2| JULIA

DARK SKIES: 2

2| JULIA

Julia placed her head on the desk as soon as Mrs. Komolafe left the class. Her words had become a regular thing for Julia, but every time she said those words, it birthed the pain all over again. 

Julia had always been an average student, from when she was in primary school. But it became worse when she got to secondary, her grades were nothing to write home about. She struggled with her academics because sincerely it wasn't easy for her.

All these didn't stop Julia from being herself, the bubbly, carefree, and sometimes childlike. Julia was not overshadowed by the gloominess of her end of the term result. She had a lucky charm, because, despite her poor grades, she always seemed to have just enough to get her to the next class, and if she didn't, there would always be a chance for her to resit the exam.

Her parents were supportive and didn't push her too much, though, times were that they had been disappointed in her. They would always talk to her trying to make her see that education was as important, they believed she wasn't making much effort to get better. All they did was encourage her, none of these made them talk bad or compare their only daughter with others.

She wished and hoped she could improve, she tried her best to stick with her textbooks and class notes, but no, it didn't work. She ended up sleeping off in the library and while reading at home. Her final exams were a big deal now, and if her teacher couldn't even imagine her success, she didn't know what could happen.

Julia felt a slight tap on her shoulders, as she raised her head. Her arms were wet because she had cried while her head was on the desk. She looked up to see who tapped her, it was Zoe.

"Julia, Mrs. Komolafe asked to see you". Zoe said.

" Huh?" Julia said wiping her face with the handkerchief in her hands. "Okay". She added as she stood up.

Zoe walked ahead of her to the staff room, she watched her closely and couldn't help but smile. Zoe was her friend when they were younger, they were both cheerful kids back then. She remembered everything had changed when her father died, Zoe became as cold as snow. 

The day her father died was the eve of Zoe's birthday, her parents had agreed on a big birthday gift for her 10th birthday, only to be informed of her father's passing in the early hours of the day. Julia had cried, Zoe's father, Gbemiga was a good man. He would always take the girls out anytime he was free, Julia had come to see him as an uncle, making his untimely death a bitter pill to swallow.

His death had shaken Zoe, she had been in denial for a long time, daily hoping her father would walk in through the door, which he never did. Her mother left her while the father's body barely settled in the ground. Julia's mother had complained and complained about Zoe's mother's insensitive move.

That time, her mom had called and called and even suggested that Zoe come live with them. But Zoe's mother refused, she took her to live with one of the money-obsessed people in the city.

Zoe had then created a shell for herself and lived in it ever since. Julia made many moves to get them to be friends again, but she was snubbed a billion times. But this didn't stop her, Zoe's attitudes didn't stop her from trying her best to do good for her. Her parents had specifically made sure she looked out for her.

They stepped into the almost empty staff room, Mrs. Komolafe was already packing her books for the next class. She raised her head as she sensed them enter the room, smiling awkwardly, she sat down and greeted them.

" Welcome girls". She said.

"Thank you ma," Julia said while Zoe nodded.

Mrs. Komolafe opened her desk's drawer and brought out a brown file, it had Julia's name writing on it. Julia's heart skipped a beat as she saw her name, she sighed as she hoped Mrs. Komolafe's next words wouldn't bring any more tears to her eyes.

" Julia, this is the compilation of your results since you started senior class. And I must say, it is not commendable one bit, staring at them alone gives me a headache", The teacher said as Julia swallowed.

" I know I'm hard on you, but it's for your good dear. You have an amazing personality but your academics are poor, and I truly want the best for you, do you understand me?" She asked as Julia nodded in agreement.

" Okay, so I had been thinking of various ways that could help you. And I have one". She said as Julia listened attentively, she wanted a solution to this issue.

" And that way involves you, Zoe," She said pointing at Zoe.

"Me?" Zoe asked shocked, as she pointed to herself. Julia watched the two, with wondering gazes.

"Yes!" Mrs. Komolafe said. "I want you to tutor Julia".

Julia's eyes widened in surprise, she smiled. This would be an opportunity to be tutored by the best student in senior school. By Zoe.

" That's if you are interested in helping your friend". She added. "What do you think?"

" I'm sorry ma, but with all due respect I don't think I would want to tutor someone like Julia". Zoe said, her words piercing through Julia's skin and hitting her heart. Tears formed in her eyes as her brain continued highlighting, "someone like Julia". What was wrong with someone like her, why would she say such? 

" Why, Zoe?" The teacher asked.

"I can't ma. I wouldn't want to waste my precious time with her. Her poor grades are entirely her fault, she skips classes for frivolous and unnecessary reasons. She sleeps and eats in class and fails to copy notes, she fails to do her assignments too. I don't think she would ever be serious with her academics, and I wouldn't waste my time till she does". Zoe explained. By now, tears were flowing down Julia's cheeks, as she gritted her teeth and tightened her first, she was so sad and angry.

