Silence filled everywhere for a minute. No one could imagine what they saw. Julius and James were really surprised. Juliet broke down in tears as she ran back to the class.
That was so close, Julius said.
Julius happened to be at the top as usual with a perfect score but Juliet was a mark behind him which made her to be in a tie with James score.
Julius! So you will really chase her away? James asked.
A deal is a deal, Julius replied.
You are such a bastard, James said as he ran out to get Juliet back.
What the hell is wrong with you? How can a fellow student like you chase you away from a school you which to attend? Are you not paying or are you so dumb? James said.
A deal is a deal, Juliet replied.
Deal! My foot ! James screamed.
This is all about your future. Think about it, have you ever feel eager to read as you did for this exam? Don't you find it challenging? I can't let you go because you have challenged me first and I have to fight back, James said.
How did I challenge you? Juliet asked.
We had a tie in our exam results which I can't tolerate, James said.
Wow! I feel challenged and I think it will be quite interesting to have a big rival among us! Julius shouted from a far off.
What? Juliet said.
Yes, there was a deal but I don't mind breaking the deal first. I want to see how far and good you can challenge me. It's quite interesting, Julius said.
I don't want to because am tired about everything in this school most especially you! Juliet shouted.
Don't you know that a soldier who got tired of a war zone had no right to be called a soldier and an athlete that got tired on the field lost a glorious future, Julius said.
Future! There are many other schools that can make me what I want to be, Juliet replied.
There may be many tracks for a train to move on but it is only one track that leads to a destination. Don't you know, Juliet? Julius said.
But not these track. It is not meant for me, Juliet replied.
For a gold to be more attractive, it needs to pass through fire and before a wood would get adored by people, it would have received many holes and got hit with hammer several times, Julius said.
Are you saying this is my fire that can refine me? Juliet asked.
If you think so but for me you are the fire that can refine me, demon, Julius said.
Me? Fire?? Juliet said in surprise.
Why don't we challenge ourselves? James said.
Do you also want to pertain in the challenge? Julius asked.
Yes, why not? James said.
Me too, Janet said.
Same here, Davis and Rachel echoed together.
Wait! I am lost. Which challenge? Juliet said.
Being at the first without a rival is so boring, I need a rival, Julius said.
Am not satisfied with my result, I need to be rekindled, Rachel said.
You challenged me and I can't lie low, James said.
As a class representative, I ought to be a great example to others, Janet said.
So, Juliet stayed in the school as they all promised to be in the challenge of putting in their best in the next term.
Immediately, Juliet got home. She rushed to her granny to tell her all that happened in school and about the challenge.
Now can you see how funny it is? Granny said.
Of course and challenging, Juliet said.
But don't sway by all that. You have to stand strong and show them that you can do it. Have I told you the story of your father? Granny asked.
No you haven't, Juliet answered.
As soon as Juliet's younger brother heard what his grandmother said. He dropped his food and behaved like a serious child all because he wanted to hear their father's story.
Juliet and her younger brother sat down to listen to their father's story.
Grandmother started the story as she sat down.
Your father was once one of the most dullest students in the class. My husband, I mean your grandfather ( may his soul rest in perfect peace) do beats him a lot whenever he comes with these bad results. Your father was very stubborn back then and doesn't want to learn.
On a fortunate day, he was disgraced in school by his colleagues, he cried a lot as if he was beaten. I called him then to ask what happened. When he narrated how a girl embarrassed him. I couldn't help but to tell him some words on how to get revenge back. I told him that the only way to get revenge back is by becoming the first in the next examination, prove it to that lady that you are not a dullard.
Did he later became the first? Juliet's younger brother asked as he was anxious of what happened next.
No, he didn't but he rose up to the third then, granny said.
Like seriously? Juliet's younger brother said.
But did he later got his revenge? Juliet asked.
Yes, he did in two ways, granny replied.
How? Juliet asked.
He came out as the best student in his final examination, granny said.
Wow! Juliet's younger brother said.
What is the second way? Juliet asked.
Do you know who the girl that embarrassed your father is now? Granny asked.
No, Juliet replied.
She is now your mother, granny said.
What! They both shouted.
So the greatest way to get revenge on the person that looks down on you is by proving him or her wrong. That's the greatest comeback, granny said as she ended her story.