Hello everyone!

How are we all doing?

I am really really sorry for the late updates. I apologize and I hope you all can forgive me.

Thank you for checking my Anike out.

Let's get to it!! 

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ANIKE'S POV

"Are you leaving this room or what? You do not even sleep here anymore? Because of the new girl?"

Mariam asked Jada when she came into the room to wear her uniform for the day just like she has been doing for the past week. To be honest I don't recognize Jada anymore. Sometimes I stare too long at her and I can't find the Jada that I bonded with at my grandma's place. She seems cold, goal focused, angry at us or maybe it is just at a particular someone.

I sat in my bed and tried to study her reaction, a part of me wanted to stand up and talk to her and ask her what was really happening. I miss my first friend.

Jada rolled her eyes,

"We don't just sleep, we study together."

Studying.

She has been doing this a lot.

With Jeff, with the new girl and she subtly gives me this attitude. Especially after since the last test. I hate that a test which held no power at my former school was enough for my first friend to see me as a competitor.

"Life is not that hard Jada. We are your friends too and you act like we are not."

Mercy said sounding really pained for the first time.

"You guys do not know what hard is. I don't want to talk too much; I am with Joy now and I forgot to tell you guys that I will be moving during the weekend. I am sorry but it is better to walk with like minds."

Jada said and sashayed out of the room.

"What is wrong with that girl?"

Mariam asked sounding so frustrated, but I guess she cannot be as frustrated as I am. Jada is now with Joy as well as with most of our classmates, they love her, adore her. The boys, the girls, Nini,  she has even formed a clique and Jada is her right hand. Seeing Niniola being part of their little group as well with other annoying girls still leaves me confused. What is Jada trying to gain?

"I feel maybe she did not really like us."

Mercy replied after a while.

"She is leaving after close to 2 months being together? Omo, I do not even understand what is going on. Is it our fault that she has not gotten a perfect score? Everyone is stressed. I am not happy too, if my mum comes upper week and see my grades, she would go ballistic but you don't see me lashing out on others."

Mariam said and this would be the first time she would actually talk about her family.

I tied my shoe lace, today is Friday and I would be playing today. Unfortunately, Joy too. I do not want my effort to be overshadowed by a professional but there is nothing I can do.

My leg has also healed well and I can say that I am well prepared for the match this afternoon. Jayden and I still practiced yesterday and I remember how he said he was going to talk to Jada. Try to understand what was really going on.

It would be actually fine if all they do in this new clique is just read but no, they have started acting like the school queen and her side chicks. I want to reach out to her, talk to her but after the first time I tried that and she said I was the main cause of this, I knew that was not going to work.

"Goodluck today Anike."

Mariam said with a grin,

"Thanks Mariam."

"Are you ready?"

Mercy asked,

"I hope so. Thankfully, they added a week to my training because of my injury so I should be ready. Plus, Jayden has put a lot into this, I have to be ready."

I replied before picking my bag from my study chair.

"You and Jayden. Anyways, we will be at the court today cheering for you."

Mercy announced and Mariam immediately nodded. I felt like hugging them and making them know just how much I appreciated their support and love but I held back being my timid self once more.

"Thank you so much for being the best friends one can ever wish for."

I met Jada first but thankfully I met them too.

The Jada I met at my grandmother's kitchen is gone. I came to that realization after our conversation. She said she had no idea I would come to steal her place and she can't afford that to happen. She looked at me with so much hatred that I was scared.

I wondered if I should transfer out or fail my test? But I can't just fail my test because I want to. My discussion with the principal which I met Yesterday made me understand I had to keep a certain incredulous grade to get the same scholarship next year. I am not sure my parents are even ready to pay this tuition but maybe I should tell them about it.

As much as I might wish to leave this school, I cannot deny that it has so much opportunities waiting for me. Before I go to the match today, I would attend the Literacy and Debates club meeting. A club I joined after lots of persuasion from Jayden. I was also invited to the quiz club and would even be among those representing the school for a competition next week. The knitting club which I have come to love the most is also present and as much as I want to be free from the hates, I also want a better future for myself.

I can't just leave.

"Are you ready for the debate now?"

Mariam asked as we walked out of the room, she was also a member. Not just a member, the secretary. And we practiced together yesterday with Mercy as our judge.

Spending time here, I have come to understand that these girls with me are extraordinary smart and confident and I am glad I met them.

"Yeah. We are going to win!"

"We must, I thought about the suggestion you made last night and I absolutely love it. I will go for the 1st speaker. I told Mide that you should be the 3rd speaker instead. You will summarize all our arguments. That Jayden is really good at debate and we have to beat him. Thank God senior Judith won't be participating. If we can beat Jayden, I would be so happy. Don't go easy on him just because he is your crush.

"Yes ma'am and stop saying he is my crush."

I said with all seriousness making Mariam roll her eyes,

"Stop saying ma jo and I am serious we must beat Jayden and his team."

"I won't go easy on him ma."

Mercy chuckled at the both of us and all of a sudden, I found myself falling down before I could join in. I did not stop until my knee hit the ground and my scream louder than ever as I fell on the hard tiled floor. It took a second for me to realize I tripped. And another second to understand someone did it on purpose.

"What is wrong with you? Why would you do that?"

Mercy shouted at the said person while Mariam helped me up. I turned around to check who tripped me and it was surprisingly Niniola. We have had our differences but she has never been this petty.

"I did that because I can. Right, scholarship student?"

She rolled her eyes, laughed out loud and sashayed away to the door.

Hold up! How does she know that I am a scholarship student? Why did Mariam and Mercy just leave her alone? Why were they looking this stunned and surprised? If I am a scholarship student, does that make me subject to bullying at the Royals?

"Is it true?"

Mariam asked sounding almost angry,

I looked at my sneakers, Jada's words ringing in my head.

She told me not to tell anyone.

So how did Niniola find out?

"Anike, is it true? Are you an SS?"

Mercy asked again.

"Yeah, I got in with full ride."

I replied as quietly as possible.

"Oh Shit! Who else knows?"

Mariam asked. While Mercy covered her mouth in shock and her bright eyes looked so sad.

Jada won't betray me like this. She can't tell those people my secret. We are no longer friends but I know that she can't just do that to me. She knows how betrayal feels so she can't just do the same to me. She can't just stab me at the back because of grades, right?

"Answer the question Anike. Please."

My hands trembled and I had to clench it in a fist. My heart was beating so fast that I thought it might fall. I looked at their concerned faces as they impatiently waited for an answer.

Jada won't do that to me. She can't. She can't do this because of a simple midterm coming up next week or was it because of the quiz. Anyways, it does not make any sense.

"Think about it Anike. If you did not tell anyone, how did Niniola find out? Because of past incidents the identity of SS remains hidden even to our parents so how did she know about you if even we do not know?"

Mariam added.

"Only one person knows about this."

I said quietly, almost not hearing myself.

"WHO?"

They both asked together,

"Jada."

I think someone has to tell Anike not to trust anyone.

Did Jada really spill all her secrets?

What do you think?

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Love y'all ,

Eniola_writes 💕💕