Nicole's POV;
"Nicole! "Johan calls in a harsh whisper, but I ignore her. I'm not gonna stand for this. I won't stand here and watch them display such cruelty to someone's child.
"What do you think you're doing!? "I scream at the boys, and Mason takes a step so he can view me properly. He stares at me for a few seconds and then faces the boy about to shot the ball. He signals him to continue, and I am thrown aback.
"If you shot that ball, getting expelled would be the smallest of your problems. "I warn the boy, and he freezes with his leg in the air, ready to kick the ball.
I don't know how exactly I'm going to go about this threat, but I do know how to look intimidating, and if I really want something, my mom and sister are enough to get it for me.
I watch him drop his leg down, and Mason smirks at me. He flys his shirt up and his singlet comes into view. More like a daring, nonchalant act.He pushes the boy before the ball away and stands before it. He sets himself to kick the ball, and my eyes twitch in annoyance. My brain running around ways to get him punished if he shoots the ball.
"What are you gonna do if I shot it? "He questions and all eyes turn to me. I smile and cross my arms.
"Are you scared? You should be. "I reply, and the students around begin to murmur.
"She get mind o. "I hear someone comment in broken English. A way we Nigerians often talk when we don't want to speak correct English or our native dialects. What the person said, means, I'm brave.
"I'm not scared. On the contrary, I'm confused. Wondering why the new girl who knows nothing about me, would want to stick her nose in what doesn't concern her. "He replies, and I intensify my gaze on him.
"This concerns me, cause it's a public matter. if you wanted your business private, you would have solved it amicably like a mature teenager, and not caused a public nuisance. "I reply.
" Burrn! "Some of the students exclaim. An act that offends Mason.
"Listen here, you don't know me, so I think it's best you stay out of my business. "He replies.
"You don't know me either, and you can't get to me. So, I suggest you forget it. "I reply.
I jump in fright when I hear a loud sound, and the ball flys last me, into the chair behind me, with full force. I turn back to him in shock and find a sick smile on his face.
"We'd see about that. "He says, and I squint my eyes at him in annoyance as he walks over to his bag, grabs it, and bounces out of the stadium with his friends.
Jerk!
The bell signifying the end of break rings, and I grab my bag pack in annoyance and walk back to class with Johan.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done? "Johan whispers to me as we walk back to our class.
"What? "I question.
"You just got on Mason's blacklist. "She says, and I adjust my bag.
"Good. I don't think I want to be in the good books of anyone like him. "I reply, before taking a deep breath. I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. But my anger has blocked out my reasoning.
I'm a very stubborn person, and I've made peace with that. I know who I am, so I know this Mason boy can't scare me. I don't know him, but he also doesn't know me. He's a teenager just like me. What's the worst he can do?
***********
It's Thursday, the second sports day in school this week. Johan coaxed me into joining the school's female soccer team. I've al aye loved football, but trust me when I say I'm a horrible player. Hence, I e always avoided it.
However, she told me the school's female team is more like a comedy setup. From practice to performance, and I don't mind having a few good laughs all in the name of playing football.
I walk into the school's stadium with Johan, and she runs off to the coach and the other team members. I take a sit to attend to my shoelaces. I tied them loosely before, and now my sneakers feel like they're going to come off.
While attending to my shoes, the sun is blocked by a figure standing above me, and I look only to find Mason standing above me. What now?
"Today feels like a good day for me. "He says staring at the clear blue sky with squinted eyes, and I stare at him with disgust. I'm still mad about what he did yesterday.
"How's that my business? "I question in irritation, as I shove my wristwatch into my bag, zip it up, and stand to my feet.
He displays a huge smile at me, and I roll my eyes and grab my bag pack, before dropping it where others dropped theirs.
"Are you the new girl? "The coach questions me as I join the circle beside Johan, and I nod.
"Yes, sir. "I reply.
"Hope you can play as well you dance? "He questions, and I chuckle.
We begin basic warm-ups as per the coach's instructions, and as soon as we're done, he sets up the team that will play a friendly game against the boys, and he chose me as a substitute.
Just as the game is about to start, a bald, coal-black, slender man comes marching into the field.
"Good Morning, Mr. Emeka. "The black man greets our coach, with anger on his face.
" Good morning sir. "Our coach replies to him.
" Who's that? "I question Johan.
"That black, short man devil, is our headmaster. "Johan replies, and it takes a great deal for me not to snicker.
"Is anything the matter sir? "Our coach questions the black man now know as the school's headmaster, and he replies,
" Yes. I was told one of these miscreants broke one of the school rules. "The black man replies and our coach stares blankly at him.
"I've heard one of you brought your phone to school! "He announced, and I roll my eyes. All this fuss is about a phone.
