ALL FOR NOTHING
EPISODE FOUR…
The news of me meeting my match spread throughout school that day much more than I expected. It was as if everyone was looking forward to it and it really got me sad. During break, I saw Seun speaking with Toyin but I couldn’t tell what it was they were talking about.
“Do you feel threatened by her?” Timi asked seeing through me that I was.
“Why should I?” I replied.
“You don’t have to and besides you don’t expect a new student who just joined the class to come out as the best graduating student. Don’t forget we work with continuous assessment and she doesn’t have any records here.”
Though Timi’s words were encouraging, it wasn’t what was bothering me. I knew I was still going to come out as the best graduating student but with Kunle’s record which I still had to break, Toyin appeared to be a threat.
Classes continued that day as usual but I couldn’t take my mind off Toyin. She was too quiet and quite too withdrawn from the rest of us. Since she joined the class she had not really made any friends except for Zainab the Muslim girl in our class making me to want to believe that that she too was a Muslim. I decided to increase my study hours so as to put her in her place and to show her who the real boss was.
When Physics and Mathematics scripts were released, I discovered that I had no reason to be scared anymore. Everyone knew I was the king when it comes to calculations. I did not only top but I also made it clear to Seun that I was the boss. Honestly speaking I was becoming too proud of my intellectual prowess and it was beginning to get into my head. Though I topped, Toyin was within a close range with just three marks behind me in Physics and two in Mathematics putting her in second place.
Toyin became the talk of the entire school and everyone in my class wanted to be her friend. If I must confess she was what I’d call beauty personified. She was light in complexion and about thesame age as me. She had the perfect figure not too chubby nor too thing and she was really attractive to behold but I didn’t see the reason why every boy was approaching her. I felt it was childish and irresponsible. However, I couldn’t deny the fact that she was the first student to have come so close to me and from all indications, I could attest to the fact that she was a genius just like me.
At Achievers high school, we science students were only judged with Mathematics, physics, Chemistry, Further mathematics and Biology. In further mathematics, I also topped with Toyin still in second place with just three marks behind me. I only had Biology to come in and I could say I reclaimed my title as having topped in the mid term exams.
It was on a Friday afternoon when Mrs Olabisi our form teacher and Biology teacher walked in to the class with our Biology scripts in her hand. Mrs Olabisi was always the last teacher to give out scripts. She was this plump lady who always wore glasses. She had been our form teacher since SS1 and wasn’t happy with the fact that there was no body to compete with me and take the first position away from me. Her anger was mostly directed towards the girls who did nothing other than to parade themselves as beautiful girls.
“When I was in secondary school there was not a single boy that could beat me.” She would always say just to stir up the girls but it didn’t make any difference. The student she detested the most was Sola whom we nicknamed “Shakara.” Sola was the daughter of the commissioner for works in Utti district and for that reason she was very proud of herself. She had the latest gadgets and would always show off. With all the money, opportunity and gadgets she had, she was still struggling academically. Sometimes I wonder what she is doing in science class when she could have done better as an Arts student.
“Good afternoon class” Mrs Olabisi greeted.
“Good afternoon ma.” We all replied in unison.
After saying a few words she started giving out the scripts.
“Only one student scored 30/30 in the Biology mid term exams” She announced with a smile on her face. If it was before, I would be very confident that the student was no other person but me. However, with Toyin in the class I was beginning to lose my self confidence.
“Who is the student ma?” Seun asked looking at my direction to see if I was optimistic or other wise.
“I guess it’s Toyin, the new girl.” Sola replied.
“Will you keep quiet?” Mrs Olabisi rebuked her.
“You are not ashamed. Why didn’t you mention your own name?” She added angrily.
My fear increased because it has never been heard that a student scored 30/30 in Biology not even Kunle the genius. It was always 29/30 and that was because Mrs Olabisi didn’t believe any student could score everything in Biology especially when she asks us to draw and label completely.
At that point, I knew I wasn’t the one. There was no way I could have scored 30/30 because she had asked us to draw the human brain and kidney and label fully as it was in our recommended textbook. I had actually spent enough time practicing those diagrams but I still wasn’t sure that I gave it to her the way she wanted it.
“Clap for miss Tijesuni Oluwatoyin. She scored 30/30 in the just concluded Biology mid term exams. She gave me everything the way I wanted it as if she was the one that set the questions. Her diagrams were not just neatly drawn but fully and accurately labelled with correct Spellings. For the first time in my years as a teacher, I’ve finally met a Biology guru like myself. Keep it up my dear and don’t ever relent.” She said as she handed over the scripts to her. The whole class applauded her causing my countenance to fall. I felt bad.
“Next is Akintunde Ayomide who scored 28/30. He also gave me everything the way I wanted them with clear and well labelled diagrams but he missed something very important which cost him two marks. Keep it up my dear.” She said as she asked the class to applaud me too. I collected the script but I wasn’t happy. I couldn’t believe that a new student could beat me.
“Sorry bro, I understand how you feel” Seun said trying to get me angry. I had to pretend as if I didn’t hear what he said because my disappointment was already making me boil with anger. I scrutinized my script to know where I got it wrong but I couldn’t find it.
That day, I decided to meet up with Toyin and compare our scripts to know where I actually got it wrong. I also wanted to be sure that Mrs Olabisi wasn’t being partial in her sense of judgement. I decided I would scrutinize Toyin’s script to see if there is at least one thing I could use to equal our scores either to get hers reduced or get mine increased.
Immediately the closing bell was rung, I told Timi to wait for me as I want ahead to meet up with Toyin.
“Hello” I greeted and I could tell she was surprised because not for once have I spoken to her since she joined the class.
“Hey it’s you, what can I do for you?” She asked.
“Nothing, I just wanted to congratulate you personally. You’ve set a record in this school. You are the first student to score everything in a Biology exam.”
“Thank you. I love Biology and it’s my favorite subject.” She replied.
“May I take a look at your script? I want to see where I missed it.”
“Of course you can.” She replied handing me the script.
I went through the script and what I saw was enough to convince me that she deserved what she got. If I could score her 31/30 I’d have done so. Not only did she answer the questions very well, she had the best handwriting I had ever seen in my entire life.
“This is excellent and your handwriting is excellent.” I confessed with all sincerity.
“Thank you. I get that alot. People say my handwriting is more beautiful than me.” She replied smiling.
“Congrats to you too. I have been hearing about you and I must confess you are indeed a great scholar and I don’t think I can beat you but all thesame I’ll try.” She said.
“Really? I guess you were the best in your former school.”
“Yes, I always topped my class but with someone like you here, I will have to work real hard to achieve that.”
“Ayo it’s okay now. Please time is going and I’m hungry” I heard Timi shout from where he stood waiting for me. I almost forgot I had asked him to wait for me.
“Alright Toyin, see you on Monday.” I said as I left to meet Timi who was already getting infuriated with my prolonged conversation with Toyin.
“Alright Ayo, bye” she replied.
I realized I had wrongly judged Toyin. She appeared to be easy going and nice too.
“Don’t tell me you were gisting her.” Timi said seeing the smile on my face.
“Gist ke? Are you alright?” I asked.
We took our bags and walked out of the class. I didn’t feel bad like I felt at first when Toyin was announced as the best student in Biology. Infact I came to agree with Mrs Olabisi that Toyin really deserved what she got…
Vicky’s stories….
Touching lives….
Changing people….
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