2. New girl ..

The next morning was filled with anxiety. It was the day the long awaited prefects will be appointed, meaning it's the day that the SS3 students who campaigned for posts would see if their work paid off or not. It was a day or both joy and sorrows.

Self explanatory!

Anita honestly didn't see why people fancied school prefectship. Maybe it's because it gives them half immunity and they get the right to punish students (trust me...that privilege is often misused) or maybe it's because their sport outfit is way cooler than the rest of the students and they get to flaunt their shiny badges (made of fake gold btw) in anps faces 

Just so you know. "ANPS" stands for association of non prefect students, noone knew who came up with that name, all Anita knew was that she was a proud member. Like seriously, who prefectship epp kwanu? For her it's just extra work and she'd rather finish the rest of her high school not being bothered about who came late to assembly or who isn't in class....

I get better things to do...

Anita was pretty antsy that Tuesday morning and it wasn't for herself but for Amina. She campaigned for social prefect and kept buzzing about it all the way home yesterday till they reached our junction and had to part ways (they live on the same street). Anita didn't want to look like a bad friend but to be honest, Amina didn't stand a chance. 

The position of social prefect is one of the most reputable positions after the head or senior perfects and it is also one of the most sought for. This was because many people didn't want to go for senior prefect because they thought it was too strenuous and boring so they opted for social prefect which gave you almost an equal amount of power but with less responsibilites.

The spot was usually left for the "cool" kids. You have to be really talented and outstanding, mostly in singing or dancing to get the spot, or at least be social and popular and having been best friends with Amina since jss3 (9th grade), Anita knew she had none of that.

Amina was a very shy, quiet and even often bullied girl. She was barely recognised and noticed. The only thing she was known for was her weight which people often used to mock and bully her. She was often told to drink "slim" tea to which she always ignored and though Anita considered her beautiful despite her weight and everything, she couldn't deny the fact that she lived a very unhealthy lifestyle and needed to lose some weight.

All these made her very skeptical that she would even be considered for the post. There were at least ten people running for that post and her competitors were far higher than her in the social tree...

Amina decided the both of them should go to school super early so that she could rehearse her "thank you" speech and a sort of manifesto for when she would be called out. She was so enthusiastic she even ironed her uniform very well (she doesn't do that very often) and kept walking fast as soon as they were dropped off at the entrance of the school compound.

"Ah ah Ami slow down na" Anita said half running to catch up with her  "hm...I don't have time to slow down oo..I spent all night writing that speech and I have to cram it fast" she said as she continued her quick strides holding her backpack tightly which made her hand to jiggle slightly as she walked

Yep! She was that fat!

"Ah nawa o, this kind post sef....her friend called out almost out of breathe when they finally reached the top floor of the two storey building where their class was. 

"How is this post even doing you sef? I'm sure most people are just going to blab rubbish once they get the badge. Who cares about a "thank you speech".."Anita breathed out making air quotes with her fingers "...besides, its not like they will collect the badge because you didn't say a thank you speech"she added.

"Ok..."Amina began then stopped and turned back "....first of all I'm not "most people"..." She said making similar air quotes. She started to walk slower now.

Finally!! Her friend thought

"....secondly, you don't know how much this post means to me....none of my sibling were school perfects and it didn't go well with my parents so becoming one will definitely make them happy" she finished off

Awwwwn...

Now Anita started to feel bad for anticipating her failure.....all her friend cared about was making her parents proud

"Also, becoming a prefect means I'll be the golden child" the chubby girl said,  a huge grin etched on her face

yeye child!

"Imagine" Anita said laughing out loud. They were almost at their classroom "ehen na..think of....." Amina started but didn't finish off when she opened the door. She stood there for a mili second before stepping in slowly, Anita followed suit wondering what cut her midway. When she entered she also paused briefly...

There was a new student in class!!

The unfamiliar figure looked at them still standing at the doorway, she was sitted on the front seat and gave a small smile when the two girls strutted in silently walking slowly to the back where they sat..

"Good morning" she greeted politely, Anita turned to her friend who did the same and they both said nothing. Only one thing was on their mind.

Since when did D champions academy start accepting new students in the SS3?

D champions was known for its standard. Mr Powers, the principal made it known that new students weren't allowed in exam classes which meant JSS3 and SS3 so seeing miss new student here was a huge surprise. 

"Um..." The girl called out, they had forgotten she said something earlier,

What was it  Anita thought to herself then she looked at her face, the girl was a bit light skinned in complexion, clear skin with just a few tiny bumps scattered on her forehead that didn't really classify as pimple. She looked innocent and serene with her round face and chubby cheeks and her pretty face was turned to them in a scowl.

