*EPISODE 2*
(LOVE AND DECEPTION)
On monday morning, they were all sitted in their class when the vice principal came in to make an announcement.
“Good morning class.” She greeted as soon as she entered the classroom.
“Good morning ma’am.” They all chorused.
“I am here to inform you all of the yearly interschool competition that would be coming up in three weeks time. Those of you that completed your junior school education here, can attest to the fact that our interschool competitions are always fun, entertaining and educating. Our school has been known for always winning the first and second place. And I don’t think we are ready to go below that anytime soon. So I urge you all to study very hard as two people will be selected from your class to represent all the senior commercial classes in unique high school. And I hope you know what that means? you will get to meet with the governor and get in the school’s good record. I will be coming back later in the day with your form master to group you all in pairs. And please, when a partner is assigned to you, make sure you carry them along. Your cooperation and good team work is what will enable you pass the tests we set for you. For if your partner fails, then you have also failed. I hope I’ve made my self clear?.” She asked.
“Yes ma’am!.” They all chorused.
“Good. Then that will be all for now.” She said.
As soon as she left the class, the entire class turned upside down with students moving from one seat to another murmuring about the upcoming interschool competition.
Belinda didn’t move an inch. She remained seated trying to update her her note. Felix saw her being all serious then he walked up to her and closed her book.
“Hi newbie.” He said smiling at her.
“Hi oldbie.” Belinda replied trying to get back at him.
“Hahahahaha. Are you for real? Where is oldbie found in your dictionary? You are such a Savage. I think I’m beginning to like you. Cause you will be good to mess with.” He said robbing her hair.
Surprisingly, Benjamin who was sitting next to Beatrice, grabbed Felix’s hand.
“Stop it. You are distracting me.” Benjamin said holding Felix’s hand on the air.
“Cool bro. Calm down. Take a chill. I’m just trying to mess with her a little. How does that affect you?.” Felix asked curioused.
“It affects me because she is my seat mate. And you robbing her hair will only send dandruffs to my uniform of which you know I don’t like.” Benjamin said letting go of his hand.
“What?. What a j**k!.” Belinda said not believing that that was his reason for stopping Felix.
“I think I’m better than him. Because I don’t hurt people with words like he does.” Felix said to Belinda who eyed him bitterly.
After break hour, the vice principal returned with their form master who called out each of their names and the names of their assigned partners.
Belinda was paired with Benjamin her worse enemy while Beatrice was paired with Felix.
When the Vice Principal left with the form master, Belinda turned to Benjamin who gave her a detestable look.
“You are dead meat. You better not make me fail cause I won’t take it easy on you.” He said sitting back to his seat.
“I’m finished.” Belinda said laying her head on the desk.
Meanwhile, Felix walked up to Beatrice’s seat and said.
“Hi partner. You know I don’t like you right?.” He asked.
“That’s strange. How do we have mutual feelings towards each other?. I also do not Like you a little bit. So let’s just cooperate and make this work because my mom personally hate me failing. That’s why we have to do this regardless of how we feel about each other.” She said folding her hands.
“I like the fact that you are quite understanding.” Felix said giving her a mischievous smile.
“That’s my second name.” She said.
Benjamin and Belinda were now forced to cooperate and read together as partners despite their hatred for each other.
Since Benjamin was very good in mathematics and accounting, he helped Belinda to get better in that area by giving her different assignments and class works as he wouldn’t want to fail because of her.
Belinda on the other hand, stayed up all night trying to get the correct answers to all the questions given to her by Benjamin. She hardly had time to rest in school and at home. Due to how serious Benjamin was with his studies.
The whole stress took a toll on her that she started sleeping during one of Benjamin’s tutorial. And for the first time, Benjamin’s heart was moved towards her as he felt pity for her. He didn’t wake her from her sleep. Rather, he let her sleep to her satisfaction while he took a closer look at her face for the first time.
When she finally woke up, Benjamin switched back to his cold self.
“Didn’t you get enough sleep last night? How can you be sleeping during my tutorials? Is this really how you want us to pass the quiz?.” He asked all at once.
Belinda yawned and said, “What do you expect when I hardly get enough sleep these days because of the numerous assignments you keep giving to me?.” She said yawning helplessly.
“I’m sorry for putting you through all these stress. I promise to take it easy on you from now on.” He said calmly for the first time.
“It feels strange hearing those words from you.” She said shaking her head.
The school finally organized series of tests and quizzes to determine who amongst them were qualified to represent the school in the upcoming interschool competition.
During the test, Benjamin’s tutorial helped Belinda in getting most of the answers right. And when the results were finally out, Benjamin and Belinda emerged as the first amongst the others. While Felix and Beatrice emerged as the second.
