KIISHA

We left the assembly immediately the announcement was made by our Vice-Principal, he was always the one concerned about the students affairs in school instead of allowing the Registrar did his job. He'd announced Kiishi's achievement, Kiishi had gone for the last round of the national essay competition yesterday in Abuja which she won and was reported by almost all the news media.

She was labeled the best essayist in Nigeria with an all round scholarship throughout her tertiary years alongside a sum of three hundred thousand Naira and lots of books. The only thing that amused Kiishi in all were the books. She's been busy checking, smelling and flipping through the books since she got back yesterday. In fact,  her hands never left the books, until she settled down to read one which she completed 2 o'clock in the midnight.

Can you imagine? She didn't get enough sleep because of the book and immediately she woke up this morning, she narrated the book to us in ecstasy before picking a new one which she would surely complete before the end of today, that's just how crazy that girl is about books. Her dream is to own a large building filled with books where she'll spend her life, ... can you imagine?.

Kiiti and I walked into our class and soon, Kenneth announced the submission of our Physics assignment which should be submitted to him before the commencement of the first period according to our teacher.

"Where is your assignment?" Kiiti asked after seeing the way I was searching through my bag and locker.

"I can't find it, help me check your bag maybe you mistakenly took it from my table," I told her while still bringing out all the books in my locker.

She searched through her bag and checked her locker too.

"But I brought it with me," I convinced myself, just then, my eyes met with Aminat who sauntered into the class with two notebooks.

"Why is my Physics assignment with you?" I questioned her as she approached me.

"I just borrowed it," she replied as she pointed the notebook at me.

"You borrowed it or you stole it?" I emphasized while she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, I didn't know the assignment and I figured out you've done it so, I just decided to dub it," she explained nonchalantly with a shrug.

"But you should have asked for her permission," Kiiti interjected and Aminat eyed her.

"It's none of your business," she said as she dropped my book on my table before walking away to Kenneth.

"That girl is something else," Kiiti said while shaking her head.

I hissed before picking my note.

"Let's go and submit," I stated and we both went to Kenneth who was now arguing with Aminat who wanted him to put her book at the last place.

"Whatever," she snarled before dropping the book on Kenneth's table, she glanced at Kiiti and I before walking away.

Kenneth collected our notebooks before placing Aminat's own on top, the bell was then jingled to signal the start of the day's work, Kenneth left the class hastily and he got back the same time our Maths teacher walked in.

Fourth period came quickly and we all sauntered to the Physics lab, he came out of his office five minutes after we got there.

"Aminat and Kiisha," he called after sharing the assignment of others, ours was the last one with him, it was crystal clear he called us because of Aminat.

"Kiisha, why did you allow Aminat copied your assignment?" he queried with a stern look.

"I didn't know when she took my notebook, she took it without my consent and it was when Kenneth told us to submit that I realized my book was missing, it wasn't until later that Aminat came back with my book," I explained and he nodded before turning to Aminat.

"Why did you steal her book?"

"I didn't steal any body's book o, I only borrowed it," Aminat responded and our Physics teacher glared at her.

"You stole her book whether you like it or not, when you realized you didn't understand the work, why didn't you come to me or better still, tell her to explain it to you, instead of you dubbing it," he reprimanded and she heaved.

"I can't"

"Well, that isn't my concern, you had a zero in this assignment which would surely be added to your test but if you pass the classwork I'll be giving you now then you'll have the half mark," he pronounced and Aminat smiled.

"You'll have to do the classwork on my table," he added and Aminat's smile disappeared as she scowled at him.

He ignored her look and gave us our books before picking up his Marker as he gave us a classwork on projectile motion.

Immediately we got into the bus, Joshua waved at Kiiti and in a second Kiishi sighted Olumide and the two of them left me, those traitors, we'd planned to sit together before coming but they decided against our decision. I eyed them as they left before I felt a hand on my back, whirling around, I realized it was none other than Jared, he didn't allow me to talk but rather pushed me to an empty seat.

"Morning, riff," he greeted with a grin and I shook my head head before replying.

