Half Step At A Time

Chapter 5: the "test"

    Only God knows the joy that overwhelmed me as I got into the hostel for the siesta (rest) session. At least, I got the chance to rest my brain. I really really needed it. I thought about my encounter with the school counsellor that afternoon. It was what got me worried at that moment.

The counsellor had come to the class to call out the new students for counselling. I was busy writing my full name on every single book I had been given when I heard my name.
"Miss Adejare, report to the counselling office now". She said hastily without even waiting for me to stand up. When I stood up, she had disappeared. I had to ask for directions to the counselling office from the boy beside me, Michael of course.
"You really need my help?" He smiled.
"Yes, please ". I pleaded.
"Alright, I'll help you" he said. cheekily.
I shrugged.

The next minute, I was sitting in front of the big eyed counsellor, wondering how to answer her long questions.
"So, you came from a baptist school right?"She asked.
"Yes". I said, already tired of saying that same word over and over again.
"Soo, what's your area of interest?"She asked me, looking me straight in the eyes.
I almost creeped out from the stare.
I cleared my throat.

"Well, I love the idea of taking care of women and children, it has always been my desire. Watching and hearing the stories of women that have not been able to give birth and babies that died at childbirth has put that desire in my heart. I wish to make a great change".
I said, pouring out my long time desire to become an obstetrician and paediatric. I suddenly felt like a motivational speaker.

She gave me a blank stare.
"I meant, what is your department of interest".
A bomb dropped in my head and exploded. What?????!!!
"Oh, I'm really sorry, I-"
"No need to be sorry, miss, your speech was actually touching, I like your genuine passion". She commended.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank you ma". I smiled.
"So, I guess you would like to enter the science department right?"
"Yes ma".

She brought out a hard cover book and a pen.
" Then, you would have to write a placement test with all the necessary science subjects so that we can decide if you are capable for this class. Your passion has already ensured your success halfway" she said, opening up the book and giving me the pen to write down my name.
Geez, placement test? I guess I'll have to stay up all night studying .
"When is the test ma?" I asked , hoping it wasn't the next day.
"Tomorrow" she said, confirming my fears. Great, since I came to this school, nothing has worked for me, just great.
"Make sure you are prepared".she added.
"Alright ma".I said, trying to fight back anxiety hiccups.

I was walking to the hostel, thinking About my life when I realised my sister wasn't with me and it was closing time.
'What's wrong with you, doyin?' The inner me said when I thought of going to look for her in her classroom.
'She isn't five, she's twelve for God's sake! Leave her on her own'.

"Doyin!" A voice from behind me called. I looked back and it was my sister. I smiled. I didn't even have to look for her.
"Where have you been, silly" I said, pinching her arm.
"Ouch, doyin!! I had to stay back to speak to my class teacher!" She cried, punching my hand away.

"Take your science textbooks too!" I said to my sister as we were packing up our books into our bag and preparing for the night preparatory session where we would read quietly for at least two hours.i enjoyed the session because that was the only time I would have some peace and quiet in the school, since it was noisy throughout the day. It was exactly 6:30 in the evening. The night prep would be starting by 7:30. We would have dinner before then.
"But I want to read art!" She cried.
"Ugh! Okay, you can split the time so that you can read both" I sighed.
"Okay!".

My little sister had always loved drawing and shading imaginary figures, it was rather bizarre, but I was proud of this talent. Her dream was to become the world greatest artist. She was pretty amazing at keeping up with this dream because all her drawings drew the attention of everyone. The problem was that she neglected other subjects because of this,but I was here to control her.

We were having porridge for dinner. I wasn't a fan of this delicacy, but surely, this school had made it worse for me.the shool "prefects" went around to serve the goo to everyone in the dining all. One good looking prefect who I later found out was the library prefect dropped a cooler of the "thing" on my table.someone was picked to serve it on everyone's plate. I took a look at it.It was so mashy and dark yellow and yucky and....

"Are you gonna eat that or use it as your facial scrub?" A girl beside me said.
"Huh?"
"Are you gonna eat that?" She asked again.
"Ohh...nooo" I said, covering my nose and protecting it from the stench of the food.
"Alright then, give to those who are hungry, bring it." She said.

I gave her my full plate of porridge.
"Here, take it" I said, almost puking.
"Thanks, what's your name by the way?" She asked, dipping a spoon into my food, and devouring it.
"Doyin" I said, looking at this beautiful angel in front of me,devouring the food I rejected. I mean, if someone like this could eat it, then I guess I would also be forced to eat it in a matter of weeks.

"What's yours?" I asked.
"Victoria"
"What class?" She added.
"Ss1" I replied.
"Nice, I'm also in ss1, In the commercial department" she said.
"Have you written your placement test?". I asked.
"Yeah, we old students have written our test almost a week ago". She said, finishing up the food.
Well, thanks to our school for ordering new students to resume a week after old students.

After dinner, we had a short break before we all headed to the preparatory Hall. As I walked into the hall, I looked around. Everyone had been seated on their various tables consisting of three to four people,already preparing their books. Meanwhile, I was so lost. I went to sit in an empty table nearby.I started bringing out my books but I was interrupted by a loud, adult voice.
"You must be new right?" It was our prep monitor.
"Yes sir" I said.
"What class?" He asked.
"Ss1" I replied, hoping he won't tell me that I can't sit alone.
"Well, you can't sit alone, there are still some incomplete tables, follow me" .
Great.

I followed his short, wide body frame down the hall closely, I was really uncomfortable because people were watching me. I prayed and prayed for him to find a table quickly for me.
"Here's a table , but your table mates are not your classmates, they are one year above you, so respect them, you hear? Have a nice time". He said and walked away.

Like a lost puppy,I sat down and began assessing my table mates, there were two girls and one boy.....wait a minute, why does the boy look so familiar?
I gasped.
It was the muscular guy!