The rest of that day didn't feel normal again.
Not after what she noticed.
Not after that look.
She tried to focus on what Mr Jaja was saying, but her mind kept replaying it.
That moment.
That direction.
That person.
So it's not who everybody thinks…
She glanced up again.
Carefully.
This time, she wasn't the only one watching.
Agadi was watching too.
And the moment their eyes met—
They both knew.
Without saying anything.
Agadi slowly leaned closer.
"You saw it," she whispered.
She hesitated.
Then nodded slightly.
Agadi leaned back.
"Ahh…"
That one "ahh" carried meaning.
Plenty meaning.
Favor leaned in immediately.
"What? What did you people see?"
"Nothing," both of them said at the same time.
Favor frowned. "You people are hiding something."
"Face your front," Agadi said.
"Onye kwu that thing," Favor replied stubbornly.
But now—
It was no longer just small curiosity.
It was turning into something bigger.
Because slowly…
Other people were starting to notice too.
The next day—
The tension didn't reduce.
It increased.
She walked into the compound and immediately felt it.
People were smiling for no reason.
Whispering.
Looking.
Turning.
Looking again.
This thing has spread.
She sat down.
Agadi was already there.
Waiting.
"You're late," Agadi said.
"I'm not late."
"You're late."
She dropped her bag. "Okay."
Small pause.
Then—
"Did you see yesterday?" Agadi asked.
She nodded.
Agadi shook her head slowly.
"This one is serious."
"Very serious."
Favor joined them.
"Today, I must know," she said.
"You will not know," Agadi replied.
"I will know."
"You will not."
"Onye kwu that thing," Favor said.
Jiggy entered next.
"Update!" he announced.
The class turned immediately.
Even people at the back.
"Which update?" someone asked.
Jiggy dropped his bag dramatically.
"I have information."
Agadi folded her arms. "Say it."
Jiggy lowered his voice.
"It is not who we think."
The class reacted instantly.
"Then who is it?" Mia asked.
Jiggy smiled proudly.
"I don't know."
The class shouted.
"Idiot!"
"Useless update!"
"Waste of time!"
She laughed.
This boy will not change.
Mr Charles entered at that moment.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, sir!"
He looked around.
Paused.
Then nodded slowly.
"Something is still wrong."
The class laughed nervously.
"You people are too interested in each other," he said. "Instead of your books."
"Sir, it's not like that," Jiggy said.
"It is exactly like that," Mr Charles replied.
He picked up his marker.
"Let's see if your brain is still working."
He wrote a question on the board.
Turned.
"Who understands this?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice from the back.
"Sir, I don't understand."
Mr Charles nodded.
"Good. At least you are honest."
The class laughed.
"The rest of you," he continued, "you don't understand but you are smiling."
More laughter.
He pointed at Jiggy.
"You—explain it."
Jiggy stood up slowly.
"Sir…"
"Yes?"
"I'm not a science student."
The class exploded.
Agadi hit the table. "Excuse!"
Mr Charles stared at him.
"So your brain is for art only?"
More laughter.
"Sir, I do government," Jiggy said proudly.
"And government cannot help you think?" Mr Charles asked.
Jiggy paused.
"…Sometimes."
The class laughed again.
"Sit down," Mr Charles said, shaking his head. "Confusion."
She was laughing now.
Fully.
She glanced at Agadi.
Agadi was laughing too.
Not holding back.
Okay… this is back.
Class continued.
But the tension didn't leave.
Because now—
People were watching more carefully.
Trying to catch it.
Trying to confirm.
And then—
It happened.
Small.
But clear.
Someone dropped a pen.
Simple.
Normal.
But when that person bent to pick it—
Someone else reacted.
Quickly.
Too quickly.
"Sorry," the second person said.
Their hands almost touched.
They both paused.
Then quickly pulled back.
But it was enough.
The class saw it.
Agadi saw it.
She saw it.
Jiggy saw it.
Even Favor—
"AHH!" she whispered loudly.
Agadi grabbed her arm immediately.
"Keep quiet!"
But it was too late.
The energy had changed.
Everyone was looking now.
The two people involved avoided eye contact completely.
"Hmm," Agadi said slowly.
"This is not ordinary again."
She nodded.
So it's actually true…
Favor leaned in, eyes wide.
"It's them!"
Agadi smirked.
"You see now?"
Favor shook her head.
"Onye kwu that thing."
Jiggy leaned forward.
"I knew it."
"You didn't know anything," Agadi said.
"I felt it," he insisted.
"Feel your book," she replied.
The class laughed.
But now—
It wasn't just funny anymore.
It was real.
And the people involved?
They knew.
Because suddenly—
Everything they did felt watched.
Every movement.
Every glance.
Every small reaction.
And she sat there.
Watching everything unfold.
A small smile on her face.
This lesson centre…
She leaned back slightly.
We are not here to read only.