Lucky 

     I groggily collapsed on the bed sinking into the soft mattress, my eyes had started to droop when I heard the soft ping alerting me I had just gotten a notification. I decided to ignore it but then my phone pinged two more times. I propped my elbows on my pillow and grabbed my phone from the bedside table. Unlocking it, I laid eyes on the awkward picture of Naomi's face up close to the camera, behind her, Linda was trying to force a kiss on my cheek, I was leaning away with a big grin on my face, pulling the dark blue baseball cap on my head down to the point it covered both my eyes.

I realised I was still online because that was my current Whatsapp profile picture. I exited settings to my recent chats. I had three messages from Abel Brown. We had exchanged numbers a few weeks ago. I saved his name with Brown because of his alluring brown eyes. I had a unique way of saving my contacts.

It's stupid...

Abel Brown

You're online - 12:35AM.

Why you still up? -12:35AM.

What, you a night owl like me?😏 - 12:36AM.

I slept off while changing my profile picture. - 12:36AM.

Then how are you replying me? - 12:36AM.

The notification alone couldn't have woken you up. - 12:36AM.

Uhm, I woke up to use the bathroom... - 12:37AM.

Then I got the text. - 12:37AM.

Hmmm... - 12:37AM.

👀 - 12:37AM.

Want to know what I was doing? - 12:38AM.

......yes - 12:38AM.

I was on fb. - 12:38AM.

Going through your pictures ... - 12:38AM.

Uhm cool... - 12:40AM.

Ik, stalker-ish... - 12:41AM.

Have I mentioned how beautiful you are? - 12:41AM.

How bright your smile is...? - 12:41AM.

How bad I want to be in a room with you just so I could watch you smile? - 12:42AM.

Lucky... - 12:42AM.

Yeah...? - 12:43AM.

Wamme to ruin you? Stay... - 12:44AM.

Wanna fix me? Stay... - 12:44AM.

I want you in my life. - 12:45AM.

And I never replied.

~*~*~*~

Seven hours later...

"Hi Lucky!" A cheerful voice greeted as I stepped down from the car. Father already dropped Bukky at the primary section.

I looked up and found Mirabel fervently waving at me with her right hand, she was twirling a thin cane in her left hand. I threw her a small smile and waved back.

     Mirabel was a senior and also a prefect. The prefects were usually students in S.S 3 (senior secondary 3) — the highest class. After they graduated, new prefects would be elected. A student would be endorsed and elected as prefect according to their academic performance and social behavior.

     Mirabel was the Punctuality Prefect. The Punctuality Prefect welcomes students at the gate, once It's eight; you're officially late and would be punished by another prefect.

     Standing next to Mirabel were the Sanitary Prefect, Daniel and the Labour Prefect, Hannah. These three Prefects work together, they welcome, scrutinise and give punishments to the late comers and other defaulters caught in the assembly.

"Good morning, seniors... " I murmured with my head low as I passed them.

"five more minutes and you would have been late... You're lucky you're not though. Hannah would have fried you." Daniel said with a smug smile, Hannah chuckled.

     The bell rang just as I dumped my books in my locker. Best – whose locker was next to mine – threw me a look and tilted his chin up, silently saying "Let's go". Together, we both made our way down the halls and stairs. We exited the building through the small steps by the right side of the building.

     There were already a few students lined up, Best and I made our way to the S. S 2 line. He joined the boys line, I joined the girls line. The teacher on duty was yet to start conducting the assembly, so we all chattered amongst ourselves. A few minutes and the arrival of more students later, Mrs Danna took place on the stage platform, It was really just stairs; the one at the centre of the building.

"Good Morning, students..."She greeted.

"Good Morning..." we replied uniformly. "bow your heads as I lead us in prayer."

We complied, she began praying. She prayed for the safety of our school, she asked for assimilation power for us students, she prayed for the death of rebellion, disobedience and immoral practices.

Might as well pray for world peace...

I chuckled inwardly...

"Amen." we all echoed.

~*~*~*~

"we've got a football match this friday..." TJ announced, shoving a piece of chicken in his mouth.

