Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 34: secrets

"Hey, my name is doyin, what Is your name?...ughhh...no not like that".
I paced up and down in front of the mirror placed carefully on the wall of the girls hostel toilet. It was the same mirror that all the girls stood in front of to gossip about the other girls, chatting and chatting away for hours till the hostel mistress came to chase them out due to the noise.

Yesterday was when it happened. A new girl had come into the classroom, wearing a yellow short, sleeveless gown and looking clueless yet wearing a hopeful smile as she was ushered in by our class teacher. Her crimson dark hair was packed up into a small shiny bun and her fair skin reflected the sun's rays that seeped through the class windows. I was mesmerised just by looking at her.
Honestly, it was very rare to see a new student in 8th grade because our school only received students from the 7th grade. That meant I had to keep up with my obnoxious classmates till the end of my stay at the school. I didnt like them and apparently, the feeling was mutual.

But, a new student meant I could see a new face and possibly get a new friend, who would probably not see me the way others saw me. If I made a good enough first impression, there would finally be at least one person who didnt hate me in the class.

"Gloria, introduce yourself to your new classmates" the teacher said.

She looked at the teacher and then back at the class with another cheerful smile.

"Hello everyone, my name is Gloria Effiong, I'm twelve and I'm coming from St. Joseph's Memorial College".

She looked back at the teacher as if to say, have I said enough?

I giggled under my breath because it wasn't necessary to mention her age but she did it anyways. Now everyone would know she was younger than most kids in class.

The teacher gave her a nod of approval.

"You can pick a seat now". She said to her.

I looked around me. There were only two empty seats in the class. One was at the far back and one was at the fore front of the class, right bedside my desk. It was empty because of obvious reasons. No one wanted to stay beside a lower who got low grades and zero social points.

I looked down as I wondered why I even saw hope in the first place. She would obviously choose the back seat. All kids wanted to be cool these days. No one wanted to be in the clear view of every teacher that walked into the class.

"Is someone here?". I heard a voice beside me.

I looked up and the sparkling eyes of the new girl met mine.

"Umm, yes...I mean, no!". I stuttered.

She looked confused, then she frowned and started to walk away.

"No, I meant no one is here!". I yelled after her.

There were silent giggles from my other classmates.

"Weirdo". I heard someone say.

She looked back and her eyes sparkled once more. I smiled, gesturing for her to come over but was abruptly interrupted.

"Hey, there's a free seat here, why don't you stay here". One of the backbenchers said, pulling her arm.

"Hey, I told her first". I said quietly.

"No one cares". The girl sniggered and others laughed.
I bent my head low once again.

"Alright, one house class!" Our teacher yelled, already fed up with the drama.

"Miss Effiong, please choose a seat so we can get back to our work for today".

Gloria looked back and forth between the two seats as the class watched her make her decision.