CHAPTER 7
"You do love me," I stated with wide eyes.
"Love ..is a strong word," he said in - between coughs as he dabbed his mouth with a handkerchief.
"Come on Joe, you know you aren't supposed to like your best friend. Its as cliché as anything!" Gina chastised. She wiped her face with Joe's discarded handkerchief.
"Wait -"
"Wrong," he gritted out, "clichés are clichés because they're always right."
"So you do?" I asked with wide eyes.
"You still believe in things like that?"Gina injected.
"Yes I do," my ears perked up at his response.
"For how long?!" I almost shrieked out the question.
"For as long as people started creating really inspiring quotes," he grinned. I know Joe well enough to sense he's avoiding my question.
"Are you talking to me or Gina?"
"Wait, what were you saying?" He feigned obliviousness.
I sighed, " I asked how long you've loved me?"
"Liked," he stressed. "And also. I think. Long enough for Gina to notice." He cleared his throat and scratched his head in a nervous demeanor.
"Are you implying I'm slow witted?" Gina's tone dared him.
He shrugged, "I never said a name."
"Anyways, just Keep me out of this discussion please. My love life is currently a fail," she said mournfully
"Has it been that long," I gritted out.
"Yes. Yes it has." He said in a bored tone. "And if I remembered correctly, Gina. You expressed how cute it was that I know almost all the places Donna could be if she was nowhere to be found," he smirked. She rolled her eyes and munched on a yam strip.
"How is that even possible? I'm the most observant. Nothing gets past me."
"that's what my Mother said too, yet she never noticed how good I am in fixing things, thus she insist I become a doctor," he shrugged.
"What is my favorite color?"
"Peach," he responds without missing a beat.
"What do I hate the most?"
"A slice of happiness and a large slice of cake, partly because you worry it might affect your perfectly perfect thigh.."
"Okay fine!" I stopped his rambling.
"Its all great and.. a bit terrifying you know all these about.."
"I'm supposed to, am your friend..."
"I know that! But you cannot like me."
"Why not?"
"Because I need Andrew to really like me," his face suddenly solemn. He gritted his teeth .
"Oh I know. I've seen how you daydream about him. Don't worry, I won't go crying in the corner because Donna rejected me. That would be something I would do long time ago," he picked up another yam and chewed slowly.
"What happened to Fiona?" I raised a brow. He scowled.
"let's not talk about Fiona," he nodded. "Its okay, really. I'm okay. I have been for a long time. It was a measly crush, don't give yourself too much credit," I gaped at his statement. What was wrong with this guy? He suddenly stood up from his seat. Straightened his neat uniform. Grabbed his backpack from where it was on the cemented floor and hung it on one shoulder. The sun shone on his neatly cut punk hairstyle. He looked cool. Wait. What am I doing? I blinked rapidly.
"I'll see you girls in class then. Remember we have Mental health, you wouldn't want to upset yet another teacher if you come in late," he snapped and made his way through the chatting and laughing students. His shoulders were hunched as he walked amidst them. That moment gave me an impression of a black and white painting, that portrayed a story of the shy rejected but - kind soul - by his lover. We silently watched him leave. I felt a little, just a little pang of guilt of how I handled the situation.
"Bringing up Fiona was tad harsh," Gina winced, "he was heartbroken not because he liked her, but because he knew he never liked her," She spoke as she packed her belongings in her backpack. The lunch break would soon be over. But students were still scattered around, as if the bell had not just been rung for second period.
I packed my belongings as well. "How could you not tell me Joe felt that way?" I gaped at her.
"What? You're closer to Joe -"
"Am I?"
"Indeed," she nods, "He tells you everything going on in his family - which he hardly does, and you know it. But he does anyway. When its just me and him, all he talks about is 'Donna this, Donna that' " she waved her hand about. She sighed, "even though, I knew Joe first. When you moved to this town, he found a new solace. He would pester me to visit your house just so he could tag along. He would take along books you liked even though he hated reading novels -"
"But all we did whenever we were together was bicker," I deadpanned. The situation was baffling.
