AWAKE

Chapter 24

Three weeks later, Starlight's high had two sports competitions with other schools. A football competition, which was outside the school(at the competing school) and a basketball competition in the school.
The long-awaited WAEC examinations had also started.
The girls had gone to wish the boys luck excluding Nina who avoided Michael-well they both avoided each other, rather, she met with them individually.
The WAEC examination started two weeks ago. It made the seniors scarce and it caused people to wish it hadn't started because Daniel and King were said to be lords at the basketball game.
"Hey man",
"I'm open",
The boys in Micheal's team yelled as he got the ball...
The practice was over and the boys came together and walked down to their hostel, using their jersey tops to fan themselves as they sweated profusely.
Michael and Victor trained on the basketball team, while Fred and Peter were in the football team
"I'm so hungry" Fred yawned.
"Me too"
"Me too"
The boys all concurred, Then Peter added, "Me three" smiling so big.
The boys looked at him, they gave him a false smile and then shouted "Dry", simultaneously.
"Whatever" Peter waved them off, after a short silence, he spoke up, "Guys concerning the cheerers for tomorrow's football match, I'd be adding the girls"
"It's not a bad idea, but not all of them..."
"I agree" Victor shouted interrupting Michael, "I don't think any of them would love to stay back."
They all stared at Peter waiting for his response, when he finally agreed, "okay."
"Well, I and my self knows you want her to come," Fred said.
"Yes!" Michael and Victor shouted in excitement as they jumped on Peter, rubbing his head and tapping his shoulder, Peter was in love, Mr Destiny's man, Destiny Weds Peter. His attempt to deny was fruitless, as his voice was drowned by theirs.
"You guys can go I'd stay back," Nina said.
"Why?" Destiny asked
"I need to ask that - why are we going with them?"
"They need some of the students to accompany them there, to cheer and support them..." Anny tried to explain better, but no words came forth.
"There are lots of students willing to go, let them choose amongst them."
"Our boys are playing and they need us." Destiny snapped, she was tired of everything already.
"Or...don't you want us to win" Anny quickly added, to avoid the situation getting worse than it was.
Nina didn't respond, so she went closer to her and spoke softly,
"They need us, and we can't go without you. You know we can meet new people in that school.
"Why can't you go without me? Besides, I don't want to meet anybody"
"Okay, you won't meet anybody then", Anny said calmly.
"Fine" Nina said reluctantly and started to mumble, "I don't like this kind of, I don't like associating myself..."
Destiny who just leaned by one of the bunk beds watching everything, shook her head in disbelief, "Gosh girl, you are worse than I am"
"Are you just finding out?" Nina said mimicking a baby's voice, which made them laugh.

The students looked radiant in their tracksuits, lined up in front of the school's big bus, as they were properly inspected by the teachers.
"Senior Michael"
"Senior Michael"
Michael smiled at the students that called him and declined their request to seat beside them.
Nina rolled her eyes and started regretting her decision, "I would have just stayed back oh, rather than witness this embarrassment displayed by my gender", she thought to herself.
"Hey boys, how are we feeling?" Michael shook Fred and peter as he joined them at the last row of the bus.
He tried easing their tension by throwing silly Jokes at everyone who laughed excluding her.
He warmed up to all the girls and acted obnoxious to Eunice and Nina- but who couldn't notice her, even the competing school boys threw glances at her, trying to get her attention; as a typical Nina that he likes-well liked or both, she didn't care.
Well, it was the first time he appreciated her attitude. Despite them being foes, he didn't think he was ready to let someone like her the way he did...he still did? He thought.
Before the match started, Michael prayed with them. When it ended too, he called the players together and they still prayed.
"Hmm, he prays" she muttered surprised.
"Winner oh oh oh"
"Winner"
The students sang as they marched into the bus.
Starlight's high had beaten their opponents with a score of 3-1.
They continued singing the song till they got to school and stopped when the principal went over to receive them.
"I'm so happy" Destiny screamed
"Happy for your guy," Anny said cheesing.
"Don't be silly jor. I'm happy for all of them, besides who said Peter is my guy"
"You see" Anny jumped pointing towards Destiny who covered her face, " I didn't call any name oh, it's guilty conscience."
"And you, why are just looking at us smiling?" Anny asked Nina.
"Don't talk to me," Nina said in a brusque manner.
"Aah, what happened?" Anny asked surprised.
"You guys just left me at that place" she started, "alone!" she said loudly.
"We are sorry" Destiny laughed, "you didn't want to interact with anyone"
"And that her friend that was behaving like she won't show her real colours by sticking beside her eventually left to meet someone," Anny said.
"Eunice right?" Destiny asked, between laughs.
"I don't even know what she sees in that girl" Anny hissed.
Nina rolled her eyes and started taking off her clothes to bathe.
"We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow too"
"Yeah I hope the boys make us proud again"
"Michael would always make us proud."
Nina sighed and went into the bathroom, shutting the door hard.
"Please don't break the door oh" The two girls laughed.

