Chapter 9 - More Monday

"You're welcome once again Girls. Remember the race starts from the very first step. So, take your classes seriously from today okay?"

"Yes Mummy" The Students replied to Mrs Green, the owner of the School.

She was quite an Elderly Lady and she was obviously loving and loved by the Students even if she loved Discipline. She and every student maintained a Mother-Daughter relationship here. At least that was what Angela, my co-worker told me.

My legs ached, we had been standing for so long. There had been a lot of introductions, reading of the rules, pep talks and finally, a long Address by the Principal because of the new Students.

They sang all the Anthems; The National Anthem, first and Second stanza, The School Anthem, The National Pledge, the School Pledge and the School Song.

Of course, apart from the National Anthem, the new Students didn't know what to sing even though we were all given a copy of the Anthems.

The Sports Prefect climbed the Podium after the Principal stepped down.

She called with a deep voice and with a face devoid of any smile,

" 7-3-3-5 Orbit Up Sound!!!

Left!

Left!

Left!

Left!"

The drummers started playing at the call and Everybody responded quickly to the call of the Sports Prefect.

"Leif-Rai!!!!

Leif-Rai!!!!

Leif-Rai!!!!"

I could almost swear that she was saying Leif Rai and not Left Right.

Every Single Student even the SS3 students marched accordingly. The ground shook as dust went up, the Uniformity was beautiful. It was either the Students loved marching or the Principal made it compulsory.

The new students were asked to march to the School Hall for Orientation.

I was still worried, I still hadn't seen Tolu. At this point I really felt like taking the issue to the School Authority.

*****

"Tolulope Adediji!!!" Senior Ima, the Senior Prefect screamed angrily as she entered the hall.

The School Prefects were asked to Organize us while we waited for the Staff Members so no Staff was in the Hall at that point.

I turned to search for Tolu, hoping she might have sneaked into the Congregation and she was okay, although I was a little bit scared for her.

Why was the Senior Prefect looking for her? What was it again? Tofunmi this Tofunmi that!

"Tolulope Adediji!!!"

Tolu shriveled up at the back of the congregation. Gosh! I was so happy to see her but scared at the same time.

Then I noticed something.....Tolu was crying again!

I hissed, I was not happy about this at all. It was just unfair. Why did they keep maltreating her because of what her Sister did?

"Come here!!" The Senior Prefect barked.

Tolu shriveled to the front of the hall.

"Tolulope Adediji!!

Mark my words; This should be the first and the last time you wash that gutter behind the laundry and under no circumstance should you serve any punishment you do not commit a crime for!!!

You are in no way Tofunmi Adediji so you should not be paying for her mistakes.

Have you heard me??!!!" The Senior Prefect screamed at Tolu.

"Yes Senior" Tolu said in between sobs.

That was when the Hall became noisy. The other Prefects got very angry.

"Who does Imabong think she is?" One said.

"What did she do when Tofunmi was bullying us?!!!" Another thundered.

"How dare Imabong disrespect us in front of the entire school?" A third one said.

"Then this battle line has already been drawn because Imabong can not try this kind of rubbish" A voice blotted out.

One even pulled Tolu and threatened,

"Tofunmi!! Let me advise you, you had better not be stupid!"

Why did they keep calling her Tofunmi?

The Prefects were extremely angry. I think Senior Imabong just made things worse. My heart began to bleed for my friend Tolu.

*****

I was filled with so much Joy when I discovered that Tolu and I were going to be in the same arm, JSS1 Tulip. I clutched on to her as I pulled her along to the class, I wanted us to get the front seats.

Our class was very beautiful, the wallpaper had Tulip flower designs all over it and the seats and lockers were painted purple. The lockers were standing at the back of the class, each row of the furniture was divided into three compartments(three lockers, one per Student) and we had air fresheners hung inside each of our lockers.

The Air conditioner at one end of the Class cooled the Atmosphere as the fan rotated with everything in it.

The Teacher already seated in the class ordered us to pick a seat which would be our permanent seats. He had introduced himself as Mr Adokiye, the form Teacher of JSS1 Tulip. He was tall, brown-skinned and with a little goatee.

I picked the the front seats close to the Teacher for Tolu and I but Tolu pleaded that I allow her sit just behind me. She didn't like to seat in front.

When we had finally picked our seats and lockers, I hugged Tolu affectionately,

"I'm really sorry that there is nothing I can do to help".

Her fake smile turned upside down,

"It's not your fault at all".

"Good Morning Girls!!" Our Teacher interrupted.

"Good Morning Teacher" We responded because we had been told during the Orientation to refer to our Teachers that way.

"Here we have a smooth Student-Teacher relationship so please refer to me as Mr A. and concerning your intonation while greeting, your Etiquette Teacher will fix that.

I'm sure The Rocks is being wonderful so far." He said.

This was quite interesting. We were already feeling more welcomed at the school block than at the Hostel.

"We would do little or no school work today so enjoy it while it lasts.

Let's start by introducing ourselves. I remain Mr A. What's your name?"

He pointed at me and I froze, I didn't like being the centre of attention at all. But my Seat was the first, the closest to his table.

"Don't be shy Miss. Get up and tell us your name." He cajoled.

I stood up shyly and fixed my eyes on my desk. I didn't want to look at my classmates and see that all their attention was on me. It could make me melt, I was already loosing my breathe.

"Chi..Chinemen..ma..ma Nneoma Ch..Charles" I stuttered almost under my breathe.

My Teacher laughed, he understood.

"What do we call you Miss?" He asked coming closer to me.

"Chinemenma" I said to only Him.

"Alright Girls, call her Chi-ye-m-ma" He spoilt my name.

What was it about the name that people found so hard to pronounce rightly?

"No Teacher!" I said out of reflex. He was taking aback and I was too. Did I just speak again when I had the chance not to?

"Did you say something?" He asked.

"Sir it's Chinemenma or Menma is easier" I spoke with my eyes still fixed on my desk.

"Alright then. We would call her Menma. Right Miss?" He looked at me for confirmation and I nodded.