Even though Ayo resumed school earlier than most students, she still ended up late.
Glancing at the watch around her wrist, she cursed under her breath as she realized it was already past nine. She quickened her pace, resisting the temptation to break into a run.
Running in the hallways was strictly prohibited, and the last thing she needed was a reprimand from the school authorities.
Finally reaching the door of her assigned classroom, Ayo entered in a rush, only to be met with the stern gaze of her teacher.
"And who might you be?" the teacher's voice rang out, drawing the attention of the entire class.
Ayo froze in her tracks, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I'm Ayo Debiri," she replied, her voice slightly breathless from her hurried journey.
"Get out," the teacher ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ayo's shoulders slumped as she turned and made her way back out of the classroom, her mind racing with frustration and disappointment.
The weight of embarrassment hung heavy as she could hear some of the students laugh and whisper as she left the classroom, feeling the weight of shame creeping over her. Ayo felt bad because she gave the teacher a bad first impression
"Cool fit," a low-toned masculine voice commented from somewhere close. Startled, she looked to her right and saw a few familiar faces.
Ayo wasn't the only late to class that day and they gave her some kind of relief. She figured who made that comment by his outfit. He had almost the exact same outfit Ayo had on.
"Thanks," she abruptly replied and turned to watch the teacher again, waiting for a signal of redemption.
"Where'd you get the beanie?" the boy asked. It seemed like he was pushing for a conversation but Ayo was not in the mood. However, she still gave a reply to his question. "My mom thrifted it from depop, I think," she said without removing her gaze from the classroom. "Cool, thanks."
About thirty minutes later, the sound of the school bell echoed through the hallway. The teacher, a tall man with a commanding presence, called for the students who were lingering at the entrance to enter the classroom.
His authoritative voice filled the air as he introduced himself as Mr. Shawn, and with a stern tone, he warned the students that he wouldn't tolerate any disruptions and that he wouldn't repeat himself.
As the lesson progressed, time seemed to drag on for Ayo, who was struggling to stay focused. When the bell finally rang for lunchtime, there was a sudden rush as all the students eagerly made their way out of the classroom and headed to the bustling lunchroom. However, Ayo hesitated for a moment, feeling a sense of responsibility lingering within her.
She made her way to the front of the classroom, where Mr. Shawn was organizing his papers.
"Excuse me, Mr. Shawn," Ayo spoke up timidly. "I'm really sorry for coming late to class this morning. It won't happen again. I got the assigned classrooms mixed up." She had rehearsed this apology countless times since being asked to leave the class.
Mr. Shawn glanced up from his papers, his expression softening. "It's fine, Ayomide," he said, offering a reassuring smile.
Ayo couldn't believe how easily the apology had been received. She had expected Mr. Shawn to be much more stern and unforgiving, especially after being told to leave the class. This unexpected response left her feeling relieved.
"I know you, Ayomide," Mr. Shawn continued. "Most teachers in this school know you. I know you have a perfect record in punctuality, so I understand this doesn't happen often."
Ayo's eyes widened in surprise. It seemed that her reputation had preceded her, and Mr. Shawn's understanding of nature caught her off guard.
"So, I was right about getting pointers for punctuality?" Ayo asked tentatively, still not quite believing her luck.
Mr. Shawn nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You can go for your lunch break," he said, finally dismissing Ayo with a nod.
"Thank you, sir," Ayo replied gratefully, her face breaking into a wide smile as she left the classroom, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
She was beaming with joy, her heart warmed by the knowledge that she had earned a stellar reputation among the school's teachers. It was like a surge of positive energy that lifted her spirits.
As she made her way to the lunchroom, a skip in her step, her excitement waned as she discovered that the day's menu featured beans, her least favorite dish. Ayo despised beans with a passion, and her initial elation quickly turned to regret for not bringing her own lunch from home.
"I should have just taken my mom up on her lunch box offer. I'd rather look like a kid than go hungry," she muttered to herself.
