The Heroine

It was early in the morning, and Bee was woken up by the phone. She picked up the phone in confusion and saw the name Samuel Adewale on the screen. She frowned upon seeing the name. He didn't show up last Saturday as planned and now he dares to call me. She complained inside.

" Samuel Adewale, give me ten good reasons why I should forgive you."

" Hey Bee," Samuel giggled nervously. " I know you're angry with me for not showing up as planned... something came up and... I'm sorry Bee, let me make it up to you"

" Hmmm. And how do you intend to do that?" Bee asked with one eyebrow raised.

" I will buy you lunch...and... okay, why don't you wait for me at the estate gate I will be there in ten minutes to pick you up so we can go to school together. How does that sound?"

" I'm not ready yet, I just woke up," Bee said yawning as she stressed lazily on the bed.

" What! Bee, it is seven thirty already" Bee turned to look at the alarm clock at the head of the bed, and it was seven thirty-one.

" Shit! I overslept" She said and hung up.

There was no time for her to fool around. She jumped out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed. When she went down the stairs, her mum and Benny were ready to have breakfast.

" Ekaaro ma!" Bee greeted her mum and pecked her brother on the cheek.

" Won't you have breakfast?" Betty asked.

" No mum, I'm running late already. Why didn't you guys wake me up?" Bee frowned when she said the last bit

" That was the reason we bought an alarm clock in the first place."

" Argh!" Bee quickly picked up a sandwich and walked to the door."

" How will you get to school Bee?" Betty called after her.

" My friend is coming to pick me up," Bee said as she walked out of the house.

Before she walked up to the gate, her phone rang. It was Sam.

" Hey, Sam." She said after she picked up.

" Bee where are you I'm at the estate gate."

" I'm almost...I can see your car." She said the last bit waving her hand in the air so Sam could see her.

" What happened, why did you wake up late as far as I know you are a morning person," Sam said as he opened the back door for her to enter.

" I didn't sleep on time yesterday. I was chatting with Susan on Wattsap all night." Bee said as she closed the door.

" You mean Susan James?"

Bee nodded " I will tell you all about it at school."

" Musa, let's go" Sam motioned for the driver to start the car.

" Nice car," Bee said eating her breakfast.

" Why didn't you eat it at home? look, your hair is a mess, you didn't tie it properly."

" I was in a hurry" Bee replied with food in her mouth. Sam stared at her while she eats.

" Bee, the sandwich looks delicious, can I have a bite?" Sam said his mouth watered.

Bee shot him a hard glare and he looked away embarrassed. Musa was watching them from the front mirror, he shook his head and muttered something under his breath.

*

After the morning assembly, as students trooped out of the hall, someone bumped into Bee, making her drop the books she was holding. It was Karen.

" Oh excuse me," said, Bee

" Oh sorry I didn't see you, insect" Karen said coldly and walked off with Celine and Sophia closely behind her, they giggled as they went.

" Witches!" Sam cursed and made a shooting motion after them.  Bee laughed.

" Don't mind them, Sam, let's go to class" Said Bee as she bent down to pick up her books.

" I hate those girls, Sam said staring after them. " I thought Celine was different from them, last semester, she bought me a cup of my favorite Vallina ice cream and she even said I was cute." Sam sighed " I guess I was wrong maybe she wasn't in her right state of mind back then."

" Hmmm. Is there something I should know?" Bee slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

" I don't know what you're talking about" Sam shrugged his shoulders.

Suddenly, they heard a loud thump, and students rushed to see what is going on. It was a senior who had fainted. A group of students gathered around the girl and some seniors were already panicking.

" Carry him! Someone should call a teacher!" Someone cried.

" Stop! Move aside and give him room for air." It was Bee. She pushed through the crowd and knelt beside the girl. She felt his neck.

Everyone was watching her, some seniors were murmuring, " what do she think she is doing?"

Bee tilts the girl's head upwards a little. Then she opened her mouth wide.

" Please, I need assistance," she said but no senior was willing to help. Not long, a junior boy came forward and said, " what do you want me to do?"

" Put your arms straight like this and press her chest here." She said pointing to the girl's sternum " press hard and fast. Do so thirty times and then I'll breathe into her mouth twice. While someone gets a teacher or calls an ambulance."

They repeated the motion a few times until suddenly the girl spluttered. Everyone gasped in surprise.

" Turn her over. Let's Carry her to the school clinic.

Bee stood up with pride like a Heroine. A lot of people stared at her with admiration, especially the junior students.

                        *

Soon everyone was talking about Bee Foster, the new girl who saved a girl's life. Some junior students nicked named her 'L.S.H's Heroine' even some seniors started warming up to her. Teachers praised her because she was surprisingly bright, and doing well in class tests.

On the last day of the tests, Bee walked into the School corridor after the morning assembly. As usual, all eyes were on her but this time they were all looking at her with admiration except for Karen and her gangs who sneered at her.

" Bee, do you mind if we get your contact so we can chat on Wattsap?"

" Bee, are you free this weekend so we can hang out?"

" Bee, your hair is nice can you connect me to your stylist?"

Soon a lot of people crowded around her. Bee was overwhelmed. These were the same people who sneered at her now they want to befriend her. The irony of life.

" Maybe L.H.S isn't bad after all" Bee muttered under her breath.

In a corner, Karen and her friends were watching Bee with jealousy and hate in their eyes.