"hmmm... You playing, right?" Best asked before taking a sip from his Coca-cola.

     Best, Naomi, TJ and I were at the cafeteria eating, It was break time. I wasn't really hungry so I had just gotten myself a snack, same with Naomi. TJ on the other hand got himself Jollof rice and Chicken.

"Best, why would you ask such a dumb question?" Naomi queried whilst shaking her head at Best. "Why wouldn't he play? He is after all, the captain."

"Uh... duh... " TJ replied with food still in his mouth, a smug look plastered on his face, he swallowed before adding. "I mean... M.Grace would be nothing without me. With my repertoire, I have taken this academy to places -"

"Hey, hey..." I interrupted him.  "Naomi, look what you did. Now his ego has skyrocketed."

"Chai..." Naomi exhaled heavily, she pushed her tray forward abandoning her half eaten food. "men and their ego..."

We chuckled.

"So..." TJ said, he tossed the bone from his chicken on his paper plate and continued. "Rumour has It Isabel Douglas will be returning to school next week...!"

"Seriously...?" Best asked.

"yeah seriously..." TJ answered.

"Wait — Isabel? Isabel Douglas...?" Naomi snapped her fingers fervently. "Last I heard, Isabel was flown abroad because she had health complications."

"yeah well, she's now in the country. Everybody's speculating on facebook. I'm even surprised you haven't heard bout It since you're madam ITK (I too know)." TJ guffawed at his own joke even though it wasn't that funny. I figured he was taunting Naomi. He slapped his thigh continuously as if he couldn't control his laughter, Best laughed along with him, I even found myself chuckling. 

"eh hem...!" Naomi cleared her throat and sent us all murderous glares. Best and I stopped laughing, TJ on the other hand was still chuckling softly. "Wetin come dey make this one laugh? (What's amusing you?)"

We chuckled in unison until Best stood up and stared us down.

"Break will soon be over, we've got Math. I don't want to be late to that sociopath's class." Best shivered dramatically.

"Oh, that zit guy..." TJ hissed like he didn't even consider him a threat. "Who even told him they don't flog us here?"

"I will burry you... I mean psychopathic much?" Naomi said with a scoff. "that guy is way too bitter. Carry bad blood like say we thief he Christmas fowl. (he's got too much bad blood, he's so vindictive)."

"Abi oh? (I know, right?)." Standing up, I sauntered over to Best who was hovering over TJ. "Best, lemme even join you, I don't want trouble."

"see dem...(look at them)" TJ said with a sneer on his lips. He gesticulated with his left hand, raising it from our heads to our feet. "fear fear. (chickens)"

"Ehn, leave it. Lucky, let's go." Best grabbed my arm and steered me further away from the table. Just before we left, he added "you two lovebirds keep bickering about using protection, aye...!"

It was so loud, heads were turned and eyes found us.

Before Naomi and TJ got the chance to grace us with one of their witty comebacks, Best and I scurried through the double doors and out of the cafeteria, laughing as we did so.

"Naomi is so going to kill you...!" I said as we walked down the hills, chuckling softly.

~*~*~*~

     The classroom was empty or so I thought. A soft giggle reached my ears and I craned my neck to the right. There he was; the one and the only Abel Ejiofor, sitting at the back of the class. Beside him was a light skinned girl with ginger red braids that was up in a ponytail, she wasn't wearing her blazer, I noticed the first few buttons of her shirt was undone alluring Abel's dark gaze, she had her legs crossed, a good potion of her thighs were on display even from where I stood. One of her hand was feeling up his bicep, with the other, she was twirling the tips of hair seductively.

The hell...!?

     I hadn't seen her in our class so she had to be in S.S 1. All students in the senior classes (S. S 1- 3) were granted certain privileges such as: the use of cellphones and artificial hairdo. I felt someone grab my elbow, I turned and realised it was Best, I had almost forgotten about him.

"Stop... Don't stare so long." Just like in the cafeteria, he steered me away, leading us to our seats. But instead of sitting at his usual seat behind me, he sat beside me.

