AWAKE

Chapter 7

It was a Sunday evening, and Nina was trying to round up her reading because it would soon be News time. Every Sunday, after their evening prep, they all went to the school hall to watch the News for thirty minutes before going back to the hostel to sleep.
After the bell rang, she packed her books into her bag.
"Can I help you with that?" Moremi, a junior student asked. Nina declined at first but after the look of sadness on Moremi's face, she allowed her to carry the bag to the hall.
The juniors in the class where Nina stayed for her prep, loved her because of how nice she was towards them. The first week she stayed with them, she didn't utter a word but after some time, some of the juniors picked up the courage despite the rumour that she was rude to ask her to assist them with their homework and other related things. She opened up towards them, and although she didn't say much, she advised when need be and answered every question they asked the best way she could.
When Nina got to the hall, everywhere was almost occupied. So she stood at the corner of the door searching for a free, comfortable space, before seeing Anny and Destiny who beckoned on her to come join them at the free seat beside them.
It wasn't too far from the door, so she easily spotted them.
No one was paying attention to the News. Some were either chatting with friends or sleeping. They acted seriously when the prefects or teachers on duty began walking around to inspect. One thing about StarLight High students was that they hated being punished.
Nina got pressed and excused herself to the restroom.
After using the restroom, she came out, washed her hands at the sink and dried it off. As soon as she stepped out of the restroom, she noticed a figure, standing close to the door. One thing she had learnt over the years, was to black out fear and face her problems. But in this case, she felt she had caught a little bit of fear. She tried her best not to look it and exhaled a deep breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Hey cupcake", the figure whispered as Nina tried passing. It turned out the figure, was a guy called John. He was a senior and the highest bully at school.
"Hey! I'm calling you", John held her hand, dragging her back as she turned deaf ears.
"Don't you dare touch me!" Nina slapped his hand off hers.
"I'm sorry baby..."
"And don't you call me that!" Nina retorted. "Are you insane, what are you even doing here?"
"Are you always this hot? You're on fire girrrl", John said, stressing a little about the girl.
"I'm on fire? Really! Like seriously! You must be out of your mind." Nina fired back.
"Always," John replied softly. "I've heard a lot about you, and I've always wanted to meet you."
"Now you have!", Nina shouted and tried walking out again
John dragged her back, this time roughly "Don't you dare walk out on me when I'm still talking to you."
Flashes from her past played before her eyes and it made her sick in her stomach. She knew she was in for it and she had only herself to escape from any madness that was happening there.
"Leave me alone, or I'll scream," Nina said with her chest panting.
"You heard her..." Nina and John both turned to see Daniel leaning by the wall. "Leave the young lady alone."
John glared at Daniel, then walked away.
"I owe you," Nina said as Daniel turned around to leave.
"You don't owe me nothing," Daniel said.
"You saved my life and I don't accept free gestures," Nina said.
"Is this the new 'Thank you' strategy?" Daniel asked.
"I don't do thank you's"
Daniel watched closely, how bold she was and how swiftly the words came out. He shook his head lightly as he smirked.
"You should get back to the hall." He said and walked away.
When she got to the hall's entrance, she adjusted herself properly, making sure she was okay enough - even though she was before going in.
"Hey. We thought you had slept off in the restroom," Destiny said, causing them to giggle. Nina thought about telling them, but she later waved it off.
Nina couldn't stop thinking about what had gone down in the restroom area. Most importantly - Daniel. She wasn't interested but felt intrigued by Daniel. She remembered Anny saying he was dangerous but how? She had lots of questions to ask, but she didn't know how to go about it before an idea came to mind.
Nina waited till the lights were out, so she could talk to Anny. She had a feeling Anny knew something about him. She hoped she would be able to share.
"Anny" Nina called softly, looking up at her bunk.
"Yes," Anny answered.
"Feeling sleepy?"
"Not yet. Anything?"
"I want to ask you something private," Nina said softly, to avoid others from hearing.
"Woah! Okay, come to my bed." Anny said, making room for Nina to join in.
"Are you comfortable?" Anny asked still shifting to give Nina more space.
"I'm fine dear." Nina smiled.
"So spill, my blood is hot," Anny said jokingly.
