Akin eyes widened "What do you mean?"
"I don't know what happened but SS2 students are the ones handling all the competitions"
"They have exams and we don't that's why we handle it"
"The students involved exams have being postponed"
"What? Mr Arika agreed to that?"
"Am telling you"
"At least we still have to prepare for cowbellpedia"
Dele laughed "Didn't you hear me? All competitions?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes"
"We can't even handle that competition yet they are giving it to SS2 students? Am going to see Mr Arika"
"Its useless"
"Even Moyo has gone to see him. He embarrassed her"
"What?"
"I think Semiloore is involved in this"
"Semiloore?"
"Yes and even the principal asked me to tell you to forget about the GVS debate"
"Huh?"
"He said Tamiloore is a better candidate"
"What?! How dare those kids?"
A junior boy ran into the class panting.
"Snr Akin,you need to come right now?"
"Femi, what is it?"
The boy beckoned to Akin as they both ran towards the volleyball court. Tamiloore was standing there holding the ball.
"What are you doing here?" Akin asked.
"Ohh, I am taking the position of the volleyball captain"
Akin burst into laughter "What do you even know about volleyball?"
Tamiloore chuckled "We'll see about that"
"Give me the ball"
"Snr Akin, am on instructions to take over the volleyball team"
"Who's instructions?"
"Coach"
"Coach?"
"I can't be lying right?"
"Just because you came to watch me practice a few times doesn't even make you a volleyball player"
"Of course not"
"Snr Akin,coach really said she should take over"
Akin frown increased; "That's impossible"
"There's possible in impossibility"
"Why you?"
"Because I can play"
Akin scoffed "Excuse me"
"I'll duel with you and if I win you not just step down you'll leave the volleyball team"
"I am not doing that. I won't stoop so low to play with you"
"Stoop so low? Snr Akin am the one stooping low to play with you"
"He's your senior! You can't talk to him like that"
Tamiloore shrugged "Okay. I'm sorry but he's disturbing me now. He won't duel with me neither will he let me practice"
"Let's duel"
A sinister smile crawled up Tamiloore's face as she shook her head.
"Clear the court please"
Nathaniel and Jerry sighed, "I feel sorry for Snr Akin"
"Swears"
The match started and by the end everyone well except Jerry and Nathaniel had both shocked and amazed looks on their faces.
"You didn't learn all those by watching me practice!" Akin yelled.
"Of course I didn't. And please shift and let me train with others. We still have a long way to go. Cmon everyone gather around"
They all quickly gathered around and as Tamiloore was explaining some oral part to them she turned to Akin who was still transfixed on the spot.
"Snr Akin cmon join we could make use of some extras"
Some boys and girls laughed at this.
Akin stood transfixed on the spot. He couldn't believe he had just being humiliated. He had just lost a volleyball match to a girl. He had just gotten embarrassed. The sentences kept revibrating in his head. He stared at Tamiloore who was already engrossed in whatever she was telling the others.
"Rolake and others we start our camp out today" Semiloore said.
"Okay" Rolake replied with a nod.
"See you guys then"
They all walked into the bus with tired faces and even Semiloore just fell into her seat. Nathaniel placed her head on one of his legs.
"Pele" Nathaniel said rubbing her head.
"I'm just tired" Semiloore complained.
"You'll be fine"
"Hungry?"
"Yeah"
"Me too"
"What would you eat bayi?"
"Anything but for appetizers I'll rather eat you"
Semiloore turned red as she removed her head from his leg.
Just where the hell are you getting all these pick up lines idiot?
You don't even give a signal before talking.
Eish!
Nathaniel turned her face to him as he smiled, "I really mean it"
"Awey stop it" Semiloore replied playfully slapping his hand away.
"Here" Nathaniel said handling her a box.
"What's inside?" Semiloore asked trying to open it.
"Not now. Open it when you get home"
"Home?"
"Yes"
"Okay" Semiloore replied as she stared at the small box. She examined it as if trying to decipher what was inside by looking at the outside.
"Bye" she said not waiting for his response as she flew outside the bus. Nathaniel laughed as he watched her open the gate and fly inside.
She was going to be the very death of him.
"Joe?"
Semiloore rushed up to him as he dropped pecks on their cheeks.
