Resilience

2

Your name is Femi and you are the one fer me.
-one random idiot.

I sat in a class of about forty students,waiting for a teacher to come in. From the shy faces and obvious gazes, it wouldn't take a genius to guess that most of us were new students. One of the girls started a conversation with another by complementing her shoe and the other one talked about getting it in Abuja.Turns out they both went to Abuja for the holiday.

The brown skinned beauty in front of me had told me, 'Hi I like your face.' I didn't know if she was expecting a reply or if she was just being nice, So I just stared and it seemed like she concluded I was very stupid, because she turned her face away.

I started counting the people in my row 10. Seems like being beautiful was a criteria for being in this school. Some of the girls rather sewed their uniform, in a promiscuous manner. I mean... i know you were endowed by God but according to my mom don't reduce your bride price. Moving on...the boys. Most of the boys were tall, only one was fat and short and I got a feeling from the way he was stared at, that he would not belong.

"Pascal. That babe set o!" I heard someone from behind say.

Another deep voice said, "And she's fine."

I was just sitting in my seat, minding my business when a tall light skinned boy walked up to me.

"Hi beautiful."he said.

I was always told I was beautiful. I could see it from the way I was stared at when going to the market and being told repeatedly.

I replied slowly, "Hi."

Seemed like my response got the attention of the class, because it was suddenly quiet. I saw him staring behind and when I turned to look, I saw another boy giving him a thumbs up.

"I'm Pascal but my friends call me pa." He grinned obviously enjoying himself.

I nodded my head, but seemed like he was also expecting a reply.

I bit my lip, "I'm Femi."

"Femi!"

Pascal grinned very widely. I had to admit he was fine, a little. He searched his uniform trouser pocket and brought out a flower from God knows where and stretched it out. The girls in the class cooed.

"Your name is Femi and you are the one for (fer) me. Will you be my girl?"

By this time, the class was in chaos. The clap and the awns and the "lucky girl."and I was just staring shocked. On my first day?

I muttered,"I don't understand."

The whole class became silent.

"Come again?"Pascal asked and by this time he was looking very different, even dangerous.

"Good morning class!" A smiling male teacher sauntered into the class.

Pascal stared at me for a long time before snapping his fingers at me, " we'd see."

I was bringing out my note from my bag, when someone pushed it down.

I looked up to see a slim light skinned girl.

"You just made the biggest mistake. Stay away from Pascal he's mine."She gave me a dazzling smile and sat behind me.

I know the teacher saw what happened but he feigned ignorance.

"Onanekwo (see me see wahala"I muttered picking up my bag.

"That's Fesisayo She's the only girl out of 10 children."A boy sitting beside me whispered.

I turned so I could see his face clearly, "that much siblings?" I cringed.

"I'm kings." He stretched out his hands.

Pascal was staring daggers from his seat.

I gestured towards Pascal and smiled, "Abeg who is Pascal and why is he staring as if he wants to strangle me?"

"Because you rejected him. Legend said he's never been rejected before. Fine boy and no pimples." Kings Shrugged flipping to an empty page in his book.

The  teacher said something and he stood up, "Yes sir, I'm the prefect."

"Just so you know." A girl whispered from the front using a pencil to paint her nails.

"That's Pascal. Presently seventeen. Last name Gray. First and only son out of three children. Certified player. Presently single.. buht relationship status like in a lot of relationships. Has dated more than 100 girls. No relationships has lasted a month. Hates rejection. He's a new student though." She finished smacking on her gum.

"Set awon BBC radio. Don't mind Sarah she's an amebo .I'm chinny. Welcome." her seat mate whispered.

I smiled, "Thank you. But if he is a new student why is he so popular?"

"You!" The teacher pointed at me in the middle.

I touched my chest and looked behind.

"No you!" He pointed at me again.

"Me sir?" I asked and he nodded.

"What did I just say? You're a new student and you're already set out on making yourself a nuisance." He leaned on the board.

I got up and said confidently, "Just say" and the class roared with laughter.

"I like her already!" Sarah was saying but he used his cane to smack the table and the class was silent once again.

"Everyone kneel down for that uncivilized manner of action." He ordered and the class obeyed grumbling.

He stared at me sizing me up, "And you see me in my office after class!"

"Welcome!" Kings said passing me an handkerchief so I wouldn't kneel down with my bare kneels.

"To Royal academy!"