Nina smiled, "calm down abeg, your blood too dey hot."
"Oya am serious now. What's so priva..."
"Daniel," Nina said, cutting Anny off.
"Daniel!" Anny shouted, then covered her mouth with her hands.
"Sshh," Nina whispered with her index finger on her lips, "Your shouting".
"I'm sorry. Is just that I've told you to leave this guy alone, what exactly do you want to know?" Anny said almost at once.
"Everything," Nina responded.
"I'm sorry I can't." Anny turned to the other side of the bed facing the wall.
"Turn around and talk now, what's with all this... funny behaviour?"
"I'm not acting funny, Nina he is dangerous," Anny said.
"Why do you guys always say that?" Nina got upset. She wondered why they were so scared of him to the extent of not wanting to say anything about him. "Anny, please just tell me what you know about him, so I'd also be careful. Please." Nina begged.
"Okay fine." Anny looked around, making sure no one was listening. Luckily, they were the only ones awake in the room.
"Before we go on, I want to make it clear that I didn't experience any of these, I was told. I don't also know much, so I'll say the little I know." Nina rolled her eyes at what Anny said
'Just go on already' Nina yelled in her head.
"When he got here in Junior secondary school one (Jss1), he was so handsome, bright and organized, which caused so many girls, including seniors to like him. The rest boys in the class didn't really like this, so they disliked him. Above all these, it was observed he was kinda an ambivert. One minute he's all over the place, the next, he is as cold as ice..."
"I don't know why you are so interested in this guy sef," Anny said reluctantly.
"I'm not interested in him."Nina retorted. "go on now" Nina pleaded.
"It was said his parents were having issues and it was affecting him, but no one knew what was going on. When he got to Jss3, it was rumoured, his parents were getting a divorce and it affected his performance so badly, that his class boys started making fun of him. One faithful day, his classmate made fun of his mum. I don't know what he said exactly, but it triggered him. He jumped on this boy, beating him till he started bleeding all over. A teacher came to the rescue but he mistakenly called him an evil child, cause of how he beat the boy. Unfortunately for the teacher, Daniel got more upset and pounced on the male teacher, beating him to a coma."
"What!" Nina exclaimed.
"My same reaction when I was told," Anny said.
"Well I'm not too surprised, I've seen similar things, it's just that I don't expect something like that to happen in a private school," Nina said, remembering different incidents that happened in her school.
"Wow, strange things do happen. But where have you heard and seen such?" Anny asked surprised.
"Umm... Television, you know the news" Nina scratched her head, she knew not to say much.
"Oh, okay."
"Did you hear that?"
"Oh God"
Nina jumped down from Anny's bed and climbed her bed immediately after hearing the footsteps of the matron who inspected the hostels after lights out.
They both continued the conversation the next night.
"His parents were summoned, but only his Dad came. The disciplinary committee expelled him at first but after much pleading from his dad, they suspended him till the next academic session, because, the teacher was also at fault. He went to rehab for seven months. When he came back, he repeated Jss3 class. Everyone was so scared for their lives, including teachers and staff. They were all careful with him..."
"Woah" Nina muttered.
"Yeah. The worst thing was he didn't even talk to anyone. He changed completely."
"What about the teacher?" Nina asked.
"He survived, but left the school."
"And Daniel's performance? what about King? Aren't they friends?" Nina asked simultaneously.
"One after the other babe", Anny said.
"Okay"
"I don't know how, but since then, he has always maintained the first three positions. King joined SS1 and it seemed they had a lot in common. King was expelled from his school for also fighting, so he joined us. It didn't even take time for the both of them to click. I don't get how they are best friends, but you won't find them around each other except when they are eating." Anny said with a confused expression.
Nina laughed at Anny's facial expression.
"You laugh," Anny said surprised.
"Of course, I laugh, but when necessary."
"Well, King is cool and the cleanest person. He does deserve being the sanitation Prefect." Anny said.
"You speak highly of him, from someone who doesn't like them," Nina said.
"I'm just stating the obvious. It's time to go back to your bed", Anny protested, pushing Nina.
"Okay ma" Nina climbed down from Anny's bed.
"I'm glad you shared this with me," Nina whispered and Anny smiled.