College was going great! The lectures, assignments, quizzes, practicals and so on weren't too overwhelming for Angela because she was expecting them. However, she didn't think that what her brother, Timothy, had told her about lecturers was going to happen to her.
The class of MedSurg 2017, had just written a pop quiz conducted by Dr. Owen. Tales have gone round about how his marking scheme was strict and how he would always fail students just so they could bribe him. They say the only people that pass his course are the class rep and anyone lucky to be his tribesman or woman. And of course, those willing to bribe him.
Angela, having prepared so well for the quiz, was expecting an A or at worst, a B+. But to her greatest shock, when she checked the results of the quiz, she saw a C- against her name.
Angela was saddened and outraged. As a freshman, she was aspiring to graduate with a first class result so every grade she had had to be excellent.
She wanted to lay complaints or at least request for re-marking of her answer script but Maliah had dissuaded her, telling her stories she heard of people that went for re-marking but ended up failing the course. This scared Angela so much that she decided to stay quiet about the issue.
*****
Dr. Owens had just concluded a class with them when a student, Gina, approached him. From the look on her face, you could tell that all was not well. Angela moved closer to them and eavesdropped on their conversation. The mean lecturer was being unfair to the student who had a different opinion than him in their just concluded class.
Angela couldn't stand by and watch him belittle her. So, she spoke up and defended her.
"Excuse me sir, I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that we should respect each other's views." She went further to say, "In the last quiz we took, I was very sure that I was gonna have an A but you gave me a C-. That's alright because I've accepted it."
The lecturer didn't like that and tried to argue with her, but she stood her ground.
"Miss Anthony, if you have any issues with your grades, I suggest that you resolve it formally." He added before leaving the hall.
Meanwhile, she recorded the whole conversation just in case she would need it in the future— a smart move I must say.
Standing up to the English lecturer was a big moment for Angela. She had always been shy and afraid of speaking up, but she realized that she had a voice and that she could make a difference.
Later that day, while narrating the incident to Maliah, she said, "It was empowering to know that I could defend someone who was being treated unfairly. It gave me confidence and made me realise that I need to be more assertive in other areas of my life."
*****
Have you ever been in a situation where you stood up for yourself and it led to unexpected results? That's exactly what happened to Angela when Amanda and her clique asked me to be their friend.
It all started when Angela stood up to their English lecturer, Dr. Owen, about a grade that she felt was unfair. She didn't expect it to result in Amanda and her friends taking notice of her, but that's exactly what happened.
Leaving the hall, Amanda followed her closely. She was then joined by the remaining clique which consisted of Anna, Michelle, Richard, and Charlly.
"Hey!" Amanda called out to Angela. "That was dope back there. Girl, you're fire!" She exclaimed, "and I like you."
"We want you to be our friend." Anna said.
At first, Angela was hesitant to accept their invitation to join their group. She had heard rumors about them being exclusive and judgmental, and she didn't want to get caught up in any drama. But as She got to know them better, she realized that they were just like any other group of friends. They had their own inside jokes and shared interests, but they were also welcoming and supportive of her.
When Amanda and her clique asked her to be their friend, she was surprised but also excited. She had always been on the periphery of their group, but she never thought they would actually invite her in. They told her that they had noticed her standing up to the English lecturer and admired her courage. They said that they were looking for someone who was confident and not afraid to speak their mind.
Angela was flattered and grateful for their kind words. She agreed to be friends with them. After all she hadn't made friends since she started college so this was an opportunity for her to socialize especially with the most famous freshmen— CAMAR.
"What's CAMAR by the way she had asked them."
"Yo! That's our initials baby. Charlly, Amanda, Michelle, Anna, and Richard. Now with you, we're CAMARA bitch!" Charlly explained like someone high on something.
Angela was repulsed at his use of foul language. Once she became part of Amanda's clique, she quickly realized that they had certain expectations of her. They wanted her to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, and act a certain way. They were very particular about who they associated with and what activities they participated in. They expected her to conform to their standards and values.
At first, she was hesitant to comply with their expectations. She didn't want to lose her individuality and become a carbon copy of them. However, as she spent more time with them, she realized that they were not trying to change her completely. Rather, they just wanted her to fit in with their group and be a part of their social circle.
Overall, being part of Amanda's clique has been an interesting experience. She's learned a lot about social dynamics and the importance of fitting in with a group. While she doesn't agree with all of their values and beliefs, she has come to appreciate their friendship and support. It felt good to be accepted by a group of people who she had previously thought were unapproachable.
Over the next few days, Amanda and her friends would smile and wave at her whenever they crossed paths. She felt welcomed and included, and she knew that they genuinely wanted to get to know her.
As they spent more time together, Amanda and her clique asked her about her interests and hobbies. They were genuinely interested in learning more about her, and she appreciated their curiosity. They would often hang out after class, grab lunch together, or go to the movies. That was when she found out that Richard and Michelle were dating and have been dating even before college.
During their conversations, they discovered that we had a lot in common. We shared similar tastes in music, movies, and books. They also had similar goals and aspirations for the future. It was refreshing to find friends who understood and supported her dreams.
Angela's new friends encouraged her to be confident and to pursue her passions. They showed her that true friends accept and love you for who you are, flaws and all.
Being friends with CAMAR has taught Angela a lot about the importance of standing up for herself and not being afraid to speak her mind. It's also shown her that sometimes, unexpected friendships can be the best ones. Who would have thought that standing up to her English lecturer would lead her to some of the closest friends she's ever had?