• 04 •

EVA

Ivacy High was, well, high, and nothing like what I'd expected. 

Nothing turned out to be what I expected these days. I might as well stop assuming. 

I'd expected plain colours, large, impersonal buildings, snobby students —I was yet to meet them, and classy teachers. I mean, it was a private school, also one of the most expensive and if Abi and Zoe's characters were things to go by, I'd say they went to a school that reflected them. I could hardly be blamed for coming to that conclusion. Really. 

Lord knew the beautifully colored, albeit overly large buildings with inspirational and motivational quotes from different prodigies, hanging on the walls on various sides, took me completely by surprise. 

" The school assembly starts in exactly ten minutes from now, " Abi glanced at the watch on her left wrist, "And I like to be there at least three minutes before. "

She looked smart and put together in her school uniform; white long-sleeved button down shirt and a black colored skirt that ended just an inch above her knee. I loved the length. It always irked me how the students back at my old school took advantage of the  nonchalantness of the people in authority. They took lawlessness to a new degree, chopping off several inches off their skirts and flaunting around with their new lengths. Mid-thigh.

"I'm an arts students and my class is over there. " Abi continued, pointing to a two storey building located on the right of the school building.

The whole secondary school block was divided into four buildings, excluding the gate man's post. There were three main buildings in the form of a Y. Just picture a Y with a straight line drawn through the middle. That was exactly what it looked like. The building on the right hand side, where Abi's class was located, was apparently, for Arts students. And if I had to guess, then the one on the left was for science because they were similar in style. The middle building was a one storey.

"Zoe's science too, so you guys' class is over there." My guess was right. She pointed at the opposite building. "It would be so much easier if you went with Zoe, but... " we both glanced at her, who, in return, gave us a blank look, "Yeah. Let's go then. "

Zoe rolled her to eyes. Yes, actually rolled her eyes and sighed, "Go do your good girl duties. I'll take her. "

Abi frowned, her eyes darting between us unsurely. 

Same, girl. Same.

"You mean........ I should leave her with you? " she asked, choosing to ignore the good girl comment. 

"Did I stutter? " Zoe cocked a perfectly shaved brow.

Abi's eyes roamed my face as if silently asking me if I was okay with it. Wait. Were we even considering this? Zoe hated my guts to pieces. If she was volunteering to show me around, then she definitely had a plan. And it wasn't a good one. 

"Are you sure?" she pressed, "Cause it's not that big of a deal. I could easily just —" 

Zoe fingered the strap of her water bottle, "For someone who's so adamant on getting to the assembly earlier, you're pretty hell bent on wasting a lot of time. Go. I said I'll take her. "

Abi shrugged apologetically before giving me a bright smile, "Okay then. See you guys later. "

Please don't go. 

She left.

As we walked, Zoe talked, "There's a class A, B and C. I don't know which one the school would put you in, although I'm guessing a C. So you'll stay at B until they decide what to do with you. "

How rude.

Usually, Class C was reserved for the students that weren't as bright as the others and I had to admit that it stung, even if a little, that she classified me amongst one of them. Sure, my previous school had been a public one and we were generally looked down on, but that didn't mean I didn't do well with my studies. 

Suddenly, a series of loud, impatient honking sounds rang out behind us, the unprecedented sound, making my ears ring. Several cars drove in just as I turned. Pretty, expensive-looking cars that had me pausing to stare. They were about five in total. And I didn't know if they had come together or if they just happened to come in at the same time but it looked like it. When they alighted the cars, I saw that they were students! 

I'd never seen a student who owned a car, not to talk of one who drove it into the school compound. But apparently, it was a normality here. 

"Don't stare. " Zoe scolded harshly, her soft voice becoming an octave deeper, causing me to jerk around and face her, "Why would you even? "

I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I had nothing to say. The only thing that stood out in my head right now was the fact that this was the longest conversation Zoe and I had ever had, even if it wasn't really one since she was doing all the talking —which made it even weirder because she wasn't a talker— and it just happened to be when my brain was running 0.00 mile an hour.

"When you do, it makes them want to put up more of a show. " she leveled those intense orbs on mine, "It's not worth it. Believe me. "

I nodded, figuring my brain wasn't ready to come on board yet, before we resumed our walk.

Err, in case you were wondering, she did dump me in class B. Stupid old me had thought we'd somehow bonded or something.

Assembly passed by in a blur, and then came a general class meeting with the principal. 

I thought I was going to die when a girl, I assumed she was a prefect because she wasn't standing in line with us, eyed me then hissed as she turned to her friends saying, "Wahala for who nor wear contact lens oh. " and they all burst out laughing, which made everyone turn to us in curiosity. I had never wanted the ground to open up and swallow me more than I did in that moment.

[Wahala for who nor wear contact lens oh: So contacts are the new trend. ]

"That's not nice. " a familiar voice said and it turned out to be Abi. 

"If it isn't Mrs Do Good. " another girl said, throwing them into a fit of giggles again. 

