HUZZY'S POV:
.
.
.
"My name is Idrisa Muhammad Musa," he introduced. "I'm from Borno state."
"Aisha Sulaiman, Bauchi state."
"And lastly, we have..." The teacher said, pointing in my direction.
"Huzaifa Adams, Kaduna state," I said in my meekest voice while the class roared and clapped.
It's my second week in the school, and every time a new teacher enters, all the new students have to introduce themselves to the teacher. It's something I'm getting tired of already.
I had a rough first week, but Yasman and his crew always come to my aid; they helped me get my stolen mattress and other stuff. It's sad we're not in the same class with him, but Minal and I happened to be in the same class.
It's good to be where you are loved and cherished, where you feel welcomed and at home. My classmates made me love it here, but something still doesn't feel right. I don't know what it is, but I will find out.
After the first morning period, the teachers all went out for a general meeting, leaving us to ourselves, and there was noise everywhere in a few seconds after.
I took the vacant seat next to Minal and sat there, realizing we haven't had a proper conversation since the first time I came. She looked and acted differently, quite different from the first time we met. She hardly speaks to anyone, and if she does, it's only one or two words.
I thought she liked me. Is she perhaps playing hard to get?
"Hey!" I called out softly as I adjusted myself in the seat.
"Hey, Huzzy," she replied, giving off the same energy, but in a soft and calm way. Sometimes I wonder if I met a different version of her on my first day; this isn't her.
I was about to start a conversation with her when Yasman and his crew came in, his expression changing immediately when he set eyes on us, and I could feel his jealousy.
"Please get out if you're not supposed to be here," he raised his chin and said with a disdainful tone.
Two boys and a girl immediately went out of the class, lowering their heads.
Minal and I exchanged glances, both feeling the tension in the room. It was clear that Yasman didn't approve of our interaction. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of anger and sadness. Why did Yasman have to control everyone around him?
"Sorry about that; he can be a bit overbearing sometimes," Minal said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yaz, what's happening here? I thought we spoke about this," Minal asked in a bit of anger, and I could feel the familiarity between them in her voice.
He scratched the back of his head and said, "Nothing, just passing on important news."
'News? And he was to send people away? Who are those he even sent out?' I kept asking myself.
He signaled to Sultan who came to escort me out to the front of the class. I looked dumb and was trying to figure out what was happening when Yasman introduced me to the whole class as a new member of the BAE boys.
I looked shocked and surprised because we never talked about anything like being a member of any group. Minal looked shocked as well, but she hid it with a scoff afterwards and went back to her seat.
I was left to pretend to know what was going on, grinning as we entered each class in SS1 block, but I had a thousand questions for Yasman after all this is over.
We got to SS1A, the Art class in the block, and a couple of students went out immediately they saw us enter.
I'm still refusing to believe what my mind is telling me this is.
'No, this can't be the type of bullying I'm seeing on TV'
I tried calming myself, but deep down I know what it is.
The class began shouting and clapping, all cheering Yasman, except for a boy who leaned against the wall with eyes closed, looking non-bothered by whatever that's happening. He looked asleep.
"Is he deaf or what?" Yasman yelled, asking no one in particular, and the whole class went silent.
Ramadan scoffed and moved closer to the boy. "Maybe he's taking a nap; can't blame the poor child," he huffed and moved around.
"Too bad I'll have to end it," Yasman said and moved towards the boy sleeping.
All this while I was standing, dumbfounded by what was happening and still trying to process everything, not until Yasman raised his hands up to slap the boy.
'No, this can't be happening.'
"Stop!" I shouted and moved to where they are.
Yasman smiled sheepishly before pouting, still holding his hands up, revealing who he really is.
"What, did you just stop me?" He asked, looking surprised by all means.
Well, I thought I should be the one surprised here.
"Can someone explain what the hell's happening here? I need an explanation," I said, demanding, looking furious. All this while the boy was still sleeping.
Sultan stepped forward and held me up by the shoulders; "please stay out of this," he said warning, rather than pleading.
"No, I'm not, not until..." I couldn't finish what I was saying when Yasman landed a very hot slap on the boy's face.
He was dead frightened when he woke up, and before he could get a hold of himself, Yasman pushed him to the floor and yet threw him into another blow on the face.
"Get off of him," I said and pushed Yasman away from the boy. He fell to the ground, and I hit him so hard he started to gasp for air. I left him still panting on the floor when his boys came to his rescue.
I helped the other boy up and sat him down; that was when I realized the class was already filled up with students, all looking in amusement.
I may be a little mean and self-centered sometimes, to which all of us are guilty. But never a bully.
YAZEED'S POV:
.
.
.
I'm not usually a morning person. I was already seeing double during the first period and couldn't wait for the teacher to leave. Luckily, they all went for a meeting.
I decided to skip dining as well because I'm not a fan of Akara and pap; I only fancy it when I'm broke.
I lay my head to take a quick nap, and the least I could expect was to be woken up by a very hot slap on my face.
I opened my eyes and saw the whole class staring at me. The new celebrity student stood in front of me with his mouth wide open as well. Before I could get a proper look at Yasman, he pushed me to the floor and threw punches at my face.
I was still struggling to breathe when the newbie threw Yasman away from me and started to hit him back. The remaining BAE boys ran up to their leader and snatched him away.
"You'll regret this," Ramadan said with a threatening tone as they made their way out of the class.
"Like I care," Huzzy shouted after them and heaved a sigh, sitting down on the chair.
I looked around the class for the second time, and this time it was like the whole school was there. It was as if we were shooting a movie or something, when some seniors came, sending everyone to the dining.
Everyone else left, except for Minal and Huzzy, together with some other SS1 students. I need no one to tell him how pitiful I looked. I didn't say a word to either Huzzy or anyone there; I still had my face down.
This would be the first time I will be talking to him.
"Can we please take him to the clinic?" He asked, looking all worried.
Another student helped me up, and they made to help me walk when I stopped them; "I can walk on my own." I finally opened my mouth to talk, refusing help from my saviors.
I don't know if it's only me, but I don't want to be pitied like this. For everyone to look up to me, making me look like a real useless dude who can't help himself in a fight. No, please, I don't want that. But how do I fight back? How do I fight for myself when I don't even know how to fight?
I guess I should let them help me because I really am a pitiful somebody.
"Please, I'm sorry this happened. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have agreed with them in the first place," Huzzy said, apologizing, not really knowing what his fault was in all of this. Last I remembered he was the one helping me.
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to their behavior," I said as we left the class for the clinic, and the girls went to the dining.
"I'm no match for them, anyway," I added.
"You should learn to fight for yourself. If I wasn't there? I'm sure no one was ready to intervene," he asked as we kept walking.
I shrugged and said; "I don't know."
The news was everywhere before break hours, and the disciplinary committee called for us; me, Yasman, and Huzzy. While Yasman lied, we were only fighting and nothing more, Huzzy insisted on it being bullying, so the school had to call for witnesses. After it was confirmed what Yasman really did, he was given a one-week suspension, 15 strokes of the cane, and two weeks of labor after he resumes from his suspension. One-week labor was also given to Huzzy for fighting with Yasman, and I had to feel guilty because he was only trying to protect me. But rules are rules here; break them and face the trials.
But what would have happened if he hadn't intervened? I guess he would have, anyways.
I took out my diary once we got back to class, ignoring all the long stares and started to write;
"You wouldn't believe what happened today! I got in a fight with Yasman, and I won with the help of the new student, Huzzy. I guess I am free, after all..."
Read the next chapter here
0 Comments