"Sorry...." Anita started and was thankful she did when the scowl on the girl's face dissapeared and was replaced by a small smile

"Phew...thank God" she said giggling 

" I thought you guys didn't hear me or just deliberately ignored me" she continued

" I'm Ifechi by the way" the new girl spoke moving to their seat with her hands outstretched. Anita shook it and smiled

"Anita, nice to meet you" she said accepting the gesture then Ifechi turned to Amina

"Amina..." She replied slowly but without shaking her hand..she looked at Amina expectantly waiting for her to shake Ifechi's hand but she just sat there motionless opening a piece of paper which is assumed was her thank you speech

"Ooook..." Ifechi said slowly returning her hands to her sides. Anita felt bad for the new girl knowing how embarrassed she must have felt then looking over at Amina still peering over a paper in her hand, she frowned.

"Um...I'm new by the way.." Ifechi spoke up "well clearly you already know that.." she said with a slight grin. Anita smiled at the girl. It seemed like she had a good sense of humour

"Can we be friends?" She asked

Anita was surprised. For someone that new, she was pretty straightforward

"Sure" she replied

Ifechi seemed nice and cool, why would she say no

"...yay!" She said with a small squeal which was quite unusual "and I'm guessing your friend doesn't speak too often" 

Anita turned to Amina who was now staring at Ifechi like she had grown two heads

"No offense o" Ifechi said with a chuckle "come on now, friends?" She asked again turning to Amy. She hesitated a while before her face melted into a warm smile

"Friends!" She said and brought out her hand this time which Ifechi shook happily

"Thanks!"

Anita breathed a sign of relief 

Thank Goodness i thought something was going to happen she thought

After they had settled, Ifechi dragged a nearby chair and made her comfortable in front of the girls to gist.

"So what's this school like?" She asked adjusting her skirt properly. Anita threw her old friend a glance but she had gone back to reading her speech so she turned to Ifechi

"Just like every other 9ja secondary school" she replied to which she just smiled "No uh...I want details.." she said with a sheepish grin "like you know...what are teachers like, student drama.......boys?" She added with a small wink to which Anita burst out laughing

And to think she was innocent she thought to herself still laughing, Amina nudged my arm slightly "Chai Anita I'm trying to read this thing na..." She said. Anita rolled my eyes internally, couldn't she go to another class and read that her yeye thank you speech she thought, but to avoid trouble, she simply ignored her and checked her time on her watch.

7:25am 

"shey this children no wan come school?" She said out loud 

"What's the time?" Ifechi said bending slightly to gaze at her watch, Anita glanced at her two hands. She didn't have any wristwatch, only a small MTN band adorned her left wrist

"7:26 o," she replied looking at the seconds numbers on her digital clock that had just moved from 25 to 26.

"Chill it's early na" Ifechi said 

"Early kwa, assembly starts at 7:45 o and this school doesn't tolerate nonsense" Anita said half heartedly. Who was she deceiving? she knew that if not for Amina she would probably still be on her way if not less.

"What's up peeps?" Someone said from the door. They looked up and saw Jude, one of their classmates and one of the very few boarders in the class sauntering into the class. They exchanged pleasantries and he looked that the three of them before his face stopped on Ifechi

"Uh hi," he said 

"Hello" she replied. "My name is Ifechi....I'm your new classmate" she said stretching out her hand 

"Jude" he replied shaking her hand "Oh ok, well welcome to our school" he said smiling and she smiled back.

Jude was one of the good guys in the class. Nice, fairly good-looking and smart. He was also running for the position of the senior prefect with another boarder the same class

"What have you been reading since?" Ifechi asked reaching out to the A4 paper Amina's head had been buried in for over a minute. Surprisingly Amina didn't shift her hand or frown, she allowed her to take it freely. Almost as if she had been waiting for her to ask

"It's my thank you speech" she replied 

"Thank you speech kwa..did they give any gift or something?" 

"No be only gift..." Anita joked

"They're announcing prefects today..this one campaigned for social prefect" Anita said hitting Amina's arm playfully 

"Maddo" she said grinning at Amina who tried to return to her paper she had collected but they could see the faint blush on her light chocolate skin

"Well I wish you best of luck" Ifechi said before they went back to gisting. Some minutes later Toluwani, Godswill and some other boarders started trooping into the class throwing stares at their corner mostly because of the new girl.

They spent the rest of the early morning chatting while Amina rehearsed her speech.