I sat on the dining chair, feeling a bit hesitant to eat the toasted bread sitting on a small ceramic plate and drink the cup of honey tea on my table mat. It was finally Friday, and of course, very nerve-wracking. All I could feel was my heart beating so fast, like I'd just run a race, surpassing Usain Bolt.
"Why aren't you eating?" Mother inquired casually while eating her breakfast.
"Must I go to school today?" I was tired of staying at home, but I also didn't want to face what was waiting for me in school. The bandage around my ankle was now gone, and I could walk, though I still felt a slight pain in it.
"You have to." Mum stopped to look me in the eye. "I need to see the parents of the children who thought it was okay to treat my baby as trash. You know that, right?"
I did, so I gave a small nod and bit my lower lip. "Look, love, I'll be there soon enough, I promise."
That was right. Mum had an appointment this morning and won't be able to go to school right away. That was the main reason I was paranoid. I thought she'd come with me to make things better.
"I also want to see your tutor; I missed him the other time." I groaned loudly, which made my mother smile a bit. I guess her comment was made to divert my worries.
"It's not his fault that he's good-looking, mummy." I groaned louder, then quickly ate my toast and drank my tea before reaching for my backpack. "At least he's not using his looks to take advantage of others."
With that, I got up, moved to my mother, and pecked her cheeks. "Bye!"
"Bye. And I don't care about you defending him; I need to meet him." She was playful, so I couldn't take her seriously. I hung up my bag and strolled out of the living room.
I sat in the backseat of the car while scrolling through WhatsApp. Damian had collected my number and saved it. I noticed he hardly posted anything on his status aside from depressing quotes he got from random sites. Like last night, for example, there was a post he kept on his status that read, 'Happiness was never meant for all' and 'Grey clouds are the most beautiful type of weather'. It made me realise he was still going through some things he wasn't ready to open up about, and I was here, selfishly acting like I had the biggest issue in the world.
Sassy King
I hope you're coming to school today.
-7:15am
Chuk's message popped up while scrolling, and I clicked to respond. I took a selfie of me in my car and sent it to him with the caption, 'Of course!'.
Chuks sent a red heart emoji soon after. I looked at the selfie I'd sent to him and saw that it was surprisingly good. Compared to glasses, contact lenses fitted me better, which was why I never dared to wear glasses to school. Seeing how good the picture was, I decided to post it on my status with the caption 'off to school'. I hadn't posted anything on my status since Damian collected my number. It wasn't like I didn't try, but all the pictures I snapped were ugly. Maybe it was because I was trying too hard to do random poses I hadn't tried before.
Seconds passed, and I already had four views. One from Chuks, the other two from some random guys I'd met online, and the last one from...
"You look beautiful!" I exclaimed at the message that just popped in. I would've given a normal reaction if it was from someone else, but coming from Damian, that message sent my jaw to the ground. I couldn't respond immediately because all I could do was stare at his message on my phone. This was the first time he was chatting with me, and he started it with a compliment. I felt myself getting flustered and didn't know when the smile I was trying to hide turned into a full grin.
Charming Prince
Wow, I never knew I'd be kept on read.
-7:25am
I began to panic as I fumbled with my keyboard. I had the habit of giving weird names to contacts that meant something to me. To Stella, I gave the name Sunny Queen. To Chuks, I gave the name Sassy King. And now I gave the name Charming Prince to Damian. It was cheesy, I know. But I liked it that way.
Me
I'm sorry. I was surprised.
-7:27am
Charming Prince
That I'm chatting with you or that I complimented you?
-7:27am
Me
Both... Thank you!
-7:27am
I added the exclamation mark because it was something I usually do whenever I get nervous. Looking at it now, I felt like I was going to cringe to death.
Damian sent a laughing emoji, which was a surprise. Was he actually laughing? I doubt that. Damian doesn't laugh aside from the chuckle or two he'd been giving these days. I guess he was one of those people who had a straight face when sending laughing emojis.
Charming Prince
See you at school.
-7:30am
I smiled softly at his message, then began typing on my keyboard before pressing send.
Me
See you at school.
-7:30am
───※ ·❆· ※───
The driver drove into the lot, and I got down with a heavy sigh. I said goodbye to him and watched as he manoeuvred his way out of the school's parking lot. I hadn't moved an inch even after the driver drove out. All I did was stare at the building as the students passed me in pairs. Taking a deep breath and knowing I couldn't stay out there all day, I decided to man up and head into the school's main building.
Inside the hallway, there were lots of students leaning against the walls and chatting with their friends. I heard one or two from the Ss3 Art class complaining about the mock exam and questioning if it was necessary. I finally took the stairs and headed for class.
