AWAKE

Chapter 11

It was up to a week since Nina started reading alongside Daniel. She didn't go often but sneaked out when she felt safe. Nina had become okay reading with Daniel because he didn't disturb her, rather he seemed so lost whenever he read and later gave her lessons on geography when he was done reading.
"Nina, won't you join us?" Anny asked. She invited Nina whenever she went reading with Michael.
"Thank you. I'd rather read alone." Nina would always say with a smile on her face. She had never had any female friend that cared as much for her as Anny.
"Nina!!!" Peter hailed as he walked into Nina's prep class.
"Sshh..." Nina placed her index finger on her lips to shut Peter.
"Sorry guys" peter apologized when he saw the Juniors, glare at him.
"How are you doing," he asked.
"Good as you can see," Nina said.
"Peter, come I want to show you something," Victor shouted from the window.
"Your shouting" Nina said sounding disappointed.
"Hey, Nina!" Victor waved excitedly not minding what Nina said.
"I'd see you later Nina", Peter ran off.
"Gosh, I wish the teacher on duty would catch and punish you guys well" Nina muttered then apologized to the Juniors.
"Good afternoon sir" The class greeted as Mr Okechi, the Geography teacher walked in.
"Good afternoon class. You all can have your seats." Mr Okechi said as he stood in front of the class.
"You guys have made me proud," Mr Okechi said, smiling, showing his incomplete dental. "Peter stand up", Mr Okechi continued.
"Me?" Peter asked with his hand on his chest.
"Yes boy", Mr Okechi nodded.
Peter stood up. The students broke into a confused uproar. No one understood why Peter was told to stand.
"Everyone be quiet!" Mr Okechi shouted, his voice so loud could be heard in the next compound.
Everybody became quiet.
"Peter you surprised me." Mr Okechi said and everyone was so amazed. Continue like this, and you won't have any problem with me. You can take your seat
"Thank you, sir," Peter said then took a bow as the class hailed "Peter!" "Peter!".
"Quiet you all." Mr Okechi said, "Michael, as usual, you topped and surprisingly, our new student Nina did very well too."
Everyone turned and glanced at Nina, who tried to force a wryly smile. She had to fake a smile to avoid questions; she so disliked the questions from SHS teachers.
"I just came to announce your results. We are having a meeting, so I don't want to hear any noise from this class. Distribute the scripts when I'm gone."
The class waited for Mr Okechi to leave before rushing to get their scripts to see their scores.
The boys gathered and congratulated Peter. Everyone knew Peter was only serious about technical drawing.
"What happened this time?" Michael asked, still amazed.
"Can't a guy read again?" Peter protested
"True-true," Michael said, still having doubts.
"He will tell us when he wants to," Fred said.
They all agreed to what Fred said but Michael was sad, for the first time his close friend was hiding something from him.
"Here", Destiny handed Nina her script.
"So you are this good and lied about it," Anny said frowning.
"I just read harder. Besides, you guys passed too." Nina said.
It was prep over and Nina packed her things to go over to the old building. She saw Peter rush into her prep class and slumped on the seat he had dragged beside her.
"What is chasing you?" Nina asked.
"I noticed you would soon leave that's why"
"Leave to where?" Nina asked almost immediately, hoping he was obnoxious to where she went after prep.
"I don't know, maybe the hostel, I should be asking you that."
"Forget I asked that. What brings you here?"
Thanks so much, dear." Peter bent his head and placed his hand together like he wanted to pray, above his head.
"Stop it" Nina slapped his back laughing hard.
"I think you should laugh more often," Peter said amidst laughter.
"That's why I have you. Well, I just want you to know I won't help you again till you promise to start reading with Michael and don't forget, you won't tell a soul I helped you." Nina said.
"Yes, mummy!" Peter saluted.

"Hey cupcake," Daniel said as Nina walked into the class.
Nina glared at Daniel. She wasn't still comfortable with the names.
"I passed my test." She said after taking her seat.
"Good for you. You don't sound excited." Daniel said.
"I am, I'm not like other people that go around bringing down roofs with their excitement," Nina said.
"I get." Peter said, "We do have a lot in common", He nodded interestingly.