The basketball game was already coming to an end and the boys were losing.
Michael was rushed out of the court a while ago as he fell hard to the ground when a big hefty boy slammed the ball out of his hands when he tried putting the ball into the basket.
Since then, the boys had been making wrong passes and hardly made baskets.
Nina felt so bad for Michael. She remembered how he winced in pain as they took him out of the court on stretchers.
There was a loud noise coming from the far end of the crowd and Nina alongside others turned to see Daniel and King were the reason for the uproar.
Everyone including Nina was wide-eyed as both boys walked up to the principal. They had a little conversation and from the hand gestures, Nina knew the boys were begging to play with the team. Everyone knew the principal was a bit stubborn, considering the fact he had already announced the restriction of the seniors from participating in any extracurricular activities.
He never goes back on his words, but at the same time, he needed the school to win so badly. After much persuasion, Daniel was allowed to replace Michael, while King replaced one of the boys as time went on.
The school cheered loudly cause they knew they would win.
The game was finally over-with Starlight's high winning with a point after the referee cancelled a basket.
The competing school complained bitterly saying" it is partial", they left murmuring and insulting the school.
Everyone was happy but was afraid to go close to Daniel and King who quickly left after being congratulated by the principal and some teachers.
Nina was still surprised at how the game went but was more surprised at Anny's reaction when she saw King, and it got intense when he took off his jersey top after the game.
Nina whispered to her" What is going on between you and King".
Anny Jumped at the mention of King. It made Nina smile because she couldn't wait for the possible explanation Anny would give.
"Stop giving me that stare," Anny said as she paced up and down in the room.
"What stare?" Destiny asked.
"Like you are judging me"
"No one is Judging you ma, so please, stand at a place or you come and have a seat, my ears are itching," Nina said rashly.
"I think I have a crush on King."
"Errr!"
"What!"
"I... I don't know how it happened, but after a short converse we had when I went to get a pen at the bookshop, I started liking him"
"Awwn Anny" Destiny exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands.
"When did the conversation happen?" Nina asked.
"Last session."
"You've been crushing on him since the last session? It's surprising since you don't like his friend- Daniel" Nina said coldly.
"I know" Anny mumbled
"Is there something I'm missing out here?" Destiny asked.
"I'm sorry I said that" Nina apologized realising how harsh she had been for no reason.
"It's fine" Anny smiled, "but guys I don't want anyone else getting to know about this, please"
"Of course," Destiny said
"Sure" Nina replied.
"Girls, you need to pray harder for me."
"Is anything the matter Des?" Anny asked.
"If it's that fortune guy, I'd suggest you meet a pastor."
"Oh, you've noticed too?" Destiny asked.
"Only those without eyes will say they haven't seen how clingy he has been of late," Nina said.
"You are indirectly calling me blind," Anny said.
"I didn't say so, it's just heavily obvious."
"I just hope Peter doesn't find out," Destiny said.
"Even if he does, you didn't invite him to you, except you did."
"Of course not."
"Guys... Guys please enough with the fortune talk, I can't let that odd senior still my King shine" Anny said ending with a blush.
"I can't witness another form of embarrassment, so blush all you like this night, and return to the Anny I know in the morning", Nina said and lay down on her bed.
"Don't mind her Anny, tell me more about King to keep my mind away from that Fortune guy."
"Coming right up"