CHAPTER THIRTY: BREAK TIME
"Stand up, Floral, let's go buy food. I am so hungry after being taught three subjects non-stop," Morayo said as she leaned over my desk, her hand brushing against mine as she nudged me gently.
"I'm coming," I replied, straightening my books and carefully arranging them in my bag. "Let me just put everything in order and get my money out." I zipped my bag slowly, taking a small purse from its compartment, ensuring nothing fell out.
"Hi John," Victoria greeted, looking over at John, who was just walking past our desk.
I froze for a moment and dropped my bag on the floor beside my desk, looking between Victoria and John. Since when did she start greeting him? My curiosity was piqued, but I didn't say anything, waiting to see what would happen next.
"Hey," John replied casually, giving her a small nod. He then turned and walked away with a fair-skinned boy, leaving a trail of mild confusion behind him.
"When did you start exchanging greetings?" I whispered, nudging Victoria slightly as I smiled.
"Since now," she answered, smiling back, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
"I was the one who told her to take the first move, and I'm glad he responded," Morayo said proudly, as if she deserved credit for orchestrating the entire encounter.
"Wow, I'm also glad he didn't just ignore her or walk away," I said quietly, shaking my head at the simplicity of teenage interactions.
Vanessa entered the classroom at that moment, her small bag slung over one shoulder. "Hey, girls," she greeted as she walked briskly toward us.
"Right timing," Victoria responded, giving her a warm smile.
We all decided not to comment on what had just happened between Victoria and John. Vanessa was still someone we weren't ready to fully trust, so discussing Victoria's growing closeness to John felt premature.
"Let's go now. I'm starving," Morayo said, standing and stretching her arms before taking the lead toward the canteen.
We followed her, our footsteps echoing softly in the corridor. The late morning sun filtered through the classroom windows, casting long shadows on the polished floors. I couldn't help but notice how Vanessa's eyes kept darting around, her curiosity about everything in the school almost tangible.
Once we reached the canteen, we joined the queue and placed our orders. Vanessa approached our table with a very small portion of food in her plate.
"Will that be enough for you?" I asked, eyeing the meager serving.
"I guess so. I can't just be spending anyhow since I don't have much," she replied, shrugging as she sat down next to me.
Victoria immediately stood up and said, "Bring your plate. Let me buy more for you." She stretched her hand toward Vanessa, a reassuring smile on her face.
"Thank you. I hope it won't cause any stress," Vanessa said, hesitant to give over her plate.
"Nah, it won't. You're my friend, and I have to help you," Victoria said firmly, her hand steady as she took Vanessa's plate.
"Okay, I am very grateful," Vanessa said softly, handing it over.
Victoria walked briskly to the serving area, leaving Vanessa and me sitting quietly. Morayo and I were busy with our food, but my eyes kept flicking toward the two, observing every interaction. Despite Vanessa's openness, I still felt cautious. My instincts whispered that she wasn't fully trustworthy yet, though she seemed harmless for now.
After finishing our meal, we began walking back to class. Vanessa, unable to contain herself, started recounting events from her class. Her voice was animated, her expressions full of life.
"The teacher beat the poor boy to bits for whining in class," she concluded with a dramatic hand gesture, smiling widely.
Morayo burst into laughter, her voice filling the corridor, echoing off the walls. I smiled quietly, finding her laugh strangely contagious.
"The guy is funny. What's his name again?" Morayo asked once she caught her breath.
"Malik. Abdul-raheem Malik," Vanessa replied promptly, as if waiting for the question.
"Oh, and he's so intelligent. It's like the scientists in America put a computer in his head," Morayo said, emphasizing each word dramatically.
"Yes, he is! And he also whines teachers," Vanessa added, giggling, as we continued our walk.
"Aren't you going to your class?" Victoria asked as we approached our classroom.
"I'm staying till the bell rings for break over," Vanessa said, taking a seat near Victoria's desk.
Morayo and Victoria took their usual chairs, while I sat behind them. Vanessa settled herself comfortably, clearly interested in every small detail around her.
John was already in class before me, sitting casually at his desk, sipping from a cup of Zobo. He then took out his sketchbook and started sketching with focused attention.
"You draw?" Victoria asked curiously, noticing his book.
"Yeah, I draw a lot of animes," he replied, showing her a few sketches. The lines were precise, the shading perfect. His skill was undeniable.
"She's right, they're amazing. You're really talented," Victoria added, nodding in agreement.
"Thank you. I'm glad for the compliment," John said, glancing at Victoria before returning to his sketchbook.
Vanessa leaned forward, straining to see the sketches. "Aren't you going to thank me too?" she asked.
"I didn't call you into the discussion, so why should I thank an outsider?" he replied without even glancing at her.
"John, why are you so harsh? Have you met before?" I asked, looking at Vanessa.
"No, we haven't met at all," she answered immediately, her tone polite but curious.
John continued flipping the pages of his sketchbook, silent.
"I wonder why he's harsh to you. Don't worry, Vanessa—he's usually only harsh to people he's just met," I said, trying to reassure her.
"Okay," she replied quietly, settling back in her chair, her curiosity still visible in her eyes.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnngggg—the bell rang, signaling the end of break time.
"See you guys after school hours," Vanessa said as she walked out of the classroom, her small steps echoing lightly in the corridor.
I watched her leave, my mind buzzing with thoughts about trust, friendship, and the strange mix of personalities I was surrounded by. Morayo was loud, vibrant, and full of life, while Victoria seemed calm and calculated. Vanessa was a new element, unpredictable but intriguing. And John—well, he was a puzzle I wasn't sure I wanted to solve just yet.
As I packed my books and prepared for the next class, I realized how much I was learning—not just academically but socially. Every smile, every comment, every interaction was a lesson in human behavior, in trust, and in friendship. And even though I kept my distance at times, I couldn't deny the growing warmth of companionship around me.
This school, I thought, was going to be far more interesting than I ever imagined.