" Karen we have to think of something and fast. This new girl is getting all the attention, of boys, girls, and even the teachers. Her name is everywhere. She is driving me nuts" Sophia said in anger.

" Why? Is it because she performed a simple surgery on that girl..."

" It's not surgery Karen but resuscitation. It's called CPR; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I see it in movies."

" I don't care what it is called. I hate that insect. Argh!" Karen yelled out in frustration. " No one can take my place, not even you, insect. Enjoy your 30 minutes fame while you can because it won't last for long." Karen said and laughed. She laughed like a maniac. Her angelic face looked scary at the moment. It frightened Sophia and Celine.

" What do you plan on doing now?" Celine asked frightened.

" When the time comes, I will let you know. She will wish for nothing else than to leave L.H.S just like her look-alike, Susan James." Her mouth raised in a vicious smirk.

*

" Good morning class, as you all know this is the final day of the tests. I hope you do your best. Good luck." Mrs. Robinson said before she started disturbing the question papers and answer booklets. She is their physics teacher.

" You have an hour to finish up, and remember, don't let me catch you with any expo." She said firmly. She walked to the door and stood at the entrance watching them with larger eyeballs. The light-skinned lady of about forty years was very vigilant and smart no one dared to do anything funny. Although she was plump she was pretty agile. Today she wore a blue long sleeve over black trousers with a pair of black heels. She looked smart in her outfit.

The entire hall was silent everyone was focused. Some students were chewing on their pens others were scratching their heads and some were staring at the ceiling fan. Only a few were writing including Bee. Samuel was among those who were chewing on their pen. He didn't study for the physics test. Bee forced him to read alongside her, but he refused. Now he is paying the price for his unseriousness.

He looked at Bee who is sitting beside him, he wanted to ask for assistance when Mrs. Robinson called him out and asked him to sit with Favour, the dullest girl in science class. Samuel almost cried out when the teacher asked him to sit next to Favour. As the saying goes,' if a blind man should lead another blind man, they will both fall into a pit '. There was no hope for him.

In the back seat, Karen and Sophia were staring at the ceiling. They didn't study. To be honest, Karen never studies. She hates it. She believes she can always cheat her way through.

When Mrs. Robinson was not looking in her direction, She fished out a piece of paper from her pocket. It was an expo. She had written all the answers on it. She has been doing that throughout the tests. Slowly, she opened the paper and started writing from it. She and Sophia.

" What is going on there?".Mrs. Robinson's deep voice almost like that of a male rang throughout the classroom and everyone froze. Karen quickly threw the paper into Rachel's seat that was in front of her. She compelled her to accept the entire blame.

" If you don't do as I say, I will make your life miserable." She whispered to Rachel. The poor girl nodded helplessly.

Mrs. Robinson walked up to where Karen was and said,

" Give me that Paper you were holding," she said firmly. But Karen was not frightened she remained calm.

" I don't have any paper with me, if you don't believe me you can check for confirmation." Karen stood up and turn around so Mrs. Robinson can check her. After checking her she didn't find anything on her. She was confused.

" If you weren't the one holding the paper I saw then who was? Because I know I saw someone holding a piece of paper from this angle." She said scratching her wig. " Okay then maybe I was mistaken." She said and turned to leave.

" Why don't you check Rachel Ma," Karen said.

Mrs. Robinson turned back and asked Rachel to stand up. The poor girl was shaky as she stood up and the piece of paper fell from her uniform. The teacher was crossed. She tore Rachel's booklet and asked her to get out of the class. Rachel glanced at Karen who didn't feel remorseful instead she sneered at her. Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she walked out. Everyone felt sorry for her. She was one of the bright students in SS3A some people wondered why she did it. Maybe she didn't study for the test which is why she decided to cheat. They concluded within themselves. Some persons had their doubts they believed Karen had something to do with it, but sadly there was no proof to back their suspicion.

Rachel was suspended for two weeks and asked to retake the test when she resumes.

*

At the cafeteria, Bee and Sam sat opposite each other eating their lunch.

" How was the physics test?" Bee asked and Sam frowned.

" I don't want to think about it" Sam murmured. " Can we just eat lunch and not talk about today's test." He said as he munched on the huge burger in his hands. Bee smiled and continue eating her lunch of jollof rice and chicken. It was her favorite.

" That reminds me, Bee, where did you learn that from?" Sam asked.

" Learn what?"

" That thing you did on that girl the other day. I've been meaning to ask you but something always comes up and makes me forget."

Bee smiled and said, " It is called Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. My mum is a nurse and I did volunteer at the Hospital for one month last summer. Besides that, I have been attending refresher courses with my mum. So I'm used to stuff like that.

" You were cool back there Bee, at first they thought you would make a fool of yourself but then... you're super awesome Bee. And I'm proud to be your friend. Heroine!" Sam said and threw her a friendly punch across the table.

Bee laughed and said,

" Let the name of the Lord be praised."

Shortly, Celine walked past them and Sam started after her lustfully.

" Samuel Adewale!" Bee snapped her finger in front of his eyes and she jerked back to reality.

" Why were you staring at her like that? Don't tell me you like her" Bee giggled.

" Naw, she is not my type." Samuel shrugged his shoulders and said.

" If you like her, then approach her." Said, Bee. Sam didn't reply, he lower his head and continue eating his burger. He wanted to but he was afraid of being rejected.