Naya and Vince

7

PEP TALK

I had gotten to school before the morning assembly like the previous day. I collapsed on my new seat and decided to rest a bit before it was time for assembly.

I heard footsteps as someone entered the class. I really wanted to ignore but I found myself looking up. My face twitched into a frown. It was Vincent and a boy I didn't see in school yesterday. I knew it was normal to skip first day of school.

"Hey good morning," the boy greeted me. I noticed he had exchanged a look with Vincent first before greeting. He was tall but not as tall as Vincent. Vincent gave him a little height gap. The boy looked like he escaped albinism – I could say he was red skinned— and had hair dyed gold. I noticed a diamond stud in his left ear. I didn't expect those kind of things to be allowed in the school. It was clearly written in the prospectus: Students are not allowed to dye their hair(for those on low cut) or use any extension or weave that is not black or brown. Also students are prohibited from having double earrings (for girls) and have any earrings at all(for boys)

I nodded to his greeting so as not to be rude. He followed Vincent to his desk –the desk I cleaned with my own strength yesterday –as they kept chatting.

After the morning assembly, I was stuck being interrogated by Jessica. She had to make me explain why I looked like a panda that morning.

"I'm sure it's not that bad," I said. I had looked at my reflection in the mirror that morning and eye bags were there but they weren't so pronounced.

"It is. Here look," she said shoving a compact mirror in my face.

"I've already seen my face this morning!" I snapped. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired," I sighed immediately rubbing my forehead. Truth be told she was frustrating me. Talking about eye bags was not what I planned for. I planned to rest a bit before the first lesson. These guys always found a way to mess with my plans.

"It's alright," she said and hopped off my desk. I didn't know if I should be happy or guilty but I think I was more of happy. I made to lay my head on the table when Ms. Daniels walked into the class, graceful as always.

"Good morning class," she greeted looking round the class. The class responded but those in groups didn't disperse. English wasn't the first lesson for the day.

"Where's Algeria?" She asked. I wondered who would name their child Algeria before I thought about the name I even gave myself.

"Yes Ms. Daniels," someone answered. It was the boy from earlier that morning. She walked over to him and stretched out her hand like she needed something from him. The boy's hand went up to his left ear. He bit his lip to hold back a smile. I found it cute.

Eww!

"I totally forgot I was wearing this," he said as he handed over the earring. Just then someone greeted the teacher.

"Finally, Fatima has landed," Olamide laughed stressing the 'fat'. There was a light laughter in the class. I wondered what was funny. I looked up to see a plump girl with a white Hijab covering her head, walking towards an empty seat at the last row in the class with eyes on the floor.

"Mide, don't let me punish you," Ms. Daniels warned disposing the earring in the trash can. I notice the girl roll her eyes before muttering a 'sorry ma'.

During one of our lessons, I was able to figure out that the plump girl's name was actually Aliyah. It kind of infuriated me that they nicknamed her Fatima, she wasn't even fat just chubby.

Immediately after the bell was rung for break time, I noticed Chijioke go over to Aliyah's desk. I've had my fair share of him that morning and I was glad he didn't come to me but I swore to myself to treat his fuck up if he went to taunt her. I am surprised that I even cared.

That was new.

But I noticed the girl smiled showing off her dimples. The girl was pretty. Jessica went over too. I debated between joining them and sticking my butt to my sit. I didn't know what brought such thought but I decided to sit and try resting.

"Nairobi," I heard Jessica call. I groaned inwardly and looked up. Aliyah was with her.

"Hi," the girl greeted shyly.

I was kind of annoyed that Jessica thought making me friends with her friends was a great idea but I didn't voice that out. Did she think scholarship students found it hard to mingle with the rich kids?

"Hi Aliyah," I responded to prevent any awkward introduction.

"See. Fatima has slimmed down," I heard Olamide say in a mocking tone. She was sitting with a group of about three boys including Algeria and two girls. I knew she had deliberately said that aloud. About half of the class were gone now though including Chijioke and Vincent.

"Fatima, how did you do it?" A girl snickered. I had noticed that she was always around Olamide. I never bothered to get her name.

"Flat ass, mind your business," I said without even thinking. I just hated body shaming and bullying. "Go and fatten up in the right places and stop being jealous."

The boys laughed on top of their voices. Even Olamide and the other girl were finding it hard to hide their amusement.

The girl glared daggers at me. "I wasn't even talking to you!"

"I know," I smiled at the girl.

"This is what I call epic k.o. See casting," Algeria laughed.

The girl I insulted eyed him angrily. Olamide wanted to say something  but I think she decided not to say anything. At least unlike her and her friend I was thick in the right places. She and her friend eventually left the class with the girl fuming like a faulty Danfo. The last girl who was seated with them left with Israel, one of the boys. Her name was Nmesoma and since yesterday I've noticed she was close to the boy.

As they left the class, Algeria left his friend, Jude and walked towards me. "Hey. I didn't get your name this morning," he said.

"I don't think it's important," I told him. He bit his lip. I noticed there was a piercing there but no rings. I'm sure he wasn't expecting that. Jessica gave me a what-is-wrong-with-you look.

He looked down at my desk and back at me then smiled, "I did hear you are rude, confirmed. Nice handwriting by the way, Nairobi".

I looked down at my desk and I realised that he stole my name from my closed book. I glared at him while he bit his lip obviously holding back a smile.

"You look adorable," he chuckled. "I'm Stephen by the way," he said before leaving.

"Guy make we go field," he said to his friend and they left us.  This guy would be worse than Chijioke. That was for sure.

"Thank you," Aliyah said. I had almost forgotten that she was even there.

"Don't thank me. I feel like slapping you right now," I told her sincerely.

"Why?" Jessica asked. I knew she was surprised.

"I can tell that these guys have been shaming her for a long time now."

"I've tried to make them stop," Aliyah mumbled.

"Then stop trying. Take action girl. I hate watching people being intimidated. At the same time I don't like being around people who let themselves to be intimidated," I told her plainly.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me that. You better start standing up for yourself or I might have to tease you into doing that," I told her with all seriousness.

The girl looked down and inhaled. It was then I noticed Jessica's glares. "You're rude Nairobi." She dragged Aliyah away muttering, "Come on, Aliyah". I knew I kind of went far with my words. I didn't mean any of what I said and I was not good in giving pep talks but at least she might try standing up for herself.

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Merci,

Ann☯