Here as promised!!

DO NOT SKIP THE A/N AT THE END!

~DABI~

One of the twins rose, reigning in rage.

And no.

It wasn't Ebube.

Nope. Ebube was still sitting down, ever so calmly, drawing circles I couldn't see on her desk. Staring casually at Miranda. Absolutely quiet.

It was Ebere who stoop up, bristling and reigning in rage and anger, looking like she was about to rip someone to shreds.

"Miranda. Get out of this class! I cannot stand you!" Ebere screamed out to the girl, literally getting ALL the attention of the whole class.

"Ebere, calm down. Where's all these coming from?" Chika suddenly got up, alarmed as hell.

I was equally horrified and confused. What was the outburst all about? It seemed to even be deeper that just the fact that Miranda was in our class. Ebere was livid! Literally shaking in all her fury!

And the entire class was stunned too. They were all in a state of shock, and with the silence that suddenly filled the place at Ebere's outburst, anyone would hear a feather drop.

Soma looked the most horrified out of all of us.

"Ebere, what's wrong?" Even if she looked like she wanted to, she dared not to touch the raging twin.

"Miranda Archibong, leave this class now!" Ebere ordered the girl, measuring her heated glare down on the girl, who was staring at her in absolute shock.

Miranda blinked. Confused and stunned. "Ehh?"

Ebere looked like bile rose up her throat. "I didn't fucking stutter, Archibong."

The twin stood there, looking at Miranda like she was about to rip out the braids on her hair and stuff it in her mouth. But she didn't. She instead started to clench her fist and mutter under her breath while watching her.... Like she was doing a mental countdown in her head for Miranda's attack.

Why the fuck was she so.... angry?

Ebube, rather, looked calmly at Miranda. Those circles? She didn't stop drawing them on her desk.

The twins were scaring me.

Miranda cleared her throat.

"I'm only leaving because I want to." She told Ebere.

"No one cares, just fucking get lost." Ebere said as Miranda left the class.

The class was silent afterward. The awkwardness was suddenly on another level.

What... Just..... Happened?

"Are you good?" Chika spoke. Neatly pedicured hands touched Ebere, and I was shocked she didn't fling Chika's hand away from hers.

"I'm awesome." The twin answered. And indeed, she looked awesome after Miranda was gone. Completely good all of a sudden.

Ebube barely glanced at her twin, took up her phone, and casually started thumbing away and popping her gum. "Seconded."

I breathed... And slightly moved away from Ebube.

The twins scared me.

"I think you guys should take it easy on Miranda though...." Soma looked like she was hesitating to say. "I don't know, just ice her out a little bit," She seemed so hesitant to continue, because the twins weren't responding.

"Everyone's looking at us now," Chika seemed to groan slightly.

"Look." Ebere finally looked up to Soma. "I don't like Miranda Archibong." She kept straight eye contact with her as she spoke. "I have never liked her and will never do. And I don't know how to tolerate people if I cannot stand them."

"I get that, but she's Casper's family," Soma was soft spoken.

"And?" Ebere asked her.

"Casper is my family friend," Soma reminded us. "And look, if that doesn't make you care any less, at least try to remember that Casper is our friend too. I don't know how he feels about people trolling his cousin."

I looked to the boy, in question; Casper. He and his friend, Aaron seemed to quieten down a little after Miranda's exit.

How did he feel about people trolling his cousin?

Aaron had even made it clear he wasn't a fan of Archibong either... And really, how was Casper handling any of these?

"Casper may never admit it, but," She looked to the light skinned boy like she could somehow see through him. "We did him a favour by making Miranda leave."

Ebere sounded too certain.

"And," She adjusted the red bandana she used as a little tie on her uniform. "Miranda doesn't give a shit about Casper, she only cares about herself and doing things to make her look good. It's her reputation that matters, not his'. If she was considerate of her cousin, she'd do him that favour of not embarrassing herself all the time. Bitch may be addicted to Social Suicide, but why drag Cas into all that mess?"

Soma was quiet.

"And once again, I apologize for not being able to pretend to tolerate her," Ebere said.

