Chapter 3

Monday came faster than expected and all students were dressed smartly in their school uniform which was a combination of light blue short sleeved shirt and grey slacks for the guys and a grey flared skirt which was just above the knee for the senior girl and pinafore for the junior girls. 

Jewel wore her uniform and complimented it with black high tops sneakers, her white socks showing. Her tie was loose around her neck and her hair was packed in a donut bun. She was just stuffing her back pack with books when Henrietta walked in.

"Hey gurl!" She called in her naturally excited voice and Jewel flashed her a smile. Henrietta plopped down on her bed and watched Jewel.

"Hmm, someone seems super excited about start school. That's a first." She teased and Jewel laughed.

"I'm just excited about being in my first boarding school, away from my parents. It's partial freedom." She replied  and Henrietta nodded, agreeing with her. Henrietta accessed Jewel with an impressed smile. The girl was killing the look.

Is it safe to say that she's jealous of Jewel's curves.

"Nawa o! See the way you carry package!" Henrietta hailed, causing Jewel to burst into laughter. That did t stop Henrietta from talking. "The boy's are in trouble today o!" She exclaimed and Jewel let out a full blown laughter.

"Abeg! Don't whine me o. Don't be ridiculous abeg." Jewel said between laughter and Henrietta joined her in laughing. A senior rang the bell, cutting off their laughter and indicating that it was time for breakfast.

"Come out and line up. You have five minutes!" The senior shouted. Jewel put finishing touches as her roommates had gone out then slung her bag on her shoulder. She and Henrietta then made their way out of the room to join the other girls of their class. Jewel greeted Teni and the rest except Motunrayo who wouldn't stop glaring at her.

Abeg, that's her cup of tea. She can jump into a lagoon for all I care. Jewel thought as she and the other girls walked out hostel and to the dining hall.

****

The day started with an assembly where the Principal of the school, Mrs Benson addressed the students and admonished them, especially the new ones like Jewel. Soon after assembly ended by twenty minutes to nine in the morning and everyone moved to their classes.

Jewel and her class mates haven't been divided into their respective departments so they all stayed in the same class which would be till mid semester break. All other senior classes were already stationed in their class.

Henrietta and Jewel entered the class. Henrietta already had a space in front. The only space left was beside Henry and in front of Clinton.

Just great. Jewel thought as she settled on that chair, hanging her back on the chair handle.

She could feel Henry's eyes on her and it made her feel self conscious but she was able to comport herself and act nonchalant about it. She turned to face him and sure enough, he was staring at her. He didn't even make a move to look away when he got caught.

"It's not polite to stare, you know." She whispered, so that only both of them would hear. Henry smirked and sat up, his gaze not wavering from hers.

"What if I can't help it?" He asked, and she scrunched her face at him in confusion.

"Why can't you?" She asked back and he shrugged.

"Because it's hard not to stare at a beautiful lady when I see one." He replied and Jewel snorted.

"That's incredibly cringy." She stated and he laughed. Jewel relished in the sound. She loved it.

Soon, the mathematics teacher came in and started revision. Clinton kept teasing Jewel through out the classes, using a broom stick or any available object to tickle her. She tried to ignore if even though it was very hard concentrating with a pest like Clinton. When he got tired, he stopped.

Clinton was a very unserious boy.

*****

The term began to move quickly and it got very loaded for Jewel. She resolved to focus more on her studies and improve on it. She began to improve more on but as she was focused on art class. Jewel avoided Henry, mostly because she wanted him to be the one running after her.

Pearl didn't act like she had a sister in the school and Jewel didn't care. In fact, she liked it because she had her own freedom and Pearl wasn't meddling in her business. Jewel and Henrietta became close and became best friend.

Everything was going absolutely fine.

It was one Friday, during night prep and everyone was doing  their assignment or reading. Jewel was already done reading and she was doing what she knew how to do best and that was to write stories. She picked her pen and began to write.

Jewel was so engrossed in her writing that she didn't notice anyone walk up to her. It was until she felt the pressure of the person's weight on the chair that she looked up and found Henry sitting right beside her, his signature smirk playing on his lips.

Seems like it worked. He came to me. Jewel thought, but with a straight face.

"Can I sit?" He asked and Jewel snorted.

"You are already seated." She replied and Henry smiled.

"I can stand up if you want." He said, making to stand up. Jewel was quick to stop him.

"No! You don't have to." She quickly said and Henry smirked, settling back down.

Suddenly, the class became too quiet and Jewel looked around. Almost everyone in class had turned to look at both of them. It seemed weird but Jewel got used to it. She loved the attention. The fact that the Golden boy of her class was seated next to her. The boy girls wanted and boys wanted to be.

"Don't pay attention to them." Henry's voice tore through her reverie and she looked back at him. "They just like to busy body." He added and Jewel nodded.

"So, what  are you writing?" Henry made to pick up Jewel's note book but she was quick to jerk it away from his grasp.

"Don't touch my book." She frowned at him and Henry rose his hand in a mock surrender.

"I'm sorry. I just want to know what you are doing?" He said. Jewel looked at him skeptically before handing the book over to him. He opened the book and surfed through it.

"Wow, you are writing a story. That's rad." He said, impressed. Jewel found herself smiling.

"Thanks. I've actually seen your drawings too. You are quite talented." Jewel complemented and Henry grinned. He then rested his arm behind Jewel's head rest and leaned closer to her as they talked. Jewel got weird stares from most of the girls.

But she didn't care.

*****

Jewel was lying on her bed after night devotion, reading a novel. My room mates were juniors and were in their friend's room. The door suddenly opened and two of my class mates came in. It was Omolewa and Motunrayo.

"Jewel, we are here to really advise you." Lewa started snd Jewel's frown deepened.

What's going on?

"I don't get you." She stated, sitting up.

"Look." Motunrayo began, her voice harsh and straight. "Henry is a player, the worst Player. He played me in JSS 3. He's always playing girls and you are his next target." She said bluntly and Jewel rolled her eyes.

"Wow! Thanks for the advice. But I need to go back to what I was doing before you guys came. Thanks for stopping though." Jewel went back to reading. Lewa and Motunrayo exchanged a look.

"We are advising you o." Motunrayo said and they both left. Jewel rolled her eyes, kissed her teeth and went back to reading the novel.

*****

Another night, Pearl called Jewel aside to a room and talked to her. Jewel was surprised because Pearl always acted like she didn't existed. So calling her to her room was very weird. She was sat down, facing Pearl who was claded in her pyjamas 

"Jewel," Pearl started. "I care about you and I don't want you getting hurt." She added and Jewel frowned, wondering where all these was going.

"What are you talking about?" Jewel asked her.

"Henry is bad news! He is a Player!" Pearl exclaimed and Jewel rolled her eyes in utter frustration.

Here we go again.

"He will hurt you." Pearl added, her voice solemn like a concerned sister. That got Jewel annoyed because Pearl has never been a concerned sister to her.

"Oh please!" Jewel stopped her. "You are not the first person to tell me this, Pearl and I am seriously tired of hearing it over and over again. I don't know what you guys have against Henry. He's a very nice and sweet guy. If only you get to know him, you won't be saying this trash!" Jewel retorted.

"Trust me Jewel, I know him and he is bad news." Pearl stated and and Jewel hissed.

"You are not even his classmate and you are not close to him. Or are you one of the girls he played?" Jewel asked mockingly and Pearl kept quiet.

"I'm just trying to look out for you, Jewel. I am your elder sister."

"Well you never looked out for me, so why start now big sister?!" Jewel spat out. "I am 16 years old and I can manage on my own." She added, snorted and walked out of Pearl's room.