Godwin was at the school football pitch watching the match between JSS2 and 3. They were playing well. The senior team was beating with two points. Godwin was supporting the junior team. He wished they were winning. As he stood outside he was coaching them telling them how to play. He told them to focus on passing and not dribbling. But even with all these they were still defeated.
“S.F” One of those boys that worked for him as agents when he was a prefect showed up.
“Big boy, where have you been?” Godwin asked smiling courteously.
“Out of the continent” The boy’s response made Godwin smile broadly.
“You should have said out of the universe, not just the continent”
They continue talking until Peter appeared from nowhere and commanded the boys to pass him the ball. Out of fear they did. He tipped the ball and jogged while the boys stood still waiting for him to finish. He did not care that he stopped the activity and they are waiting for him to resume. It was when he noticed that he’s stained the hem of his trouser he stopped. Allowing the boys continue their game.
Peter went to meet Godwin who was telling him how disturbing he can be. Shortly they saw the SS 2 boys walk into the pitch and demanded to have the ball. They collected the ball and asked the boys to go out of the pitch for them to play. As the boys were forced out Godwin and Peter left the place, for the scene was becoming irritating. But the boy with them went to meet his mates.
They did not go straight to their class. They were strolling aimlessly. From place to place. Godwin noticed that Peter’s height have increased. Peter was a bit taller than him but still thinner. They talked about it.
“You’ve the kind of looks everyone would like” Peter said as he noticed some JSS3 girls staring at them.
“Not my look but my personality, my behavior, my attitude. Beauty is pain and beauty is troublesome. I’m not a girl that gets attracted by appearance”
“Don’t you know that boys too attract?”
“With what features? Are you saying I have curves and breast?” Godwin asked with a silly smile on his face for he really know that Peter wasn’t thinking about that.
“Which curves? This flat one? My friend listen, girls like tall guys, not too slim and not chubby, mostly body builders”
“But I don’t pull weights”
“In your case I’m talking about your face and structure. You are cute but don’t let that get into your head. David too is easily noticed by girls even though he is placid, he too has smart looks. But me I don’t know why people see me as unserious human being”
“Frankly, even your looks doesn’t show seriousness” They laughed. They walked past the cashier’s office. A guy was coming out the office. He was a student of that school. Peter recognized him.
“Head boy” Peter called walking towards him. The guy showed a countenance of trying to remember him.
“How are you?” He asked. Even without having recalled him completely.
“I am fine. What brought you here?”
“I came to register SSCE”
“Again? You wrote last year”
“Yeah but it was bad again. I have to rewrite”
“Is it so bad that you can’t use them?”
“Very bad. They hit me where it pains most. They manipulate my most important subject. Always English and Literature. Those I know I wrote better”
“This people are really frustrating you. It’s really unfair. But I pray that this time will be better”
“Amen” The guy smiled and shook him again.
They parted, the guy headed towards the gate while Peter returned to Godwin.
“Head boy in which year?” Godwin asked.
“Four years back. When we were in JSS1. He was the best student of his set. He was so intelligent that sometimes teachers consult him for academic help. The head boy, as intelligent as he is he wrote WAEC two to three times and failed. This I’m sure is the fourth time he is coming to register SSCE”
“So pathetic! School is really frustrating. No encouragement. No hope, nothing interesting and exciting about school. If you are intelligent external exams frustrates you. After your hard work, they make you feel like you were doing bad all the times. They make you hate dedicating your time and effort to become who you are. It is very depressing and shameful to see worst students of your class succeeding without stress then you with all your efforts and knowledge becomes a failure”
“They want to get money from one innocent fellow over and over on no course”
The following day Lovett came to school sick. She had feverish feelings but it wasn’t so severe so she came to school with it hoping it doesn’t get serious. The mistake she made was that she failed to wear sweater to keep warm. She hardly wear sweater but Godwin wear his school jacket most of the times so then he helped her with it and perceptibly she felt better. She was dull and drowsy. She keeps sleeping and tossing.
“Did you take drugs before coming to school?” Godwin asked Lovett looking pathetic.
“No, It wasn’t serious and I thought it wasn’t going to get worse” Lovett muttered with head down. She looked pale yet still lovely.
“Won’t you go home?” Godwin asked, his eyes narrowed.
“No, I can manage”
“I am worried” Godwin stared straight into her eyes with calmness and affection.
“As usual, I know but take it easy. Nothing is going to happen to me, all right?” She assure with a convincing face. Godwin’s eyes strayed to some girls sitting by the corner. They smiled and looked away. It was apparent that the girls have been talking about them but not like a gossip. They admired how connected the two lovers were. But seeing that their attention was there it becomes the end of the conversation between Godwin and Lovett.