She sighed, exhaled all her exhaustion, and muttered to herself, "I don't just like people messing my sister."

Jesus.

Was I the only one who JUST heard her say that!?

Chika raised a sleek brow at Ebere, tilted her head. Did she hear Ebere too?

But then, I mentally slapped my forehead she Chika asked the twin, "Did you say something, b?"

Ebere shook her head, smiled briefly. Answered Chika. "Not a word."

******

Last period on Mondays was Physics Period.

And you know what that meant? Combined Classes.

And you know what that meant? We were meant to move to Class A.

And you know what that meant?

Well... It meant Marcus Acha.

Aaron and Casper majorly led the class in all their jovial energy, and like nothing had happened between Ebere and Miranda, both boys, even Casper, were engaging the sisters in a quick, random chit chat.

The sisters, not me.

Casper had tried to pull me into the conversation at some points, and I wished he could, like the sisters, respect my decision to not indulge.

Aaron? He barely even looked at me this time around.

Stepping into Class A was like having cold water splash on my back.

Not only was Class A the class of one of the most 'worthy' personas in the set, the class where most of the names were known, and faces were feared, it - on top of that - just HAD to house the most prominent of them all; Giwa Falade and her alpha female clique.

But that wasn't the only thing that made me start sweating profusely on the spot.

I saw Marcus Acha, and my heart dropped.

Since the Physics teacher wasn't around, the class was still somewhat rowdy and noisy, and even getting even more lousy as my classmates trooped in, filled up the place, and caused even more noise as they welcomed their 'class cross over' friends.

Some of the Ballers, including Aaron and Casper were filling up the corner that Marcus and Sean were on, and when one of the guys said something, Marcus laughed, had that sexy-as-fuck smirk on his face as he looked the guy up and down and smoothly shook his head at whatever it was that they were saying.

I barely even heard his voice, he was barely talking. Asides Aaron and Casper, Sean's voice seemed to be competing for dominance, but Marcus Acha was just sitting there, all cool and pretty, feeling the guys around him, effortlessly and casually just vibing with their energy, having that cool swagger surround his entire being the whole time he was at it.

I actually smiled to myself.... I recalled dance class.

That warm feeling. The peace of that night. Him.

For some reason, he seemed to stand out amongst all those guys. He seemed to stand out amongst all the guys in fact in this whole entire class.

I mean, not just because of his looks. I mean, he is good looking. Ridiculously, even. It was actually unnecessary to look that good. Marcus Acha was indubitably one of the most gorgeous boys in our set. Specifically speaking, in SS1, he was ranked number 2 most handsome in our set, and number four in the whole school - at a time where most of all our Ss3 Seniors looked like they were models from the front cover of a magazine. Marcus looked that good.

He had all those faces you'd see, and wonder; Why isn't he famous? Or, you would see him in a picture, and ask someone, "Wait, you know this boy in real life?" It was crazy. And he seemed to know just how pretty he was because that smirk on his face was filled with too much confidence... Or Pride? Or... Something else?

And for some reason, in my eyes, it seemed like all the spotlight was on him.

And he took advantage of it. Strong, built arms rippled it's muscles as he folded them up his chest, paying good attention to something Sean was telling the guys. His hair, that I hadn't particularly noticed before - hair that he seemed to be growing using the Ss3 boy privilege, was full and proud on him, complimenting him, along side that growing moustache at the top of his pink, full lips that partially darkened the chocolate brown skin there.

I took in a deep breath. And another, And another.

What in God's name is even giving her the delusional idea that a guy like Acha will ever take her seriously?

And she thinks Marcus Bruno Acha will drop all his sanity for a dirty girl like her!

I snapped out of it when Marcus actually stopped.... And turned his head my way.

My heart skipped a thousand beats.

He looked at me like he wasn't seeing me, but seeing something else, someone else, in me.

I suddenly couldn't unfreeze.

His look lingered on me for what seemed like ages, and he seemed to be in a zone, a different realm, away from the boys around him. He had leaned back against his seat as though he wanted to get a better view, and I really couldn't move.

