Save Shade

1

A crowd of students pull into the gates of Amazing Grace Academy; while some pick up on their heels others just majestically stroll in. There's a lot of noise as almost everyone tries to pass an audible message across. Amongst the throng of students is a fair, short girl of about 14 years just coming in and obviously very worried. Her incessant looking around confirms her worry as she hurriedly moves to the classroom blocks. She goes into a class and heaves a sigh of relief just as a taller girl, dark in complexion walks up to her. Seems like this is her source of worry as her face contorts into a frown.
"Good morning Kay." The dark girl greets with a smile.
"You got me worried Shade. You didn't come to church yesterday and you weren't picking up your phone. I even waited for you at our usual spot today and I didn't see you. I already concluded that you were not going to come to school today." The short girl pours her thoughts in words at once.
"Calm down Keziah." Shade begins, "Take a deep breath. I beeped you yesterday morning around 9 to inform you that I wasn't going to be in church. But it wasn't delivered due to network I guess." She explains.
  "You know my phone is always switched off when service begins. This morning nko?" Keziah queries still frowning.
"I didn't have the energy to wait. I'm very sorry." Shade apologies. "No vex na." She continues.
Keziah's expression softens as she goes to hug Shade. "Why didn't you come to church though?"
"Aunty Abeni wasn't feeling too well. And there were a lot of things to do at home. I couldn't just leave." She explains.
"Is she better now?"
"She is. Though I feel like it's not really an illness." Shade states her observation.
A concerned Keziah moves closer to her. "What did you observe?"
"Erm... She's not looking sick. So I taught it's early pregnancy signs."
"Really... I'm so happy for you. You're going to have a step brother at last."
"Calm down oo, Keziah. I have not confirmed oo. I only guessed ni ooo."
"Anyhow. At least you will have someone to talk to at home."
  "I guess so." Shade submits not looking excited.
Keziah goes to drop her back on the first seat of the third row in class. She has to sit in the front due to her height depriving her the privilege to sit with her only close friend. She returns to sit on Shade's chair while the latter arranges her books into the locker.
"You look lean though." Keziah notes.
"Lean.... Have I ever being fat? See this girl sha." Shade jokingly replies as she zips up her bag.
"It doesn't matter. You sha look leaner than Friday."
"Mo ti gbo o. Madam health officer." She jokes again.
"Ko easy oo. You think it's easy to be a science student? It's not easy." Keziah replies as the mood gets lightened.
   "Ehn ehn. You this SS1 students are so spoilt. And rude." A voice interrupts the mood as the owner of the voice comes into the spacious classroom. It's a female teacher. She moves closer as all the students in the class rise up to greet her.
"So you people don't know it's time for assembly abi?" She questions.
"They didn't jingle the bell ma." The class captain speaks on behalf of everyone in class.
"Keep quiet. Iso kuso. So you don't know that you should always check the time in case the timekeeper forgets. And you people will hope to be prefects in SS3 right?"
"We're sorry ma." The students apologize.
"Common leave this class. And they're still standing there." All the students scurry out of the class as Shade and Keziah sudden share a look and burst into uncontrollable laughter.
  "Giraffe neck!" Shade mocks.
"Stop it na. A Christian shouldn't insult others." Keziah cautions.
"You sha laughed." Shade notes.
"God forgive me." The girls hurry over to the assembly as they sight a male teacher scarring the students with a long cane.

It's officially here. Did you enjoy the first chapter? Do you have teachers like giraffe neck in your school too? Or have you had any? You can share your experience.
Do well to vote and comment. Save Shade will grow well then.

Yours In Ink; Bethel ™