I stood at the entrance of the door and held the door knob while trying to calculate my thoughts.
"Are you going in or not?" The soothing voice made me flinch, especially when I knew who it belonged to.
I quickly turned to see Damian towering over me a bit with his height, and God, was he close. His stares were so deep that I felt he could see and understand my inner thoughts way more than I. "Damian."
He let out a small smile and created a little bit of space between us. "Why aren't you going in?"
"I was about to," I said quickly, but Damian looked like he wasn't believing me.
"Then let's go in." He held my shoulder and turned me to face the door before opening it. We walked into the classroom, and everyone present had their eyes on me and Damian.
I looked at the back, and thank goodness, Queen wasn't present. Chloe and Elue were, but Queen wasn't.
"You don't have to be scared of anyone," Damian leaned in to mutter into my ears. "They're your classmates. You've got the same authorities as they do."
I gave a small nod because I was too stunned by his actions to even speak. "I'll be going to my seat."
"Thank you," I said, finally turning to him as he let go of my shoulder. I watched him move to sit with Thompson and Muller. Thompson had his hands over Muller, who was busy reading a huge textbook in front of me. When he noticed me, he gave a small smile and pointed at his eyes, then at me, then at his eyes again. His gesture made me remember my mother telling me she'd told his dad to make sure Thompson looked after me in school.
I held the strap of my backpack while walking over to my seat and avoiding the prying eyes of my classmate.
"Nsikan! The new Juliet!" Stella exclaimed before getting up to hug me and making way for me to sit on my spot, which was between her and Omolara. "I'm the upcoming actress, but you're the one filled with romance."
"Oh my God, stop." I groaned, placing my backpack in my desk locker.
"Stop what?" Stella lifted her brows. "Damian was all over you seconds ago."
"He wasn't all over me; he was just..." I trailed off, biting my lower lips while thinking of my next words.
"He was just?" Stella leaned in. "Wait, hold up. Don't tell me he was trying to convince you to help Elue, because I swear I will-"
"He wasn't!" I quickly exclaimed just to stop her, then turned to the back to see Elue with her head on her desk and Chloe frowning and looking in the opposite direction.
"Good, because I need them all gone." I scoffed at Stella's words. I then turned to my right, only for my heart to almost leap out of my chest. Because Omolara was so quiet, I thought she was reading or sleeping. But no, she had her usual creepy stare at me.
"Class rep," I smiled, teasing her a bit.
She groaned, "I almost had a mental breakdown when Mr. Akan called my name. So please, do most remind me, because it has made my school life much worse."
"How has it made your school life much worse?" Stella asked out of pure curiosity.
"Because right now I've got responsibilities!" Omolara said in a 'duh' tone. "Kill me already."
It was funny seeing Omolara's reaction. Picturing her as someone responsible for the class was something I never thought I'd see.
"I need to go ease myself," I said to Stella. She nodded and made way for me to walk past.
Still ignoring everyone's eyes, I headed for the classroom door, but someone beat me before I could open it. Now I was face-to-face with Queen, someone I was hoping not to meet until my mother came to school.
"Great, the person I was dying so hard to meet!" I gulped, just looking at the smirk on her face.
The class was completely silenced once Queen said those words.
"You had the guts to report my friends and me to your mother?" She scoffed, folding her hands below her chest. I could tell how angry she was. "Come with me, now!"
I stood, shaking a bit as I looked at Queen. "Do not dare keep me waiting. Come with me."
And with that, she turned to the door, ready to head out. "No."
My voice was barely above a whisper and sounded so unsure. But with the way Queen turned to me with wide eyes, I could tell she heard me. "What did you say to me?"
You don't have to be scared of anyone; they're your classmates. You've got the same authorities as they do.
Damian's earlier words filled my ears. I was tired at this point. Yeah, I was scared that I was confronting Queen, but I was tired. Damian was right; everyone was right. Damian, Chuks, Stella, Thompson, and probably Muller won't be able to defend me all the time.
Queen was right there, standing in front of me while losing her patience. I knew the worst she could do was slap me, and I was ready for it.
"I said no!" My voice was a little bit firmer than earlier.
"Did you just-"
"What will you do to me?" I asked, watching as she raised her hand to hit me. "Do that; I don't care. It's another piece of evidence that you are a bully. I'm tired, Queen. I'm tired of you oppressing me. I try to smile and do the things you command because I thought you'd stop, but you never did. I even quarrelled with Stella because I thought her always intervening made matters worse, but I was wrong. Omolara was right: Just because I escaped the enemy's territory doesn't mean they won't find ways to come back."
