The air was electric with anticipation as the term drew to a close. The inter-House Sports Tournament was just around the corner, promising a thrilling spectacle of march past rehearsals, football games, and races between the four houses: Tiger, Lion, Cheetah, and Leopard. The students were abuzz with excitement, their voices chanting in unison: "We don win o, we don win; Tiger House, Tiger House na you be de one!"
Mary was busy orchestrating the Carol Night with the music teacher, and she was sitting in the cafeteria discussing the finer details with Deborah. "We're desperately short of male voices this year," Mary said, her brow furrowed with concern. "Deborah, would you like to lend your voice to the cause? You have a stunning low voice that would be perfect for the tenor section."
Deborah's laughter was music to Mary's ears, a rich contralto that filled the cafeteria. "I'm afraid I'll be tied up with other commitments," she said with a smile. "Busy?" Mary repeated, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yes, I'm involved with EGG, a group dedicated to empowering women and children. Miss Lora introduced me to the organization, and I've been attending meetings nonstop." "Who's Miss Lora?" Mary asked, her interest piqued. Deborah's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You call her Erdoo? I've been going to lots of meetings, staging protests, and visiting orphanages. It's been a wild ride!"
Mary's eyes widened in awe. "Gosh, Deborah, you're a force to be reckoned with! I'm glad you've found something that ignites your passion." Deborah glowed with enthusiasm, her beauty radiant in the cafeteria's fluorescent light. "Don't worry, I'll sing for you," she said, standing up abruptly. "Excuse me." She left just as Caleb strode into the cafeteria, his sleeveless cotton top and grass-stained legs a testament to his recent basketball match. "Hi, Mary," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "We just won the basketball match. Up Tigers! I just saw Deborah..."
Mary's expression turned stern. "Caleb, stop calling her names. You've tormented her since childhood, and now you're pouring drinks all over her. It's time to grow up." Caleb looked sheepish, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Yeah, yeah, I know she left because of me. She just hates me." Mary's voice was firm but gentle. "Deborah's sweet and nice once you get to know her. She's just not used to all the drama here." Caleb muttered under his breath, "She can't be like you." Mary's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" Caleb pointed to the paper she was holding. "The carol list. Is Deborah singing?" Mary's eyes sparkled with surprise. "Yes, she is. And you know, we're always looking for boys to join the choir." Caleb's face lit up with excitement. "Can I join the choir? I'll help you find some more boys, if you like." Mary's astonishment was evident. When did Caleb ever show an interest in singing?
The final day of the Inter-House Sports Tournament dawned bright and clear. The students were abuzz with excitement, their voices chanting in unison as they cheered on their favorite houses. The air was electric with anticipation as eight boys gathered on the start line, their faces stiff with concentration. Caleb could see Deborah in the stands, a slight malicious sneer on her face, as if she could see his fear. The crowd held its collective breath as the starting gun fired, and the boys sprinted down the track.
As the starting gun fired, Caleb sprinted down the track, his feet pounding the ground in perfect rhythm. The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices chanting in unison: "Tiger House, Tiger House, na you be de one!" Caleb's eyes were fixed on the finish line, his determination burning brighter with every step. He could feel Icheen closing in, but he refused to give up. With a final burst of speed, he crossed the finish line, leaving Icheen in the dust.
The microphone boomed, "Great race for Tiger House! Caleb Solade first, Icheen Igbo second!" Mary's face lit up with a bright smile. "He won!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. Deborah's response was less enthusiastic. "I'm sure he's feeling like a king now," she said dryly. "The posturing peacock who panders to the gallery..." Mary laughed, putting her hands on her ears. "Deborah, please! Not everyone can understand your English!" Joke, who was standing with them, signed, "Oh, but he's very nice and dishy too!"
The end-of-year Christmas concert was a spectacular affair, with a large decorated Christmas tree dominating the stage. Caleb wore a Father Christmas cap, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he sang in the bass section of the choir. Mary's soprano solos were breathtaking, and the group's harmonies were so beautiful that they brought tears to the eyes of the music teacher. "Master Michael, you have a very fine baritone," the music teacher had said, beaming with delight. "Where have you been hiding?"
For Deborah, the term had been a resounding success. The principal had praised her excellent results, and she had found a new sense of purpose with Miss Lora's EGG group. Together, they were making a difference in the world, helping those in need and fighting for justice. The only fly in the ointment was Caleb's constant teasing. "What's up, baby doll?" he'd say, his eyes glinting with amusement. Deborah's response was always the same: "For the last time, stop calling me baby doll!"
As the concert came to a close, Joshua's murals on stage were met with thunderous applause. But despite his artistic success, Joshua was not happy. He had failed his first-term exams, and the thought of facing his mother's disappointment was daunting. "No more painting for you, Joshua," she would say, her voice stern with disapproval. "How many times must I tell you...?"
Caleb took his final bow, his arms spread wide as he basked in the adoration of the crowd. He had won the best athlete's trophy and a prize for the best exam result again, and all the girls were swooning over him. The handsome schoolboy grinned, his eyes sparkling with triumph. Everybody loves Caleb, the whole school seemed to be saying.