I looked up when they abruptly stopped laughing, wondering if perhaps, a teacher, had caught them, but there were no teachers in sight. It was then I noticed how they were studiously averting their gazes to the left, so naturally, I looked to the right to see who could evoke such a reaction in them and saw Zoe giving them the full force of her glare. 

Oh. She was the one they were scared of. 

I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. Of course I wasn't the only one that found her terrifying. 

But the deed was done. People were now whispering and not-so-discreetly pointing at me. The number of eyes on me made my skin itch, making it almost unbearable to be in. I wanted to cry. Badly.

A loud, prolonged hiss rang out, "These girls can disturb for assembly. " a male voice said.

[These girls can disturb for assembly: These girls talk too much during assembly.]

"Abeg let me hear word. " a female voice retorted.

[Abeg let me hear word: Please spare me that. ]

"Who's that one talking to? " 

And so they began, successfully deviating from the topic. Although not for long. They would come back to it. They always did. 

Few gazes lingered, but I kept my head straight forward, acting like I didn't see them. I had gone through worse after all. And even though I left with battle scars, I left victorious.

The school principal, from his standing point where he had been addressing us, threw a warning look in our direction for the distraction we caused. That shut us up pretty fast.

The principal dismissed us soon and we trailed towards our classes —I actually ended up in class B, thanks to the principal. At least it was better than a C.

I waited for everyone to sit before glancing around, looking for where I would too. There were only two vacant seats. One beside a girl and another beside a boy. 

The boy, probably guessing that I was searching for a vacant seat, frowned, placing a hand on the chair protectively, "I can't share this space with anyone. Sorry. "

Well, there was only one place left. 

The girl rolled her eyes at the boy before giving me a warm smile, "It's okay. You can come sit with me. "

I smiled gratefully. 

The form teacher walked into our class the moment I sat. She was outstandingly prompt, another difference between my old school and this one. My form teacher back at my old school could never find the time to come to class this early. God forbid she let a drop of her special pap go to waste.

I smiled. Mrs Gbenga. I would definitely miss seeing her chubby legs going on tiptoes as she struggled to reach the top of the blackboard as the students laughed away.

My current form mistress seemed like a woman I would like. A smart, no-nonsense, straight to the point woman. 

"So I came into the class and you people couldn't even coordinate yourselves to greet. " she asked, dropping a file on the table in front, "Class Prefect, you're there sitting. You, too, zipped your mouth abi? "

{Abi: Right }

"Are we children? " a guy hissed.

I gaped, shocked at his audacity.

She narrowed her eyes, "You're asking me if you are children. So you think you are adults now. " she fumed, "And even adults don't respect their elders? "

She shook her head, crossing her arms, "As you can see, you're in the second week of SSS3 already and time is running out. I pity those of you that think that just because WAEC is next year, you shouldn't start preparing now. Next year is just four months from now in case you're deluding yourself into thinking it's a long time. All of you better sit up. " she pointed at me, "And you. What kind of student transfers to a school in SSS3? In my opinion, you're just desperately looking for failure. "—someone laughed— "We're serious people here. You better be one too. " she paused, glancing at her watch, "Your teacher will be here soon. I trust you'll behave yourselves. "

With that, she left. 

Well, I may have been too quick to judge her.

She was definitely someone I would hate.

Between periods, my seatmate decided to strike up a conversation with me.

"So what's your name, if you don't mind me asking? "

"I'm Eva. "

"Nice to meet you, Eva. I'm Coco. "

I blinked, "Coco? That's your name? "

She laughed lightly, "Well, it's Chloe but everyone calls me Coco. "

I nodded. That made sense. "Oh okay then. "

"You don't talk much. " she noted.

"No, I—"

"Is it the nerves? Being a new student? I totally understand how hard it must be for —"

"The girl isn't in the mood to talk, Coco. Take a hint. For once in your life. "

The girl who had just spoken, occupied the seat directly behind me and had her head down, focused on the book she was reading.

I peered closer at the cover, trying to get the title, but she slammed it down on her desk. She gave me an odd look, "You're welcome. " 

I assumed that was my cue to turn around. 

Chloe's eyes were filled with guilt. "I'm sorry if I was making you uncomfortable. "

I shook my head quickly, "No, no, you weren't."

She smiled, her eyes lingering on mine. I looked away.

"Were you born like this? "

Of course. My eyes.

"Yes. "

I focused on catching up on the math work they'd learnt the previous week. 

She cleared her throat. Loudly. "So they're really not contacts? "

"Of course not. "

Why would I even wear contacts to school? 

Good question. You should ask her. 

"Cause, " she continued, undeterred, "You know, everyone thought that's what you were wearing. "

More like assumed.

"No. " I said simply.

She shifted to the edge of her seat, leaning heavily on her desk. If only she could topple over. "So, if it is true, what's it like having eyes like yours? "

If it is true.

I might have made a terrible mistake choosing to sit with this one, not like I had been left with another option though.