I wasn't sure where the surge of confidence was coming from, but if Damian said my mum's cup was full, then I guess mine was too. I still wasn't as strong, and I knew Queen would probably slap me. She can, though; at least she'd do it in front of the class.
"You'll regret this, Queen spat at me, wriggling her hands at my face. "You think your mum can save you? Have you met my dad?"
"I don't want to," I answered honestly. "If he can do an awful job raising a child, then I don't want to."
"My dad didn't-"
"He did." I nodded, telling her this calmly. "You're proud yet insecure, and you're also a bully who throws a tantrum when things aren't going your way. I don't think your father will get the best dad of the Year award."
Some snickers came from my classmates, but I wasn't proud of that. They were all there, and most witnessed the Trix's actions towards me since Ss2. Some took sides with them, calling me names. So I wasn't thrilled with them siding with me now because it wasn't anything special.
"Like I said, you'll regret this!" Queen pushed me aside and stormed over to her seat to sit down. Many turned to her with whispers, but all I did was rush out of the class.
I leaned against a wall with both hands on my kneecap while panting like I'd run a marathon. Queen was my fear, and confronting her was very scary. I couldn't stop my heart from beating fast, resulting in a laboured breath.
"Hey," a calm voice made me open my eyes. Of course, I knew who it was. I stood upright to see Damian smiling at me. Slowly, he let out a thumbs-up, which stopped my heart from beating so fast.
You can say I wasn't thinking as I turned and gave him a tight hug. At first, Damian didn't hug back. He stood still, and for some reason, his heart was beating hard. Seconds later, he slowly wrapped his arms around me.
"I didn't say anything because I trusted you to do something yourself," he said quietly. "And you did."
"I thought of your words; that's why," I admitted. "Thank you."
He didn't say anything after that, and I remained in his arms, hugging him in my class lobby, irrespective of students walking past us to witness the scene.
───※ ·❆· ※───
I washed my hands before stepping out of the female restroom. Resting against the wall beside the doorpost was Damian, patiently waiting for me. When the door opened, he turned to meet my gaze.
"You're done?" He asked, and I nodded. Earlier, he told me he'd walk me to the restroom and wait for me outside it. I wanted to object, but at the same time, I liked the fact that I was walking alongside him. "Let's get back to class."
"Do you think Queen will confront me again?" I asked Damian as we both walked back to our class.
"I don't think it's something you should be afraid of." He responded. "Queen isn't stronger than you in any way. She's weaker."
"Weaker?" I couldn't help but scoff. My action amused Damian. How was Queen weaker? She had confidence in herself and had friends, looks, money, and the brains to round it up. Of course, there was nothing to make her weak; that's why she could always let me know that I was inferior.
"Bullies tend to oppress those they feel are weaker, so they could feel good about themselves." Damian continued as we climbed the stairs and walked down the lobby leading to our classroom. "Now that you've shown that you are no longer scared of her and ready to keep up with that new-found attitude, there's a hundred percent chance she's going to leave you alone."
"I never said I wasn't scared of her." I chuckled nervously as we stood in front of our classroom's door. "I just summoned some little courage to put her in her place."
Damian nodded and turned to me. His eyes were soft as they held mine, and for many reasons, I just wanted us to stay that way. "Whatever you did earlier is working. It doesn't matter if you pretended to be strong just to tell her off; what matters is that she would never oppress you if you keep it up."
Damian reached for my hand, catching me off guard. "Understood?"
Looking at my right hand, which was held with his, I nodded. "Understood."
Damian let out a smile. It wasn't subtle, but it wasn't a full-blown smile either. It was moderate-one that could send my heart fluttering even more.
He opened the classroom, and we both walked in. All eyes were on us, but not like before. This time, they all looked like I was supposed to be anywhere but here. The Trix weren't in their seats, and Omolara wasn't either.
"Nsikan," I heard my name being called. It was Muller. "Mr. Akan sent for you."
"Omolara went to look for you," Stella said, getting up from her seat and approaching me at the front. "He also called for the Trix too. I think your mum is in school."
My lips parted slightly at the idea of my mum being in school.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Damian added softly. "Mr. Akan won't chase me out of his office."
I would've loved that, but I didn't want my mum to embarrass him with unnecessary questions, so I declined. "No. You said I should pretend to be brave, right? What better way than to start now?"
Damian looked hesitant, but he stepped back and nodded. I turned to Stella, who was smiling at me.
"If they ask for witnesses, call me and Chuks." She said it immediately. "We'll help you add pepper and salt. We'll tell them we saw them tear your cloth one time and throw you off the school's highest balcony, but you manage to survive without breaking bones."
"Then you'll be the one getting suspended for false testimony." Thompson stood and moved to us, with Muller beside him. "You should be encouraging her to tell the truth."
