AWAKE

Chapter 25

The students gathered together at the school hall, to hear what the principal had to say.
The noise in the hall died down when the principal stood in front of the students.
"I'm sorry to bring you all out of your class for this impromptu announcement."
"Apology accepted," A voice said, which was picked up by everyone due to the silence in the hall.
The students broke into an uproar, while the teachers and prefects tried to restore silence, after failing at fishing the person out.
The principal continued when everywhere became calm.
"I can see you all are becoming lawless, this is the reason why I need to announce this, it's long overdue. I'd be calling your prefect elect and their post."
The students started to mumble again but the principal continued talking.
"Michael-senior prefect... Anny-refectory prefect... Eunice-Chapel prefect...Peter-Social prefect..."
Everyone whose names were mentioned came outside and the whole school cheered as they stood in front of them.
Nina was happy for her friends and she clapped, smiling hard when she suddenly remembered Michael.
The injury he suffered after the game, was bad, so the school informed his parents who took him home for proper medical attention.
It had been a week and four days since he left school. He was the only person missing out and the principal spoke about his absence.
"Congratulations" filled the air as the students went to congratulate the prefects-to-be.
"I'm sorry you weren't called," Eunice said when Nina walked up to her
"There is no need to be, Good luck with your chapel...task," Nina said.
"It's a post"
"Yeah"
The prefect post was the talk of the week. Few students didn't like the selection and so they gossiped, complaining in their spare time.
By the end of the week, the gossip had already gone down.
Nina was happy everything was getting back to normal.
"So when are you going to meet your school son-to-be?" Anny asked, dropping the novel she had been reading, a novel she sneaked out of the library.
"I don't know how to go about it, I think I should change my mind," Nina said sounding worried.
"How do you want to go about it before? Okay I'd go with you whenever I am free"
"yes mummy refectory", Nina teased and they both laughed.

"Peter just told me that Michael is back," Destiny said when she got into the room.
"Let's go and see him," Anny said.
Anny quickly grabbed her daywear and started putting it on. She saw how reluctant Nina was, so she spoke up.
"I know you and Michael don't get along, but it would be humane to know how he's doing at least."
Nina nodded to what Anny had said, but to her, it wasn't about that, but how she could face him.
Michael met with everyone in the class and was pleased with how receiving they were.
Nina waited for everyone to leave so she could see him privately, but the boys didn't leave. She had no choice but to talk to him in front of them.
"Nina baby" Peter hailed as Nina walked towards them.
She smiled at Peter and everyone else.
"Hi" she started.
"Hi" Michael replied.
"Umm...it's nice having you back and congrats on becoming the head prefect," Nina said and walked away.
"Guys please excuse me", Michael ran after Nina and caught up with her at the stairs.
"Wait!" Michael shouted when he got to her.
"Thank you," he said between pants, "You walked away so fast that you didn't get the chance to hear it."
"Oh," Nina said.
They looked at each other in silence for some time and Nina decided to leave.
"Does my presence irritate you this much?" Michael asked.
Nina was shaken by his words, especially by the pain they had.
He continued when Nina didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you..."
"No... no... I'm the one to apologize, after what I said to you the last time, I realized I wasn't nice to you, I'm sorry."
"Did Miss Nina just say sorry to me? I should be the luckiest man"
"Don't be silly or else I'd take back my sorry."
"Fine."
"At the end of the day, you got what you wanted. I hope that fear and anxiety stopped?"
"Yes, it did."
"Good, because you are bigger than fear, don't let it get to you again."
"Okayyy, I like it when you issue advice."
"Be serious. How's your leg?"
"It's fine by God's grace, I just feel slight pains sometimes."
"But you ran here, literally."
"True, I can feel the pains now."
"Then you have to go back before your friends get worried. Your legs need to rest too."
"You go first," Michael said.
"I'd go, I don't have the strength to go back and forth with you," Nina said.
"Can we be friends then?" Michael asked as he stretched his right hand forward for a handshake.
"I'd think about that" Nina said, smiled and left.
"Typical Nina", He smiled as he walked back to the boys, thinking of the possible story to tell the boys when he got to them.

Michael decided to join Nina and Anny to meet Faith-but when Anny was told, she cancelled out. Nina knew she did that to give them more space. "how childish", Nina thought.
"Why does he blush when I talk to him?" Nina asked Michael as they came out of Faith's class laughing.
"He is shy", Michael replied.
"Shy about what?" Nina said then chuckled.
Michael gazed at Nina, admiring her beauty, "Do you remember when I said I liked it when you laughed?" Michael asked still gazing at Nina.
"Yes"
"I mean it," Michael said.
Nina was uncomfortable, so she just said "okay"
Michael noticed so he decided to change the topic.
"I like him and his vibes"
"Faith?" Nina asked.
Michael nodded and Nina smiled, "I like him too."