Chapter 5. Lunch Time

Angella's POV

About three weeks into the term, everybody was talking about Katherine Adebowale, the new girl. She was certainly a chick in the boys eyes,and she was bright and doing well in class tests.

I sat at the table with my friends, Caroline and Elizabeth.

"She thinks she's better than everybody else" I said when Kate entered the hall with Elena and Temi.

"There's nothing special about her" Elizabeth said

"I think she's gorgeous" Caroline muttered

I glared at her

"Sorry" she apologized

"Everyone is talking about her.. Even most of the boys can't take their eyes off her. It like she had cast a spell on all of them" Elizabeth whispered

I hated the fact that she was getting too much attention from boys.

"Some of our classmates said she's snobbish. She hardly spoke to anyone,only Elena and Temi" Caroline said

"Emeka told me that she ignored him and Joseph when they tried to know her" Elizabeth said

"Joseph went to her? " I asked furiously

"Yes" she replied

Anger crashed over me at the mere imagination of Joseph talking to Kate.

"Hey.. Calm down girl. Joseph is yours" Elizabeth said

I tried to relax but I couldn't.

I watched her smile at Elena and Temi as they settled in their chairs to eat.

Katherine's POV

"Can I ask you something?" Elena said

"Of course" I replied

"Please don't be mad at me for this question.. " she said

"Sure" I responded

"Why do you hate Joseph?"

I glanced up at her

"I hardly know him" i said with a shrug.

Elena and Temi exchanged glances

"What made you think that I hate Joseph? "

I asked

"You hardly spoke to him" Elena said

"And you never gave him the chance to relate with you like us"

"Stop making it sound like i placed a placard on my head, saying I Hate Joseph" I said

Elena rolled her eyes

"I don't hate anyone. I'm here to mind my own business and read my books" I said and hoped the conversation would end.

"Hello Senior Kate" A soft voice said

Two girls settled in the empty chairs. Identical twins.

"Wow!" They exclaimed

"I admire you Senior Kate!"

One of the girls said. She had a pink hairband on her head while the other one had a blue band on.

I was a bit confused cause i haven't seen them before so exchanged glances with Elena.

"I'm Nora, and this is Cora" the same girl introduced

Nora and Cora.. Identical girls.

"It nice to sit here and talk to you!" Cora said happily

I gave them a half smile

"Oh! She smiled at us!" Nora gasped and gave Cora a high five.

"Nora.. Please we are eating.." Elena said

"Yes.. I know " she said and looked back at me

They both leaned forward on the table

"Perhaps.. Can we have your number?" Nora asked

"Oops! Sorry girls I don't have a cellphone" I said

They looked at each other

"Are you serious? " Nora asked with a wide eye

I nodded

"Why?" Cora said

"hmm..nothing"

"So.. How do you communicate with your boyfriend? " Nora said

"Pardon?"

"Ahm.. Sorry... I meant.. to say.. Friends!.. How do you chat your friends up.. Just to let them know you are doing fine" Nora said

"I don't have friends" I replied

"Are you human? " Cora asked

"Yes"

"But.. But.. How come you don't have a cellphone..and friends too?" Nora said

"What about them?" Nora pointed to Elena and Temi

"Hmm.. They are my classmates"

"Your classmates are your friends right?"

"I supposed so" i said with a shrug

Then they straightened up

"Why are you like this Senior Kate?"

Nora grumbled

"You don't want to give us your number.. And we want you to be our school mother" Cora said soberly

School Mother?

The image of Senior Faith flashed through my mind. She was my school Mother in Linda Girls College until Cynthia ruined everything.

"I don't think am the right person for you girls" I said

"Why? " Nora asked

Questions again.. These two girls never get tired of question asking.

"I'm new to the system of things here"

"It doesn't matter" Cora said

"Will you visit us at our place this weekend? We are free" Nora said

"I'm sorry Girls" I said

"You can leave now" Temi said with a frown on her face

The girls mumbled

"Bye Senior Kate" Nora waved as they both walked away

"Don't mind them..They can disturb for Africa" Elena said

"God saved you!" Temi said

"Why?"