Then, it started from one corner of his lips, before his entire face lit up in one big smile, one hell of a dazzling smile that sent chills and goosebumps running down my entire body, as he literally looked at me, completely; up, down, thoroughly, a thumb on his lip, enthralled, admiration in his eyes, like I was the most attractive thing he's ever seen.

"Lulu?" Soma hit me to get me back to the present.

I jerked, realised I was at Krisdana's row, our usual spot during combined class, and I only wondered how long I had been standing there, staring at Acha, and if anyone noticed.

I looked back to him, Marcus Acha, and he wasn't looking at me anymore. He was back to his guys, and I felt a warm feeling trailing after my heart all the way.

However...

The Physics teacher was here soon enough, and all the boys were jeering him on.

I wasn't sure if it was because it was last period, or if it was because everyone, and I mean, everyone absolutely loved and adored Mr. Charles Bassey/Charlie Ba, and just loved to have the Physics teacher around.

Whatever the case was, half way into the class, I realised that Marcus had not turned back to look at me even once.

I started getting.... Bothered?

Like joke, this class came to an end and Marcus didn't even answer me again.

I was getting very worried... But I breathed.

Soma had taken permission to leave the class to ring the bell for 'school over', and I had stolen glances at Marcus and the guys around that area they dominated.

My heart started to race. The realisation was starting to hit me that Marcus may legit just walk out of this class, without saying shit to me, hit hard.

A part of me was disappointed.

The class started to get noisy as students stood up to leave right after the bell, and I made to run away with Chika and the twins, from this crowd of students that would have killed me in a stampede if I stayed longer in their midst.

"Dabeluchi."

It was the Physics teacher, Mr. Charles Bassey- Charlie Ba, that called my name.

Huh?

I stopped, standing up, looked to the dark skinned, middle aged teacher who was by the teacher's desk, looking at me, and gesturing for me to come to him.

I swallowed.

"Um.. Dabz?" Chika touched me. "We'll be waiting outside, okay?"

I swallowed again. Nodded. And there were out along side the group of classmates that were crowding at the door.

Why did Charlie Ba want to see me?

I looked to him, then back to Marcus, who was still in class.

And made my way to the teacher.

Or took a step to anyway... Because that moment, someone held on to my arm, and folded something into my palms and I nearly had a stroke.

I jumped and when I turned back around, all I saw was a bunch of students walking around me and out of the class, and I couldn't decipher who squeezed whatever into my hands.

It was a paper..... From an unmentioned person. And all it read in black ink and shockingly neat hand writing was 'hey'.

Who?

"Dabeluchi Orji?"

I made my way towards Charlie Ba, who was still standing by the teacher's desk, and all the way, I stole glances at Marcus Acha who was still conversing with his friend.... Not glancing back at me.

"Sir?" My voice was a mutter to Charlie Ba.

"Are you good?" He asked to confirm as he realized that something, indeed was wrong with me.

I gulped again, stole one glance back at Acha, who seemed to be rounding up to leave.

He was really leaving..... Without talking to me.

"Dabeluchi."

I jolted, giving the teacher more attention immediately.

"You seem to drift a lot." Charlie Ba said to me.

"I'm.." I sighed. Saw Marcus leave the class with Sean. "Sorry, I'm just.." I sighed again. "I'm sorry sir... You.. You called?"

Charlie Ba observed me for a long, hard time. Folded his arms and looked at m like he could see through me. 

Then, he sighed, massaged the skin of his nose. 

"Look," He said. "I called you here because I was concerned about you."

"Me?" I blinked. "Me? Sir? W-Why?"

"Have you seen your last Physics test score from Last week?" He asked me.

I shook my head, negative.

"And you're aware that everyone else in your class saw theirs," He said to me.

I nodded. "Yes."

"And you weren't concerned about yours?" He raised a brow at me.

"I.." I didn't have an answer. I didn't really care.

He sighed after a few minutes, shook his head, and went through the books and files that he came with, after a few shuffling and reshuffling, he handed me a piece of paper.

I scanned through it, and knew it was my Physics test paper. Only that there were a lot of red pens designed all over it, and a big, fat 3/20 by the top right end.

"Umm...." I went through it. "Wow."