"Good morning and why are you still calling me riff?"

He smirked before responding, "I'll keep calling you riff until you become my girlfriend"

I rolled my eyes at this, "Whatever"

" But?..," the voice of Mrs. Yusuf cut him short, I couldn't be more grateful.

"So, guys, I hope everyone is here," she said as Mr. Ola entered. They were the ones taking us to MERRY HIGH SCHOOL, it was their literary and debating day.

She proceeded to call out the names of everyone before the driver started the bus.

"Boluwatife, are you really dating Bobby? The news is already going viral oo," I heard Rihanna ask from the backseat, all heads turned to her.

Bobby was the upcoming artiste Boluwatife had modelled for or rather danced for in his debut song and the song was currently trending, the guy was now popular so also Boluwatife.

"Yeah," Boluwatife replied succinctly with a smile.

Kiiti, Kiishi and I shared a knowing look before smiling.

"Wow," Aminat shouted.

"But what of Demolu?" Kemisola questioned and I glanced at Demolu who was busy talking to Joshua.

"I don't need him again so I dumped him," Boluwatife replied while rolling her eyes and Demolu turned to her.

"It's the reverse, I was the one that dumped you," Demolu countered and Boluwatife eyed him.

"Whatever, you're no longer useful to me and Bobby is far more better than you," she pointed out before ending it with a scathing hiss.

"That's your problem," Demolu said before turning to Joshua who was trying to stifle a laughter but ended up laughing which earned him a glare from Boluwatife and Myra.

Minutes later, we arrived at MERRY HIGH SCHOOL and the school was already bubbly right from the entrance. We were ushered into their hall, it was a big and spacious one but wasn't as big as our Royal hall.

After the opening prayer and introduction, the literary and debating day started fully with the school entertaining us with their dance group.

"Hey," I heard a voice greet and I looked up from where I was sitting with Kiiti and Kiishi, all the girls decided to sit together and at such the guys sat at our back.

"Oh, Dariya," I smiled as I assessed her, she was looking nice with her Senior Prefect tag.

Just then my eyes caught Sharon who was now grinning from ear to ear at Jared who was smiling in return, I hissed before turning to Dariya.

"So how do you feel about our school?" she questioned.

"It's nice," I replied with a smile, she waved at Felix who walked up to us.

"Hi," he greeted as I saw the Senior Prefect Boy tag on him.

"Hi," I responded before a girl called him and Dariya, they excused themselves before leaving.

After they were out of sight, I turned back to Jared and realized he was still talking with Sharon, our eyes met and I eyed him before looking away.

Our school was invited to the stage for Miming Competition; and Rihanna, Kemisola and Myra filled up to the stage and just then when they started, a body blocked my sight, I looked up at the person and Sharon gave me a wry look, my eyes caught her Assistant Senior Prefect tag and I scoffed internally.

"Why are you in our school?"

"Who are you to ask me such question?"

She rolled her eyes before pursing her lips.

"As you can see, I'm the ASP Girl (Assistant Senior Prefect Girl) so I have the right to ask you," she answered proudly while touching the tag.

"Whatever"

"So, you're representing your school?"

"Why would I be here if I'm not, dumb?"

She wanted to reply but the resounding clap stopped her, Dariya waved at her and she glanced at me before leaving.

"Why do you guys hate yourself?" Kiiti questioned before the MC announced that the representatives for  the essay competition should go out for registration and prepare for the essay.

"Won't you go?" I turned to Kiishi who was preparing to stand up.

"Best of luck sis," Kiiti mouthed before Kiishi left.

Rihanna, Kemisola and Myra came back and the others gave them thumbs up.

The representatives for Spoken Words were also called and as Chike stood up, we gave him that encouraging smile before he left for the stage.

Kiiti adjusted her sitting position and turned to me, "Now back to the question"

I gave a sigh of frustration but she dabbed my laps.

"I don't hate her, she just pisses me off"

"Hmmmm," Kiiti drawled while giving me a suspicious look.