"That you didn't give them your number or else the whole school won't rest. They will go about bragging to their classmates that they have your number" Elena said

"And soon Junior students will start calling you up to say Hi" Temi added

"That's silly" I said with a raised eyebrow

"Exactly" Elena said

"They are Joseph Siblings" Temi blurted after a long silence

Oh! i didn't expect that.. I never suspected it.

Thank Goodness I didn't give out my number to them.. Maybe it would be Joseph calling me if I had given them. That boy who thinks the world revolves around him.

It was free period for art students. The others in science and commercial department already left the class. I was alone. Elena and Temi had biology. Cullen was busy discussing football with some boys. Angella and her girls were busy on their phones. And I wished I had my cellphone with me too.

I decided to visit the library to read a book. I moved out of the class and headed to the library. And as I was about entering, i bumped into someone who was moving out.

"Sorry" the voice said

I recognized it.. Joseph.

We stared at each other for a moment.

"Hello.. Kate" he said

"Excuse me" I was almost leaving but he held my wrist. My gaze fell on his hand on me.

"Um.. Sorry" he apologized and withdrew

"Have I ever done anything to offend you? " he asked

"No" I replied

And walked off

I wasn't interested in reading a book at the library anymore.

Joseph keeps getting on my nerves!

What was he doing at the library when the other students are in the laboratory? Probably to fetch a textbook for a teacher?

So annoying!

On my way back to class I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and Jeffrey was there.

He stopped and stared at me. Seeing him was mortified by heat surging into my face. My heart raced at the sight of him. Earpiece was plugged into his ears with a phone in his right hand.

Jeffrey had a sour expression on his face, the same unhappy expression. He looked away from me and walked off. I stood on a spot and watched him as he went, his footsteps echoed in my ears.

Elena's POV

I undress and stand naked in front of the mirror, looking at myself critically. Hating everything about me, each time I found myself staring at the mirror. Always a plump, small eyed girl with short hair, plump chest and wide mouth and bowed legs. I don't like my silly legs.

I thought of Kate's beautiful slender legs and trim ankles. I looked at my own legs and ankles again.. Wrong! Altogether! Breast so silly looking which always embarrassed me anytime some boys at school glare at it. All of me.. Bloody silly looking!

I wish I was pretty like Kate!

Kate! Kate! Kate! Everyone's talking about Katherine Adebowale. She's now the prettiest girl in the Senior class and she was already causing commotion. Even Joseph, i knew he was besotted over her. I've caught him staring at her in class.

I thought of it over, I wondered why Kate disliked Joseph. It obvious she wasn't interested in being friends with him.. Maybe because he was Angella's Boyfriend. No I don't think she knows about their relationship.. I haven't told her yet.

Well.. Maybe Cullen told her?

I sighed

Angella has been giving Kate attitude because Kate was the talk of the school. No one wants to be in Angella's blackbook!

That poisonous Bitch! Always thinking she's better than everyone else.

I had been friends with Joseph since I was little. His mother and mine went to high school and college together. They've been friends for a whole lot of years.

I knew everything about him. Joseph was Bright, Sporty, Rowdy but not Rough. He was a nice person. He was never unkind.

"Elena is my bestfriend" he had always said each time Angella questioned him about our closeness. Angella was one of the most mean and unpleasant people I had ever known but Joseph sees her differently. Why?

He was blinded by love! He had been nuts about Ella since he was in Jss1.

Silly Boy!

I admire Joseph. Well, I must admit that I'm in love with him.

But what can I do? He is Angella's Boyfriend and he loves her!

I envied Kate when I caught Joseph staring at her. He has never looked me like that.

Suddenly I thought

Was Joseph in love with Kate?

If its a Yes, then what about me?

Nah it couldn't be!

I tried to put away such disturbing thoughts, I am not supposed to think about such thing. I'm not his type of girl.

"Sister.. Elena"

A knock came on my bedroom door. It was my little brother's voice.

"What do you want Kelvin?" I said loudly

I grabbed my nightgown and wore it. I went to the door.

"Corn.. Flakes" he grinned at me.

And I followed him to the kitchen to prepare him Cornflakes.