Efua sat writing on her bed. her aunt had said it was surprising how she had made that room hers so quickly. A little sanctuary. fresh pink and white sheets on the bed and framed photographs on the table. everything was always spick and span with the smell of air freshener. she was writing in her diary...
Dear diary,
it's been years since I've written. I thought I'd outgrown you. I suppose I should be glad I'm here, but noting can compare to St Catherine's. I can't believe how much I miss everything and everyone, even hadiza. I'm going to get in touch with dodo and write a letter of apology to principal obange. I'll try to be happy here. it's stupid really, moping and feeling sorry for oneself.
everybody was talking about Efua coker, the new girl. she was certainly a chick in the boy's eye, and she was surprisingly bright, doing well in class tests. she's hardly ever spoke to anyone and she walked up and down with her nose in the air and a sour expression on her face. the students had already given her a nickname: 'The Witch'.
'she thinks she's better than everybody else,' students whispered. 'there's noting special about her, though.'
Jimi always found himself glancing at her in class. she was gorgeous! if only she'd pay him some attention. still, he was determined to be friendly.
'Hi,' he said one day after assembly.
she didn't answer.
'hey, it's polite to answer a greeting,' he said.
she moved away a little, then turned. 'i believe I know what is polite and not, and I answer who I want to answer to,' she said icily, and walked off.
Jimi stared after her. people were right. she was nasty! how could she talk to him like that? did she know who he was?
The morning class was taken by Mr vann who taught physics.
'can we cast our minds back to the principle of conservation of linear momentum? what's is momentum, by the way?
the class was silent.
'whats? you mean to tell you have no momentum?' he said, smiling at his own joke. 'solade, can you help us out?'
Jimi stood up. he liked moments like this.
'momentum is the product of a mass of a body and velocity and impulse, and momentum changes as it goes down a slope,' he said.
'very good.' Mr vann wrote a problem on the blackboard and handed the chalk to Jimi. 'calculate this.'
Jimi solved the problem on the blackboard with a flourish and gave the teacher a mock bow.
everyone burst out laughing including dry old Mr vann.
Only Efua was not laughing. what was so amusing? she wondered. he was just pompous show off.
jolly was a big boy, an art student. he liked wearing chains on his trousers and trainers instead of sandals -when he was sure he wouldn't get caught.
Efua was standing outside the classroom when he strolled by.
he stopped and whistled.
'hi,' he said a d grinned, showing all his teeth.
she stared and mumbled something indifferently.
'yeah, I'm jolly. funny name isn't it? you, you're fine! could we be friends?' she said nothing, hoping he would just go away. he felt a little silly the way she kept staring at him.
'you look like someone I knew during my holidays in America but...but she died.'
'sorry to hear that. please excuse me.'
'where are you going?'
'to the guidance counsellor's office.' she immediately wished she hadn't said it.
'i'll walk you.'
'it's not necessary.'
'you need guidance, I'll guide you,' he said and he laughed, showing all his teeth again. he kept chattering as they walked.
'my holidays in the states, I have....'
Efua had finally had enough. 'excuse me, I'd rather walk alone.'
'hey,' he called out and grabbed her hand.
she whipped it away. 'get lost!' she shouted.
'excuse me?'
'you heard me.'
they stared at each other. she was breathing hard and had a harsh expression on her face as she glared at him. jolly turned away, turned back and turned away again, feeling foolish.
'i'll deal with you,' he snarled as he walked off.
Nene joined Efua after school.
'i heard what happened today between you and jolly,' she said.
'did you really tell him to get lost?'
Efua sighed. 'he was pestering me. he grabbed my hand.'
'what did he want?'
'you know, what they all want.'
oh dear. Efua, honey, boys like jolly-they are mean and can get very unpleasant. I don't want you to become the subject of spiteful gossip and mean tricks.'
'i don't care,' Efua said. 'Nene, you're a sweetheart to worry about me, but I'll be fine.'
as they moved on, they passed Jimi and Caro talking--or rather Caro was whispering furiously, sounding like a hissing snake. Nene thought Caro was one of the most unpleasant people she had ever known, which was a big thing because she found it difficult to dislike anyone, but Jimi had been nuts about Caro since he was in class two.
'there he goes again,' Nene said to herself. then to Efua she said, Jimi also told me you are sort of a nasty to him.' she felt duty bound to add, 'you know, Efua, as a Christian-you are a Christian, right?'
'i wish everybody would just leave me alone!' Efua cut her off, frustrated. 'i'm here to mind my own business and read my books.'
Nene patted her friend's braids sympathetically. perhaps, she decided, this wasn't the best time to talk about Jesus to her.
'jimi, what's the matter?' Caro was saying.
'what do you mean?'
'you know. she narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly.
'you've not changed, have you? remember that girl from the Peter Mary debating team last term?'
'i like that!' Jimi shot back, leaning away from
'remember that university students?'
'don't change the subject.' just then , Nene and Efua passed by. Jimi stared at them. Caro followed his eyes.
'oh, they were right! it's her now, isn't it?'
Jimi turned to her face.
'what?'
'you're horrible Jimi! a disgusting, hateful person. you think you're the best thing in the world, don't you? well, I'll show you.' she stalked off.
Jimi stared after her. girls! who knew with them?
he jogged off to the field. Bayo and some other people were already there playing football. he tugged off his shirt and joined them.
'what took you so long?' Bayo asked.
'noting.'
he gave the football such a powerful kick that it went flying high into the sky.