Chapter 7: Growing Up

Joanna's POV

School went on with much drama as it always does and before I knew it we were in our senior year or should I say final year of secondary school (high school) and that's if we pass our final exams, If not we have to stay back another year and retake the exams.

In my country the final year students don't write the usual school exams, instead we write the West African Examination Council general exams or as we like to call it 'WAEC'. 

Final year students like us don't learn because this whole year is occupied with notes and practicals together with enough free time to read for the exams.

Special well behaved students are given authorities at this level to control other students or as we like to call it 'Rule the School'. 

Most idiots struggle to get this position by all means but a girl like me who hates attention doesn't give a shot about that.

*******

SENIOR YEAR..

"Hey baby," Tony spoke, giving me a kiss on the cheek and if you think we would be dating by now then am sorry to disappoint because we are not. He's got eyes for only one girl *can you guess?*.

"Get ur hands of my cuddle bunny this instant or I castrate you." Aaah that's her voice, you guessed right, he's got eyes for my lovely best girl 'Tenda'.

"Hy babyboo," I mumbled in her neck as she pulled me in for a soft, comfy hug *unlike some people I know* I thought, giving Harmony who was strolling towards us a glare. 

"Are you ready to kick butts this year?" She questioned, releasing me but still holding onto my hand. 

"Sure I gat you by my side," I smiled, thankful for really having her by me to keep me sane. 

"What's that supposed to mean partner, you got us too," Ifeanyi said, gesturing to himself, Tony, Blake and Harmony who was yet to reach us as he's walking really slow. 

"Yeah, what's that supposed to mean." Tony glared, to which Tenda and I rolled our eyes in response. 

Give way for the Bestfriend!" Harmony screeched when he finally got to us and pushed Tenda out of the way so he could crush my ribs in a tight hug. 

"Ouch," I squeaked when I felt my ribs getting crushed. *how on earth would I get used to this pain* I thought, trying to rationalise my breathing. 

"Hy there hun." I sighed as I finally got released from the hug. 

"Hey sis," Blake spoke as he ruffled my my short braids which I was able to pull out of my face in a ponytail.

"Hey there bro." I glared as I tried to put the loose braids back in the hair band it was initially in. Blake and I had really got close this past year which led to us acting like siblings as he was mostly around my house due to his new found friendship with Elvis my brother, and don't ask me because I myself still wonders how they became close to the point of being best friends, they met each other at my house some time when Blake came to borrow a note from me and then boom, they clicked. 

"So are we ready for senior year!" Harmony shouted.

"Yeah," we mumble in reply. 

"Come on guys, put more life into it," He whined with a pout, which had us nodding. 

"Are We All Ready For Senior Year!" He yelled louder this time, emphasising each word. 

"Yes We Are!" We all chanted in loud voices matching his enthusiasm which ended up disrupting other students who were also busy having their own conversations.

"Let's go make history!" Ifeanyi yelled, hitting Blake accidentally as he tried to fist pump the air. 

"Sure." We all replied and laughed at his failed attempt before giving each other a high five. 

"Let's get started on that plan then, " I smiled, feeling confident as we all strolled to class.

"Yeah baby," Tony replied, giving me a strange look which made me blush and left me feeling soft inside.

*Uh oh* I thought, what's happening to me. *Oh Lord no, please no*

*******

Class went by quickly that day because soon the bell rang, signalling the end of lessons for that day, which had students rushing out of their classes and heading for the exit doors as if their life depended on it.

Well I being Joanna didn't rush out with them because I hate joining the crowd as I could get lost in it and that's literally. Thinking of it now I wish I did because It let me be an easy prey as I crashed into the female version of the devil, *I hope you know who that is*.

"Watch where you going bitch," The raccoon spoke, spitting in my face. I thought her attitude would change after the holidays but I guess it actually got worse because if it didn't I don't think she would be spitting in my face while talking.

"Hello Stephanie," I forced a smile, trying to act civil thinking maybe she's having a bad day. Giving her a once over I noticed she had weaved her hair in an updo with lemon green attachments which looked really horrible on her too as it clashed with her fair skin.

"Well, well if it isn't little Jo," She scoffed, flipping her shining green hair. 

