AWAKE

Chapter 12

Everyone had gathered at the school hall to listen to the Principal's announcement.
"Can I have your ears please?" The principal said, sounding more authoritative than asking.
The noise died gently till everywhere was completely quiet.
"I believe I now have your ears," The principal, looked around for a bit, then continued. "You all know what I already want to say, except for our Newbies. This Saturday is going to be the first visiting day for the term..."
"Yeeeeaaahhhh" the students made sounds of excitement, screams, and laughter rose from each corner.
The principal paused, letting the students express themselves.
"It's okay, it's okay" The principal said calming the students down; The teachers and seniors around, also helped in making sure the place was serene.
"As I was saying, make sure your uniforms are well washed and ironed. Don't forget to clean your environment. I know the sanitation prefect will be able to handle that. Your midterm test is also at hand, so do well at your test if not, you all won't be going for your midterm break."
"Old man and his old lines," Eunice murmured.
Nina glanced at her almost immediately and shook her head in disgust. It seemed she was the only one that heard what she said or maybe, they didn't care.
As everyone left for their respective classes, they whispered and giggled at each other.
Michael, had to wait for everyone to leave, before he left. It was just him trying to do what prefects do in Anticipation.
He was so happy, likewise everyone, well almost everyone. he would be seeing his parents, especially his mum who pampers him. He couldn't wait to eat Mama's food and gist about everything he had missed. His mind then trailed to Nina. She didn't look happy like the rest. He had always said it - she sometimes looked like she had a lot up her sleeves. She gave a confused vibe; one moment she's happy, the other, she goes back to her shell. "Ouch" he winced in pain as he pinched himself, remembering he had told himself to never think of her; Well he was trying in minding his business. After the little chat he had with Michelle, his sense had fully come back.
Michael knew he was putting so much pressure on himself. He really needed someone to talk to. He felt so different from his usual bubbly self and no one even noticed. His friends weren't the best at the moment cause the only thing on their lips were women. He didn't want to disturb Daniel, he was preparing for his final exams. He didn't want to disturb his parents either, though they were always ready to listen to his complaints. Michelle, His sister, might be the most annoying person but they loved each other so much. They communicated a lot, so it was so easy telling her anything. Michael looked forward to today. It was actually Michelle's school's call day. They had the privilege once in a month to talk to whomever they wanted. It wasn't the same at Starlight's. You only call someone when it's really necessary or you wait till visiting day, which was the last Saturday of every month. During break, Michael went to meet Mr Kelechi their hostel master, to get permission to talk to his sister. He never told anyone he spoke to his sister unofficially, so as to keep himself and Mr Kelechi safe from getting caught.
"Good day sir" Michael greeted.
"How are you my boy?" Mr Kelechi asked.
"I'm fine. Sir please I'm here regarding what I told you." Michael said.
"Oh your sister right?" Mr Kelechi smiled.
Michael nodded. Mr Kelechi brought out his phone from his pocket and handed it over to Michael. "Don't stay for too long", Mr Kelechi patted Michaels shoulder, then stepped out. Michael shook his head and smiled. Though he supported equality, he still loved the fill of little privileges given to him. But he wondered if it was because he was every teachers favorite or because he's dad was the chairman of the school.
"Hello please, can I speak with Michelle?" Michael asked.
"And you are?" The voice asked
"Michael, Michelle's brother." Michael replied.
"Okay. Just give me a minute."
"Miss Michelle!!" Michael could hear the voice scream Michelle's name. The sound he heard, when Michelle grabbed the phone, got him so excited, till the typical Michelle yelled, "Mickey mouse!!"
Michael shook his head then yelled back, "My second most beautiful!!" With a broad smile on his face.
"thought you've forgotten your sister" Michelle whined.
"Wait! what?" Michael was shocked, "what are you talking about?"
"I was waiting for you to call me since. What if something had happened." Michelle posed a fake cry.
"Are you okay?" Michael asked confused.
"Silly. I'm good. You called late that's all."Michelle said.
