Chapter 3- Feelings.

"What's wrong with you? What happened earlier in my class wasn't funny at all and where the hell is Ade!?"

Mr. Rotimi's croaky voice echoes in my head. Ade hasn't shown up yet and if he doesn't come,he'll surely get it from Mr Rotimu Maybe he is busy with his gang or girls. Whatever! What's my problem with it? It would be better for me if he doesn't show up at all.

"Good afternoon sir,"Ade greets as he approaches Mr. Rotimi's table. The atmosphere suddenly feels contaminated now.

"Well, good afternoon. Both of you have your sit," Mr. Rotimi says,  gesticulating to the chairs in front of the rather large table. It's not actually what you would call an office, its a large space in the staffroom given to him by the VP. There is the master chair, a big table, two chairs in front and a flower vase he puts on top of the table. Rumour has it that he is the next in line to becoming our next VP. Nowadays, he is always on his best behaviour. It would be unbearable for me to have to listen to his croaky voice every morning giving stupid announcements and speeches on the assembly ground.

"Thank you sir. I'd prefer standing," I say, looking outside the window.

"Really? Okay. How about you, Ade? Would you rather stand or sit?" His eyes, fixed on Ade. 

"I am okay like this sir," Ade says, looking at me with contempt. Knowing my decision compels him to stand with me gives me inner joy. These days, Ade has been following the rules which is quite strange. It seems he plans on becoming the next Labour prefect so he can discipline and brutalize students like his tyrant brother.

"Okay, as I was saying before you came. You guys can be friends rather than enemies. Do you know what you'll both achieve if you were friends..."

Mr. Rotimi is who you'd call a talk-active. All he needs is an audience. He can talk to a statue for hours as long as he thinks its Listening to every word he is saying. He counsels us on the assembly ground every Thursday which is totally uncalled for. That's why we have a counsellor in the school for Christ's sake! We don't need two counsellors in St. Peter's High. 

Its been seven minutes now and he hasn't stopped talking. This is becoming so unbearable. I turn to look at Ade. He seems to be enjoying every word our unappointed assistant Counselor, Rotimi is saying.

"You guys should try to get along. At least, give it a shot and let that be the very last time you pull such stunt in my class." 

You know it's not possible. I smile. 

"You can go." 

Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Without wasting as much as a second, I dash to the field. I wave to Bolaji who seems to be heading back to class with some of our friends. I signal them to go ahead. I will join them later. For now, I have matters of the stomach to attend to.

"Madam, give me one gala and one bigi apple," I say, handing the money to Madam Bisi, the school's snack seller.

"Don't worry, I will pay for it." The one too familiar bass voice sounds from behind. Ade! What have I done to deserve this!?First, the class room. Then, Mr. Rotimi's and now, the cafeteria?

"I am capable enough to pay my bills," I say without looking back.

"You know, you should reconsider. Beggars are not choosers!" Ade chuckles.

The noisy cafeteria suddenly becomes quiet. Everyone is watching and waiting for my response.

"You know." Now turning to face Ade, I turn my head downwards to face him, making it obvious I am way taller than he is.

"You are nothing but a clown. All you do is to go about playing Stupid pranks and making dry jokes." I pause, allowing what I said to sink. The smirk on Ade's face melts into a frown.

I continue,

"For example, you were so funny nobody laughed at the joke I am sure you used 50% of your brain to think of. Your gang here," I say, gesticulating shabbily to the boys behind him.

"Didn't even find what you said funny. That's if they understood what you said." 

I can hear little giggles from students in the cafeteria. It's time to drop the final blow. I take a deep breath. 

"You know Bullying is prohibited in this school and you've already been given a yellow card. Any other disturbance from you, and the VP will do us all a favour by expelling you." Most of the students are now chuckling and murmuring to each other. I am so proud of myself right now. 

"You know what!? Fuck it!" Ade curses as he rolls up his sleeve. My heart beat increases. I have always had a sharp mouth. I think that's the one thing I took from Mama, but I have always hated fighting. Oh God! Who will save me from this maniac.

"Hey! If you dare lay a finger on him." Sen. Cynthia, the school's Social prefect comes to my rescue. 

Wow, Sen. Cynthia is the last person I expected to help. She is a drop-dead beauty queen from ss3, Fair in complexion, has a full lip, with those eyes that can make a man blush. She is a distant relative to Amanda. As long as I can recall, Cynthia and Amanda have never been close. There have always been this enmity between them. She was Dave's last girlfriend before he graduated. Maybe that was what prompted her to come to my rescue.

"Sen. Cynthia, did you hear what this fool said? He insulted me in front of my juniors." Ade tries to defend himself.

"You started it first, didn't you? It is only normal for him to defend himself," Sen. Cynthia says, looking at Ade straight in the eye. Her eyes are so beautiful. Now, I know why Dave, the unrepentant player was so in love with her.

"Tim, go to your class."

Immediately, I take my drink and gala from Madam Bisi and I disappear. Luck must be on my side today. I would have been embarrassed in front of everyone if not for Sen. Cynthia's interference. I will thank her personally after school hours. Wait a minute, she called me Tim. As far as I know, no one has ever called me that.

"Hey guy, you be bad guy o," Harrison says in pidgen. Most of the students have returned to the class. The class is very noisy as most of the students discuss in groups. Harrison, Bolaji and some of our friends are already seated. They are all looking at me, expecting me to reply him so they can blast me with questions.

"Talk! What did Mr. Rotimi say?" Bolaji says inquisitively. 

"He only advised us. I wasn't even listening," I go to my sit, open my drink and I take a gulp.

"How would you have listened? When all you think about is Amanda!" Harrison says rather loudly, causing me to almost spill the drink in my mouth. They all burst into laughter with Bolaji's loud mocking laughter overshadowing theirs. Sometimes I just feel like shoving an apple down his throat. The whole class must have heard what he said. Well, I do not care. As far as Amanda did not hear it.

"Hey Amanda! How far na?" Harrison waves as he goes to meet Amanda who must have been standing at the door all along. She must have heard what Harrison said. Oh my Goodness! Realising that, I duck my head and place my hands on my table. I'm sure she must be looking at me. I take another gulp from my drink, but this time a bigger one. Bolaji's loud mocking laughter roaring again.

He takes out his handkerchief, wipes his eyes, look at me and then continues laughing. My palms are now sweaty. Harrison should have prepared me before pulling such stunts. I would have known how to react to this. Act mature! Don't be a chicken! The voice rings in my head.