"Morning, Mrs. Quinn," Eva greeted.
"Morning, Ma," I added quickly.
"Good morning, Ma," the principal herself replied, smiling at Mrs. Maya.
"Morning!" Mrs. Maya greeted back.
"Take a seat, Mrs. Maya," Mrs. Quinn beckoned, her eyes flicking to me and Eva.
"How are you, Eva?" she asked warmly.
"Cool," Eva replied with one of her bright, practiced smiles.
The two women chatted about me—how "intelligent" I was, how "promising." Forms were handed over, we scribbled them down, returned them, and in minutes we were holding our books and uniforms. Money changed hands.
"They can resume tomorrow, Mrs. Maya," the principal said, beaming.
"I can bring my bike to school, right?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied with a knowing smile.
I grinned back, already picturing the grind ahead: school from 8 to 4, work until late, home by 11. Perfectly balanced life. Note the sarcasm.
---
My first day was chaos. As I entered the school gates, eyes followed me—girls whispering, boys staring. Eva dragged me around, introducing me to her old friends. Compliments rained down—my hair, my height, my face. I felt like a king on parade.
"Come on, let's go in. Lessons are starting," a girl named Lucy tugged my sleeve.
"Where's Eva?" I asked, scanning the crowd.
"Forget her. She knows her way. Stick with me," Lucy said, tightening her grip. Then louder: "Hi guys! Meet our new classmate—Adejoke! Call him Ade, easier right?"
"Hi," I muttered, half-shy, half-annoyed.
"He's so cute."
"He's already stolen my heart."
"Can't wait to get him laid."
Yeah, I heard that last one. 🙄
Lucy was dark, slim, long-haired, probably sixteen or seventeen. Pretty, yes—but way too clingy. "And it's decided—he sits with me!" she announced.
Other girls protested instantly. Then—
"NO!" A voice boomed across the room. Every head turned.
Eva.
Relief washed over me. I gently untangled Lucy's hand from mine and slipped to Eva's side.
"Eva, he's sitting with me," Lucy snapped. "I'm queen of the school now. You're not anymore. You don't scare me!" She smacked Eva's desk for effect.
Trouble brewing. Nope, not my portion. I spotted an empty seat at the back and slid in beside a tired-looking guy.
"Smart move," he said with a grin. "These girls? They'll eat any fine boy alive. Instead of studying for finals, they're hunting. I'm Barnabas, by the way. Welcome to the jungle."
"Basketball club's looking for fresh blood," another boy, Mike, added.
"No, he's not joining," Eva cut in, arms crossed.
"Why not?" Barnabas frowned.
"Because I said so," she hissed.
"Relax, Eva," I said. "I'll join. Chill."
Her face softened, embarrassed. "Oh. I thought they were pressuring you." She slunk back to her chair.
---
The weary girl beside me barely moved. I leaned over.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"I'm Ade."
"Clover."
"Nice. That's a beautiful name."
"Careful," a boy named Dan whispered, patting my shoulder. "Mess with her, and Paul—aka Biggy—will wreck you."
"Biggy?" I asked.
Mike shook his head. "The school's top troublemaker. Don't get on his radar."
Seth chimed in. "Even the teachers hate him."
Barnabas leaned in again. "You've only got four months here. Keep your head down, don't mess with Biggy, don't flirt with his girl. Focus on your books, and you'll survive."
Great. Day one and I already had a hit list.
---
The classroom quieted as Mrs. Quinn walked in.
"Morning, class."
"Morning, Mrs. Quinn," we chorused.
Her eyes twinkled. "Now, you all know we have two students resuming—Eva and a new face. Wouldn't you like them to introduce themselves?"
"Yes!" the class roared.
Heat rushed through me. The AC was on, but my palms were sweaty. Eva went first—smooth, confident, her usual self. The applause rolled in, and suddenly all eyes were on me.
Girls squealed:
"He's so cute!"
"Look at his hair!"
"He can't be from here—he's too fine."
My knees wobbled. Still, I forced a nervous smile and stepped forward.
"My name is Adejoke Francis Chiemelie Onuigbo. I'm from Anambra State, Nigeria. I'm eighteen. I, uh…love all subjects—don't call me a nerd." Nervous laugh. "I've been in Ghana for about a year and a half. I love music, singing, and reading. Thanks."
I glanced at Mrs. Quinn, begging with my eyes to be dismissed.
"You love singing?" she said brightly. "Why don't you sing for us?"
"No, I can't," I lied.
"He's lying, ma," Eva betrayed me with a coy smile. "He writes songs. His voice is golden."
Mrs. Quinn's face hardened. "It's an order."
The class buzzed. Girls leaned forward, expectant. Boys folded their arms, daring me to impress them. I sent Eva a death glare. She winked back—too playfully, almost…seductively.
"Okay," I sighed, praying silently for courage.
---
🔥 End of Chapter.
Hallo, anybody here?!
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Yo favorite teen authoress ✨
Oziomajasmine 💝❤