I couldn't sleep again, not after having a nightmare. I wash the dishes, cleaned the house. Before Mrs Sarah woke up, I was done. Sam you are up already she said with a wink face, she went back to her room. I did some of my morning routine and 6pm clocked the time, Mrs Sarah was already in the kitchen preparing something, after a while she called, and we ate in silence, “thank you for the meal I said.
We arrived at school early,, so she left me to roam about, Wander for some time then somebody tapped me on my shoulder, it thought it was Christabel, it was just some tall black guy, he wasn't dress properly, he had a shady haircut, “Boss wants to see you, he said. I was like “boss" , follow me he said, so I followed him, he took me to a corner in the school, I already know they were bullies, I have encountered many, this one was common between my former school and here, this is going to be interesting, when we reached the place, I saw a boy, he had broad shoulders, he was also tall like the other one, he was sitting on other students back who took the posture of a chair. Then another boy approach me he must be their spoke man, “we know you are new here, so we will give you a week of grace, or you be like that kid over there”. I stare at the direction he pointed, I saw someone on the floor, they must have beaten him hard. “ Do you understand, he yelled “. Should I save him or leave him, “I didn't hear what you said, come closer, so I can, hear you correctly" I said? They burst into laughter, I joined them too, “you think this is funny the spoke boy said, approaching me slowing, “Sam" a voice from behind called I turned, and it was Christabel. What is she doing here I wonder, the boy where choke too. “You have done well”, she said approaching me with paste, and when she finally got to me “Mrs Sarah will be happy, we finally found the thugs in this school”. The boys immediately ran away, only the one referred boss stayed. He finally stood up and walked slowing to the exit, “you never seems to fascinate me Christabel, but you were late again, he pointed at the boy on the floor.” he walked pass us, he stopped" boy, see you around, then he left. We rushed to the boy on the floor, he was bleeding badly, there were bruise all over him. We have to rush him, to the school medical center. Christabel tried to lift the boy up, why does she care this much, I wonder? “Help me lift him on my back, she said” after trying effortlessly. I lifted the boy on my back, “lead the way I said" Christabel quickly took charge. We arrived at the school center the boy was treats, he fainted while he was on the floor. He was asked what happened, but he lied that he fall from the stairs, I was thinking Christabel will say something, but she was quiet, I wanted to say something, but she held me back, let talk outside Christabel said pulling me outside. “How can you be quiet and let this lunatic roam about” I will tell you why. “The one referred to as the boss, his father is the largest donation in the school, there is nothing I can do, the school can't punish him properly” on hearing that. I was angry, she must have read my facial expression, “don't do any stupid, if they find out, that you were the one, who reported them, things might go out of hand she said with a crying expression on her face. Why will she be crying, I wondered. “Okay I won't, I said without facing her. “You can leave without me, I will stay here for a while, Christabel said, entering the building. I stood for a while, I wanted to enter the center again when I heard the doctor" how is your friends leg Christabel, “it is getting better Christabel replied swiftly, “how could she have fell from the stairs”, he must be careful, he could have lost his leg in the process if you haven't found him, ” yes we were lucky.” those bullies have done enough, how can people be so brutal, I have to do something about this. I walked slowing to class, how do I stop them, I can't report to the school, what do I do, I can't start causing trouble, dad will be disappointed, I have to stay low.Class went smoothly, Christabel didn't come. If only I could help. Those boys were in our class, they kept staring at me , “hey Sam, come here let have some talk. I walked to them, sit down, the one called boss said. so, I sat, “I am Yuma, you see my father paid for the scholarship of this year, “I heard you came in through scholarship” he asked politely.” yes I came in through”. “Your parents must be penniless” he said swiftly after my replied, his boys burst into laughter. so, what do you have to say, “thank you sir" I replied hasty “that good I see you are fast learner but I won't take compliment for repayment of favors" he said gently. “ Why not repay my father favors by, going on errands for me. "Yes sir" I replied swiftly. that was good, you're a good boy. You can go now, he said calmly. “I cannot be in the same class with this poor rat" he yelled and everybody Burst into laugher. Sam, someone called from the door post, I stood up after hearing my name, the principal wants to see you, I walked to the principal office. “Closed the door he said on entering” so I shut the door. Sam, how are you coping, from rich to poor. “Fine actually, but the bullies in school are aggressive.” “You must have met them already.” yeah. “I will help you on that anyway, so everything is good”, “yeah everything is