The dean of studies and the school cashier entered their class to remind those owing the school that they shouldn’t come to school unless they are coming with the money. They vehemently warned those in question not to step their foot in school no matter how small their debts may seem. Mostly emphasizing on those owing from the previous term.
“Why are you sitting like this?” The dean asked. “Why are the boys sitting separate from the girls? That’s not proper sitting”
“That is how they do. Showing differences and inequalities. Avoiding and discriminating themselves” The cashier added.
“Don’t mind them. They are ignorant. Won’t you mix up as I am speaking?” The middle age yet handsome man yelled. He’s been in that school for over eight years. He stayed that long because he knows what he is getting and the school also maintained him because they too knows his value.
The class started mixing. Girls mixing up with boys. Lovett was glad to join Godwin on the same seat but Godwin wasn’t comfortable. Though he really liked having her close all the time but he knew that was going to give rise to another trouble from Mr. Stones.
Not long after the mix up came the ranting of the school bell. The two staffs finished up and allowed them with the class. The Class became scattered, some goes out and doesn’t return till break was over, some goes out and comes in repeatedly, some without purpose of going out stays in and look through windows, discuss, copy notes, study or even sleep.
Godwin returned to the classed with tablets, snacks and juice. He took them secretly to Lovett so she could eat and take the drugs. Knowing that she on her own would not find it easy so he had to sit close and watch her do it. He persuaded her until she had a considerable amount. He made her take the drugs too. He stayed close to look after her until he was convinced.
“Where did you get the money you used to buy those things for me?” Lovett asked weakly.
“Never mind. Don’t worry about that. Get well first then we can talk about anything you want”
“Don’t risk yourself for my sake”
“There is no problem. This discussion isn’t good for you at this moment”
Lovett did not talk again. She lowered her head to rest. But she promised herself not to forget to ask him again. Later that day, the weather changed. It was going to rain. First rain of the year actually. The clouds got dark and was about to pour. The formation became heavy for the cloud to bear. It started with gentle breeze and gradually it was so strong that it could move light weights. The breeze was dusty. Everyone hurried to take refuge. Drops like pebbles followed subsequently. It started as if it was a fight. It fell heavily at first but not so long it reduced to drizzles. It was breezy and thunderous.
Temperature became cold. Everywhere became still and refreshing. Many slept while some discussed with low voiced. It was a time everyone enjoyed because they expected no lessons by that time.
“Hold somebody,
Tell him Jesus loves you
Put your hands together
And praise the Lord”
This was Peter singing. He had a different intention for it. Naughty though. He was singing it for boys and girls to stay close and keep warm. It was called weather for two. He kept disturbing with that song until some people became uncomfortable while some boys delighted in singing it. Godwin was an example of such people that had enough of it. He wanted to sleep but he could not sleep for long. The coldness made him want to ease himself. Before he stood up he ensured that Lovett was well covered, then he left.
He went to the back of a block with abandoned classes. There many students who doesn’t like urinating in the toilet goes. He finished and while resetting himself he heard voices from the empty class.
“You’re such a bad boy, look at where you are taking your hand” that was a female voice.
“I don’t want to miss a spot” This was a little deep—a young male voice. Godwin knew they were students. Now he has to be slow and careful so that nobody sees him. He went to peep through the window. Immediately he raised his head to look, he saw two senior students but he doesn’t know their actual class. He was flabbergasted to see them doing foreplay. He did not expect to see such, so out of shock a word escaped his mouth. “JESUS!” He looked away sharply as if he was going to go blind by the sight. They were very sensitive to hear him. They stopped and the guy built the courage to ask who was there. Godwin knowing that they were aware of his presence he ran away. As he was running he almost bumped on a teacher. It was their government teacher.
“Awh!! Watch your front while dashing off, you almost knock me down. What’s chasing you if I may ask?” The teacher ranted looking at the splash of mud on her feet.
“l am so sorry ma’am” This was the only thing Godwin could say. He tried wiping her feet but she yelled at him furiously not to touch her feet. He froze in confusion and stood as long as he could to ensure the teacher pardoned him.
When he got to the class. He sat dumbfounded. No more cold. He told Peter that later he will tell him something. That was probably his experience outside. But before he could say it to anyone the guy he was running from showed up. He walked through the rows of desks searching their faces until he found Godwin. Godwin did not even remember the face. So he was wondering what the guy wanted from him. The guy took Godwin outside and warned him not to disclose what he saw to anyone. That was when he recalled, but that doesn’t stop him from telling Lovett and Peter when they pressured him. He was sure they will keep it to themselves but if by any changes it licks then he’s in trouble.