Benjamin didn't like surprises but he had to admit, he was loving this.
“And the representative of our 2019 annual Medunal science competition is Benjamin Ayeladewa.”
The class went silent for a while and then, they began clapping.
For a while, Benjy sat in silence, waiting for Tito to come out. This was her thing. He was supposed to glare at her, angry at the fact that she again has gotten the chance to represent their school.
But of course, she was absent today and he…he was the chosen representative.
“Benjamin, would you please stand up?” Mr. Johnson, the head of the science department and also, Physics teacher asked.
He blinked. “Me?”
“Is there anyone here bearing Benjamin Ayeladewa?”
“No, sir.”
“Then be on your feet.”
As he stood up, the class erupted into applause again. His heartbeat raced and he tried not to show how shell-shocked he was.
The Medunal science competition for senior secondary school, class two had been around for a while now. He was now a senior in class two and that was the only reason the school was picking a representative from their class.
He glanced around the classroom, wondering where Tito was. This was supposed to be her thing. He knew he wouldn’t stand a chance if she was here and he hated it.
Back in Junior secondary school, she won contests like they were as easy as getting your food out of your lunch bag. It wasn’t that easy. She was just a maniac who loved competitions and awards.
He had always been beneath her but now, he was a step ahead of her. He was representing their school at a big science competition. Gosh, he couldn’t wait to see the dissatisfaction on her face.
“Benjamin scored the test by earning 89/100. The highest,” Mr. Johnson's voice rang out.
“Go, Benjy!” One of his classmates and also best friend, Dare cheered.
He smiled at Dare.
“So Benjamin, you know the drill. Don’t let our school down. We have to win this competition.”
“Yes, Mr. Johnson.” He sat down with a fluttery feeling in his stomach. His father was going to be thrilled.
All through class, his mind whirled with the news that he had actually gotten the role of representative. Reading was easy. He could win this. He imagined winning the competition. His frame was going to be placed on their school's wall of fame. A place where Tito had four frames where she had to different competitions.
The school loved her. The teachers adored her. The students worshipped her. Benjamin, he hated her guts.
She was proud, rude, and self-centered. He couldn’t stand her.
It wasn’t because she beat him to everything. Yes, she was above him. Questions in class, assignments, debates. Name it.
It was because she gloated about it.
A few seconds before Mr. Johnson's class would end, the timekeeper rang the bell. Gee, it was already long break.
A few classmates congratulated him as they left the classroom.
He remained in his seat. Half of the class had already left when Dare dropped his bag on the floor and slumped in the chair next to him.
“That class was so boring. Who cares about the seven electromagnetic waves? I don’t even remember what they were.”
Benjamin shrugged. What was so hard to understand about electromagnetic waves? “Dare, it is so simple. We have gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation—”
“Dude, I wasn’t asking.” Dare’s brows rose. “I don’t care. Really.”
“Oh, sorry. I just thought you wanted me to tell you.”
Dare shook his head. “You are a dork. Big nerd.”
“You know I don’t like that word.”
“How about science freak?”
Benjamin picked up his bag and draped it over his shoulder. He stood up, ready to go.
“Shut up. Let’s just go. I am starving.”
Dare jumped to his feet, shrugging the school's blue coat onto his shoulders. His friend was taller than him, with brown skin and the kind of face girls liked. He knew he could get into the handsome boys' department but his friend would destroy the whole department. No kidding.
They had gotten halfway down the crowded hallway with students in uniform when Dare spoke, “Dude, I am so happy you won. My best friend. The whole football team would be glad to hear that one of us is representing the school.”
“Calm your horses. I haven’t won yet.”
“Yeah but how hard will it be?” Dare Pffted with his mouth. “You will beat other competitors.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I know you gave it your best,” Dare said, slapping him on his shoulder. “Relax. It is just a science competition.”
Benjamin gave his friend a look.
Dare laughed. “Okay, I am making it sound so easy when I don’t even know what electromagnetic waves are.”
Benjamin chuckled.
------------------------------------
Benjamin's heart thumped all the way home and he didn’t even know why.
He closed the front door behind him, taking in the scent of Ofada rice. Surely, his mother was performing wonders in the kitchen.
Their living room had a bland look. It had no decorations, no pictures on the wall, and no themes. Just sofas and stools complimented their small flat screen television mounted on the wall.
He was about to kick off his shoes when he remembered that his father wouldn’t be so keen on the idea.
“Tani yen?” His mother asked.
“It is Benjamin. I am home,” he answered, throwing his bag on one of the sofas. He began loosening his blue tie.
His mom entered the living room wearing an apron. She reached out to touch his forehead.
“Are you okay? You look awful.”
“Gee, thanks, Mom.” He fumbled with his tie.
“I was just saying.” She moved closer to help him with his tie. “How was school today?”
“Good, I think. I can’t wait to gist you all about today but that would be after lunch.”
“You like food ehn.” His mother laughed. “Guess what I prepared for you.”
“Ofada.”
“Hmm. Good guess.”
He shook his head as his mom handed his tie to him. “I can smell it, mom.”
The sound of someone groaning jerked up their heads.
At the sight of his father, Benjy jumped from his seat. His stoic expression made him wish he was anywhere but here.
“He is a boy. You shouldn’t be spoiling this kid,” His father said to his mother.
“The boy is my son. I carried him for eight months and a half.”
“Then ask him real questions like How were his classes today? Did he have any tests?” His father looked at him pointedly. “Did he pass or fail any?”
His mother rolled her eyes. “Maybe I was waiting for you to do just that.”
His parents were like this every time. They argued about everything and sometimes it made him wonder how he had survived growing up in their house.
“Good afternoon, Dad.” he bowed his head.
“Afternoon. How were your classes today?”
Ah, he was about to start with the questions. “Good. All seven of them.”
“Did you understand what was taught today?”
“Yes.”
His father's expression didn’t waver. “Any test?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“Just one.”
“Did you pass or fail?”
“Gabriel, why now? Let the boy eat,” His mother's voice was stern but his father wasn’t even looking at her.
“I passed, Dad.”
“Good. Score?”
“87/100.”
His father eyed him with a critical squint. “Why couldn’t you get 90 or even 98?”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Nothing pleased his father.
“It wasn’t just an ordinary test, Dad.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t —”
“I passed the test that made me my school's representative of the Medunal science competition.”
There was it. He watched his father’s eyes widened with amusement.
“Sweetie, is it that big science competition that gives the winner a cash prize?” his mother asked.
“Yes, Mom.”
His dad’s countenance shifted. “You are the representative?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“And that girl? Your superior?”
Of course, his father knew about Tito. The man was always keeping a watch on his grades. There was a time his father almost fought with one of his teachers because Tito got a higher score. His father thought Tito's parents were paying for her grades.
He couldn’t tell his father the reason why he was allowed to represent their school. It was not an option.
“I passed her with three marks.” He lied.
“That’s good. That’s impressive.” He turned to his mom. “You see what I always tell you. My son is going to be the best.”
He spruced up when his father meet his gaze. “I hope you know this means you’ll read like there is no tomorrow?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Competitions like that are scary. You’ve to prepare.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Good boy.”
Now that he had raised his father’s hope, he had to go to any absurd extent to win this competition. He can’t afford to lose.