Rosette's Story: Book One

Chapter 2: Distractions (continued)

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Continuation from the previous chapter

"I don't know." Rose who was on the other side of the class said, wiping the tears that were starting to come out of her eyes. They were bloodshot red.

As the students who had finished clapping sat, Mr. Lekun continued.

"And now for the blockheads." He said. This caused some laughter among the students.

Rosette began to cry.

"Francis." He snapped. "Bring my koboko for me."

This caused rowdiness in the classroom, while some of them howled with laughter.

Francis then returned with the big koboko from Mr. Lekun's office. It was as long as a giraffe and as fat as you could imagine.

"If I call your name come out; Jide Omotola 2^10, step out..." He called their names one-by-one.

They all stepped out in front of the class in obedience. Their hands shaking in fear, some already begging the teacher to spare them from the punishment.

He then called others and finally called Rosette's name, although he was baffled because she was his favorite student.

"Rosette Adebayo." He paused. "Although, I am highly disappointed in you because of the score you got, you usually get scores like 10^10, 8^10 or at least 7 and a half ^10. But now, it is completely different."

Rosette felt tears roll down her cheeks.

"You got 5^10." He said sternly. "What happened? Well, I'm going to spare you because you had half. Not bad, but you can do better. Later on, see me after the class."

He then handed her the script, Rose rested her head on her desk in shame wiping her tears in relief. She couldn't afford to be flogged as a functioning prefect, especially in front of her second best friend and boyfriend Precious (Aisha) - the boy she liked.

It would have been so embarrassing. Although, they were just friends (but they both liked each other).

So Mr. Lekun flogged the rest of them that had failed the test. After that, he gave their scripts to them. Their faces showing hints of sadness and anger. Later on, the bell rang for break time. Rosette didn't have appetite to eat very well.

As she walked on the aisle of the school towards the food & snacks shop, she noticed that some students were gossiping about what took place in her class that day.

There was no doubt that the news had spread round concerning all that transpired. Some of them were pointing fingers at her laughing, others looking at her with pity, while some of them just stared at her.

She even received a few bad facial expressions & glances from her own classmates. Bumi, who was the most beautiful girl in the class was very proud.

She and Rosette have had feuds with each other in the past. She was expecting & waiting for Mr. Lekun to flog Rose very well during the period. She hated Rosette with pure hatred and might have been the one who may have spread the gossip round the whole school. As Rose passed Bumi and her company of friends, they laughed at her loudly causing Rose to feel bad the more.

Returning back to the class to keep her snacks which she had bought in her backpack, she spent ₦100 on ₦50 Gala and ₦50 Exotic juice.

The whole situation ruined her happy hour and she lost appetite to buy real food. So, she remembered the words of her Maths teacher and reported to his office thereafter.