good. okay, you can go now. okay, sir. Okay. I felt hungry after leaving the principal office, I have gone to the carfare on my way there, a large crowd was waiting for their turn, I haven't seen anything like this before. How do pass this crowds, “hey Sam” a voice from behind called, it seems familiar, I turned, and it was Christabel? “Christabel how are doing” I asked smiling at, nothing exactly she replied calmly, you must be hungry, she said swiftly, nope I said, but my stomach had to disgrace me by ramming, Christabel burst into laughter “you are a terrible lier ain't you she's laughing again” she brought something covered in white, here take, she stretch it to me, I declined at first, but she insisted, so I took it, what do you plan to eat I said, I have some in my bags she replied. I unwrap it, it was a locally made hamburger. She must have made it herself, I bite hard, “how is it Christabel said” “yummy, it is delicious I said making a facial expression of joy”. After I finished, we walked alone for a while, then we met somebody name Marcel. He joined us, he must be Christabel good friend, they talked for a while then Christabel turns to me, “Marcel this Sam, Sam is Marcel my good friend”. I shake him. His dad owns the big shop I was talking about, “don't worry Sam I will put so words for you”, he said smiling “I would appreciate” I shake him. “ You have to go training Christabel, you guys have Alpha high school friendly matched coming, Alpha team, Christabel mood changed, I have to go practice. She left me and Marcel there, that the team captain Marcel shouted, Christabel didn't turn back insisted she has begun running. “ What happened between alpha and ours asked Marcel after Christabel have gone far" “Alpha team female disgrace omega in the interschool competition last year”. “ was it that worst" , “yeah 10 – 130”. What 10–130, that was bad. “Can you play basketball Sam” Marcel looked at me? yeah, I know so few tricks. We need a height like yours in the team. I will pass, I can't really play, I just like the sport. “If you don't join any sport center, the school will automatically put you on one”. Sport is where school excel, he said jogging away see you around he said”. I want to keep a low profile, as possible Mrs Sarah was calling me, I had to go see her, so I went to her office. I knocked, “come in, sat down, sam.” “I won't be staying with you anymore”. I looked at her, You might already know why I called you. you were to stay alone right from the beginning, think of the past few days as bonus, from now hencefortht, you will be staying alone, you will struggle for your meals and the rest. I wasn't happy at hearing this, but I know it was the right thing. “ I won't learn anything if I were like this, I said smiling at her” thanks for the bonus, this is my new start.Few days have passed since Mrs Sarah stop leaving with me, believe me I had had it tough, I only eat one times a day, I had to wash my clothes, which I have never done. I have almost cooked, all the food left, I will soon run out of stuffs to eat. My only hope is if Christabel could take me for the job offer, I just have to sustain before then. Christabel was right about the carfare outside been cheap than the school. I am almost late for school, my food stuffs have run out, I had to go with an empty stomach, on getting to the school gate, students from alpha high school was passing, “poor scumbag on the boy scouted, I didn't respond, I kept walking, they kept saying all sort of things. I wasn't interested on that, I was hungry like dead, I have never felt hunger before. Mrs Sarah said, the foodstuff will last for a month but how did it finish, I can't really tell. We have an assembly today, so I will be going to the school Hall the principal came up for a speech.” well as we all kn
It was time to leave for home, I wanted to wait for Christabel, but she was doing something with Marcel upstairs and I have to go see the principal, so I left. On reaching the house, he was already outside with Mrs Sarah, I wonder why I was summoned. Good evening sir, good evening ma I greeted, Sam the principal called, have a seat, I seated at the chair nearest to me. Sam he called once more clearing his throat, your father and me were old-time friends, we were classmates back then me, Mrs Sarah and Mr. Charles, your father was a talented individual, he did wonderful things in his era, you see our school was one of the local school around, we were surrounded by four schools, those school were better than ours, but our school always win the best of everything because your father was with us. What I am trying to say is that your father won't be happy with you, if you come home without winning anything. I see, that why I was called. I put you in the judo team with special recommendation
I arrive at school, Christabel was waiting for me at the entrance, hey Sam she said after spotting, why didn't you wait for me yesterday. I had something vital at home, I replied swiftly walking into the school.(what up with him today, he seemed strange). so, what your plan today Christabel followed me. Nothing from the usual I said walking faster (it must have affected him, Marcel said he was humiliated in the judo team, even the worst person beat him by an ipon) (an ipon is when throw the opponent perfect on floor). I walked fast, leaving behind Christabel. when it was time for sport activities, I went straight to the judo practice ground. When I got there, the coach had screened me out. I saw the number one in the judo squad he was wearing an orange belt, I put on my gi and went on the tatami uninvited. I want to spar with you, I told the number one, the others sitting all burst into laughter, even the coach. Let go he said, my name is James, he expends his hands for a handshake,
