Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 7: 'Im Doyin by the way'

   "You haven't been given your uniform yet?". The school tailor asked me with a surprised look on her face.

"Yes ma,I haven't".

"I was told to meet you for measurement" I added. I was just walking by when the counsellor saw me and asked why I wasn't in uniform. Then she found out that I wasn't even measured yet and directed me to the school tailor. That was a major error, of course.

She sighed.
"You should have come a long time ago. Now, you would have to wait for a week before you get your uniform"
Good gracious, just great.
I would have to wear the same mufti; a white shirt and black skirt, till a week's time. Rubbish.
The tailor brought out a very long measuring tape and started measuring me.
"Heehee, its ticklish" I burst out giggling when she was measuring my bust. Her hands were in my armpits.
"Just stay still, will you?"She said, annoyed.
"I'm sorry, ma" I said, completely embarrassed.

After I was measured, I quickly found my way into the dining hall to have lunch, which was rice and stew.

The rice was fairly good this time but tasted like it needed a little more salt. Someone really needed to teach these kitchen staff how to make edible food.

"Porrige girl" saw me from afar and immediately joined my table.

"Do you plan on ditching this food too? Because I'm available."

I smiled.
"No, I just might eat a little out of this one"

"Im here if you change your mind". She said, chuckling.

"Anyways,how was your placement test?" She picked up a plate of food.

Ah, The placement test. I thought. It seemed as if I wrote it yesterday, whereas I wrote it just a couple of hours ago.
"It went fine. I'm just hoping for the best, by God's grace"

"Heyyyy" said a group of girls suddenly approaching our table.

"Victoria, I see you've found a new friend" the one who seemed to be their "leader" said. It was then I remembered her name.'Victoria'.

Victoria stood up.
"Excuse me , please can i know how that's your business?"She said, confidently, making me amazed.

"Woah, woah, calm down Vic, we are not enemies, you know. So keep your tone down when you speak to me". The leader was taken aback too.

But funny enough, she had a sarcastic look on her face.

"I don't have time for you today". She said to them and faced me.

"Doyin, I'll be leaving now, bye". She said and walked straight past them, leaving me behind for them to torture with their death stare.

"Watch your step, cinderella." the leader said and walked away with her clique. I later got to know that her name was Jessica.

Seriously? Another person calling me cinderella?
I didn't understand, I just wanted to eat! Oh well.

But even though i didnt want anything to do with the girls because it was too early to be caught up in drama at my new school, I couldn't stop wondering how they were connected with victoria and why Victoria obviously couldn't stand them.

******************

Today's night prep was very tiring, having had a major examination in the afternoon, so I was fully prepared to sprint to the hostel immediately I hear the bell.

It was just five minutes to the end of prep, so I was ready to pack my books when the worst happened. The class representative for ss1 walked up to my seat. He was a tall boy, with a very thin body. He wore glasses, with metal frames and tinted lenses.

"Hello, you must be doyin, right?" He said.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Your name is on the sweeping roaster for tonight, you are to stay back to sweep the classes after the bell rings"

A meteor rock landed in my brain.
Can tonight get any worse???!!!
Well, it actually got worse, unfortunately.
"How come I'm just getting to know that now?" I asked.
"Well, I myself just got my hands on the roaster today. Up until now, it has been with the class teacher. Please bear with me" he apologised.
"Well, can't I sweep it tomorrow?"I pleaded.
"I'm sorry but it's against the rules" he replied.
What the hell? I could swallow this guy Alive here. Rules?? Rules???!!!
"Please join others on the roaster to do it today, its just once a week". He said, almost begging.

"She's a feisty one, you know, she could just walk out on you or run to her hostel and you wont be able to get there"
A voice from behind said.
I looked back and, the only guy on my reading table was grinning from ear to ear at me, the guy that I had snubbed that day, the guy that I thought didn't recognise me again..
I lost my breath.
"What??why did you say that??" I asked, fearing that it was actually time to come out of denial.
"Because that's the same thing you did when I wanted to help you". He replied.

"You..recognise me?"I asked, amused by my own words. Of course, he recognises me, it has always been obvious.

"Of course I do, I just didn't want to say anything because I knew you'll start looking for ways to apologise and then everything would become awkward and..."

"That's okay, I understand." I said. At least we were thinking the same thing.

"Sorry to interrupt, but you would sweep, right?" The class monitor asked, already tired of standing there and watching us.

"Alright, I will sweep" I replied.

"Great, thanks." He said and walked away.
I looked back at the muscular guy.

"So you just watched me these couple of days without saying anything?".

He replied.
"Well, I was more of confused than offended when you just walked out on me when I was trying to help you. After seeing you again, I thought i would ask you why you did that. But then, I felt like it wasn't necessary so I forgot about it- should I have done something?" He asked.

"There's no need, honestly. Actually, I feel like I just owe you an apology".

"You do?".

"Dont you think i do?"

"Well, I mean, if you think so"

"I'm really sorry. I just tend to be quite anxious in new environments"

"It's nothing to be sorry about, I get anxious around new people too, I totally understand"

"Thank you". I said, feeling somewhat relieved.

"There's no problem". He replied.

"Soooo, I guess we are on good terms now?"

"Yeah we are". He said, smiling at me.

I smiled back at him and everywhere got silent for a brief moment.

"Well, let me introduce my self, I'm Bolaji, pleased to meet your acquaintance". He said, breaking the awkward silence.

He stretched out his right hand formally and I looked at it before hesitating. Just then, the bell rang.

"I'm really sorry,but I have to go and sweep now" using the bell as an excuse, I quickly picked my bags and got up, technically rejecting his handshake.

He stared at me in shock as I walked out on him the second time.

"I'm doyin by the way!!" I yelled behind me when I had gone far.