NOT THE ONE || Completed✔

12: Big News!

Disclaimer: This chapter can be triggering to some readers, so reader's discretion is advised.

***

As the students marched into their various classrooms, Joy couldn’t help but think about what the twins’ teacher had told her this morning. They were doing well but have both been withdrawn socially, the teacher had told her.

She had had to beg her not to inform their parents because she knew how much trouble it could get her into.

“I had a feeling it was because of your sister’s case. I wanted to call your parents today to speak to them-”

“Please don’t.” Joy had interrupted the teacher immediately, causing the young lady’s brows to furrow. “Our parents are really worried about my sister’s missing case and if they find out about this, I don’t know what will happen.”

“I’m sorry Joy but it is my duty to inform the PARENTS if their children are not doing well.”

“I know, I know. It’s just my parents aren’t doing well. Their blood pressure at this point…” Joy intentionally let her words trail off as she stared into Miss Loveline’s eyes. “Please, let me tell them myself.”

The woman stared at her for a while, debating whether her job was much more important than someone’s blood pressure before finally making a decision. “OK.”

“Thank you, ma.” Joy had smiled.

“Joyi!” Oluchi called as they entered their classroom, and Joy whipped her head around to look at Oluchi, startled. “What are you thinking about again?”

“Hmm? Oh, nothing.” Joy said and tugged at her earlobes as she walked over to her seat.

Oluchi stood for a while, at the front of the class, staring at Joy before walking over to her seat. “It’s about your sister, right?” She asked and when Joy didn't reply she took her silence as a yes and sighed. “Have your parents gotten any news?” She asked and Joy shook her head, her eyes still busy with what she was searching for in her bag. “Just keep-”

“Chi, please. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Joy said, hoping she didn’t sound as dismissive as she always did.

“Oh, OK.” Oluchi simply said and turned back in her seat to face front.

Joy knew she sounded harsh no matter how much she told herself she didn’t, and she felt bad for it. She knew Oluchi was just trying to be a friend but she hated the sympathy. It made her look and feel weak.

“Chi,” Joy called and looked up from her bag as Oluchi turned to look at her. “I’m – I’m sorry.”

“For?” Oluchi asked, surprised.

“I know I’ve always been harsh to you. It’s wrong of me to just shut you up when you’re just trying to be a friend-”

“No, it’s fine. I understand.”

“No, you don’t. You’re just saying that because you’ve been programmed to.” Joy said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Oluchi chuckled.

“You’re too nice.”

Oluchi's brows furrowed as she thought about it. “No, I’m not.”

Joy gave her a look that asked ‘really’, and Oluchi’s eyes widened. “I’m nice but not the way you’re saying it!” Oluchi exclaimed.

“How am I saying it?”

“Like as if I can be nice even to the devil.”

“I won’t be surprised if that was possible sef.” Joy murmured but Oluchi heard.