By the third day, one thing became clear—
This lesson centre was growing.
And not in a calm, organized way.
No.
It was growing like market crowd.
Unplanned. Noisy. Full of energy.
She walked into the compound that morning and paused slightly.
More chairs.
More voices.
More faces.
*When did all these people come?*
"Ahh, you don come!" Agadi's voice rang out.
She turned.
Agadi was already seated, fanning herself with a notebook like she had just run a marathon.
"Good morning," she said, sitting beside her.
"Morning. Today go loud," Agadi said confidently.
*It's already loud.*
Before she could reply, someone dropped their bag loudly on the table.
A boy.
Big.
Round.
Breathing like he had just completed a race.
"That's Jiggy," Agadi whispered.
"The one that has not resumed since?"
"The same."
Jiggy wiped his face dramatically. "This sun wan kill person."
"You just came today," Agadi said. "Why you dey complain?"
"I have been busy," he replied.
"With what?" she asked.
Jiggy paused.
"…Important things."
Agadi laughed. "Game."
The class laughed.
Jiggy didn't even deny it.
He just sat down and brought out his phone.
She blinked.
*He just resumed and he's already pressing phone?*
"Anytime they give him homework," Agadi continued, "you will not see him for two days."
"Two?" Favor added, appearing from nowhere. "Last time na three days."
"Onye kwu that thing," she said again, nodding.
She smiled slightly.
*I like this girl.*
Before more gist could start, Mia walked in.
Neat as always.
Calm.
Collected.
She greeted and sat down quietly.
Jiggy immediately adjusted himself.
"Good morning," he said, suddenly serious.
Mia nodded slightly. "Morning."
Agadi leaned toward her. "See as him change."
*So this one can behave…*
Before she could say anything, Mr Charles entered.
"Good morning, students!"
"Good morning, sir!"
He dropped his bag.
Looked around.
Paused.
"New faces," he said.
Then his eyes landed on Jiggy.
"You," he pointed. "You finally remembered us."
The class laughed.
Jiggy scratched his head. "Yes, sir."
"Hope you also remembered your brain?"
"Sir?"
"Because we will need it."
More laughter.
She smiled.
This man…
Mr Charles clapped his hands.
"Let us begin."
Class started.
For a while, things were normal.
Then—
It started.
Whispers.
From the back.
Two girls again.
Same style.
Same energy.
Agadi noticed.
Of course she noticed.
She leaned toward Favor. "Who they talk about?"
Favor leaned in too.
"They say one girl for another lesson centre drink sniper."
She froze slightly.
*Wait… what?*
Agadi's eyes widened. "For real?"
"They say she no even drink am, she just use am scare person."
"Ha!" Agadi slapped the table lightly. "People are mad."
She tried to focus on her book.
But—
*Sniper? For what?*
"Maybe na because of boyfriend," Jiggy added from behind, suddenly interested.
"You too like gist," Agadi said.
"It concerns everybody," Jiggy replied.
Favor shook her head. "Onye kwu that thing."
Mr Charles suddenly turned.
"You people! What is going on there?"
Silence.
Immediate silence.
Agadi smiled. "Nothing, sir."
"Nothing?" he repeated. "You people want to turn this place into market."
Nobody spoke.
He shook his head and continued teaching.
But the gist had already entered everywhere.
Even Mia looked slightly curious.
She leaned back in her chair.
*This place… even reading is not peaceful.*
A few minutes later—
Mr Jaja entered.
"Good morning, my lovely students!"
"Good morning, sir!"
He looked around.
Paused.
Then smiled.
"New people have joined us."
His eyes landed on Jiggy.
"You look familiar."
Jiggy blinked. "Sir, I just came—"
"I saw you somewhere," Mr Jaja insisted.
The class burst into laughter.
"Sir, please," Mia said, laughing.
"I saw him," Mr Jaja continued. "Maybe in dream."
Even she laughed this time.
*This man is serious about this his 'I saw you' thing.*
Mr Jaja dropped his bag.
"Before we start, I want to ask a question."
Everybody became alert.
"Who knows what Labubu is?"
Silence.
Then—
"Sir, that scary doll," Agadi said.
"Yes!" he pointed. "That thing that looks like it will wake up at night."
The class laughed.
Jiggy shook his head. "People dey buy am."
"For what?" Agadi asked. "You want to use your money buy fear?"
"Are you delulu?" Favor added.
The class burst out laughing.
She covered her mouth.
*Are you delulu? These people will not kill me.*
Mr Jaja nodded seriously. "Instead of that, buy something useful."
"Like food," Jiggy added.
"Exactly," Mr Jaja said.
"Or Ben 10 doll," Agadi said.
The class laughed louder.
"Better," Mr Jaja agreed.
Class continued.
But at this point—
It wasn't just class anymore.
It was something else.
Something louder.
Something more alive.
She looked around again.
At Agadi laughing.
At Favor shaking her head.
At Jiggy pressing phone again.
At Mia writing quietly.
Then she leaned back slightly.
A small smile forming.
*I thought I came here to just read…*
She looked at Agadi again.
Who was now arguing with Jiggy.
*I don't think that's all that will happen here."