I turned to her and eyed her, "Why the hmmm?"

"You're jealous of the girl right?" a mocking smile appeared on her lips and I pouted.

"And why would I?"

"You know na," she said while tickling me.

"Stop joor," I almost shouted before slapping her hand away.

"Okay oo," she ended as we both turned to the stage, Chike was now coming back and a guy in ROL Academy uniform walked up to the stage.

"From your former school," I said to Kiiti who tapped me in return.

"Can you believe that's Sam?"

My eyes widened as I looked from Kiiti to the supposed Sam who just got a hold of the mic.

"The same Sam, your ex," and Kiiti nodded.

"That's preposterous, so you mean this ugly monkey is the Sam, no wonder he looks like an orangutan, why did you date such an ape from hell, we must show him before he leaves today," I fumed and Kiiti cackled.

The cackle stopped after some seconds with me looking at her like a senile patient.

"So?" I inquired.

"You don't have to show him anything, he already apologized"

I shook my head before glancing at him.

"Then he must apologize to Kiishi and I, he can't just treat you like that and go scot-free, he must have a dose of the pain he caused, just take a look at the way he is spluttering gibberish and he'll be feeling himself oo, useless element," I said in a low and grave voice with a puckered brow.

Kiiti laughed again and I glowered at her.

"Just leave him alone, ehnn, you know he didn't actually go scot-free"

I waved my hand in a dismissive way before boring hot holes in the punk's head.

"I'll tell Kiishi, I pray he isn't out of sight when she comes back, we'll show him today," I assured her and she shook her head.

"You don't want to let him go like that sha"

"Yes oo," just then he left the stage and a clap erupted from the audience, why were they clapping? It's not as if he said anything sensible, though I didn't hear anything he said but I knew he didn't say anything meaningful, our eyes met as he descended from the stage and I eyed him menacingly, he gave me a confused look and I dashed him a murderous look.

Kiiti tapped me and his eyes met with Kiiti who smiled at him. Is this girl a dunce? He returned the smile and went back to his seat.

"Are you in your right state of mind? Why did you smile at him?" I questioned touching my index finger  at my head.

"Kiisha, we've sorted it out naa, there's no need to fight again," she explained calmly with a smile and I shook my head in pity.

The Spoken Words went on and on and I enjoyed it, the stupid Sam came first and I wondered if the Judges were foolish 'cause I didn't see anything meaningful in what he said, Chike who said something meaningful was now given the second position. At the receipt of prizes, Kiishi got back and the commencement of the Spelling Bee was announced, Demolu and Munat represented our school.

"So, how was it?" Kiiti inquired as soon as Kiishi sat by me.

"It was fine," she replied with a smile.

"The same topic?" I questioned and she shook her head.

"Not the same topic but it was the same theme," she explained and I nodded.

"But it was okay sha?" Kiiti queried but Kiishi couldn't reply because of the appearance of Sam.

"Hi," he waved at Kiiti with a smile. What a nerve? The thing is not even fine.

"Hey," Kiiti replied.

Kiishi looked at them before turning to me with a questioning look.

"Can you believe this is that useless Sam," I said loudly and he scrunched his eyebrows at me before Kiiti winked at me to stop but I didn't deter.

"Which Sam?" Kiishi asked with confusion written all over her face. Why is she slow-witted?

"Kiiti's supposed ex, you know na, that imp that made her transfer to our school, that ...?.," I couldn't complete the sentence as Kiishi nodded and cut me off mid sentence.

"You mean the one that treated her badly then?"

"Yes oo," my eyes made four with the fiend, I eyed him menacingly and he looked away quickly.

"Yes, uncle, how can we help you?" Kiishi queried as she turned to him with a grimace.

"Kiishi, Kiisha, it's okay," she winked at us before turning to Sam, " I'm sorry, don't mind them"

Sam bobbed his head and smiled.

"Which stupid sorry are you telling him? Hey, uncle Chimp, let us see your departure before we create a scene here," I snapped.

He looked mortified and I smiled internally, after nodding at Kiiti, he left and I laughed uncontrollably.

