Chapter 6

• Christine's POV
• Today, after those boys left... seemed awkward. The day became different as security men wandered to and fro the school which was not per the normal.
• The teachers weren't present in all classes. Actually, no one was attentive in class... Most girls were still having panic attacks while others laughed and made fun about the day's going.
• From time to time, I could catch Trizah and Jackie looking at me. Were they discussing me?. Anyways I don't care about them, I was already used to them discussing me even in my presence.
• "Hey Chris! Just want to ask if in case the boys come back for us, will you follow them or will you stay behind?". Trizah asked.
• I just looked at her. I knew what she wanted. She just wanted to provoke me... Nothing else!. And I was smarter than that because I was intending to ignore her questions no matter what.
• I heard Jackline chuckle, "She will call unto God to help her... Have you forgotten she is aspiring to be the next Christian Union leader". Jackline responded followed by a small chuckle.
• "Chris, one piece of advice after the strike takes place, learn how to be social with boys... Mingle with them a little for you never know when you're ever going to be in need of them!". Trizah said before they both burst into an uproar of laughter.
• "Jackie and Trizah! Cut it off... Your jokes aren't funny!". Alice exclaimed.
• "Ohoo there! The defender has spoken up... We're in form two and a whole grown up girl doesn't know how to defend herself." Jackline lamented. "She's instead depending on her desk mate to defend her".
• "Your jokes aren't funny... Stop teasing my desk mate and concentrate on your books... One more thing before i forget... There is no strike that is going to take place". Alice said as she turned back to read her books.
• I gave out a small smile. Alice was my heroin.... But she was wrong, the strike was surely going to go on.
• "Okay keep telling yourselves that. But when it hits don't say that I never told you so!". Jackline warned.
• "Jackie and Trizah shut up... Just because some crazy boys came here doesn't mean that you should keep on talking non stop!". The class representative yelled at them. She was obviously fed up with the two, but who wouldn't be?.
• "Okay, okay I have heard you but it's almost break time anyway!". Trizah replied.
• It always amazed me how they never were afraid of punishment nor showed any sign of respect to the class representative. It showed how they behaved back at home, not obedient to their parents at all. If they didn't obey the teachers, that showed that they never obeyed their parents as well.
• The bell to break time rang. Some of the girls went to the dining hall to drink their tea while others went to call their parents to report the incident... Others remained in class to read or gossip.
• I was also traumatized about the morning's incident... Something some other girls hadn't expected at all had taken place.
• I walked out of the class and looked around. The school director Mr. Joe and his wife, were around, they were talking to the other teachers and a few girls who were school representatives. (School representative were always chose as four girls from form one to four four who performed best than others and were above the class and dorm representatives). They were like our leaders but their rank were above the class and dorms representatives.
• I walked down the stairs to where the school's phone was. I wanted to talk to my mom... Not to tell her about the issue but to ask for more pocket money, just like Jackie said, you can never be too sure of what might happen.
• After a few girls had called and talked to their parents, it was now my turn, I dialed mom's number but she was unavailable, it went straight to voicemail. So, I dialed dad's number and called.
• It rang twice before he answered it.
• "Hello!". Dad's husky voice was heard on the other end of the line.
• Hearing his voice made me feel like crying. I felt the tears on my eyes threaten to fall but I managed to blink them away.
• I hadn't realized till now how much I had missed them... I was indeed homesick. I wanted to know how they were all doing, my small brother and sister plus my mother. If only I could talk to them as well.
• "Dad?... It's me". I responded sadly as I looked around.
• Now, I was determined, if those guys would come back, then, I would go with them. I wouldn't mind, so long as I got to see my family again.
• Japheth's POV
• I was still thinking of that girl till now and I felt strange inside me. I felt as if this girl and I knew each other from somewhere. If only I could know where we had met then I wouldn't be thinking so hard.
• I despised thinking this hard, it made my head ache a lot.
• "Hey dudes! Our plan didn't go exactly as we had planned earlier and I'm sorry about that". I said as we reached a certain dam and some of the guys were washing their faces and arms while others were drinking up.
• "It's okay... We understand.. We never expect everything to go as planned anyways". Henry said. "But we were good out there and courageous too, i loved it!". He added.
• Henry was a boy in form three.. He was actually one of the stupidest in studies but clever in co- curriculum activities.
• I nodded slightly. "So, this is where we part guys.. I know saying thank you won't be enough for all that you have done today". I continued.
• "It's fine man we didn't do all these for you but for ourselves too". Another boy whose name I wasn't sure about, said.
• "Guys listen up!" Fred ordered for the guys attention.
• They came closer to where we stood so as to listen.
• "I know at this moment, our parents are already aware of our strike, and some are worried while others are angry and anxiously waiting for us!". Henry started.
• Most of the boys nodded in agreement.
• "We know our parents best than anyone else and if we go while they are in this situation, then we are in hot soup." He added.
• "So what do you suggest?". Henry asked.
• "I suggest that we wait... While were in hiding then, we can go home later on". I suggestef
• "That's a good idea, but won't this make them get all the more angry?" Another boy asked.
• "Yes! They will be angry but they will have calmed down even if it's a little bit". I answered.
• "But if you really want to go home, then you are free to go... If you want to stay behind for a while before you face your angry parents, then you are welcomed to stay with us!". Fred explained.
• "Think about it boys... Then give us your feedback". I said as I walked towards the waters to have a drink myself.
• Fred came and squatted beside me as he washed off the sweat and dirt from His face and arms.
• I straightened up and looked at him with narrowed eyes.
• He looked back at me.
• "What's wrong?" He asked, with furrowed brows.
• "You are allegedly dirtifying my water". I replied.
• He pretendesiously looked at the water then back at me and feigned anger.
• "Really now?" He asked.
• "Really. Kindly move to another spot, I don't want to take in your sweat and dirt". I answered with a small smile. Fred smiled back too.
• He was about to say something when Henry came to squat beside my free side.
• "Man, I have made my decision already, I'll stay behind". He said sending my heart to inwardly smile at that at least someone had my back.
• It's not that I didn't appreciate Fred but having an additional support was better at times, right?.
• "Okay that is good to know". I said before he stood up and went to join the rest of the boys who were whispering amongst themselves.
• "Be patient Japheth, our plan will still work out even if we will just be the three of us". Fred said as he gave my shoulder a reassuring pat and turned back to the waters to have a drink.
• I really hoped so.. I was anxious... Not only to carry out my plan but to meet that girl. The strange girl who had unknowingly caught my attention.
• Though I knew they were hundreds of them in there and the fact that I had not seen her face would make it hard for me to identify her, I still had this strong feeling that we would meet... It did not matter when or how, all I knew was that we would meet on one way or another.
• But now, I had to rest... For my plan B to take effect better.
• I simply needed that energy.
• We all did.