"Well, its 'cause your 'perfection' walls are always so high.." My head snapped toward her direction. I gave her a steely gaze.
"What are you implying? That I act like a know it all?"
"See?" She pointed her forefinger in my face, "That look. Obviously the boy's intimidated. And also, boys tend to pick on girls they like. It gives them.." She shrugged,
".. a sort of connection to talk to them. Hence the name 'ice Queen'. He's implying your heart is as cold as ice. Because you rejected his young love," she stated as a matter - of -factly.
"That is so cliché," I shivered at her words.
"Apparently, Joe likes clichés," she grinned and I groaned.
"Come on," she dragged me by the hand.
"Let's get to class ice queen," she teased.
"Stop calling me that," I threw her a warning gaze. We walked through the hallway to class. Other student were already piling in through the hallway like ants packing food to store In an ant farm.
"My Mother took us for a walk in the early hours of the morning today." I spoke. Mildly distracted by the crowd.
She gasped.
"You hate the walk," she stated with wide eyes.
"Gina walk on your side of the hallway," I chastised.
"Erm, I'm pretty sure nobody has a side of the hallway..
"Yes there is.."
"Not in our school. Besides, the hallway is crowded, leave me be," she adamantly declared. I rolled my eyes.
"What did she say?" She inquired. We stopped in front of our classroom.
I shrugged, "same old questions of future plans and what nots.."
"Donna what's up!" I turned to the familiar chirpy voice.
"Hi phoebe!" I chirped with false enthusiasm.
"I'm handing out leaflets for.."
"Surely its not for another campaign for class captain correct?" I interrupted and she giggled. She always did that for no reason at all. We walked into the noisy classroom. I would like to think that my classmates were having a feel of what freedom tastes like before Mr Newton arrives. He's strict but friendly, all good things wrapped in one. And might I add - the heartthrob of most of the girls.
"Actually, Miss Udi ordered me to hand it to all the students in our class." She handed the green colored leaflet. We took it and sat on our seats to read through it.
"Good, because we're graduating this year so.."
"Also, should there be any questions, remember I always try to be more approachable and I try my possible best to follow the rules, so ask me anything at all!" And just as fast as she came, she disappeared into another gist with some girls. Phoebe is our class captain. She doesn't have perfect grades, but her positive attitude often, uplifts the class spirits. She was finally noticed and picked by Miss Udi because of her vigor and positive attitude. Her long term dream since S S 1 - of becoming class prefect was finally possible last year. Miss Udi commented once that Phoebe was perfect for the job.
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"..relationships between families and friends leads to massive work. Therefore, without efforts it all goes down the drain.." Mr lawal was teaches Relationship Values. A short dark man that likes smiling with all his teeth visible. He never keeps to his time period, thus phoebe was always in a bind when it comes to telling him his lesson time is over. I think its because he's the male version of her. Everyone was seated looking like they wanted to be anywhere but here, those with phones browsed subtly underneath the table. While some just chatted in whispers. As for me, I sat with my hand holding my chin. Gina was copying notes from my exercise book.
"I ask. How do we build relationships that lasts? Anybody with an answer to that?" He looked around for invisible hands.
"Excuse me Mr lawal," the whole class turned to the voice of Mr Newton. He was standing by the door, looking as put together as always. Even though he hated it when his time period is not respected.
"Yes Mr Newton?"
"If you don't mind Sir, I would like to commence a class with them now.."
"Oh! Look at the time," Mr lawal chuckled awkwardly as he glanced at his time.
"Yes sir. Its past your time," he said with a clipped smile. Mr lawal packed his things with Phoebe's help of course.
Five minutes later. After everyone settled, Mr Newton spoke.