We are soon ordered into lines. One for boys, and one for girls. They begin searching us and searching our bags.
After about five minutes of standing idly under the scorching sun, One of our seniors yell,
" I've found it! "I turn around and freeze when I see the senior holding the phone out of my bag!
That's not my phone. I didn't even bring my phone to school. I'm being... Set up. My mind draws a straight line to the only thing that makes sense right now, and I turn to Mason in disbelief.
Only for him to wink at me.
Nicole's POV;"Who's bag is this!? "The headmaster screams." Sir, it's my bag, but the phone is not mine. "I reply audibly, and he turns to me. Johan turns to me like I'm about to be sentenced to death."Oh, so the phone walked into your bag? "He questions more like he's stating, and I just stare at him as I don't know what to say or do." Come here. "He orders and I inhale before walking over to the black man I'm slowly beginning to grow a sour spot in my stomach for."You're a new student, right? "He questions, and I nod."Yes, sir. ""That explains it. You clearly don't know me, nor how things work around here. "He says, and I stare at the ground." Why did you bring a phone to school? Don't you know it's against the rules!? "He screams, and I shut my eyes. I hate being yelled at. Especially when I'm not at fault." Sir, it's not my phone. I swear! "I reply looking up at him, and he glares at me.I don't like
Nicole's POV;I get home feeling down and exhausted. It was a long day in school today, at least I was allowed to go to class a few minutes after break time.I get down from the Uber I ordered home. I waited an hour for my mom, but she didn't show. After my dad got here, things toppled downhill. Everything seems wrong, and dark clouds are above us again.I look up and find him sitting on our porch. I walk up to the front dor,"Good afternoon, sir. "I greet him without making eye contact. I make to enter the house without waiting to hear his reply, but just as I open the door, his words stop me."Won't you sit awhile with me? "He questions and I look up at him. In spite. Memories of things he did to my mother, and the type of father he was and is, flood my memory, and I walk into the house with no words, after digging daggers into him with my eyes.For one, I've had a stressful day. Second, my life was quite okay without him in it. He j
"Huh? What do you mean he got into detention on purpose? " I question in disbelief. "Don't shout! Believe me, I'm serious" She whispers back harshly. "The both of you, shut up! Unless you want to continue this class for us. " The teacher says to us from the front of the class, and Johan and I remain mute for the rest of the class. I remain quiet for the rest of the class and try my possible best to pay attention to the teacher, but it's of no use. I keep wondering why the same person who got me in trouble would want to serve the same punishment they got me serving.The teacher steps out of the class, and we are left with the last class of the day. On the timetable, it says ' Reading Period '. During this time, we're meant to read books of our choice, and not make noise. But in my class, we use this as a gossip session. "You were saying? "I question Johan, and she raises a brow in confusion."About Mason. "I reply, and she lets her head roll back as she remembers."Oh... Yeah, You
"Listen, if there's one piece of advice I'd give you, it'd be that you should be careful. Especially of our class boys. Despite how good-looking and innocent they seem, they're players and dubious schemers. "I hear Johan whisper to the new girl."Relax. Nothing like that will happen. None of these boys are my type. "The new girl replies and I raise my head to look at the beauty in a low cut who's sitting a little distance away.That's nice. A woman with confidence. Interesting.*************Nicole's POV;I walk into the grand compound with my fingers gripping onto the straps of my bag firmly. My mom and I walk into the reception as it's my first day in this school and she needs to complete some paperwork before I can official become a member of it.I sit silently behind her as she fills the forms placed before her. Once she's done, she comes to sit beside me. As the admin takes the documents in, to return with
Nicoles POV; It's been about three days I've spent in this new school. I've made friends. At least, the one I like the most is Johan, she's small, super cute, and very friendly. She helped me open up, and has been filling me in on how dubious the boys in our class are. She's a character. Also a bomb. We are both in art class as she makes the most boring subjects fun. She has a superpower of making teachers answer questions and tell stories, instead of giving notes, till their time is up. It's the end of my fourth day in school, and I'm on my way out of school. My house is a fancy distance away from school, and my mom isn't willing to pay a fortune to the school as a bus fee. She says the amount paid for my uniforms, book, and the rest is enough to make one's financially stand shaky. So, she's taken it upon herself to come to pick me up from school every day. Some people may be embarrassed if they were in my shoes, but I'm cool with it. My mom owns a f
