Ten

  I was at the back of the library reading a novel I had borrowed from Abike when someone dropped down beside me, from his cologne I could tell it was Rasheed.

'I know you said you wouldn't participate but you could at least come watch'. He said. 

'I'm tired of explaining my noninvolvement. I have attended everyday except today, I'm sure no one misses me'. 

I flicked a page. 

'I missed you. There was no one to explain things to me'.

I chuckled. 

'You know nothing about sports, why do you even bother?'

'It's fun to watch'.

'It still feels strange to hear you talk about fun'. I teased.

'Well, since you decided to turn to books I thought we'd switch roles. You handle the books while I deal with sports. What are you reading by the way?'

He turned the book in my hand to the cover page and read the name out loud. 'Last Days at Forcados High'. 

He nodded and turned back to the page I had been reading. 

I went back to reading and he just sat there quietly for a few moments. 

'You know, you remind me of Efua'. He said and I scoffed. 

'I'm serious. You two are alike with your mysteriously delicate beauty'.

'Wawu, Rasheed with the lines. At this rate you'll be able to get Becca sooner than expected'. 

'Haha, very funny Amanda'. He said sarcastically but a smile was tugging on his face.

'Whatever. Efua is brainy though and I am a birdbrain'. 

'True that'. He agreed without looking at me. I punched his shoulder. 

'You lobster! You were supposed to say something nice and make me feel better'.

'You didn't let me finish'. He rubbed the spot I had punched. 

'Okay?'

'For punching me, you've lost your compliment'.

'Whatever rat shit'. He gasped theatrically and grasped his chest. 

'You too have joined them? You break my heart, Amanda Okoye'. 

When he called me that name I remembered my mom. She had decided it would be better if I bore her name and not my father's. She didn't want me carrying a murderer's name with me. My father was never found and knowing the country's security system, I'm sure the case had been closed ages ago.

I still didn't understand how he could kill his own mother, yes they quarreled all the time but Iya would've stood by him if he had the whole world against him. They say no one can love you more than your mother, you can say I'm not exactly a believer of that theory. 

These days I think of Alade more frequently, if only I could see him, I'd do almost anything to benefit from his wise counsel right now.

'You are doing it again'. Rasheed said, successfully dragging me out of my thoughts. 

'Doing what?'

'Ignoring me and giving attention to your little friends in your head'. 

'My demons'. I whispered but apparently he heard it since he smiled but said nothing. That was the thing I liked most about him; his ability to let things slide. 

The bell rang indicating the end of sports break. 

'See you at study hour'. Rasheed said as we got up. 

'Oh and come with your maths book, we have to win this battle against Ms Nancy'. He added before dashing off in the direction of his dorm. 

        Ms Nancy had been a major pain in my ass since the beginning of the term. She did not waste any opportunity to prove my worthlessness to my already aware classmates.

According to Rasheed, I was doing well enough in other subjects but if I failed maths I'd still be demoted. I tried to concentrate more in her classes but the permanent scowl in her face like there was a bug residing in her private area didn't make it easy.

Abike always talked about hating the teacher and loving the subject. I don't think anyone even likes maths. Aside Rasheed who would die for it more willingly than he would for Becca. He would never admit it but he had a crush on Becca, I didn't know how big it was but it was nauseating. One man's food is another's poison, right? 

         A ball landed right at my feet as I crossed the field. I looked up to see who had thrown it, quick guess? You are wrong, Chris. 

He was standing next to Marcel but I knew he was the one who threw the ball because his hands were still suspended in the air and he was grinning foolishly. I stepped over the ball and continued on my way. 

'Yo Amanda! He called out and I turned to face him. 

'The least you can do is throw the ball back'. 

He was perfectly correct. I picked up the ball and threw it at his face earning a yelp from him. I picked up my book and continued for the hostel. 

'Wait'. Said the rich baritone voice every living and nonliving thing in apex knew to belong to its demigod, Marcel. 

I stopped and waited for him to walk over. 

'So... You were serious'. I gave him a blank look to show I wasn't following. 

'You are really not going to take part in the sports week?'

So he had heard Rasheed and I in the library. 

'No, I'm not. I thought it would be obvious by now'.

'Why not?'

I was trying not to ask why he cared but I was sure he could see it in my eyes and chose to ignore it. 

'I'm studying'. 

'Right, forgot you were on probation. How are those grades coming?'

'Good enough'. 

'It's refreshing to see you walk around with books. You never did strike me as the book loving type'.

'The thought of being under you is motivating enough'.

'At least I motivate someone positively'. 

I scoffed. 

'Last days at Forcados high, huh?' He said looking at the book in my hand. 'Henceforth I shall call you Efua or maybe I should use her nickname; the witch'. 

'Why did you stop me Marcel?'

'To get a rise out of you. You have to admit, it's been a while'.

I glared at him and turned, walking to my room. 

'See you around witch'.

        My roomies were all in the shower when I got to the room. I dumped my things on the bed and stripped. 

'Barbie! Bath with us'. Hen hollered. She was going to pull me into the already cramped bathroom whether I agreed or not so I just walked in quietly to avoid any commotions. 

After several water fights and somehow managing to wash my body without spilling lather on everyone else, we got out of the bathroom. I got dressed in my daywear and climbed up to my bed. We still had about thirty minutes until supper time, half of which we spent listening to Hen recite her litany of Christopher Lawal. I loved the girl but she could do better. 

Abike and Henrietta left the room early and I was left with Vivian who was sitting on the other top bunk, facing me. 

'Amanda'. She called and I raised my eyes from the last page of the book to look at her, eager to hear what she had to say so I could go back to completing the book. 

'What's up?' She asked casually. 

'Nothinggg'. I drawled. She was acting weird. 

She sighed and ran a hand through the cornrows they had braided our hair into over the weekend. 

'Look, I'm not trying to play detective here but I know something is wrong. Quitting the team? Sports as a whole. The new attachment to books? Keeping to yourself most of the time? And don't give me that crap about being a natural quiet person, you've moved from quiet to downright antisocial. Since the start of the term you've been acting weird and Abike appears to know something but she won't speak and I'm beginning to worry'. 

I smiled. I didn't know she cared that much. 

'There is nothing to worry about, I'm fine. I just need to lay low and concentrate on studies, as you know, my grades are not that great'.

She shrugged. 

'If you say so'. She didn't look entirely convinced. 

'Hey, so what house do you think will win? I will place my bet on green house, well mostly because it's my house'. She said with enthusiasm she only directed at sports. 

'I wouldn't know but I'm sure green house will win since you are there'.

'I know right. Plus Chris Lawal is there too. I might not like the guy but when it comes to sport, he is pretty good'.

'My feelings exactly'. 

We both laughed. 

'I heard they are inviting parents over this Saturday for the finale'. She said. 

'They are?'

'Yeah. We usually do it on our own with the staff but this year is different. Something about taking sports in apex to the next level. Coach Dan is so excited, though he's still mad you aren't participating'.

I smiled at her with one thought in mind; my mom is not coming, and I was right because come Saturday, Mrs Dapo was there with her container of excuses that were definitely not needed because we all knew the truth, she didn't want to see the child that ruined her relationship but she had nothing to worry about, she won't be seeing me longer than she needs to. 

Vivian had been right, green house did win.