The Vice Principal congratulated Benjamin for his good team work because she witnessed him pushing Belinda on her first day in class. And as such, she wasn’t expecting to see them cooperating so well.
Belinda and Benjamin were then chosen to represent the commercial senior school students in the upcoming interschool competition.
After school that day, Belinda was packing her books into her bag, when Benjamin tapped her.
“Thanks for cooperating with me and helping us win the quiz.” He said smiling brightly at her for the first time.
“Thanks to you too. At least for making me get better in mathematics and accounting. I’ve improved a lot. All thanks to your tutorials.” She said.
“Can we be friends?.” He asked.
“Sure!.” She replied with a smile.
When they got home, Beatrice greeted her mother who didn’t respond to her greetings but went straight to the point.
“How did the quiz go? Are you going to participate in the upcoming interschool competition?.” She asked with seriousness on her face.
“No mom. I didn’t make the first position. Belinda did.” She said.
“Can you hear yourself talk? What were you doing when Belinda took the first position?.” Grace raged
“Mom…we were grouped in pairs. And her partner happened to be the most intelligent boy in our class.” Beatrice explained.
“And what’s stopping you from being close to that boy? Why are you always disappointing me? What in God’s name do you expect me to tell your father?.” Grace asked shouting at Beatrice.
“Mom. I’m just returning from school and I haven’t had anything to eat. Shouldn’t you allow me eat first before all these interrogations?.” Beatrice asked.
“You will not have a taste of my meal until you learn to bring me positive results. Nonsense.” Grace said.
“Fine. Then I will be going out to eat with my friend.” Beatrice said.
“You won’t move an inch out of this house without my permission.” Grace said.
“Then watch me leave mom.” She said walking away.
“Beatrice……….!.” Her mother yelled.
Beatrice went to Belinda’s house to spend the night and as well eat some food. When they were done eating, she went to have a discussion with Belinda’s mother.
“Mom, is it true that mothers are always right?. I’m just wondering if someone’s mother can lead lead them astray.” She asked curioused.
“I don’t know for others. But I know that no reasonable mother will make decisions that could hurt her child. I believe it’s every mother’s dream to make her child life better than hers.” Felicia said.
“Thank you Mom.” She said.
“Why do you ask? Is everything okay at home?.” Felicia asked
“Yes Mom. Everything is fine.” She lied
When they were about to go to bed, she asked Belinda,
“If you were given an opportunity to chose between pleasing your mom and pleasing your friends, who will you chose to please?.” She asked curioused.
“My mom of course.” Belinda answered straight away.
“But why?.” Beatrice asked.
“Because Mom will always be here with me but friends will always leave. Friends can be replaced but my mom can never be replaced.” Belinda answered.
“Thanks for the answer. I think I now know what to do from now on.” Beatrice said.
When it was the day of the competition, Beatrice put overdose sleeping pills in the juice she offered to Belinda.
Few minutes before the departure time, Belinda fainted in school and was rushed to the hospital.
The vice principal had no choice than to replace Belinda with Beatrice her best friend. And that was how Beatrice and Benjamin went to the competition instead.
They returned with second position because Benjamin’s mind was distracted with the thoughts of Beatrice’s well being. But he was kind to Beatrice and cooperated well with her. Beatrice started liking and admiring him after seeing his soft and kind side.
When they returned, Benjamin rushed off to the hospital to check up on Belinda.
Meanwhile, Beatrice was dragged to a corner of the school by Felix.
“What is it?. Why did you drag me here?.” She asked Angrily.
“Why did you do it?.” He asked.
“Do what?.” She asked back
“Why did you put your friend in such condition?.” He asked.
Beatrice heart skipped immediately.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She said trying to deny it.
“Don’t play pretence with me. I saw you putting those pills into her drink.” He said.
“And why didn’t you stop me? What is even stopping you from telling everyone?.” Beatrice asked with tears in her eyes.
“Because you are my sister.” He said.
“What sister are you talking about?.” She asked confused.
“I am Felix Johnson.Your step brother. I’ve been told to watch over you by our father. And that’s why I didn’t expose you earlier. Why exactly did you do it? I can’t believe you can harbour such thoughts at your age. It’s scary. We are just in our first year in senior school and you are already like this?.” He asked
“Don’t judge me when you don’t know my story. You were privileged to get Dad’s love and care. But I was made to produce positive results that will catch his attention. You asked me why I did what I did right? I did it because Mom said it was the only way to get Dad to look for me.” She said.
“And you believed that?.” He asked surprised
“I don’t even know what to believe anymore. But right now. I’m going to start living a life full of deception.” She said.
Don’t forget to comment, like, and share as it encourages me to write more episodes. And please stop the use of comments like, “Hmmm, next, nice one.” As it weakens my spirit๐๐