I got home, I wanted to prepare something, but I already ate something at Mr. Johnson's shop, and I am saving money, to get a present for Christabel. I didn't give her anything on her birthday, I wasn't happy, I must find something tangible to offer, the next day came in with a bink of eye. After today, the judo competition will start, we will be going to alpha high school, they are the ones hosting it this year. I came early and run through some practice, everybody was training hard, the coach was impressed, I left to watch, Christabel practice, the student on the seat for the basketball court was counting, they weren't many, so I sat in front. I watch their game closer they are still making that same mistake, they only pass the ball to Christabel to score point , if only they have another person, who can score point. The game was almost done, I left without Christabel seeing me. On my to the exit, I saw students coming in, they all want to watch the boys practice. This is why Chri
James and Chris has long been displaying their new moves, we had nothing to worry about, I said in my mind. We already defeat reigns high school, it was only Cambridge left. James was in place to fight for alpha High while Chris was to fight in Cambridge, coach I said approaching him. Where were you, we searched everywhere, I wasn't feeling good, so I fell asleep, "are you okay now" he said hold my two hands. Chris came out to fight against Cambridge high school, his opponent was a big one, he will have to use of the moves I showed him, that will be effective against big people. Soon the match begin, Chris was doing well, he had almost got an ippon, but it wasn't enough, so he got a waza-ari. He tried to pull his moment but, he lost his balance and the opponent seized the opportunity he throws Chris up perfectly and landed him on the ground, we already knew he had lost but some of us kept saying "pull yourself together, you can still win". Chris wasn't able to shake out of the pinned
Alpha high school as also qualify for the final round. The final round was only one opponent. He entered the tatami, I quickly recognize him as the boy from Mr. Johnson's shop. The one with a water can. This will be interested, I smiled. Him to recognize me from his facial reaction I could tell, but he will underestimate me given that, they know that James is the strongest judoka among us. I looked around to get an insight of my surroundings, I spotted someone unusual, it was Christabel, what was she doing in alpha high school, she was breathing heavily I could tell, her face looked worried, she was staring at our team, trying to find something. But she didn't succeed, her face look pale, then she looked at my direction and spotted me, I was staring at her, she stepped backward, she placed one of are hands-on her heart. She wanted to say something but for some reason, she couldn't. She later walked to where our team is. the game was about to begin, I heard he was the best in alpha hi
Marcel was staring at me from close quarters, Christabel was close to me holding my bag. "I want to go home" I said to Christabel, she handed the bag over to me and drop it, we both quickly tried to catch it out head jam each other, "sorry" I said, but it seems like she purposely did it. She raised her head and said, "your head is hot" she said stretching her hands to touch my neck, wow, your body is really hot. I will walk you home she said, I tried to refuse, but I couldn't, or maybe I didn't put more effort, I won't make it home, If someone doesn't help carry my stuff. Christabel carry my bag and stuffs that I brought along, call Mr. Johnson that I won't be coming I said with a fainting voice. I will, she said while assist me as we walk to the entrance of the school. I raise my head to look forward, and I saw Marcel waiting for us. Christabel, where are you going, he said with a demanding voice. Sam is sick, I want to help him home, Christabel replied swiftly. He can walk himself,
Christabel wakes up early, she reads through the books, she collected, it was good. She felt something on her neck. She quickly realized that it was Sam necklace. She lifted it up and smiled for no reason. she dives up quickly like she had something important. Its Saturday morning. Everyone was still asleep, being tired of the week stress. Christabel's family case was different. They have all woken up, they had a small garden to attend. All family hands must be on deck, they finished the maintenance quickly today. It usually takes them 2 hours, but this time was just an hour. Christabel made it possible, she worked like a cheetah. They had breakfast. Christabel helped her siblings with their books. After she was done she got dressed and have to leave for work, her mom already told her what they lack in the house. "Both Simon and Anita needs new books, "she said. Christabel had been in charge of Simon and Anita. Her parents provide food in the table. Her father Mr. Smith works has a H