"What are you doing here?"
"I am free for the rest of the week so Joyce invited me over"
"That's so going to be fun. Mom am having the guys today"
"Okay. I already prepared dinner"
"Is that a gift?"
"Yes"
"From her boyfriend" Tamiloore drawled as Semiloore blushed.
"Whoa!"
"Don't mind Tam"
"Hey you know Nath right?"
"If its Nath then am fine with it"
"Huh?"
"I saw you two...you know doing that on your birthday party"
"Oh my god!"
Joe laughed "You two looked good together but take it easy okay?"
"They are taking it far from easy"
"Tamiloore!"
"Roger that"
Semiloore burst into laughter as she hurried upstairs and closed the door. She quickly dropped her bag and sat down as she opened the box. There was a bracelet in it. She brought it out and saw an inscription on it.
My heart
Her heart turned to jelly immediately. She wore the bracelet on her hand as she traced her hand through it. She removed her school uniform as she changed to shorts and a small top.
"Since Nath is coming to shouldn't you wear something that covers"Joe chided.
"I can't wear long jeans in my house and besides he already saw my laps before what's there to hide?" Semiloore said.
Joe sipped his tea "Sorry"
"Not a bother"
Tamiloore laughed as she carried her food. Rolake and Deji were the first to arrive.
"Nice house" Deji said as he sat down.
"Thank you"
"My mom made dinner so come join us"
"Thank you"
Joshua, Jerry and Tara also arrived few minutes later.
"God, am hungry" Joshua said as he dropped his bag making them laugh a little. The door soon opened revealing Nathaniel. He was wearing a long black jalimia.
"Dude! Are you here to seduce your girlfriend or everybody?"
Nathaniel smiled as he greeted everyone.
They all gathered as Semiloore sat down.
"We have two competitions on Monday. Cowbellpedia and the BDS current affairs quiz. Rolake and Deji will take the BDS quiz,I and Nath will handle the first stage of cowbellpedia"
"Okay"
"Tamiloore and her team mates will handle the GVS debate. We shouldn't really worry about that. Jerry, Joshua and Tara will have to prepare very hard because sometimes we might have to switch partners and Tara you are writing the EEC"
"The English Essay Competition?"
"Yes"
"No no no.... I am not that good at English" Tara replied "Joshua is far more better at that"
"You take it and work hard. Ask for help if you need it. The first topic is Nigeria's falling economy. Search up about Nigeria economy in great detail. Those textbooks won't give up any information so look for newspapers and stuffs"
"Okay"
"Let's get to work"
They all went silent as they began reading. Only the sounds of flipping of pages could be heard and once in a while voices explaining could be heard.
Deji yawned as he stretched and picked a sweet from the bowl in front of him as he threw it into his mouth.
Semiloore glanced at the wall clock before staring at the tired look on everyone faces. "You guys I think we are good for tonight. Let's get some rest"
"What's the time?"
"Some minutes to 1"
"Madd oo"
"Let me show the boys their room"
Semiloore led them to the guest room downstairs as Joshua fell on the bed and sighed. Jerry just walked straight to the bathroom.
"Cmon girls let's go to my room"
Semiloore led the girls upstairs "Make yourselves comfortable" she said before she quickly walked downstairs.
"You aren't sleeping yet?"
"I have three more equations to finish this exercise" Nathaniel replied.
"Thanks for the bracelet"
"Do you like it?"
Semiloore raised her hand to show him. "See?"
Nathaniel smiled as he continued scribbling on his book.
"It might take me some time to finish. Rest your back on the chair for a while"
"Okay,I'll wait then"
Semiloore sat as she stretched on the long chair and due to the day's stress, she slept off not long after. Nathaniel closed his books and sighed as he turned.
"Sem..." He laughed as he stood on his feet.
"I only told her to rest her back"
He glanced at the wall clock; 1:23am. He didn't even think before scooping her into his arms and carrying her upstairs. He opened the door with his leg and discovered the other girls had fell asleep. He bent down to drop her on the bed.
He pulled the covers over her as he turned to leave. He turned back and pecked her forehead.
"Sleep well" he whispered before he finally left and closed the door.
Slowly Semiloore opened an eye, still drowsy she closed her eyes but there was a traceable smile on her lips.