creeps.

"The witch—" I hear Cordelia cuss as she watches Vera leave. Those two also, don't see eye to eye. They are in a never-ending competition of who has the most followers on Threads.

The bell jingles and everyone scurries away for the first class of the day.

I sigh and allow my protective friends to flank my sides as we all head to biology class.

I just hope Mrs. Pels won't ask us to head to the laboratory to dissect a baby rat or a lizard or something. The last time that happened, I made a major scene by puking and was severely traumatized for the rest of the day.
Being in the penultimate class is overrated, honestly. Let's just get today over with.

~~~

Author's note: Hello guys! Help me to praise the Lord!
My phone had a major glitch yesterday so I wasn't able to post on Wattpad on schedule. My apologies for that.

Despite what the devil intended, I'm still on track and I'll keep pushing.

What do you think of this new Vera character?

And what do you think Naomi will do with cute little Dart?

Stay tuned to find out.