AWAKE

Chapter 4

Michael left the hostel earlier than he normally did to keep his bag in the class. He found walking alone at that moment, therapeutic for him. He barely had any time alone away from his friends. The bell went off for breakfast, so Michael dropped his bag and ran down to the refectory.
"My son! You are back" The oldest cook hugged Michael. "Bring your plate, let me add extra for you"
"Oshe ma!" Michael thanked her and waved at the other cooks, serving.
Michael was the first person in the refectory. He walked to his table and sat, waiting for everyone to get in, so they would say their prayers.
It didn't even take long before the newbies rushed in and lined up to get their food. Well, they had spent a term already, so they weren't so new anymore. Michael watched them with keen interest as they joyfully got their food, rushing to their tables. This reminded him of when he was just starting - too at Starlight's, how innocent and unorganized they all were. After some time, other students came in. "Hey", Michael waved at the students that greeted him.
"Did something chase you out of the hostel" Peter dropped his plate of spaghetti on the table, looking around like he wasn't talking to Michael.
"I just finished before you guys, that's all..."
"C'mon now, it's too early," Peter said loudly, as a junior student brought her food, then divided half into his plate, winked at Michael and left with the remaining half in her plate.
"Micky Micky" his friends hailed him.
"He is back o to take all our girls."
"You guys are not serious, in fact, I ain't listening to you guys anymore" Michael sighed.
"Here they come" Victor whispered.
It was their class girls. Generally, all Starlight's high female students, place pride in everything: their walking steps, the way they talked, the way they ate, every single thing. But for senior secondary two (SS2) girls, theirs were extreme. They walked majestically, more like a cat walking to their different tables with their food.
When everyone was finally in, the prayers were said and everyone started eating.
They were halfway done eating when a figure hurriedly walked in.
"You came late" Anny whispered to Nina.
"I had to go back to use the toilet," Nina whispered back.
"Oh sorry about that. Go get your food" Anny pointed towards the cooks' area.
"That. I don't eat spaghetti" Nina said.
"Woah! What will you eat then?" Anny sounded surprised.
"Don't worry I'm fine. Just enjoy your food"
"We can tell the cooks to figure out something else for you"
"No, no, I'm good" Nina protested.
"Sure?"
"Yeah. I'm still filled up from yesterday."
"If you say so," Anny said.
'aah! Too many questions" Nina yelled inside of her. "She was right anyways, what would I eat now?" Nina thought.
"Michael, if you are not eating, pass the food to me", Peter said, stretching out his hand
"You ain't serious" Michael slapped his hand as it got close to his plate. "Food will not kill you, even after the extra spaghetti you got abi?" Micheal's attention was on the girls' table. He stared at her, then quickly looked away, when she caught him staring.
"The guys weren't lying, she's pretty," he said to himself.
After breakfast, a lot of girls hovered around Michael, disguising themselves behind the greeting. One female junior even ran and hugged him.
"Come let me introduce you to Michael," Anny said excitedly.
"I don't need any introduction, besides, He is clearly busy," Nina said and waved it off.
"Ooh," Anny said.
The bell rang and they all filed out in front of the class building for their morning assembly. They stood according to their classes, heights and gender. Michael thought of how beautiful the new student looked. He could remember he didn't see her eat and only talked to Anny. He couldn't say much about her physique then due to the reflection of the light through the window but he saw her clearer during the assembly. She was a pretty dark, average-heightened girl. Her hair was plaited neatly in cornrows, her bold forehead suited her face, and her bulky eyes and medium-dark lips. Even her body shape, though hidden in the uniform.
After assembly, the teachers called Michael aside to talk to him.
"Straight A student!" the class hailed when he walked in which made him smile. He felt so famous in school.
Nina rolled her eyes. This wasn't new to her and she disliked him already.
As classes went on, he noticed she paid keen attention to the lectures and knew most answers to questions but didn't want to say it out, rather he noticed her write something down. He got so fascinated by her that he made up his mind to talk to her later.
He tried going to meet her during the break period, but his friends distracted him. He finally got the opportunity after class.
He went to meet her after the bell rang.
"Hi, my name is Michael", he brought out his hand for a handshake.
She condescendingly eyed Michael, looking at him from head to toe "You should know mine by now, you're in my way." Nina said.
"So sorry", Michael feeling so embarrassed, shifted as she passed.
The remaining students in the class laughed so hard, and in turn, said sorry as they wanted to leave.
"Hey"
"Huh" Michael turned to face Anny who he didn't remember was standing beside Nina.
"So sorry for what happened but I think you should let her get to know everyone herself and in her time," Anny said.
"No I think she's too rude," Michael said angrily.
"I can't blame her. Throughout half of today, you were just staring at her, like you wanted to eat her or something like that." Anny said grabbing her bag, "see you later", Anny left.
"Who does she even think she is? But wait, was my stare that obvious?" Michael asked himself.
"Is there anything going on between you two", Peter said as he walked into the class.
"You mean between I and Anny", Michael asked confused
"Yep", peter nodded.
"So having a conversation with my female classmate, automatically makes us have something?"
"Na just question I ask oh" peter retorted in pidgin.
"We are just friends, Besides where did you go to?" Michael asked even though he was relieved non of his boys were around.
"Well, I went to the toilet. let's go we are the only ones in the class."
Peter grabbed his books and shoved them into his bag.
Peter laughed so hard regarding what Michael had narrated to them.
"What's funny?" Michael asked angrily.
"Nothing", the boys exploded into another round of laughter.
"Someone insulted me and it somehow seems funny to my friends," Michael said feeling so disappointed and angry at himself for telling them.
"We are so sorry", victor said, composing himself "it's just that with all your good looks and sweet mouth, you still have Ill luck at getting a girl".
"Apart from the ones that flock around him" Fred added.
"Don't forget he almost got lucky with Mimi". Peter whispered and they all laughed.
Michael remembered his rollercoaster ride with Mimi during their junior class. "I'm done" he tried walking out but was blocked by Fred.
"We are sorry," Fred said
"Just give her some time" Victor added.
"Everybody keeps telling me that," Michael said surrendering.
"Everybody?" They all exclaimed.
"Okay, just Anny". Michael said lowly.