"If you don't mind, I'm very busy. " I mustered up a smile, "Your last week's math is giving me a headache, "—it wasn't—"and I really need to concentrate so.... "

Her eyes widened with faux innocence and understanding, "Oh, it's okay. "

I nodded, returning my eyes to the textbook.

"But—"

The bell cut her off, signaling it was time for lunch break. Saved by the bell. Thank goodness. I dashed out of the seat and I thought I heard a faint sound of laughter from the girl behind me. 

But now that I had run out into the corridor like a little chicken, where to?

A girl walked passed me with a guy who had his hand around her and I watched as they talked animatedly. She leaned into him, wrapping her hand around his waist. He said something to her that made her laugh up at him. How happy they looked.

I felt something squeeze in my chest. 

What was it like being in a relationship? Being in love?

A teacher walked out of one of the classes just then, glanced at them, then looked away and walked down the stairs. He literally saw them and didn't say anything.

Students were allowed to be in relationships? My brain was having a hard time processing this.

A girl almost walked into them, completely absorbed in the book she was reading. Books! I could go to the library. See if they had anything good in there.

Now for directions to the library...

I approached a girl, smiled and asked her, rather politely, if she could point me in the direction.

"Do I look like a map to you? " she scowled, her eyes shooting daggers at me. All that anger. For a simple question.

Oh, to hell with these people. I would find the library myself.

Ten minutes later, I did. VICTORY. I pushed the door open, taking a step in, but I paused when I heard voices. It sounded like two people were talking. Whispering, more like. Or maybe it was the distance that made it seem that way.

There was no way I could go in, not with those people in there. What a wasted time effort finding this library turned out to be. 

I turned to leave when—

"Don't leave yet. " a male voice said. But it wasn't directed at me. 

"I have things to do. " came a female voice. 

It was a boy and a girl in there.

"I know but please stay a little longer. "

I wasn't one to eavesdrop, but asking me to leave there now was impossible. I leaned into the room, the reason I'd come searching for the  library in the first place, long forgotten.

"Why? "

"Why does everything with you have to be so hard? "

Silence.

"Please? "

"I can't, Dexter. "

I made a mental note to get as much information as I could on this Dexter person. 

"So that's how it's going to be between us? " his voice was low, so low, I had to lean farther into the hear them. The possibility of me getting caught was progressively increasing by the second. 

"What do you mean? "

"You've been somehow with me ever since he got transferred into our class. "

He?

"He? "

The lack of emotion in the girl's voice had me feeling sorry for this Dexter guy.

"Are you just going to keep standing there or are you going to go in? "

I frowned. What did that have to do with the conversation they were having? Also, that voice had sounded too close to have come from them.

I yelped, turning around.

Pretty eyes, chiseled jaw, Roman nose, firm lips. It was an overall blindingly handsome face. Of course I couldn't have been caught by an average-looking guy.

My hands flew to my chest, pressing down on it as if it could slow my racing heart.

He took a step back, looked through the window —funny, I hadn't seen one there before— then at me. "Eavesdropping, were you? " 

His deep voice alarmed me and I wanted to clamp my hand over his mouth. 

"No. " I whisper shouted, "I wanted to use the library—"

"But then you saw them in there and decided to listen, " he cut me off, "Or you probably saw them coming up here and followed. "

How absurd. 

"The first one. " for some reason, my voice couldn't rise above a whisper, "And not quite. So please lower your voice or shut up. "

His eyes widened in surprise over the fact that I had told him to shut up. I was too, to be honest. Where had that come from?

"What's going on? " a familiar voice said behind me and it was then I noticed that the occupants of the library weren't talking anymore. 

Oh, great. They had come out. I knew that if my yelp of surprise hadn't been enough to make them know they had company, then Pretty Face's voice certainly would.

Pretty Face glanced behind me and I thought I saw a subtle clench to his jaw. Subtle, but obvious, because of how definite they were.

I turned around and standing in front of me, was Zoe Lawson.

It had been her in the room with the Dexter guy!

"Were you guys eavesdropping?" the guy —Dexter, said. He was tall, handsome in a classic way, light skinned and had a slight build.

Oh boy.

"In order for that to happen, I would actually have to give a quarter of a fuck first. " Pretty Face said cooly.

"Eva, were you? " Zoe crossed her arms.

"No, of course I wasn't. "

"We heard everything. " 

Shit.

"I—"

"What the hell is your problem? "

"Baby, calm. " Dexter put his hand around her shoulder. Well, tried to. She took a step away, bringing her hands out in front of her.

"Just go. Okay? I need to handle this. "

This. I was screwed.

"Can I come to you later? " he stuck his bottom lip out and he looked a lot like a puppy. Did he think that was a good look on him? 

I tried not to cringe in disgust. I looked away instead.

"I think I died somewhere during this conversation. " Pretty Face delivered flatly before I heard him leaving. Dexter threw him a murderous look.

I would have laughed but I was about to witness my own funeral. I shouldn't find anything funny. 

"Yes. Just go. " she waved him away, her stormy eyes fixed on me. 

He seemed like he wanted to say more, but then thought against it and he was off.

And I was left with a fuming Zoe.