Peter returned smiling like nothing happened to him. He didn’t feel the cane like he acted. Acting that way was to receive fewer strokes. He sat while the class laughed at him for the drama he acted with Mr. Stones.
“Guy, you are perfect in lying” A close sitter said. “Not a single word there was true”
“Would you say the truth if you were me?”
“Definitely, because I can’t get away with lying. The best is saying the truth and wait for what will happen”
“But lying have saved me”
“You made it worse for yourself. Tomorrow when Rose tells him what she discovers you will regret all these lies”
“What discovery? Do you think I will allow her go with me? She won’t even know when I’ll sneak out”
“And what will you tell Mr. Stones tomorrow?”
“Simple! I didn’t see her when school dismissed. Will he kill me?”
“Lets see then”
The boy talking to Peter felt defeated. He gave in and left him. Peter returned to Godwin.
“I hope no problem?” Peter asked Godwin.
“No”
“Are you through with the notes?”
“Remaining few pages. I will be through soon”
“Ok. What’s your name?”
“Godwin Mba”
“From which school do you come from?”
“Mercy of God int'l college”
“Where is that one?”
“Port Harcourt. That’s where my parents live. My aunt brought me here after the death of my mother”
“You lost your mother?”
“Yes. She died during child birth last four months. We lost both of them”
“Sorry bro. You will get over it”
“Thank you”
“So tell me about your former school”
“Well, it’s a private school. More strict and organized. Students there are well disciplined. They are more serious than students here”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Including teachers. Can’t you see that no teacher have come in since after the assembly”
“It’s like that some days. Some of us don’t rely only on what they teach us”
“It’s because nobody cares”
“What should we have done?”
“Who is the class Monitor?”
“Its David. That boy sitting down the second row. The neatest one among them” Peter showed with a finger point.
“He needs advice”
“Yes. We will talk to him. He is my close friend. Maybe break time. How about it?”
“Not this soon. I am still new. They will be wondering about the kind of person I am. I don’t want to the point of concentration in the class”
“I think you are a shy person, but you have sense. I like your kind”
It was break time. Students were frolicking and gallivanting up and down. Godwin never wanted to go out for he had nothing to do outside. He doesn’t have money to buy anything so going out should be only when he wants to ease himself. Peter tried persuading him but he declined.
His eyes were out of the class. He watched people’s movements through the windows and suddenly he saw Loveth with candies and other sweet things heading from the market side. Since there was nobody on that side of the window he moved closer so he can see her well. He believed it wasn’t her first day in that school to have understood the school environment so well.
As she was walking back to the class three boys advanced her. He doesn’t know what class they are but it was obvious from their trousers and long sleeve shirts that they were senior students. He felt what could rather be explained as jealousy. If he’d had a way to stop those guys he would but fortunately Loveth shunned them and walked away. One of them attempted to stop her by grabbing her wrist but he got a Stern warning that got them embarrassed.
Godwin was glad she did that but he was doubtful about ever becoming her friend. For her actions depicted how tough and mean she can be. And if she can do that to bigger guys like those, what about him? His will be worse. He decided to be careful not to face such, not only from her.
As Loveth got close he sneaked slowly back to his seat in pretense. Even as he sat he was glancing towards her direction. She too was sitting alone licking her candies.
“Why are we not seat mates?” He thought to himself “It’s late now. People will understand my intentions”
“Hey, Goddy!” Peter startled him. “You are not here. Stop thinking. Thinking won’t reverse what has happened”
He could not believe he got lost thinking about someone he just saw for the first time. He was lucky that Peter already concluded it was about his mother. If he had noticed it was for Lovett, being a restless kind of person he might mistakenly or intentionally disclose it and definitely there will be people to use it to make fun of him.
He questioned himself that why should he leave his purpose of coming to St. Mark which is to study to monitoring a girl. He decided to sweep her off his mind totally and stay focused.
“Take” Peter offered groundnuts he fetched from his pocket to Godwin.
“Guy you have not stopped this primary school life?” A close sitter said drawing closer.
“People like you are the reason I have not been able to stop it”
“See your mouth”
Godwin refused to collect it then the boy stretch to collect the handful Godwin refused but Peter refused giving.
“Take away your leg”
“You call my hand leg, because I ask you for groundnut”
“Guy, withdraw” peter sounding meaner.
“Its me o, Peter”
“Are you my father? I don’t know you”
“Don’t worry. Chop alone, die alone”
“I was never going to die with anyone. Don’t use that statement on me”
The guy walked out. Peter didn’t even care. Godwin was beginning to see him as somebody who has a big heart.
“I know you will refuse it so I got you one” He removed unloosen groundnuts and raised it up smiling. Godwin still wanted to refuse it.
“Take it and stop being shy”