"Are you finally done with your stupid display? For the millionth time Mimi, I'm also a student. Do you think it's easy sneaking out to make these calls?" Michael asked.
"Sorry. It's one of the reasons you should join my protest for you to come join me here." Not hearing anything from Micheal's end, she continued, "Have you heard, I said am sorry." Michelle said, posing a cry again.
"Wait, who was the person I spoke to first? the voice sounded different from your matron." Michael asked.
Michelle paused, then frowned as though Michael could see her. She understood what he was doing, trying to avoid her little drama. "Well... That was our hostel prefect. She was assigned to handle the calls today. Your sister is crying and... and it doesn't bother you?" She continued to cry.
"Mimi, your actually an equation. I wonder where mum and dad went wrong with you. Well, that aside, I have lots of things to tell you." Michael said smiling. He knew his sister had waited for that part, since the beginning of the call."
"I could sense stress in your voice,"she began slowly, then lit up immediately, "Do you need me to give you a go ahead order? spill it boy!" Michelle screamed.
"Have you seen Michael?" Peter asked Eunice.
"I'm I his keeper?" Eunice replied.
"Devil's incarnate" peter muttered.
"You've asked almost everyone here. Let's eat our snacks, later we would go back to class and check up on him." Victor said and the rest of the boys agreed.
Nina glanced at Micheal's table, and noticed his absence, She drifted her eyes back to her food. She had a lot running through her mind and he wasn't going to be one of it.
"Wow! Don't get sick mickey. You are always the best and I want you to always remember that." Michelle said sounding deeply concerned.
"Thanks Mimi" Michael smiled. Aside his sister being extra, she understood him so much and could be so sweet.
"But I think your social rate dropped a bit because of the girl..."
"Michelle!" Michael yelled trying to hide his embarrassment.
"That's the truth Michael. It's okay to feel shy and embarrassed especially when a girl falls your hand."
"I just don't know what to do" Michael said
"Give her time, and be yourself. She will come around but if she doesn't, it's her loss."
Michael loved when his sister was all protective of him. When he was struggling over Eunice's issue, she almost came to school when they resumed to beat her.
"Thanks Mimi" Michael said feeling better.
"I'd always be here for you. You just don't give me enough credit, neither do you respect me..."
"I need to go Mimi, someone is coming." Michael ended the call. If he had let her, she would have whined and whined and whined; he had to stress that in his head.
He missed Michelle. The last time she came visiting him at school, was when she was at Jss3, after her junior waec.
After classes, Peter, Fred and Victor had met up with Michael to chat.
"Guy, where were you na?" Victor asked.
"I went to use the restroom." Michael scratched his head as he spoke.
"Restroom - for that long? I hope you didn't give birth there oh" Fred said.
The boys burst into laughter and it got Michael annoyed. Peter knew, so he thought of something to lit him up and also everyone.
"I can't wait to eat your mum's delicacies." Peter said in excitement.
"Your such a big glutton. How do you even manage to finish your mum's food and still eat two plates from Micheal's mum?" Fred said.
"Why do you always come up with the worst comments..."
"My dear ask him oh" peter said adding to Victors comment. "As long as I'm not stealing the food, allow me to enjoy."
"Look at him complaining, like he doesn't eat too" victor said.
"Who wouldn't love to eat Mrs Smith's food."
"Oh-oh!" Peter exclaimed.
"It's so funny how we are ditching our parents food." Fred laughed.
"Seriously Michael," Victor said, laughing alongside Fred and Peter.
"Michael, Michael", Peter tapped Michael.
"Yes...ye..yes," Michael said, realizing he had zoned out.
"You are still staring at Nina," Peter said.
"Make woman no kill you oh!" Victor added as they laughed at him.
"I wasn't looking at her" Michael denied.
"You can deny all you want but it doesn't change the fact that you like her," Fred said.
"Always hitting the hammer on the head," Victor said as his words were directed towards Fred.
"It's nail bro," Michael said.
"He understood what I meant," Victor said.
"Whatever" Michael replied.