*I wonder why she called me little because am a few inches taller than her, so if anyone is to be called little, it's her* I thought rolling my eyes. 

"Sorry Steph," I spoke, making a move to walk past her as I was in no mood for her trouble today. I just wanted to go home and have some sleep. 

"Come here bitch," She hissed, and pulled me back by the hair. *Why the hell is everyone messing with my hair today* I thought as I willed myself to calm down and took deep breathes.

"What's the matter green, someone pissed on your pretty pink shoes today?" I smirked.

"What is the matter? She questioned giving me hard glare. "How dare u ask me a question".

*Why the hell is she saying all this* I thought.  Is she raving mad? Heck I won't be surprised if she is tho, because who uses lemon green attachments on their hair if they aren't going kookoo. 

"Look here bitch." She glared. "I ain't your class, just because we in the same senior year doesn't mean you should disrespect me, I mean take a look at you". She scoffed. "I wonder what those guys see in you anyway, you are just a piece of stick".

I just kept staring at her. "Why does she even hate me." I muttered under my breathe.

'Wham' I felt my left cheek sting.

*wait did she just, did she actually just slap me* I thought as I could taste blood on my tongue. 

"Listen here hoe," I gritted through clenched and lifted her up with my right arm till she was at my face level. Yes am strong like that, I just don't show it. 

"Because I keep quiet doesn't mean you can trample on me and insult me like a dog," I hissed.  "I believe GOD gave us strength for reasonable things not wasting it on nincompoops like you and for that I won't fight you but let me tell u this." I glared. 

"You want to know what they see in me? I questioned. "They see humanity, they see a realist, they see someone with brains and a heart not someone with an open vagina and no heart who is technically is a sex doll".

"So next time before you let any dirt come out of that filth mouth of yours as words to insult others, think a little with your GOD given brain." I spat giving her a glare. "Oh wait sex dolls don't have that either," I laughed and released her from my hold. 

"Have a nice day green." I gave her a devilish smile and walked off. 

*wow where did all that come from* I thought, shocked by my own actions. 

"Awwwn would you look at that, my baby has grown." A voice said before I got crushed into a bear hug.

For once I didn't feel the pain of my crying ribs instead I laughed as I looked up to see Harmony flicking a tear of his face in a dramatic manner. 

*Did he actually cry?* I asked myself, confused. 

"My hardwork is finally paying off." He grinned. "I'm so glad you stood up to her on your own".

"Shut up idiot." I laughed, hitting him playfully on the arm.

"Am so happy for you." He spoke, with a smile on his face. "The Joanna I knew won't have done that".

"I guess that's what happens when you have self love and beautiful, amazing friends around you." I replied, hooking my hand with his and both walked out school together.

We walked out and spotted Tenda and Tony laughing about something while Ifeanyi and Blake were arguing. *Nothing new there* I thought dragging Harmony who was busy ogling a girl with a tight mini skirt.

"Come on dude." I pulled harder as he resisted my efforts. 

"Noooo," He whined dramatically as I succeeded in pulling him away from her direction. 

"Drama Queen." I muttered with an eye roll at his behaviour.

"What did u say?" He questioned, giving me a glare. 

"Nothing," I replied as we reached them. "Hey people," I greeted.

"What took you so long," Tenda asked, giving me a look. 

"This girl here," Harmony sighed dramatically. "Stood up to little miss green in the hallway, topping it off, she called her a sex doll to her face," He said and grinned like a parent who is proud of their child for taking their first step. 

Ifeanyi coughed, Blake's hand stopped midway on its way to hit Ifeanyi while Tony's mouth hung open and Tenda broke into a wide grin. 

"What!" I laughed at their weird reactions.

"Wow," They all said at once, apart from Harmony who was still grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"I knew you had it in you." Blake smiled, giving me a pat on the back.

"That's my partner," Ifeanyi smiled, giving me a high five. 

"I love her." Tony winked at me with a full blown smile which had my hear doing a back flip.

*Okay this guy is really giving me mixed signals here* I thought as I felt a need to blush. 

"My baby is really growing," Harmony grinned, pulling me into his side. 

"Yeah," Tenda spoke and gave my hand a squeeze "I'm proud of her".

I couldn't really comprehend anything at that moment as I discreetly stared at Tony still thinking of what his playing at.