"Kiisha, you're not okay oo," Kiiti said and I stopped laughing.

"That is still the tip of the iceberg, someone you should have allowed us to treat his fuck-up"

"The one you did nko?"

I rolled my eyes at Kiiti before turning back to the stage, that stupid rogue made me missed the Spelling Bee, thank goodness, it was still going on. The Spelling Bee was really fun and interesting, our school came second and they were given an Award Certificate with two huge wrapped gifts.

Dumininu went upstage to display her artworks, the show was getting interesting until the MC announced that the dancers should get prepared and at such Kiiti, Zion and Boluwatife alongside the other dance team left to change to their costumes.

The display lasted for only for a short while, there were only five schools out of the twenty invited schools that displayed their artworks. Apparently, Dumininu was the winner so far her artworks were more beautiful. At the end, she indeed came first and the school's principal even gave her a job, she was to paint the woman for a nice amount.

Kiiti and the dance team appeared in their costumes; red top on white flared skirt and leggings and without delay, the song started and our dance team proceeded to give it to them.

"See the way Kiiti is showing all those steps perfectly, I never knew someone could beat Boluwatife in dancing oo," Kiishi said to me and I smiled. Boluwatife was the best dancer in our school not until Kiiti appeared in the spotlight.

"Me too, Kiiti is one big dancer," I commented as we both turned to the stage. The dance lasted for a couple of minutes before a resounding applause filled the air.

Another school whose name was too long to pronounce appeared on the stage after our school.

"Why is that one doing like chicken?" I giggled as I pointed at one of the female dancers who actually looked like a chicken.

Kiishi chuckled before talking, "You're not serious but wait o, is she not actually doing like a chicken, see the other one forcing herself to dance," she pointed at a lanky girl and I guffawed.

"I don't know who forced her to dance oo"

"Abi oo, che naa by force"

I turned to the dancers while laughing, Kiishi was also giggling, that school's dance was somehow funny.

After they finally ended the dance, the audience clapped before ROL Academy dancers were called and our dance team came back.

"That was wow," I complimented as Kiiti smiled.

"But who taught you how to dance?" Kiishi asked and Kiiti's lips curved into an amused smile.

"I think it's a part of me and I count it as my talent or skill, you know the way insulting people is Kiisha's talent," she joked and I eyed her.

She then continued, "But my dad loves dancing"

Kiishi and I shared a look.

"You mean the Governor?" I queried.

"Before nko, just because he's the Governor doesn't mean we don't have family time"

"That's nice oo, though my own dad that is not a Governor doesn't have time for his family," Kiishi stated.

Kiiti opened her mouth to talk but the resounding clap impeded her. ROL Academy left the stage as another school appeared, we focused on the dance and gave a fitful of laughter in between. The dance went on and on and at the end of it all, our school was announced the winner followed by ROL Academy.

Mrs. Yusuf called out the drama group, Aminat smiled at this so far she was partaking in it and that's the only thing she's good at, I just don't understand why she decided to come to technical class, she should have gone to the Arts class and aspire to be an actress but she was dumb enough to not know what she's good at.

A new school that didn't partake in all the previous competitions was the first to appear on the stage, I guess they only came for the drama.

"That girl was the one that represented their school in the essay," Kiishi said as she pointed at a chubby girl dressed in a native attire. Understood now they didn't actually come for Drama alone.

"Ehn ehn," I said while gawking at the girl.

"You should see the way she was doing, it was as if she knew everything, she was complaining, asking for extra sheet, glaring at others and all sort of nonsense," Kiishi explained with distaste.

"And I'm certain her brain is empty oo, people like them don't have anything upstairs," I added and Kiishi shook her head before Kiiti laughed hysterically and we returned to the Drama stage.

It was a playlet based on poverty and the likes and it captivated everyone as we all watched it with rapt attention. When it finally came to an end, the clap reverberated throughout the hall as they left and our school came in. Aminat walked in proudly dressed in a mini green gown, apparently, she was the bad child with wayward acts.