" Who needs your help. You fool! You'll never get off your high horse Zoe, why do you even think you are better than me. Just because you have good grades and love from teachers. You can eat it all cos no one cares". Julia yelled.

"Stop it, Julia! " Mrs. Komolafe said.

"I forgot to add that I dislike people who rant like children ". Zoe added.

" Enough Zoe!" The teacher commanded, banging the table with her hands.

"It's okay, you can go Zoe". Mrs. Komolafe said.

Julia watched as Zoe walked out the door. She knew she was cold and unfriendly, but she didn't expect her to act that way. She had always seen Zoe, as a helpless girl, who was just lonely and needed friends. But with what had just happened, she believed she was just a wicked person.

" Sit down Julia," Mrs. Komolafe said as she pointed at the chair in front. Julia perched on the chair as she looked outside, avoiding her teacher's gaze. 

" Julia. I don't know what to do again, I don't. You see what your classmate just said about you? Can't you see it's all true". Mrs. Komolafe said.

There were all true indeed, Julia had managed to convince herself that she was not the problem, but maybe she was. She gave up easily, she was one to close the textbook the minute she did not understand something, she preferred to copy assignments from her classmates than write it on her own. She believed she didn't know it, so she doesn't like to bother herself.

Zoe's words had just triggered her to want to be better, if she was as intelligent as Zoe was, she wouldn't be insulted by her in that way. But how would she go about it with no one to tutor her, she was way behind.

"I know ma, I'll try my best this time". Julia muttered.

" Julia, I don't want to try your best this time. I want you to be your best!" Mrs. Komolafe said.

Julia nodded. "This time ma, I won't disappoint you!" She said as she bowed her head.

"Okay. So what will we do about your tutor, I wished Zoe accepted. I believed she would be a good influence".

" Anything you can do to help me ma". Julia said with teary eyes.

"Okay, call me Matthew".

Julia got to class only to find Matthew absent in class, she walked straight to his desk and asked of him from his desk mate. 

" Timilehin, where is Matthew?" She asked. 

"He went to the library" He answered. 

"Oh. Thank you" Julia said as she turned, walking past Zoe who was concentrating on the novel in her hands. 

Julia walked out of the class, passed the beautiful buildings in the school till she got to the library. She walked into the building and searched for Matthew in the senior section. Her eyes searched the section till she recognized his saggy glasses, she smiled as she walked up to him.

" Hi Matthew", she greeted.

"Hi Julia", Matthew responded, he looked up, adjusting his glasses with one hand, and resting his face on the other hand.

" Mrs. Komolafe asked me to call you," Julia said.

"Okay," Matthew said. He packed his books and put them in his bag. "Let's go". 

They walked out of the library and faced the direction leading to the staff room. After a few minutes of walking in silence they got to the office, Mrs. Komolafe was still there but with two other teachers. They were talking about something that took their attention, they didn't notice the students enter until they greeted.

" Okay Matthew", Mrs. Komolafe said facing them.

"Yes ma'am," Matthew said as he adjusted his glasses, which had become a habit.

"I want to ask for a favor here, and it concerns your classmate Julia," She said. Matthew looked at Julia, completely clueless.

" I want you to tutor Julia for the time being, so she could at least improve, you understand me? But that's if it's okay with you". She said.

Julia didn't know what to expect. She just stared at him hopefully, he wouldn't embarrass her like Zoe did, even if he won't accept. 

Matthew was the second-best student in the class, he had a huge crush on Zoe that was so obvious and glaring. The students made fun of him every time his idol, Zoe ignored him. He was a nerd with poor eyesight, lean, and had a very small stature, he always seemed to miss the right size of glasses, whenever he had to get a change. His glasses were oversized and saggy, giving him a signature look.

Julia never actually paid attention to him, he was one of the quiet smart boys that attended the school. She silently prayed that he accepts the offer, she needed someone as smart as Zoe on her side now. She was going to surprise Zoe.

"Please, I'll be a serious student". Julia said making a puppy face, making Matthew smile. 

After a few more seconds, Matthew spoke up. 

"Okay ma, it will be beautiful tutoring Julia". He said. 

Julia jumped in excitement as he hugged him spontaneously catching him off guard. " Thank you," she said with a wide grin, she laughed heartily as Mrs. Komolafe congratulated her and encouraged them both.

With this, she had a strong and positive mind towards the turn of things. It was beautiful that all this was happening on the first day of the final year, she was going to give it her possible best this time. She was so enthusiastic about the next turn her life was about to take, a turn she wished would be filled with success and good luck, all she ever wished for.