AWAKE

Chapter 10

It was free time and this time, Anny and Destiny were sleeping. They complained about being too tired to join her when she tried waking them up. Gradually, she started relating with her class girls and Some of them were outside, So she decided to join them.
When she got outside, they were all over the place. Most of them were talking with senior boys, while the rest gathered at a corner, doing what they did best- gossiping. She didn't want to be a part of any boy discussion, so she went to the basketball court and sat.
Michael was talking to a female classmate when he sighted her.
"What is she doing there?" He asked aloud.
"Who are you talking about?" The female student asked.
"Oh, no one. You know what I'd catch up with you later." He said and ran to the court.
When Micheal got to the court, he greeted everyone and withdrew his steps towards her when she removed her face.
"So arrogant," he said.
Michael started playing with the boys but was hoping to see Daniel. He added little swags when he made each basket and looked at her who didn't seem interested.
Nina got so bored of pretending like she didn't see Michael. She came for Daniel, but he wasn't around. Later, she saw Peter, Victor and Fred coming to the court.
"Hey," she raised her hands when they got to the court. It had spread like wildfire after John's incident, that she hated guys. Well, It wasn't so far from the truth. Ever since, every guy had looked at her from a distance, which she didn't mind. But she felt bad at her last encounter with the boys.
"Hey," Peter said when he got close. He was the only one that went to meet her.
Nina contemplated apologizing, but she didn't know how to anymore. "I wasn't in the best of moods the other day."
"I understand."
"Say hi to Victor for me."
"I will and I'm glad you finally decided to talk to me" Peter smiled.
"What did the witch say?" Victor asked when Peter got back to where they sat.
"So she's now a witch? Well, she said I should specially say sorry to you," Peter said.
"What!" Fred and Victor looked at each other.
"She feels lonely, I think we should go and talk with her," Peter said.
"After what happened the last time," Victor said, "Am not going", he shrugged.
"Guys she is sorry, c'mon"
"Oka-yyy. See guys I don't want to be insulted again", Victor reluctantly said. "Yes, she apologized, but didn't say she is lonely."
"See the way you are talking like you don't want to talk to her" Fred said.
"Eh", Victor muttered. He wanted to defend himself but stopped when he couldn't come up with anything to say.
"See the way this one is raising his head, I know he is trying to find out what's happening," Fred said as they all laughed at Michael.
"True, his attention has been here ever since Nina called Peter," Victor added.
"You guys should leave Michael alone oh," Peter said, looking at the guys and they all burst into another round of laughter.
"Tell her"
"No, you ask her"
"Did anything happen to your mouth"
"Go now"
"You guys can come no-oww" Nina finally said. It was so amusing watching them push each other to come talk to her but it was also tiring.
"Thanks," They said with embarrassment, written on their faces. They sat in silence, waiting for the first person to be brave and lucky.

"Are you okay?" A teammate asked Micheal, as he bent down, with his hands on his knees, panting.
"Why?" Micheal asked.
"Dude, you've been throwing wrong passes, your head wasn't in the game today."
"You know what, play your game alone." Michael stormed off.
"What's wrong with him?" The teammate wondered.
"Why am I angry? Why-am I-angry? aaahhh!!!" Michael screamed on his way back to the hostel. He didn't even know who he was angry at; himself or her.
He could see how she was driving him crazy but it wasn't good for his reputation as a prefect to be. Why did they even go to talk with her? It was as though, they were rubbing it on his face. He needed to talk to someone, anyone, but no one seemed to be getting it.
For the first time, he walked past some group of girls who waved at him and he didn't respond-he wasn't just in the right frame of mind.

"You've been looking towards the swimming area for the longest," Fred said. "Do you like swimming?"
"I'm so sorry Nina. Fred sometimes asks questions like he is a journalist or something."
"Am not mad, besides the questions are reasonable." Nina paused a little and thought about something.
"You should be good at your studies - i guess."
"Talking about good, Michaels first and then sometimes either Des or my boy Fred makes me proud." Peter rubbed Fred's head smiling.
"Don't tell me you haven't met Michael?" Victor asked as he noticed Nina's reaction when Micheal's name was mentioned.
"I have, but not a fan of him."
"Why?" Victor asked.
"I don't know yet," Nina said.
"Hmm, okay. So are you getting along with any of your class girls?" Peter asked.
"Still in the process. It just seems like they are in a cult." Nina said and everyone burst into laughter. Surprisingly, she smiled.
"I get it, but they are not. They just formed this strong clique and they do almost everything together." Peter said.
"Nice to know," Nina replied.
"Don't worry you'd get used to them, I'm just hoping you don't join them later on like Anny," Peter said.
"Yeah, Anny used to always come out and join us here. She always complained about the girls, but now..." Victor said.
"She's now part of them". Nina added quickly and Victor nodded.
After some time, other guys joined them and they continued talking.
"Let's take a walk" Nina suggested and they all agreed.
"So tell us a little about your formal school." Steven, one of the boys asked.
"Nothing much to say. Just that it was fun and dangerous."
"I love fun and dangerous", Victor said.
"If only you knew what dangerous really is", Nina said to herself
"You attended an all-girls school right?" Peter asked.
"It's complicated, don't worry with time, you'd know more about my school." Nina wanted to tell them but would they understand? rich kids wouldn't understand the disorganization of the ghetto life.
"You love reading, don't you? All girls love novels". Fred said.
"Mind you, I prefer educational books to novels. It's my best way to escape from reality". Nina said.
"Woah"
"Lol. It doesn't mean I don't read novels, but it's hard finding non-fictional novels."
"Interesting," Peter said.
"Yes. Fred, I love swimming."
They continued till the bell went off.
"Michael isn't at the court," Peter said.
"I saw him leave when we were chatting," Nina said.
The three boys glanced at each other with surprise written on their faces.
"You did?" Peter asked.
"Yeah".
"why did he leave without telling us," Victor asked.
"Cause he isn't a baby," Nina said to herself. "umm, I need to get going," Nina said.
"It was such a lovely time," Peter said, "We are also going, let's walk down together."
"Okay."