The whole class went silent for a while, before some few murmurs,it was the first time ozo was stepping out to take responsibility for anyone. What was shocking the most was that he decided to help Bless??. What was so special about him?.
" ozo?. Will you tell me why you decided to take the punishment for him?". Mrs Charity asked him, she wondered why ozo would do such a thing. She had always known him to be a reserved boy. Today just made no sense at all.
Ozo thought of what to say, but couldn't find any excuse. Deep down, he wondered why he had to make such a demand, as he has never done such a thing before, for anyone, not even his best friends.
Clearing his throat, he stood up refusing to lock eyes with Bless whom was clearly stared at him, as if he was a model or something.
" I just wanted to help out, ma, he...". He trailed off, not knowing what to answer again.
Still maintaining his composure, he was firm in wanting to help Bless out. Mrs Charity was shocked and decided not to carry on with what she said earlier.
" Bless is no longer held bound by any punishments, I release him myself, so no need to carry on with anything".
Ozo thought that she was just joking, and didn't mean it, nevertheless, Mrs Charity cleared the air by saying that she really meant it.
" Of course, so neither of you have to do any work, and you just thank your stars that Ozo decided to help you out here, or else, your skin and most importantly your hands will bear the pain of labour work, next time, you dare not feel sleep in my class".
Bless lowered his head, he was truly remorseful for sleeping in the class...if his mother heard about it, he would be a dead meat.
He thanked Mrs Charity, and by the time he turned to thank Ozo, he was busy writing down things, in his note pad. He wasn't courageous enough to face him, so he sat down, and soon enough lessons commenced.
All through the lesson, he found himself staring back at Ozo, just to see if he would spare him a look but didn't, he was a bit disappointed, but promised to properly thank him during break period.
During break, he quickly rushed over to look for Ozo and ended up bumping into Sam, and his bully friends.
Sam was the schools greatest bully, and no one had the nerves to challenge him, including teachers...his parents were amongst the schools sponsors, and his mother was a member of the board committee. Even though, he was found guilty of several times, with charges of vandalizing school properties, yet no strict actions were taken against him, making him feel like a lord.
This time,Bless wasn't paying much attention to his destination, and ended up bumping into Sam and his bully friends. And with He cursed the day he was born, as he tried to figure a way out of the mess.
Worst still, he was holding a bottle of soda, which he left open midway, on his way from the Cafeteria, to see Ozo, bumping into Sam, he spilled the bottle of Soda, on Sam's face.
Splash!.
Bless covered his mouth in horror, trying to utter an apology, his mind told him to run for it, since Sam had barely recovered from his actions earlier.
' Bless I have one word for you- run!'. And with that thought, he dashed into the wind.
" Hey!. Come over here now!" Sam 's voice echoed as he chased after him, together with his friends. Bless's heart beat increased tremendously, as he ran for his dear life. His legs were starting to hurt badly, and he knew it's either he kept running or get beaten by Sam and his friends, and nobody to help him.
Students whom were witnesses to the hot chase, had pity on Bless.
" Americana won't escape".
" I just pray he does...".
Bless found a dilapidated building and ran into it, near the Seniors block. Unfortunately for him, Sam and his friends already enclosed on him, and Sam was first to hit him on the stomach.
He winced in pain, and punches after punches were delivered on him...he found himself down on his knees, coughing out a mouthful of blood.
" Tell me ha??. You wanna run??. Isn't that how you Americans speak ha?. Answer me?" He pulled Bless's hair forcefully, with a tearful gaze and unimaginable pains, Bless had to look at Sam, making him deliver more punches on him .
' Is- is that how I will die?'. Bless wondered as Sam's friends kept hitting and kicking him like a ball.
Just then, when it seems like all hope was lost, a powerful force hit Sam, causing his body to crash against the wall. His friends Little and Iyke were alarmed.
" Who is that??. Show yourself now "!.
Before they could react any further, their bodies were thrown to the wall, causing them to bleed through their nostrils.
Staggering and trying to gain balance, Sam managed to get to his feet, he charged towards his opponent, but he was swinged off like an annoying fly.
Through the damages, a beautiful girl with a slender body stood against them, making them to crawl away for safety.
All these while Bless was watching with berated breathe, he wondered what kind of person she was,and her powers too. The girl payed less attention to Sam and his friends and walked up to him. His heart was beating loudly like a drum, and he thought it was going to be his end, but to his surprise, she called out his nickname.
" Hey Americana, how did you end up with these guys...''. She wore a playful smile, as she bent to examine his wounds. Bless shivered the very moment her cold hands brushed his lips...
" Wh- who are you "?. He managed to ask in pain.
Scoffing, she looked around her" Seems like I failed to give a detailed explanation of whom I am...".
Straightening up, she raised a brow saying" I'm Nengi- a level four star magician".
Bless's eyes widened in shock, as he heard the word" Magician?...". " Oh no". He passed out.