By the next day, things were…
Normal.
At least, that's what it looked like from outside.
Students were talking again.
Chairs were dragging.
Jiggy was already complaining about something nobody asked him about.
"NEPA took light again yesterday," he said, fanning himself. "How person wan read in this country?"
"Read with candle," Favor replied.
"Candle is outdated," Jiggy said.
"Then fail," she added calmly.
"Onye kwu that thing," Favor nodded.
The class laughed.
She smiled.
Okay… this feels normal again.
She walked to her usual seat.
Sat down.
Placed her bag.
Took a small breath.
Then—
Agadi arrived.
"Morning," she said, dropping her bag.
"Morning," she replied.
Their eyes met for a second.
Then both looked away.
Small pause.
Awkward.
But not bad.
Just… new.
She opened her book.
Agadi adjusted her chair.
Silence.
Not the heavy silence from before.
But not comfortable either.
Just somewhere in between.
We're okay… but not fully okay.
Agadi tapped her pen lightly on the table.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"You understand what we did yesterday?" she asked suddenly.
She blinked.
Wait… she's talking to me?
"A little," she said.
"A little?" Agadi repeated.
She nodded.
Agadi shook her head. "You're on your own."
She almost laughed.
Okay… this is progress.
Before they could say more, Mr Charles entered.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, sir!"
He dropped his bag.
Looked around.
Then smiled slightly.
"Better," he said.
Nobody asked what he meant.
But somehow—
Everybody knew.
He faced the board.
"Let us continue from where we stopped yesterday."
Class began.
For the first few minutes, everything went smoothly.
Too smoothly.
Which was suspicious.
Because in this lesson centre—
Something always happened.
And right on time—
It did.
Mr Charles turned suddenly.
"You," he pointed at Jiggy. "Stand up."
Jiggy froze.
"Sir…?"
"What did I just explain?"
Jiggy stood up slowly.
Adjusted his shirt.
Looked at the board.
Looked at his book.
Then—
"Sir… you explained… something."
The class exploded.
Even she laughed this time.
Mr Charles stared at him.
"Something?" he repeated.
"Yes, sir."
"Which kind of answer is that?"
"General answer, sir."
More laughter.
Agadi hit the table lightly. "General answer!"
Mr Charles shook his head.
"Sit down before you stress me."
Jiggy sat down quickly.
"God saved you," he muttered.
"God did not save you," Favor said. "You just escaped."
"Onye kwu that thing," she added.
The class laughed again.
She leaned back slightly.
This place is not normal.
She glanced at Agadi.
This time—
Agadi was smiling.
Not fully.
But enough.
Okay… we're getting there.
Class continued.
Then—
Mr Jaja entered.
"Good morning, my intelligent people!"
"Good morning, sir!"
He looked around dramatically.
Paused.
Then nodded.
"Yes. Today, the atmosphere is better."
Jiggy whispered, "He too knows."
"Keep quiet," Favor said.
Mr Jaja dropped his bag.
"Before we start," he said, "I have an important question."
The class became alert.
"Who here believes everything they hear?"
Silence.
Then—
"Depends," Agadi said.
"On what?" he asked.
"On who said it."
The class murmured in agreement.
Mr Jaja nodded.
"Good. Because I heard something yesterday."
Immediately—
Everybody leaned in.
Ah… gist has entered.
"What did you hear, sir?" Mia asked.
Mr Jaja lowered his voice slightly.
"They said somebody drank hypo."
Silence.
Then—
"Again?" Jiggy said.
"You know about it?" Mr Jaja asked.
"Different version," Jiggy replied.
Agadi leaned forward. "Which one did you hear?"
"That she didn't drink it," he said. "She just poured it and fainted."
The class burst into mixed reactions.
"People are mad," Agadi said.
"Very mad," Favor added. "Onye kwu that thing."
She shook her head slightly.
Why are people like this?
Mr Jaja raised his hand.
"That's why you people should not be doing nonsense," he said. "Focus on your books."
"Yes, sir," they replied.
"But sir," Jiggy added, "some people say it was because of love."
"Love will not kill you," Mr Jaja said. "Ignorance will."
The class laughed.
"Sir, what about Labubu?" someone at the back asked.
Mr Jaja turned. "Ah. That scary thing."
Agadi sat up immediately.
"Sir, that thing is not normal."
"It looks like it will wake you up at night," Mia added.
"Imagine spending money on fear," Agadi said.
"Are you delulu?" Favor added.
The class burst into laughter again.
She covered her mouth.
These people will not let me rest.
"Instead of that," Jiggy said, "buy food."
"Or recharge card," someone added.
"Or Ben 10 doll," Agadi said.
Even Mr Jaja laughed.
"Better," he agreed.
Class continued.
But now—
The energy was back.
Full.
Loud.
Alive.
She found herself relaxing again.
Laughing more.
Even talking small.
At some point, she leaned slightly.
"You didn't come early today," she said to Agadi.
Agadi shrugged. "I was not in the mood."
She nodded.
Small pause.
Then—
"You're in the mood now?" she asked.
Agadi glanced at her.
Then smirked slightly.
"Manage."
She smiled.
I'll take it.
Things were getting better.
Not perfect.
But better.
Then—
It happened.
Small.
But enough.
Two girls at the back started whispering again.
The same ones.
The same style.
Agadi noticed immediately.
Of course.
"Who are they talking about now?" she muttered.
Favor leaned in.
"They say somebody in this class likes somebody."
The table went quiet.
"Who?" Jiggy asked immediately.
"Don't look at me," Favor said.
Agadi raised an eyebrow. "In this class?"
Favor nodded slowly.
"Who?" she repeated.
Favor leaned closer.
Lowered her voice.
And whispered something.
Agadi's eyes widened slightly.
Then—
She turned.
Slowly.
Looking in a certain direction.
She followed her gaze.
Wait… who?
Agadi looked back at Favor.
"Are you serious?"
Favor nodded.
"Onye kwu that thing."
Agadi leaned back.
A small smile forming.
"Ahh," she said softly.
"This lesson centre…"
She didn't finish it.
But she didn't need to.
Because now—
Something new had entered.
And it wasn't going to stay quiet.