Scanning the crowded lunchroom, Ayo searched for an empty seat. Most of the desirable spots were occupied, but there was a familiar vacant space that beckoned to her. It had been her go-to spot in previous years, and she hoped this time would be different.
Settling into the seat, she retrieved her note writing book from her backpack and began to lose herself in its pages, determined to make the best of the situation.
"Hey cool kid," a familiar voice called out before her. Ayo looked up to see the boy who had complimented her outside the classroom that morning. His easy smile and confident demeanor caught her off guard.
"What's up?" he asked as he dropped his lunchbox on the table and sat next to her.
Ayo felt a mix of surprise and confusion. She had always been a bit of a loner at Brainpoint High, and no one had ever tried to befriend her before.
"Why is this boy trying to talk to me?" she thought to herself, trying to hide her bewilderment. His sudden interest in her made her wonder what had changed.
"Why aren't you eating?" He asked, his words tumbling out before she could answer his previous question. She glanced up from her book, hesitating before responding,
"Um, I don't like beans."
"Oh, same here," he replied with a sympathetic smile. "But my mom packed me some lunch, thankfully."
With careful, deliberate movements, he began to unpack his lunch, revealing an enticing array of food. First came several thick slices of freshly baked bread, their crust golden and slightly crisp. Then, a pack of perfectly fried eggs, their edges browned just enough for a satisfying crunch. Next, a jar of creamy mayonnaise, followed by two shiny, crisp apples that gleamed under the light.
The air around them was filled with the rich aroma of the simple yet comforting meal.
"You can have some if you want," he offered generously, waving a hand over the spread with a friendly smile. His tone was casual, but the invitation hung in the air like a tempting promise.
Ayo's eyes couldn't help but wander over to the table, drawn to the sight of the food. Her stomach growled softly in response, and she felt her mouth begin to water.
She was hungry—there was no denying that now. But the idea of accepting food from a stranger? That was a line she couldn't cross.
Mom's rules. They echoed in her mind: Never take food from someone you don't know.
She'd been raised with discipline, and the lesson was ingrained deeply in her. No matter how hungry she was, she couldn't shake off the sense of duty to uphold what her mother had taught her.
Better to be hungry than to break a rule, she thought.
He must have noticed her hesitating, her eyes flickering between him and the food.
He smiled again, trying to ease her internal struggle. "It's fine, honestly. I'm not even that hungry," he said, his voice gentle as he nudged the jar of mayonnaise toward her slightly, hoping to make it easier for her to accept.
Ayo's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, her mind torn between the gnawing hunger and the strong pull of her mother's teachings. The aroma from the bread was intoxicating, but could she really betray her upbringing for a few bites?
"I'm okay, thanks," Ayo said, her voice calm but firm, dismissing the offer with a polite smile. She shifted in her seat and unzipped the second compartment of her bag, in search of her book.
In truth, she wasn't interested in talking any more about food—she didn't want to be pressured into eating or sharing.
As she rummaged through her bag, something unexpected caught her attention.
There, tucked neatly between her belongings, was a small, transparent bag. Inside, two slices of bread were stacked beside a miniature container of Blue Band butter. Ayo blinked in surprise.
Of course. Mom.
Funmi, her mother, was always one step ahead. She knew her daughter too well—she must have anticipated Ayo's refusal of the lunch box this morning. And just in case, she'd slipped in this little snack, her silent way of saying, "I know you."
Ayo couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself. Classic mom. "I love you," she whispered under her breath, her fingers gently caressing the bag as a warm smile spread across her face. She felt the quiet reassurance in her mother's thoughtful gesture.
"Hey, look at that! Seems like you've got something for yourself after all," her companion blurted out, noticing the food.
Ayo laughed lightly, breaking the momentary silence, and carefully opened the bag. She spread the butter across a slice of bread and took a bite.
The smooth, creamy taste hit her palate, comforting and familiar. Delicious, she thought, sinking deeper into the moment.
The tension from earlier dissolved as the simple, satisfying taste of the buttered bread filled her senses. It was more than just food—it was love, wrapped in a humble slice of bread.