"Thompson," Stella called with a sigh. "The Trix won't tell the truth for sure, so why should we?"
"Because it's their words against everyone in this class," Muller said, before manoeuvring his eyes from Stella to me. "Don't worry, the head boy, which is yours truly, has got your back."
His words earned him a full-blown smile from me. I guess the Chemistry that made him moody before was starting to get into his head, and now he was back to his overly confident self.
I opened my mouth, ready to say thank you, when the classroom door opened and we all turned to it, only to see Omolara.
"I didn't sign up to be some class rep," she muttered to herself before lifting her head. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Mr. Akan asked me to get you."
I turned back to Damian, who'd been quiet, and he gave me a reassuring nod. Turning around, I had to leave class with Omolara.
───※ ·❆· ※───
Omolara and I walked side by side. But when we walked past Mr. Akan's office, I finally knew where we were headed: the Principal's office. It was quiet at first because I was busy thinking about what would happen in the office.
"I saw your mother; she's very beautiful," Omolara said out of the blue, taking me off guard.
"Thank you," I said in a small voice, not in the mood for her talk.
"You look like her, but a little." Thank God she said a little. I only took my mother's nose; that was it. We had different things, aside from the nose.
"We don't look alike," I chuckled. "My mum's a goddess."
"You're beautiful too; don't put yourself down." I let out a small smile.
"I guess you are right." These days, I've been called beautiful, unlike before. It was starting to feel like a fact, and I was slowly starting to accept that fact.
We finally got to the principal's office. Omolara reached for the door handle, but I quickly held her hand. "What? Having cold feet?"
"Are there a lot of parents in there?" I asked instead.
"Probably. When I got in there, it was only your mother I was looking at because she's beautiful. It also didn't help that she was putting on a shiny gold flare gown." I almost groaned loudly. Mother and her ways of looking the best at every gathering
Omolara, knowing we'd get in the office eventually, finally opened the door. She stepped in first and I slowly walked after her. I hardly go to the teacher's office, you see, only when they call me in to complain about my grades.
I walked further into the office, and the first person I saw was my mum, gesturing for me to go over to her. I slowly moved and sat on the comfy sofa provided for visitors. Mr. Akan was present in the principal's office with some teachers. The Trix were also present. Queen still looked confident, Chloe looked angry, and Elue looked shaking. Queen and Chloe could meet my gaze as I sat beside my mother, but Elue couldn't. Beside Elue was a man who kept yelling into her ears while being told to calm down by the principal. The woman beside Chloe looked so disappointed but didn't say anything to Chloe. Even a person with an average brain like me, could tell it was their parents.
But where's Queen's?
Queen was alone without a parent or parents by her side, which may be the reason why no one had started anything yet.
"Mrs. Principal," my mother said in a stern voice. Didn't I say if I don't see their parents, I'd sue this school?"
"Please calm down, ma." The principal tried to calm my mother down. "Queen, where are your father and your mother? The school sent a message across to them, so where are they?"
"My father is very busy, ma," Queen said. I knew her voice alone was annoying Mother. So I placed a hand on my mother to calm her down before she could murder a teenage girl. "He said he'd be here. You just have to wait."
"Does everyone think I'm joking here? Does it look like I'm playing? I'm the victim's mother, and I'm equally busy." My mother got up and moved over to Queen while pointing at her. I could see Queen visibly gulp, and for the first time, she looked scared. "If I don't see any of your parents in the next one minute, I'm going to-"
The door flew open, inviting everyone to turn to it. A man dressed in a well-made, creamy-coloured suit walked in with a great stance. His aura was intimidating and out of this world, forcing me to silently beg my mother in my head not to anger him. Looking at him alone, I could tell why Queen was so confident.
He walked further into the room, and I could see my mother's lips parting like she was struck or something. I wasn't sure what to call this, but I hoped she wasn't struck by his charming present because that would be so unbelievable.
The man in question finally got to my mother, and soon I could see some familiarity in the way he looked at her. No one spoke at that moment because the voiceless encounter between this man and my mother was confusing.
"Let's get out of here," my mother mumbled, forcing me to crease my brows.
"Mum, what-"
"Let's get out of here!" I flinched at the way my mother turned and yelled at me. I was so shocked because my mother had never yelled at me before. Gulping, I watched as my mother turned to the principal. "I'm postponing this meeting till further notice."
And with that, my mother stormed out of the office, leaving me in so much confusion. I turned to Omolara, and then at everyone in the room. Everyone shared the same confused expression as me.
Everyone, except that man.
───※ ·❆· ※───
Chapter 30, wow.
What do you think of Nsikan's confrontation?
We are now 60% into MIX AND MAX ✨