"Why are you just calling me?" Mr Newton glanced at his watch, "The class should have commenced ten minutes ago," his bass voice rang throughout the entire room. Everyone was silent. Mr Newton wasn't exactly the friendliest, but compared to Miss Udi, he was a clown. He teaches Mental health and was he strict when it comes to taking notes in his class. Comparing how tall he is to an iroko tree would be putting it mildly. His dark skin gives an impression of freshly brewed coffee. Smooth and silk. His dark brooding features is talked about by every teenage girl in school. Phoebe stood from her seat, "sorry sir, I'll make sure this doesn't repeat itself again."
"See that it doesn't." He removed his medicated glasses and wipes the invisible dust off of it. I heard giggles. I groaned. Girls. He puts his glasses back on and folded his hands behind his back.
"Now. Last year in Mental health, I introduced the subject with a new topic - Which I expect everyone to say a little about. I also said you all should research more, do some digging on loss - that is, if you haven't eaten and forgotten what I instructed. So then, remind me a little bit about what the three most important and inevitable things humans mind never comprehend and are terrified of?"
Two hands were raised at the statement.
"Remember. Don't try to impress me and just say what you know. Yes, Barry !" Everyone groaned as Barry grinned and stood to answer the question. Berry wasn't exactly bright, so he usually just says anything that comes to his mind when answering questions.
"Thank you for this opportunity si-"
"Barry, get to the point," Mr Newton snapped.
"Yes sir. According to my understanding.."
I groaned. This wouldn't be good. About this time Alice stops whatever nonsense he will spew out if his mouth. Come to think of it, I haven't heard a beep from her today. Is she even in class? My eyes searched around the class for her. Then I spotted a familiar short kinky hair plaited in *shuku* laying her head on her desk.
"..Loss of a loved one is like a parasite" his definition brought me back to the present.
"... that eats up the mind, if care is not taken about the happenings around that particular person."
Mr Newton tilt his head to the side, his eye brows furrowed in concentration. I think he was trying to gauge Barry's definition of loss. The guy has jumbled everything I know about Death. I shook my head at his ridiculousness.
"Thank you Barry. What you just said was very confusing - yet vivid. Anyone?" His eyes searched the crowd, "yes Ezra!" My heart jumped at Joe's surname. All eyes were on him as he stood. His tall frame confident and his eyes determined. He adjusted his belt - which was already in place and his white long sleeved shirt was well tucked in.
"Yes sir. You said the three most important - but inevitable things humans are afraid of were Death, failure and setbacks. And understanding what death is, we brought up questions like, why the thought of death affects humans so much? What do we fear most about death? And, finally how death creates life. You also added that the uncertainty of 'not knowing' is what brings about the fear of the unknown,Thereby making us feel out of control over situations that goes on in our lives. It could be the loss of a job or loss of a loved one, which if not handled - brings about depression and -"
"Good Ezra. Very precise. You can sit, thank you," he said with a satisfied nod as Joe sat. Brilliant. I thought. I could do that.
"Do you see how brilliant your potential boyfriend .."
"Shut it Gina," I snapped. She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Vanni, anything you want to share with us?" I cringed. I always get in trouble when Gina's involved.
"No sir," I managed a false smile.
"Good. Not a word from you again, am I clear?"
"Crystal."
"Okay. Now, let's discuss failures and how to deal with it, which I'm sure the serious ones have studied," he turned to the white board and scribbled the topic. Then turned to the class.
"Write this: Failure, according to the dictionary, is 'failing to perform a duty or an expected action. An inability to perform a normal function. So then, failure is just the normality of life that the mind fails to comprehend most times. So naturally when we fail we think 'Ah I'm not good enough or I cannot do anything right'. No. On the contrary, what differentiates a successful person from the person that insists he/she is a failure, is the ability to get up when we fall. failure also, gives the ability to sympathize and show empathy and to be compassionate towards others." I tuned Mr Newton's words out. As I wondered what failure feels like. Was it what Joe felt when he finally revealed he liked me for years and I discarded his feelings? Or was it what I felt when my Mother gave me a disappointing look after I disobeyed her rules? I sighed. If that was how failure felt like, I never want to go through anything like it.. Suddenly a loud thump resounded throughout the room, pulling me out of my thoughts. Everyone turned to the scene. laying on the floor was an unknown body convulsing, everyone was panicking and running away from the scene.
