Chapter 29

"Thank you"I said to Daniel as I handed him the books I borrowed from him. "So fast?"He asked,utterly surprised that I updated my notes earlier than expected. "Yes"I passed him a smile and walked back to my seat.

I sat down quietly,looking at nothing but the walls,second period has started,we were all waiting for Mr Sam, our government teacher.

"Good morning,sir"We all rose to greet him the moment he walked in.

"Morning"He replied,he used his hands to indicate that we should sit down. "I won't be around to teach you during lesson in the evening,so bring out your past questions,open year 2014 and answer everything"He instructed.

"Everything?"

"Sir, including theory?"Some of my classmates asked in form of grumbling.

"Just objectives"He replied as he took a seat to monitor us.

In less than thirty minutes,I was done,most of us were already through with our work,we were just waiting for who would submit first,ten minutes later,the bell was rung indicating that the period was over,we submitted and he left the class for the next teacher to take over.

English Language, somebody please kill me

English language class was a living hell,I know am an art student but I don't like English,it is annoying, frustrating,it is simple but complex and all these teachers aren't even helping matters,they have a way of making easy things turn difficult.

We were already at the period before break and art class had free period,I didn't have the strength to study because my brain has been on strike since the beginning of the day.

"Good morning,seniors!"A feminine voice said in a high-pitched manner.

I looked up to see a junior in senior secondary uniform,it was...oh my sister. She catwalked towards me but not without glaring at Lucas and Olivia especially Olivia,I chuckled at the little drama that only me was aware of.

"Hey sis"She greeted as she got to my seat. "Senior!"I corrected.

"Nor be only"She muttered to herself but I heard her very well.

"Is like you want to kneel down in my class"I threatened her.

"Sorry"She apologized briefly.

"Oya why are you here?Don't waste my time,biko"I replied,ignoring her fake apology.

"Mr Sam sent me to call you that's why I'm here"She stated. I stood up from my seat and walked out of the class with her following behind,we both separated when she got to her class block and I went alone to his office.

"Sir,you sent for me"I spoke in a tiny voice,I usually speak like that when I'm talking to my teachers or elders.

"Yes,I did,sit"He gestured towards to the chair in front of me.

"How far have you gone with your studies,I mean your reading?"He asked me.

"Very far"I lied."Are you sure?"He questioned, probably sensing the lie.

"Yes,sir"I lied again.

"Okay,then explain this"He said as he handed me the paper I used to answer the past questions.

I looked at my score and saw 25/50,for an average student,he/she will be happy but for a straight As student like me,I knew what was coming next.

"Michelle,you are the best art student in your set,your results and the competitions you have been to has proved that so why this score?Is there anything affecting your studies?Family issues?Teen issues?What exactly is the problem?"He inquired in a very sincere concerned tone.

First of all,my brain has been on strike since morning and second of all,yes there is a problem,I have been going through emotional trauma for weeks now and yes,it has been affecting my studies but I'm not going to tell you that.

He didn't give me a chance to even reply him,"You need a study partner"He stated. "I do?"I asked him a very stupid question. "Ofcourse I do"I muttered to myself.

"So who will be my study partner then?"I asked him."Lucas Kalu"He replied as he searched for a particular script amongst the rest on his desk.

Please,it's like my ears aren't working anymore,did I just hear Lucas abi my ears have suddenly started to hear things.

"Lucas?"

"Yes,Lucas,is there a problem with him?"

"No,sir,I was expecting Daniel or somebody else"

"The few weeks you were absent from school,he took over your position in most subjects,the other teachers confirmed it,he even beat Daniel of all people in the game,so for now you are like second best"

"Second best?!"I didn't believe it,he put me in this condition and he had the right to take over my position,who the heck does he think he is.

"Sir,I will study alone,I can do it by myself,I have always done it alone,so there won't be any change"I rejected the offer.

"It's time for a change and besides you will have the opportunity to extract his knowledge,add his to yours to be more intelligent"He spoke like a semi wise man.

Of all people, Lucas?!

"Yes,Lucas,I thought he was your close friend,why do you have a problem?"

Oops,I guessed I voiced that aloud.

"But sir...we,SS3 students close from school by 5,we won't have time to study together,it's impossible"I argued.

"If you want to ace your external exams,you will make that possible"He gave me sharp witty reply.

"But..."

"No buts,I'm doing this for your own good"

Yeah but in the wrong manner and person

"Okay,I accept him as my partner"I replied him with a smile before taking my leave back to class.

