AWAKE

Chapter 6

"Daniel!" Michael called out, running towards Daniel.
"Hey pumpkin", Daniel smiled seeing Micheal.
"You've been so distant since resumption". Michael said.
"I've always been distant" Daniel stared at him intensively. "Do you want to say anything to me pumpkin?"
"No. Nothing." Michael answered in a rash.
The students that passed, glanced at them.
"Let's go to the court so you'd catch me up on all I've missed."
"You haven't missed much. Same old, same old" Michael said, as they left the hostel heading to the basketball court.
"I don't know why I feel you're lying..." Michael stopped, "It's fine, you can always tell me whenever you are ready" Daniel quickly added after Michael tried protesting.
"Thanks"
"Let's continue walking these juniors are staring at us," Daniel said.
Nina watched Anny look at herself one more time in the mirror.
"I'm ready."
"Finally. but won't you sweat off the powder you applied?" Nina asked.
"I'm not going to be engaging in any sports today."
"Okay Ma"
"What about Des?" Nina asked as they stepped out of their room.
"I guess she should be there already. You've started calling her Des." Anny said taking the lead as they left the room.
"What do you expect? You guys have corrupted me. She remembered before leaving that most of the girls were asleep. She had been told how her class girls chose sleep over sports and now she confirmed it herself. She wondered why they didn't make it compulsory.  "It's funny how the other girls are asleep," Nina said but Anny was far ahead, so she didn't hear what Nina said.
When they got outside, Nina gasped at the sight. There were different games and sports. Some were playing football on the field, some were on the basketball court, and some played long tennis on the court. You could hear the girls shouting, trying to support those playing table tennis. There were lots more and the only thing she could observe was the empty indoor swimming pool, which was in a room of its own.
"Why is no one there?" Nina asked, pointing towards the direction of the pool.
"There is no water in the pool; besides, no one goes there without supervision. We use the place when there is a general need for it, or when there is competition. Right now, the room is locked."
"Okay"
"Just wait here let me look for Des."
"No problem, I'm here." Nina watched Anny walk away.
She loved how people found the different sports that made them happy. She wished her life would be like that. But it turned out she was that pool, so lonely and locked out from happiness, only when it's needed.
She went and sat on of the three seats kept under the mango tree. As she took in the beautiful view, She began to think of how unsteady and rough her life had been.
"Hey," a female voice said.
Nina quivered slightly, "Hey..."
"We are so sorry for coming off the way we did, we just wanted to say hi", one of the females said.
"Besides non of your class girls come out for sports, so seeing you here is, is good." The second female added.
"I'm Lydia and this is my friend Janet, we are your seniors", the first female introduced themselves, as they shared handshakes.
"I'm Nina," Nina said.
"Hope you all are not terrifying our new princess," a voice said. They all turned to see it was peter and his boys.
"Get lust" Linda yelled. She patted Nina's shoulder "Some other time dear", and left.
"Princess huh?" Nina asked when the girls had gone.
"You are our egg, we need to protect you?" Victor said, making both facial and hand gestures at everything he said.
"Don't mind this fool. But he isn't totally wrong." Peter said and they all laughed. Nina didn't laugh and she seemed uncomfortable.
"I'm here with someone" Nina tried saying.
"Anny right?" Peter asked. He saw how nervous and uncomfortable she was.
"Yeah"
"So what sports do you like? Do you mind us sitting beside you?" Victor pointed at the other seats beside Nina and sat down immediately.
"Guy, stand up let's go," Peter said.
"What?" Victor exclaimed in utter confusion.
Nina was also confused, she looked at them, her eyes roaming from one person to another.
"I'm sorry, umm... we are sorry for disturbing you." Peter apologized, then went to victor, dragging him by the hand, and they left.
"Boys" Nina muttered.
"What was that?" Victor pushed Peter.
"She didn't want to talk to us."
"And she told you that? Huh? You just made a fool of me out there." Victor said angrily.
"You can be so foolish" Peter hissed and walked out.
"Me-foolish, Peter you called me foolish" Victor yelled, "No problem."
The bell went off and everyone ran to freshen up before it was time for dinner.
"Hey man, what's up" Michael called out to Victor.
"I'm good" Victor responded as they shook hands.
"Are you and Peter good?"
"Guess he has told you everything already"
"And you didn't want me to hear about it? Well, I'd behave as though I didn't hear what you just said now."
"He disgraced me."
"But She wasn't even sending you-guy," Michael said.
"And so?"
"I told you guys that girl was rude."
"I didn't notice anything like that."
"Do you have eyes?" Michael said laughing whilst Victor glared at him and said, " I don't like that oh".
"Okay, but wait, is this how you meet the other girls you talk about?" Michael asked as he continued laughing.
"Whatever", victor rolled his eyes and hit Micheal's right shoulder.