The thing about rumors was—
They didn't need noise to grow.
Just time.
And people.
---
By the next few days, the tension didn't disappear.
It didn't explode either.
It just… stayed.
Like something sitting quietly in the corner, watching everyone.
Waiting.
---
She walked into the lesson centre that morning, adjusting her bag slightly.
The sun was already doing too much.
*This heat is not normal.*
"Good morning!" someone shouted from across.
"Morning," she replied, scanning the compound.
Her eyes went to her usual spot.
Agadi was there.
Favor too.
Even Jiggy—
for once—was early.
"Ah, miracle," she said as she sat down. "Jiggy, you came early?"
Jiggy frowned. "Respect yourself. I can be serious."
Agadi didn't even look up. "When?"
The class laughed.
Jiggy shook his head. "You people don't appreciate greatness."
"Sit down," Favor said. "Onye kwu that thing."
She smiled.
*Nothing has changed.*
But something had.
Because even with all the normal talk—
People were still watching.
Still noticing.
Still whispering.
---
Agadi leaned closer.
"They haven't talked."
"Who?"
Agadi gave her a look.
She sighed. "Oh… them."
"Yes, them."
She glanced briefly.
Both of them were there.
Separate.
Very separate.
Too separate.
*This is getting obvious.*
"They're avoiding each other," she said.
"Exactly," Agadi replied. "Which is making it worse."
Favor nodded. "Onye kwu that thing."
---
Jiggy leaned forward again.
"I heard something yesterday."
Agadi didn't even react. "Keep it."
"This one is different."
"You said that last time."
"But this one is serious."
She turned slightly.
*Why am I even interested?*
"What did you hear?" she asked.
Jiggy lowered his voice.
"They said the girl's friend warned her."
Agadi blinked. "About what?"
"About the boy."
Silence.
Small silence.
*Ah… new level.*
"Who told you this?" she asked.
Jiggy pointed vaguely. "People."
"Useless source," Agadi said.
"Reliable source," Jiggy argued.
Favor shook her head. "Onye kwu that thing."
---
Before it could turn into full argument, Mr Charles entered.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, sir."
Straight to business.
"Open your books."
No smile.
No extra talk.
Just focus.
And just like that—
The noise reduced.
---
He started teaching.
And this time—
People actually tried to pay attention.
At least… for some minutes.
---
Then—
"Do you understand?" he asked.
Silence.
Then—
A voice from the back.
"Sir, no."
The class laughed.
Mr Charles nodded.
"Good. Honesty will save you."
Then he looked at the rest.
"And you people?"
Silence.
He shook his head.
"You don't understand, but you're quiet. In exam, will you be quiet?"
More laughter.
Then he pointed at Jiggy.
"You—what do you understand?"
Jiggy stood up slowly.
"Sir… I understand that I don't understand."
The class burst out laughing.
Even Mr Charles paused.
Then shook his head.
"Sit down. At least you know your problem."
Agadi laughed, shaking her head.
"This boy…"
She smiled.
*This place is too much.*
---
Class continued.
But not fully.
Because once in a while—
Eyes would shift.
Glances would happen.
And that same tension would return.
---
At some point—
She noticed something new.
The girl was talking.
Not to the boy.
To someone else.
Laughing small.
Trying to act normal.
But—
There was something off.
Like she was forcing it.
*So it's affecting her too…*
She leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
Watching.
---
Agadi tapped her.
"Don't overthink it," she said.
"I'm not overthinking."
"You are."
"I'm just observing."
Agadi smirked. "Observer."
She rolled her eyes.
---
Break time came.
And like always—
That was when everything scattered.
Students stood up.
Moved around.
Talked freely.
And the gist?
Returned.
Full force.
---
"They are pretending," someone said.
"I swear," another replied.
"They think we don't know."
Agadi stood up.
"Let's go outside," she said.
They stepped out into the compound.
The breeze was small—but better than inside.
Jiggy followed them.
Of course.
"I still think they like each other," he said.
"You think too much," she replied.
"No, think about it—"
"We have thought about it," Agadi cut in. "We are tired."
Favor laughed. "Onye kwu that thing."
---
She leaned against the wall slightly.
Looking around.
At the compound.
At the small shop nearby.
At students moving in and out.
Then her eyes shifted again.
And landed on—
The two.
Outside now.
Far from each other.
But still in the same space.
And for a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
Then quickly—
They both looked away.
Too fast.
Too obvious.
She smiled slightly.
*This thing is not ending anytime soon.*
---
She adjusted her bag again.
Took a small breath.
Then looked back at her friends.
Agadi was already talking again.
Favor replying.
Jiggy adding nonsense.
And somehow—
Everything felt normal.
Even with the tension.
Even with the gossip.
Even with everything going on.
---
She shook her head slightly.
A small smile forming.
*We came here to read…*
She looked at the class.
Then back at them.
*But this place…*
She exhaled softly.
*It's more than that.*