Chapter Twelve

Anike’s POV

“I cannot believe I got seven. I thought I was going to get a ten. My God!”
Mercy cried out,

“Anike Coker.”
Jeff called before passing the test booklet to me.

I placed it on the table and I can swear Mariam, Mercy and Jada’s eyes followed my every action. 

I opened the booklet and my eyes scrolled through the page until it landed on the score.

I scored ten over ten!

“wow! You scored ten.”
Jada said,

“You are the highest among us. Mariam got eight, Jada got nine. Wow.”
Mercy analysed and I just nodded with a smile.

“You tried. You didn't even read with us at night. Girls! We have a scholar among us and the best we can do is study with her.”
Mercy suggested.

It was a nice idea except that I love studying alone.

“I think Anike likes studying alone. She does all her assignments alone.”
Jada said,

“Yeah, I noticed.”
Mariam added.

They went on to talk about me like I was not sitting there.

 I busied myself with checking each question and my answers. I was not expecting to get a perfect score but yeah, it feels nice. I was about to place the booklet in my bag when someone snatched it.
I looked up and it was Niniola.

“You scored ten?”
She asked like she could not believe it.

“Niniola got nine. Jeff and Jayden, what did you score?”
A guy, I think his name is Mide, asked.

I hate being the centre of attention.

I used to receive little attention at my former school even if I got a hundred. They just did not care. But now, being in this class where scoring seven almost pulled Mercy to tears and getting a nine almost made Nini run mad, I figured that is about to change a lot.

“Jayden scored ten. I got nine.”
Jeff said with a smile but it looked forced. He turned back to his booklet, studying whatever it was that he was studying with so much focus. 

Getting a nine is not bad, is it? they only lose a mark. Just one.

“Wow, it would have been better if it was just Jayden. I can’t stand the new girl getting higher than me.”
Nini muttered and threw my booklet on the table.

“You know what Nini, why don’t you hug a transformer, it might help.”
Mariam said looking so sympathetic that if you did not hear her well you would have thought it was nice advice.

The whole class heard and only a few who were not bothered by their scores laughed.

“I agree with Nini. I can’t stand you, Anike. I don’t know the pit you crawled out from but you should get back there.”
Aliya said with so much hostility in her voice.

I don’t understand.

Am I not allowed to take a test to my best knowledge?

Should I fail so as not to stand out?

Why did they not read or get this score too?
This is ridiculous!

I ignored both of them and placed the booklet in my bag.

Jada and the girls were fuming and I knew they wanted to say something but I just shook my head.

The best answer for fools is silence.

When they drain out their energy, they will find their seats.

“How are we sure she did not cheat?”
I turned back to check who said that and it was a girl I have never interacted with. I guess her name is Eniola or so.

She was saying it with a blank face and like what she just said was not bullshit.

“I got a nine too. How did she get a ten?”
She continued,

“I am sure she got it the same way I did. So please everyone, let's end this. or I call Mr Fadipe.”
Jayden said and the murmurs reduced.

Jada turned to me,

“Are you okay? You should have let us shut their mouths for them.”

“Exactly. Especially that Eniola. She is so full of herself. I wonder who is worse out of her and Nini.”
Mercy added, rolling her eyes.

I glanced back at the said Eniola and she was calmly reading.

Nini too.

How could they go back to being so calm after the drama they just caused?

“I told you Anike. This class is filled with psychos.”
Mariam said as if she could hear my thoughts because that was the best answer that could be given to that question.

“I just hate Eniola. She thinks she is all it because she is a top model and her mum is one of the best worldwide. What is so bad about getting a nine?”
Mercy said,

So, she is a top model?

No wonder she is so tall and slim.

I remember her name because I always watch her literally cat walk to her seat every morning and each morning the thoughts of her uniforms being custom made always crossed my mind because it just looks so good.

Now, I understand.

“Getting a nine is bad for some people.”
Jada said as she glanced at Jeff who was now talking to Jayden.

Why do I feel like there is more to that?

“Well, we understand that most students here have controlling and demanding parents but that does not mean they should come for Anike because she got a ten.”
Mariam said and we all went silent after that.

I don’t think I can survive in this school. or this class.

Everything about me doesn’t sit well with them.

You know that feeling you get when you feel someone’s stare at the back of your head, yeah, I had that feeling so bad that I could not help but turn back and check out who it was.

“You won’t last here. I will make sure of it.”
Eniola whispered and smiled right after.

I stood up from my seat and was about to go to the toilet when the teacher got to the class.

“Have your seat Anike. Or do you need to use the restroom?”

“No sir, it is fine.”
I muttered and walked back to my seat.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

****************************

“How many laps do you think you can do?”
Jayden asked as he walked up to me on the field. 

We were both in our sportswear and he added a red band on his head. We are the red house gang! 

We have not exactly talked since our conversation yesterday and from the way he asked me that question, maybe he does not want to talk about it.

I would also gladly accept not talking about it.

I looked at the field and it was definitely big. 

I remember when mum and I used to jog around the estate. She said she wanted to keep her lovely shape and I just wanted to lose weight so we both had things to gain.

 It used to be fun, we would talk from the start to the end, which made it easier for us but then Mr Dele stepped in and that changed too.

How many laps can I run? I will say one if I am honest!

But we are here to train, he is here using two hours of his precious time so I have to be serious so this can all be worth it.

“I don’t know. you should decide that.”
I muttered silently before gazing up at him.

He looks so good with the red band though.

“What about five?”
Five!

Wow! I guess I will just have to see if I can see through with this. I need it to get the earlier drama that happened in class out of my head. 

“Sounds good.”
I said with a smile and thankfully he returned it, not making this moment as awkward as the ones before where I will be the only one smiling like a fool.

We started running together and sweat started gathering before even finishing one lap.

I glanced at Jayden and he looked like he was not even doing anything. Not even a bit tired while I was already breathing heavily.

I decided to do what makes running easier for my mum and I.

“Who is your favourite superhero?”

Who is your favorite super hero?

What are your thoughts about class 2? Can Anike survive there?

Vote, comment, share and follow!
Thank y'all

Love y'all ,

Eniola_writes 💕💕