I walked back to class thinking about everything,my study partner is going to be my ex-bestfriend and ex-boyfriend and we are going to study in his house,the same place I had an accident because I know Mason and Maya won't even let him step a foot in our house without returning his dead body to his father's house,I won't even be able to study with him because we end up arguing with each other,if only I had paid attention to my studies and not spend my entire time thinking of my insecurities and the deception.

My thoughts were interrupted when I bumped into a hard chest at the door,I mouthed a sorry without bothering to look at the person,"Has Mr Sam told you about it?"

"Huh?"I looked at the owner of the voice,speak of the devil and he shall appear.

"He didn't tell me anything"I replied sharply,trying to walk into class.

"But you just came out of his office,he must have told you"

"Are you monitoring my movement now?!"

"No,I'm not,I was just asking you if..."

"You are the last person on this Earth with whom I will study with"

"You know it's for your own good right?I'm sure you wouldn't want to be second best"He mocked me.

"I will study on my own okay,I don't need you,I don't even care if you are the best student in the whole school,I don't even know why I'm exchanging words with you"

"Don't disobey orders,your mum gave him and I permission to tutor you"

"Liar!You are lying,I don't believe a word you say from your mouth,Mr Sam never anything like that to me"I snapped at him,he was already getting on my nerves.

"You think I'm lying? Should I bring my phone so we can call your mum to ask her?"He questioned looking deeply into my eyes,the whole class were already watching us now.

"If you need an excuse to be around me then you need to come up with a better one because I'm not studying with you,I don't even care if I'm second best,you can keep the temporary position you are sitting on right now because I will get it back"

"This isn't an excuse to get back with you okay,I don't even like you anymore so why will I want to be around you,I just want to help your brain which is far behind in academic activities,you should be grateful and don't try to test your sharp tongue on me"He ranted back at me to my utmost surprise.

"I really want to slap you right now but I don't want to suspended for starting a fight"I glared at him.

"You don't even have the courage to start one"He deadpanned.

"You know what?!Just go and die!"I pushed him away from the door and entered our class,their eyes were all over me.

"My face isn't a TV screen,stop staring"I ordered them and they looked away hastily.

About five minutes later,the bell was rung indicating breaktime,I angrily took my money out of my bag and headed toward the canteen to get food,as expected,half or even the whole school was already there,I stood at a corner and decided to wait for the crowd to reduce.

"Hi,Senior"A feminine voice greeted me,I turned to look at the owner of the voice,I haven't seen her before though.

"Heey"I replied her greeting,I was surprised that she was trying to start a conversation with a senior.

"I heard about your accident and I don't think you should be standing,you will be stressing your legs,why don't you give me your money so I can get something for you"She offered in a very pleasant manner.

"Okay"I smiled at her and gave her my money. She forced her way to the front line since she was small and nobody even dared to shout at her because they knew I was around.

Okay,I'm not scary,I'm very friendly but I also command air of authority when I'm around my juniors,in less than ten minutes,she brought the food that she bought for me,I smiled at her and muttered a Thank you,she smiled and skipped away in a happy manner.

I hope she isn't planning for me to be her school mother,I have not finished taking care of myself,it's now 12 abi 13 year old.

I moved to the cafeteria since I didn't want to eat in my class,I walked in and spotted an empty table at the back,if things hadn't changed,I would be sitting with my two best-friends.

"Michelle!!"

What now?!

"Yeah"I replied whoever called me."Come over here"Leo gestured for me to come and sit with them.

I walked to meet my brother and his geng,Kim was even amongst them,I wasn't surprised though.

"Hiii"Kim passed me a smile as she brought out a chair for me to sit.

"Hey, in-law"I greeted her,my brother's expression and hers changed immediately.

"In-law ke?"

"Yes,I totally approve you,my brother is in good hands"I assured her but I also made sure it was loud enough for Olivia to hear.

I noticed that Jace wasn't around,I wondered where he was.

"Guy,what took you so long?"Mason spoke to whoever was behind my back.

It must be Jace

"Sorry,one of those girls who just like pestering my life held me down in one empty class trying to seduce me"He replied Mason as he took a seat beside me.

"Hey babe"He smiled at me and grabbed my food before taking a spoonful of rice into his mouth.

Babe?

"Babe?!"They all asked in unison,even I was surprised.

How can I be in a relationship that I'm not even aware of

"Baba for the girls!!"

"I hail o!!"

"You have finally managed to padlock Oga's sister heart"Leo said as he referred to Mason as Oga.

Mason passed him a glare,"We aren't dating"I snatched my food away from him.

"How can you deny me like this?"He touched his heart,putting on a fake shocked expression.

"Believe me guys,we aren't dating,he doesn't even have a title in my life"I turned to look at them as they were still staring at the both of us.

