Chapter 11: Secrets and Surprises

The final bell rang, and with it, a collective sigh rose from every corner of the school. The Mathematics exam was over.

Some students walked out laughing too loudly. Others wore the hollow stare of defeat. But for Rita and Anne, it was the quiet in-between. Numb relief.

They met under the mango tree behind the school hall. Their unofficial refuge. Away from noise. Away from eyes.

Anne reached for Rita and hugged her tight.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I was gone. Completely gone."

Rita hugged her back. "You just froze. That drop of water—it brought you back. Like restarting a locked-up phone."

Anne gave a weak laugh. "I don't even remember reading the question. Just the panic."

They sat for a moment, not speaking. The heat had softened, the breeze carried the smell of chalk dust and mango leaves.

Then—

"Rita. Anne."

They turned.

Mrs. Owode.

She stood near the edge of the building, her arms folded, her eyes unreadable.

Rita's breath caught. Her body went still.

She saw. We're in trouble. Maybe worse.

"Follow me."

No scolding. No shouting. Just quiet authority. Somehow, that made it worse.

They followed her to the staffroom. The air smelled like paper, old tea, and tired teachers. She motioned to the bench outside and stood in front of them.

"I saw what happened," she said.

Anne opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

"I saw you pass a note during the exam. That alone could mean disqualification."

The blood drained from Rita's face. She clenched her fists.

"But I also saw something else."

They looked up, startled.

"I saw a girl—Anne—having a panic attack. I saw her hands shaking. Her eyes lost. I've seen that look before, too many times."

Anne's eyes welled up, but she blinked fast, pressing her lips together.

"And I saw another girl—Rita—trying to anchor her friend. Not feeding her answers. Not cheating. Just helping her remember what she already knew."

Mrs. Owode took off her glasses and cleaned them slowly.

"I'm not saying it was right. But I am saying—I understand."

Silence.

"I need you both to promise me something."

"Yes ma," they whispered together.

"No more notes. No more shortcuts. Believe in what you've studied. You're stronger than you think."

Rita nodded. "We promise."

Mrs. Owode gave the smallest smile. "Good. Go home. Rest. English is next, and if you want to survive Mrs. Olutunushi, you'll need your whole mind."

As they walked away, Anne wiped her cheek.

"That could've ruined everything."

"But it didn't," Rita said. "You're okay."

Anne gave a half-smile. "Because of you."

Rita just shook her head. "Because you didn't quit."

---

The next morning, Rita Class buzzed like a beehive.

"English has been moved to the afternoon!"

"What? I stayed up revising till 3 a.m.!"

Anne sat quietly, flipping through her notebook, trying to ignore the chatter.

Rita leaned over. "You okay?"

Anne nodded. "Yeah. Just... shaky. Like my body's still catching up."

Rita didn't push. She just stayed close.

A folded sheet made its way down the aisle. A parody song. Someone had turned Mrs. Olutunushi's fall into a full remix.

She fell like thunder, boom on the floor,

But stood like grammar, rising once more…

Half the class burst out laughing.

Rita rolled her eyes. "They really have no fear."

Anne smiled faintly. "Laughter's cheaper than therapy."

When the bell rang, silence settled like dust. Time for the next battle.

As students filed toward the exam hall, Rita touched Anne's shoulder.

"Whatever happens, we go in calm."

Anne took a deep breath and nodded.

No panic. No fear.

Just a quiet promise between friends.

They walked in, side by side.