     Best seemed to be spacing out, his eyes were locked behind me.

Look at this one that told me not to look...

Not being able to resist, I turned and looked too. I watched as Abel grabbed her chin and whispered something in her ear. Ginger-head let out an annoying squeal, she sprang up from her seat, thrust her chest and bums out. Abel watched her as she sashayed away. Almost immediately, he stood up but just before he swaggered out of the classroom, our eyes meet, I find nothing but ice in them. I looked away and fidgeted with the hem of my khaki flared skirt.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what they're about to do...

"Is he always like -" Best interrupted me.

"Yeah, he is... He's  worse than that. Calling him a playboy is putting it nice. He's more like a 'shag em and shake em off' kinda guy."

"wow, I — hmmm." I found myself completely short of words. "I thought senior Bisola was his girlfriend..."

Best laughed out loud.

"Yeah, right..." Best rolled his eyes. "They're uhm... well kinda like friends with benefits."

I shook my head, processing the information.

~*~*~*~

     I watched the lanky young man as he wrote on the board with a stick of chalk, I noticed he was southpaw. I craned my neck so I could see the formula he was writing and when I got it, I scribbled it on my notebook. I repeated this until he stopped and turned around, facing the class. Mr Pitt scanned the class, students were busy jotting down what he had just written, some were chattering, some were busy with their phones and a few of them were even asleep.

     Amidst his explanation, a tall figure entered the room and all eyes darted to him. Despite the fact that he was twenty minutes late, he didn't seem to be doing the 'walk of shame'. Rather this fine young lad sauntered like he owned the place with a demeanour that oozed arrogance, I would even compare his walk to 'The Undertaker's'.

Okay yes, that was an exaggeration...!

And If you guessed Abel, you're right.

"How prompt..." Naomi muttered beside me, her tone oozing sarcasm.

     To my surprise, Mr Dickson just threw him a look and returned to his explanation. Just before Abel got to his seat, someone started yelling profanities at him in Yoruba.

"Hey... Baba...! omo ale (bastard), didirin (dullard)," It was Bolanle, one of Ebimo's close friends. He was the loudmouth amongst them, your typical troublemaker. "Yeah... Hail baba kolomental. (the mad man)"

     On cue, Kelechi and Nero hooted whilst clapping and pumping their fists in the air, Ebimo wasn't in school today. I shook my head, somewhat annoyed by their antics. Abel simply ignored them and took his usual back seat. 

"na wa, see who dey talk sef... (look who's talking...)" TJ suddenly spoke up, surprising me. At this point, Ebimo's friends had shut up and all eyes were on TJ. "master olodo himself. (master dullard) Aren't you supposed to be in what... J.S 3? You're so daft your daddy bought you grades, that's why you're with us now. Ehen...didn't you reseat your -"

"TJ!" A stern voice called, It was Abel. "what are you doing...?"

"What am I doing? Oh what am I doing?" TJ reiterated the question. He placed a hand on his chest and hurled another question at Abel.  "What does it look like I'm doing!?"

"Don't interfere in my shít." Abel warned with a blank stare. "Mind your own business, Idonoro."

"Whatever you say... Ejiofor." TJ scoffed and looked away.

     Now averting my gaze to the front, I was shocked to find three class exercises boldly written on the board. Gasps, groans and a few curses were audible. Whilst we were conversing, Mr Dickson had finished his explanation and had already written class exercises.

     A few hours later, I was already home, working on an assignment. I scratched my temple and yawned, I closed my book and pillowed my head with my folded arms on the desk. I sat up when a chiming sound pierced the air It was coming from my laptop, I was getting a video call from Best Orland. I answered it and immediately his face appeared on the screen. He was wearing a blue sweater, he was holding up his book to the screen, flashing me his untouched assignment. I chuckled at him, he grimaced and said:

"help me, this thing is giving me a headache." He dramatically ran his hand through the curly hair he got from his Caucasian father.

"I'm even having trouble finishing mine." I giggled into my hands.