"I don't think you're following up in my class." He said to me.

Well, I barely followed up in any class to be honest. I always had Soma go over lessons with me a lot of times, but my attention span was the size of a peanut, and I doubted anyone was as patient as Somadina Best.

"And your hand writing..." He noted. "I could barely read a thing."

I looked at my paper, saw my terrible hand writing and nearly even had a headache.

Crazy how I didn't even remember taking this test, to begin with.

"I've been seeing everything going on in you and Marcus Acha's name in the Media," Charlie Ba told me.

Wait, what? How would he be seeing those?

"Look, you shouldn't let boys distract you-"

"He isn't distracting me, sir," I cut him off. "Those are just rumours. We barely have even talked in reality."

"If so, then is there anything else that makes you unable to concentrate?" He asked me, concerned.

A lot of things, sir. You won't understand.

"You can talk to me, " He said. "Or at least the school's guidance councillor, if you'd be more okay with her. A problem shared is a problem half solved."

No..... I can't tell anyone about Dad and Delilah.

Not Charlie Ba. Not the guidance councillor. Not even the Sisters.

I had ;learnt from past experiences that telling people was a terrible idea... For me, and especially for them and their own safety.

"I'm good, sir," I told the teacher. "I'll just study more, I promise."

He didn't look convinced, but he let me go. Gratefully.

And after my quick conversation with Charlie Ba, I realised that everyone in class was completely gone.

I nearly fainted.

The sisters weren't with me.... How was I going to survive? How would I.... Walk down the Hallway...? How...?

I started shaking in my shoes, fear gripped me, and dread rose in my body, making it tremble in panic and anxiety.

Did this man know what he just did to me?

Does it occur to him that walking down that hallway, by myself, without the sisters, was equivalent to a death mission?

My heart started beating dramatically, and the moment one foot stepped out of Class A and into the hallway, I fought back a stroke.

Something felt wrong.

Or was it just me?

It was dramatically full and noisy.

Usually, the noise wasn't the case... But after school, much people weren't packing themselves up in the hallway. Or at least, it didn't seem like the entire set was packing themselves inside the hallway all at once.

But that's what it looked like at the moment, and it made me very uncomfortable.

Everyone seemed to be in cliques, and groups, crowding the whole entire place, watching something on their phones, seeming very very engaged in it, and I got even more uncomfortable. More disturbed. More... Unprotected.

I held onto my blue bik pen. Squeezed it tight in my hands as I past the first group of boys and girls gossiping. Held it tighter as my heartbeat continued speeding up. Held it like it was a weapon, a knife or something... Just in case.

I heard 'Make me Cry' by Labrinth and Noah Cyrus, playing out loud via someone's phone, and the moment I heard it from one phone, I heard it from another, and another, and another, and another...... I stopped breathing. Stopped breathing. Stopped moving. Stopped moving.

Jesus Christ.

"Ouuu! Talk about Set's best secret, abi?"

Whoever said that had the clear intention of mocking me, and when I looked in front of me to see a bunch of class F girls crowding me like a damn army, and attracting attention of the entire hallway, having everyone look up from their phones to properly notice me.

Whispers; excited ones from the boys, and a few girls, and spiteful whispers from majorly girls, filled the air, and each one slapped me several times.

"Mad oo!"

"Who knew she could. Wow, see talent oo!!"

"Abeg, she's trying TOO hard!"

"I swear, it's so irritating and PATHETHIC!"

"It's so ANNOYING!"

It was then I knew I was in dipshit.

And the entire hallway was just about to witness it too.

"You didn't tell us you had this side of you, Dabi?" Tekena, the supposed girl leading the squad, spat poison at my face, blinding me with her bright, light skin, as I was surrounded, cornered by a dozen of girls I knew were in Class F.

I swallowed metal. "What are you talking about?"

Tekena didn't particularly answer my question. Just walked round me, circling me as though I was a specimen under observation, and as her girls giggled and threw mocking insults at me, the light skinned tall girl walked round me, scrutinizing and looking me over as though I was dirt and I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up.

"So desperate," She scorned, scoffed, almost spat on me if she