I stare at my mother in awe and shock. She doesn't mean what she just said. Right? My father is coming to visit. My father! Why...How on earth will she allow that? Is she trying out dark humor here? Or what? "M... Ma? "My elder sister questions, once she can stop coughing. "Mommy, are you serious? "I question, and my mother drops her fork, clenched her fists on the table, and shuts her eyes. "Yes. I'm serious. Your father will be arriving here early tomorrow morning. You better be on your best behavior. "She replies and my jaw drops as I know she isn't joking. "If you love me, you'd behave well before your father. "She adds and I just stare blankly at her. Not knowing what to say or think. My father left us four years ago when I was 11, and unlike some kids, I wasn't sad about it, I was happy. We all were. I was just eleven years old, yet I know he was a good for nothing a**hole. Now out of the blue, he is coming to visit and mother is allowin
Nicoles POV;I get to school feeling a bit off and annoyed by what happened at home this morning. I can't believe this is happening."Hey, biggie! "Johans voice calls in her usual high spirit."I told you to stop calling me that. "I reply. She calls me biggie in reference to my butt. At first, it was funny, but now it's kinda offensive. Sure I know I have a big butt, but when I was coming here, I didn't expect it to be the second biggest on the whole of senior school. My senior Deborah has the biggest butt of all the female students. That girl is built like a woman.I know it's a very awkward topic to discuss, but it becomes a normal thing if you're an endowed girl in an African setting."Sorry. "Johan apologizes as she takes a seat beside me."So, have you figured the club you want to join? "She questions and I stare blankly at her. I hadn't though
Nicole's POV;I proceed towards them and,"And to think you are the competition my group was meant to go up against. Little wonder one wanted to pair with you. Why don't you go join the school's book club? Dancing isn't for cowards.You're such a horrible dancer. You've ruined the whole event for everyone. "I hear Mason say, and the pained look on Johan's face hurts me."That's not nice! "I comment. Drawing their attention. Johan looks up at me with tears in her eyes, and Mason stares at me with a bored, and blank expression."Johan will do her dance, and she'd beat you in the competition. "I add, and Johan's eyes widen.Mason scoffs. "Yeah, right. "He says before walking back into the hall with the two boys beside him."What have you done? "Johan questions me, and my brows furrow."I stood up for you. "I reply in confusion, and she exhales."I can't beat Mason. He's a dance god, you've gone and embarrassed us both
"Huh? What do you mean he got into detention on purpose? " I question in disbelief. "Don't shout! Believe me, I'm serious" She whispers back harshly. "The both of you, shut up! Unless you want to continue this class for us. " The teacher says to us from the front of the class, and Johan and I remain mute for the rest of the class. I remain quiet for the rest of the class and try my possible best to pay attention to the teacher, but it's of no use. I keep wondering why the same person who got me in trouble would want to serve the same punishment they got me serving.The teacher steps out of the class, and we are left with the last class of the day. On the timetable, it says ' Reading Period '. During this time, we're meant to read books of our choice, and not make noise. But in my class, we use this as a gossip session. "You were saying? "I question Johan, and she raises a brow in confusion."About Mason. "I reply, and she lets her head roll back as she remembers."Oh... Yeah, You
Nicole's POV;I get home feeling down and exhausted. It was a long day in school today, at least I was allowed to go to class a few minutes after break time.I get down from the Uber I ordered home. I waited an hour for my mom, but she didn't show. After my dad got here, things toppled downhill. Everything seems wrong, and dark clouds are above us again.I look up and find him sitting on our porch. I walk up to the front dor,"Good afternoon, sir. "I greet him without making eye contact. I make to enter the house without waiting to hear his reply, but just as I open the door, his words stop me."Won't you sit awhile with me? "He questions and I look up at him. In spite. Memories of things he did to my mother, and the type of father he was and is, flood my memory, and I walk into the house with no words, after digging daggers into him with my eyes.For one, I've had a stressful day. Second, my life was quite okay without him in it. He j
Nicole's POV;"Who's bag is this!? "The headmaster screams." Sir, it's my bag, but the phone is not mine. "I reply audibly, and he turns to me. Johan turns to me like I'm about to be sentenced to death."Oh, so the phone walked into your bag? "He questions more like he's stating, and I just stare at him as I don't know what to say or do." Come here. "He orders and I inhale before walking over to the black man I'm slowly beginning to grow a sour spot in my stomach for."You're a new student, right? "He questions, and I nod."Yes, sir. ""That explains it. You clearly don't know me, nor how things work around here. "He says, and I stare at the ground." Why did you bring a phone to school? Don't you know it's against the rules!? "He screams, and I shut my eyes. I hate being yelled at. Especially when I'm not at fault." Sir, it's not my phone. I swear! "I reply looking up at him, and he glares at me.I don't like