"Abeg, forget it. So, temme, how are you?" Best dumped his book and propped his elbow on the desk, cupping his chin.

"Just here..." I said nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders.

"You look pretty this afternoon... "

"Oh thanks..." I blushed.

"Your room's cute!" Best leaned in, wiggled his brows and added. "Wanna sneak me in sometime?"

I playfully grimaced. "My dad would break your pretty face."

"Oh so you think I'm pretty..." He replied, wetting his lips. "I don't mind being disfigured... as long as you love."

What's with the flirting today?

"Okay... you're being weird..." I drawled and he guffawed.

My phone chirped, I picked it and unlocked it. I checked my notification and saw a Whatsapp message from TJ.

I chuckled. "Sorry! Oh, guess who I saw at the hospital today... " Best said, my eyes were still on my phone. "What are you even doing?"

Teejay

Help me, I think Nana's mad at me. 😑😕 - 4:52PM.

Lol What did you do this time? - 4:52PM.

     Fixating my gaze back on Best, I saw his face so close I could see a tiny zit on his forehead, It was like he was trying to see what I was doing, I chuckled at him.

"Oh, nothing. It's TJ..." I replied, now grasping what he had said I added. "Who did you see?"

"Oh, I'm adding him..." He said coolly. "and it was Abel I saw..."

I raised my brows at him.

"And you're telling me because...?"

Teejay

We were chatting, and I might've said something stupid... Hehe. Now she won't reply me.  - 4:55PM.

Lol might've? - 4:55PM.

Just call her - 4:55PM.

Btw, I'm video chatting with Best and he wants to add you - 4:56PM.

"because I think — no...I know you like him." Best said meekly.

"What -"

    A new video popped up, It was TJ, wearing a green t-shirt with a comb stuck in his hair.

"Amigos!" TJ hollered, pumping his fist in the air. "Y'all should add my baby abeg (please)."

"See this one, (look at this guy) here I was thinking you'd want to talk to us." Best sneered shaking his head, I chuckled.

"Ehen, and so? Naomi will always come first for me..." TJ sighed dreamily, Best let out a hiss and I literally laughed out loud. "I'd even die for her."

"you be fool oh (you're such a fool)." Best said to TJ, but we knew he was just taunting him.

"Yes you'd die... She'll be the one to kill you" I added with a smug smile.

"I won't mind..... even though I know she'll never be mine..." TJ sang with his eyes closed and one hand on his heart.

"Dude, did you just quote Zayn Malik?" Best asked. "You're so whipped!"

     Another video popped up on the screen, proving Naomi had answered the call. Her grey braids were tied behind her head, a few strands fell free, she was wearing her glasses. She was fixated on the calculator in her hand as she punched it.

"Hey guys...What's up?" She muttered under her breath.

"The math homework, right...?" I asked.

"Yes oh, my dear." Naomi replied as she scribbled on something on her thighs, her notebook perhaps.

"Baybee...!" TJ greeted.

"Oh my God... Please don't be TJ, please let it just be in my head..." Naomi muttered with her eyes closed.

The three of us laughed boisterously.

"Baybee, It's your boo oh." TJ teased cheekily.

"Ugh, TJ go away... " Naomi abandoned her work, she was now shoving her index finger out as if pointing at TJ. "Don't you have football practice or something? I mean the match's on friday..."

"Ehen... that stuff you said about Isabel Douglas... It's true oh. I saw it on her profile, she's coming on friday." Best snapped his fingers.

"pfft... of course It's true. I wouldn't-"

"Hey guys, this football match friday, who are we even up against?" I asked, gathering my braids at the back of my head so I could tie them.

"Saint James..." The three of them said in unison.

"What?"

That's my former school...

_______________________________________

[EDITED]

A/N: Please, heed this: In Nigeria, not all secondary schools (high school) give those privileges I mentioned in this chapter. In the majority of schools, there no makeup or use of gadgets. Girls are obliged to braid their natural hair, no attachment what so ever. As for the boys, the haircut is always kept low.

With that out of the way... Vote and comment, I'd gladly reply you.

Thanks for reading...