"This is where you are wrong,I literally woke you up from coma,so I have a title in your life now"He argued as he snatched my food from me again.

"As what?"I asked a dumb question.

"As the guy who woke you up from coma,duh,even the guy whom you shared a womb with for nine months couldn't wake you up"He smirked, Mason gave him the middle finger and they both laughed.

I shook my head and facepalmed myself,"Hi,Jace,can we please talk?"We all turned to look at Cassandra who found her voice and spoke as soon as she got to our table.

"We have nothing to talk about,I told you I'm done with whatever thing we had,what am I even saying,we never had a thing,now please leave and stop pestering me,biko"He replied her in a very cold manner.

"But..."

"No buts...just leave,we are done"He deadpanned and she stormed out.

Mason gestured for them to leave as he stood up,"We will talk later"Jace whispered before walking out of the cafeteria,leaving only Kim and I in an awkward state.

*******

School was already over,only SS3 students were left in school because we had to stay for WAEC lessons,my CRS teacher was running late for the class,I decided to take a walk around school and probably get something from the canteen to eat as well.

"Muffin"I heard my nickname from behind,I blushed when I heard that,oh I forgot to tell you,when he called me Babe earlier today,my cheeks were literally burning and now they are even worst,I composed myself before looking back to answer him.

"Yeah"I replied with a straight voice."Where are you going?"

"Taking a walk"I smiled at him."Don't you have class or something?"He asked.

"Well,I do but my teacher is running late"

"Bad student,you are having mind this days o,I heard your sharp mouth is back"He joked and I giggled.

"I'm not joor,don't you have class?"I questioned even though it was not something new that he was roaming around like a lost puppy.

"I do but... nevermind..I wanted,I mean I want to talk to you about something"

Oh my gosh

"Yeah,sure"

"Okay,where do I start,yeah...the words I said to you that day at the hospital..I meant every single word..and I know you just got out of a horrible relationship and I'm sure it led you to have trust issues...but I'm not him"He took my hands in his and pierced his eyes into mine.

"I like you,I really like you alot and I think it will be cool if you be my girlfriend,I suck at asking a girl out,this aren't the perfect pick-up lines,I just... I just want you to trust me"

"Jace,I don't know...I don't think I can trust male species any more...."I replied him as I looked away.

Mofo,what do you think you are doing?Your crush is asking you out and you trying to come up with excuses?!Bitch,he confessed his feelings to you and he is doing that again, somebody please come and check this girl,it's like she's sick

"Please...you have to trust me...I promise I'm going to treat you right...I know I have done alot of horrible things in the past but please just forgive me and be my girl,I really like you and I have always wanted you"He caressed my face as I looked at him once more.

"Please...will you be my girlfriend?"He asked in a very worried tone like I was going to reject him.

"Yes!"I replied him as I hugged him.

I guess he didn't believe it,he was still shocked at my response because it took time before he hugged me back.

I pulled away from the hug when I remembered we were at school,"Now,I have the full right and authority to call you Babe"He smirked and I hit him playfully on the chest.

I checked my time,she must be in class by now,"Um..I got to go right now,I think my teacher must be in class,I don't want her looking for me"I ignored the blush that was on my face.

"Okay babe,talk to you later,bye"He pecked me and walked away.

Finally,it's today I know that you have sense

On my way to my class,I kept on touching the cheek that he had pecked me,I blushed at the fact that Jace Walker,my crush was my boyfriend,I'm dating Jace Walker!!!

"Michelle"Someone snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Leave me alone"I replied harshly when I saw it was Lucas.

"Hey"He pulled me back to face him."I'm sorry for what I said earlier today"He apologized.

"That's your business,can you please let me go,I wonder how you are the best art student when you are skipping class"I glared at him.

"Coming from someone who was roaming round the school with her boyfriend"

"Oh,so you are stalking me now,it's good to know that I'm a celebrity"I deadpanned.

"Just forget it,are you going to be my study partner or not"

"No,I won't"I threw his hands off my mine as I tried to walk away from him.

"For Christ's sake,Michelle,it's for your good,your grades are slacking and I want to help you, must you be difficult?!"

"Do you expect a girl to study with her ex boyfriend in his house?!If you were a girl,would you?!"I yelled at him as I hit him on his chest with my index finger.

"No but I promise,I just want to help you, I'm the reason you got yourself into this mess,please let me help you"He begged in a very sincere polite tone.

"Glad you know that you are the reason"I folded my arms across my chest.

"So you are going to take the offer?"

"Maybe"

"Okay,thanks"He smiled at me and I rolled my eyes.

While we were busy having our little arguments,someone hid in a corner and watched us,we were going to be her perfect toys in the game she was going to play.