"What is going on?" Mr Newton came to take a closer look. I stood up from my seat
As I hurried to the scene of gasping students. My print skirt swayed about like a pendulum , just like the other girls that stood over the form laying on the cemented floor. My eyes widen at the sight in front of me. I couldn't believe what I saw. It was Alice Williams, jerking violently on the hard cemented floor. Her muscles were stiff as if she held a naked electric socket hidden somewhere in her body. Her eyes rolled back in her head. She was heaving out labored breaths, suddenly covered in sweat that I didn't notice she had. Mr Newton surged through the crowd of students and squats close to Alice's jerking body.
"She's convulsing. Alice," he called rather gently, " Alice can you hear me? " But she was unable to respond. I doubt if she can even see us. The boys were trying to hold her down as she jerked violently.
"God! I have no idea what to do," Mr Newton murmured, "Let's take her to the school clinic," he suggested. As they discussed how to lift her, she jerked and her skirt was riding up to her knee, I hurriedly shrugged off my cardigan and tied it round her thighs. The closing bell rung indicating the end of another school day. My Mother and Emily should be waiting for me by now. I better hurry. We watched as the boys struggled to get through the doorway.
"Let's follow them Gina," she nods. And we grabbed our bags and jogged to the door. We lingered behind them as they hurried to the school clinic.
"Ladonna!" I turned in search of the voice calling me. Then I spotted Emily and my Mother hurrying towards me. As if they had seen what had just happened.
"Good afternoon.."
"Where are they taking her?" My Mother breathe out. She was still in her work clothes. I wondered how she managed to run here with those wedge shoes on her feet.
"To the clinic," I replied. She then, started toward the clinic. We hurried behind the boys as they hurried inside the school clinic. We entered the clinic just as they laid her on the bed. The nurse looked confused at the commotion.
"Stop! Wait!" They turned to my mother's voice.
"What do you think you're doing ?" Mr Newton fumed.
"Its okay, I'm Joyce Vanni, a partner with 'Hope' foundation," she handed me her handbag, "..and I need you keep her down and undo her buttons," she ordered professionally. My eyes went wide. Hope? Wait. I've heard that name before. Has she ever done this before? If yes, to whom?
"Let's do as she says," Mr Newton ordered with a nod.
"This will only last for two minutes," she said as she undid Alice's buttons, leaving her with only a white vest, "she's undergoing what we call 'Focal seizure'. It occurs when abnormal electrical activity starts in one area of the brain. In short, this is called partial seizure and not the epilepsy we all know. In fact, she's presently conscious of her surroundings. It'll only last a minute, let's not panic," she explained as she untied the cardigan that I covered Alice's thighs and folded it into a comfortable pillow. She gently placed it underneath Alice's head with a swift flourish of her hand. Students peeped into the room to watch what was going on. Alice's breathing started to slow down. My Mother gently tapped Alice.
"Alice? Can you hear me now?" The sudden jerk of her head indicated a nod.
"Okay, good. You will be fine if you just relax and take slow deep breaths." She did as she was told.
"Mr Newton, could you please help me gently roll her onto her side," Mr Newton complied and did as he was told. I watched in awe. I've never seen my Mother so in control before - apart from the normal commands she dishes out to me and Emily once in a while, this was on another level. I'll never be able to forget this moment. A moment where my Mother looked every part of a hero I had ever imagined in my head and a moment where I helped my so called 'arch - enemy' maintain her dignity as a girl. Alice now laid breathing steadily with her eyes - that were once rolled back - now open and muttered a 'thank you' to my Mother. What took me off guard was the tinge of pity I felt for her predicament. My Mother is now my hero. A hero I could never measure up to, ever.