Nicole's POV;"Nicole! "Johan calls in a harsh whisper, but I ignore her. I'm not gonna stand for this. I won't stand here and watch them display such cruelty to someone's child."What do you think you're doing!? "I scream at the boys, and Mason takes a step so he can view me properly. He stares at me for a few seconds and then faces the boy about to shot the ball. He signals him to continue, and I am thrown aback."If you shot that ball, getting expelled would be the smallest of your problems. "I warn the boy, and he freezes with his leg in the air, ready to kick the ball.I don't know how exactly I'm going to go about this threat, but I do know how to look intimidating, and if I really want something, my mom and sister are enough to get it for me.I watch him drop his leg down, and Mason smirks at me. He flys his shirt up and his singlet comes into view. More like a daring, nonchalant act.He pushes the boy before the ball away and stands be
Nicoles POV;It's another day in Royal Prep, and the buzz of mine and Johan's performance yesterday hasn't cleared out of the air. I'm walking into the compound, and Johan runs over to me."Good morning, Nicole! "She greets with a smile revealing her perfect dentition."Good morning. "I reply, and she falls silent. I turn to her and find she's walking beside me, with a huge smile plastered on her face."You seem very happy today. "I note and she chuckles."We are the trending topic in school right now. "She says, as we walk to the school's snack corner."I can see that. "I reply as eyes follow us as we walk past."Please give me a bottle of Mirinda and a sausage roll. "I tell the lady sitting behind the little window in the wall, at the snack corner. She nods, and I place a two hundred naira note on the counter. She takes it and gives me my order, in a black Polly bag."Thank you. "I reply before shoving it into my bag. I'm pre
Nicole's POV;I proceed towards them and,"And to think you are the competition my group was meant to go up against. Little wonder one wanted to pair with you. Why don't you go join the school's book club? Dancing isn't for cowards.You're such a horrible dancer. You've ruined the whole event for everyone. "I hear Mason say, and the pained look on Johan's face hurts me."That's not nice! "I comment. Drawing their attention. Johan looks up at me with tears in her eyes, and Mason stares at me with a bored, and blank expression."Johan will do her dance, and she'd beat you in the competition. "I add, and Johan's eyes widen.Mason scoffs. "Yeah, right. "He says before walking back into the hall with the two boys beside him."What have you done? "Johan questions me, and my brows furrow."I stood up for you. "I reply in confusion, and she exhales."I can't beat Mason. He's a dance god, you've gone and embarrassed us both
Nicoles POV;I get to school feeling a bit off and annoyed by what happened at home this morning. I can't believe this is happening."Hey, biggie! "Johans voice calls in her usual high spirit."I told you to stop calling me that. "I reply. She calls me biggie in reference to my butt. At first, it was funny, but now it's kinda offensive. Sure I know I have a big butt, but when I was coming here, I didn't expect it to be the second biggest on the whole of senior school. My senior Deborah has the biggest butt of all the female students. That girl is built like a woman.I know it's a very awkward topic to discuss, but it becomes a normal thing if you're an endowed girl in an African setting."Sorry. "Johan apologizes as she takes a seat beside me."So, have you figured the club you want to join? "She questions and I stare blankly at her. I hadn't though
I stare at my mother in awe and shock. She doesn't mean what she just said. Right? My father is coming to visit. My father! Why...How on earth will she allow that? Is she trying out dark humor here? Or what? "M... Ma? "My elder sister questions, once she can stop coughing. "Mommy, are you serious? "I question, and my mother drops her fork, clenched her fists on the table, and shuts her eyes. "Yes. I'm serious. Your father will be arriving here early tomorrow morning. You better be on your best behavior. "She replies and my jaw drops as I know she isn't joking. "If you love me, you'd behave well before your father. "She adds and I just stare blankly at her. Not knowing what to say or think. My father left us four years ago when I was 11, and unlike some kids, I wasn't sad about it, I was happy. We all were. I was just eleven years old, yet I know he was a good for nothing a**hole. Now out of the blue, he is coming to visit and mother is allowin
Nicoles POV; It's been about three days I've spent in this new school. I've made friends. At least, the one I like the most is Johan, she's small, super cute, and very friendly. She helped me open up, and has been filling me in on how dubious the boys in our class are. She's a character. Also a bomb. We are both in art class as she makes the most boring subjects fun. She has a superpower of making teachers answer questions and tell stories, instead of giving notes, till their time is up. It's the end of my fourth day in school, and I'm on my way out of school. My house is a fancy distance away from school, and my mom isn't willing to pay a fortune to the school as a bus fee. She says the amount paid for my uniforms, book, and the rest is enough to make one's financially stand shaky. So, she's taken it upon herself to come to pick me up from school every day. Some people may be embarrassed if they were in my shoes, but I'm cool with it. My mom owns a f