The playlet lasted for some minutes, though it was interesting but it can't stand the first playlet. Other schools came in and their drama was pure rubbish except that of ROL Academy that made sense a little bit.

At the end of it all, that school which I later learnt was MORIKA High came first while our school came second. Debate started immediately after the presentation of awards and prizes for the Drama groups as the two SS1 students, a handsome boy and strikingly beautiful girl represented our school since our set was devoid of good debaters.

At the end of the debate, our school came third, and the result for the essay competition was again announced, with our amiable Kiishi that came first hailed loudly by the audience.

After the presentation of gifts, the last competition of the day, the Quiz commenced as Jared, Joshua and I walked up to the stage and the audience was spellbound as the hall was overcome with deafening silence.

"Now, the schools here will be paired in twos, for five rounds and the last two winners from the rounds would compete against each other at the final where the first school to give the correct answer will be declared as the winner and awarded the coveted prize. Now, there'll be raffle draw for partners, one representative from each school should come up to pick a paper," the instructor announced.

Jared and Joshua nudged me concurrently so far I was the one in their middle.

"What?" I turned to Jared.

"Go and pick the paper," he said quietly.

"Why should I be the one?"

"You're the only girl here," Joshua replied.

"See, other schools have gone, our school is the only one left," Jared said while pointing at them.

I grumbled before standing up reluctantly and proceeded to the stage, seconds later, I drew out a paper and went back to my seat.

"Open it," Joshua ordered and I glared at him before doing that, ROL Academy was written on it and I smiled internally before looking up at Sam and smiling devishly at him as he was sitted with a guy and a girl.

"Why are you smiling at Sam?" I heard Jared's voice ask. Oh! He also transferred from ROL Academy so he would surely know Sam.

I turned back to Jared and smiled.

"No reason"

"Why won't there be a reason?"

I wanted to reply but the instructor 's voice boomed over the loudspeaker again.

"Rearrange yourselves according to your opponents," he instructed and we all stood up and rearranged ourselves such that each school faced the other competing school. Ours was actually the first.

"Okay, we're starting with Royal Garden College and ROL Academy. ROL Academy, please choose a number from 1 to 10," he instructed as he turned to ROL Academy representatives.

"Number 5," Sam said.

The instructor opened the book with him, "Okay, what is the process whereby an organism sheds off its old skeleton and put on a new one called?"

I smiled at this question while Sam and his colleagues contemplated amongst themselves.

"Your time is going," the instructor warned.

"Ecdysone," the girl amongst them replied and I smiled.

"You're...wrong," the instructor announced before turning to us.

"Bonus to RGC"

"Ecdysis," the three of us replied simultaneously.

"Correct," he shouted and clap erupted from the audience.

"Ecdysone is the moulting hormone," he explained to them, their faces now sour.

"Now, RGC, your question"

"Number two," Jared said and the instructor opened the book with him.

"What is the first and simplest compound in the alkane series with a molecular formula of CH4?"

Simple question.

"Methane," we answered simultaneously.

"Correct," a resounding clap filled the air once again.

It went on and on and at the end of our round, we had the full twenty five points while ROL Academy had fifteen points which means they were disqualified from the second round.

Half an hour later, the second round started.

"So, this one is only five questions, I'll throw the question and the first school to respond in all five will be the winner," the instructor said as we all chorused "Yes Sir".

"Okay, what is the opposition to the flow of cur...," we didn't allow him to complete the sentence as Jared, Joshua and I shouted 'Resistance' concurrently.

"Correct, RGC, five points," he announced as his assistant wrote it down.

Joshua, Jared and I smiled at one another before the instructor continued, "The serious liver disease in which the damaged liver cells become replaced by dead and useless fibrous tissue is..."

"Cirrhosis of the liver," Jared and I shouted this time.

"Correct, RGC, five points"

It went on and on like that and we were only late to reply in the last question but all in all, we were the winner.

RGC was pronounced the winner, the overall winner with the highest medals, laurels, medals, prizes and wrapped gifts which we took back to our school.