Sixth.

I rub my eyes for the tenth time this lesson. I've been struggling to stay awake ever since our chemistry lesson started. I mean, who fixes a chemistry lesson in the afternoon anyway. All I know is they are discussing something about carbon and the textbook before me keeps swimming in and out of my vision.

We have an evening assembly before our four O'clock tea which I'm not looking forward to because it entails a school run. I hate any sort of physical activity that involves using too much energy, sweating or panting but I know there's no way to escape this.

Apparently the teacher feels the boredom too because he terminates the class prematurely and assigns some exercise to be done before the next class. I lay my head on my desk to take a nap before the four O'clock bell.

"You should try to sleep more during the night like a normal person,"Tory exclaims as she hooks her hand through mine. We're walking down the stairs, towards the assembly ground. No, we're actually squeezing through the stairs as Tory insists on keeping her hand where it is.

I blush and grunt something unintelligible because I'm still sleepy.

A few teachers and school prefects are standing on the podium ready to address the assembly. We linger for several minutes as we wait for the meeting to be officially commenced. There's a commotion from the students at the front and I crane my neck to see what's going on. Our principal walks to the podium next to the teachers, whispers something then approaches the front. Everyone goes quiet as we wait for her address.

I gather that this is not a normal evening assembly as the principal does not attend those. It's usually a brief affair that takes a few minutes to allow us to continue with our day unless there's a really important announcement that cannot wait till the next day.

"Good evening, girls." She raises her voice to get every body's attention even though we are all eagerly waiting for her to continue.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I have been in my office all day dealing with issues concerning you and especially disciplinary ones. As you know, our institution is highly committed towards instilling the highest level of discipline and equipping you with values that prepare you for the future. " There's some shuffling all around as students now look on bored.

" We have a great team of teachers and mentors who are here to support you in every way. I have always encouraged you to talk about your issues with one of us. However, some of you have decided to throw everything we have taught you in our faces." At this point, there's a pindrop silence and anyone who had lost interest now seems to be listening keenly.

" Some of you have been engaging in behaviors that cannot be condoned in this institution. Behaviors that are unnatural and unheard of!Behaviors that will not be tolerated in this school at any point in time."

I feel so confused and I can feel my classmates around me asking around with confusion in their faces too. Looking forward, , the senior students seem to be at ease and I can tell they might have heard this way too many times before to faze them anymore.

" Can the following students step forward. Lulu Hamisi, Bridget Amani,Sifa Grace and Anita all from senior year" .The four girls walked to the front dejected. They also seem unsurprised by the turn of events and if anything, embarrassment from being looked at by the whole school is the only thing I can see clearly on their faces.I don't think I know any of them but one girl seems familiar.

"The four of them have decided to make their own rules in this school. When the rest of you are attending their evening preps and studying, these four have been found at the dormitory engaging in disgusting activities such as kissing which you all know is not allowed. "

Everyone around me goes quiet. My hands start shaking and I can feel my heart beating so loudly that I think Tory who is beside me can hear it too. I cross my now clammy hands on my chest and hope that Tory doesn't notice how stiff I am.

" What's even worse, is that of the four girls, two of them have been caught in the same situation before and given a warning which clearly, fell on deaf ears. We try to be patient with you girls but if you cannot change your behavior, then I'm sorry this is not the place for you.So this is a warning for any of you who engage in the same disgusting behavior, you either choose to remain in this school or leave. You're dismissed. "

All this time I have been looking down and when we are dismissed I manage to look at the two girls. One of them seems to be breaking down and I can see her fall on her knees. The other three look at her helplessly but don't do anything to comfort her. I think they may be afraid that any sort would physical comfort may come off as affection.

Tory drags me away towards our class. She seems unaffected and occasionally skips while tugging at my arm which makes me hobble behind her.

"... IMANI!" I'm startled by my name being called so loudly and I look up at Tory and at almost the same time I collide with her sending the two of us toppling on the ground. Neither of is is able to break the fall as Tory had my arm hooked to her and it was also unexpected.

It takes sometime for Tory to disengage her arm from mine before she rises. Some girls are gathered around us and I can see Olive help Tory then she turns to help me. I can feel some sharp pain on my hand and I'm sure it's scraped since I can see some blood on my schools sweater.

"Oh my God! Tory, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." I rush to her side to make sure she's okay. She is inspecting her arm too while Olive is helping adjust her skirt.

"I'm good;just a few scrapes on my hand and knee.What's going on with you anyway, I've been trying to talk to you for the last five minutes!" She sounds exasperated and I realize how frustrating it must be to be my friend. I'm always zoned out and now I've hurt her due to my clumsiness.

I open my mouth to answer her but right there, in the middle of the busy hallway, I burst into tears.