St. Theresa's didn't look like a school. It looked like a five-star hotel that accidentally got a license to teach calculus.

The main building gleamed with polished marble floors that reflected the soft glow of recessed ceiling lights. Gold trim ran along the cream-colored walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto manicured gardens where staff in crisp white uniforms trimmed hedges into perfect curves. The air conditioning hummed at 16 degrees, quiet enough that you could hear the scratch of pens on paper from three rows away.

Inside, the controlled chaos of first-day energy hummed.

Students in navy blazers with gold crest embroidery moved between desks that were solid oak, not the wobbly metal ones you saw in other schools. Water bottles were steel, engraved with names. No one was shouting, but the room vibrated with low chatter, laughter, the rustle of uniform fabric.

"Alright, settle down, 2B!"

Mrs. Okoro's voice cut through it cleanly. She was 41, sharp in a tailored skirt-suit, hair in a neat bun, eyes that missed nothing. She didn't need to raise her voice twice in this school.

The room quieted instantly.

"Before we begin, we have two new students joining us this term. They transferred from Kebbi last week." She turned to the door and smiled. "Come in, you two."

The door opened with a soft hiss.

Praise and Esther Adeleke stepped in together.

They were twins. Same height, same deep brown eyes, same sharp jawline inherited from their father. But standing side by side, they looked like two different answers to the same question.

Praise walked in like he owned the air. Blazer buttoned, tie knotted, hair cut low and clean. His posture was easy, shoulders relaxed, eyes scanning the room with quiet confidence. He had the kind of presence that made people look up without knowing why.

Esther walked half a step behind him. Blazer buttoned to the top, tie straight, hair in a low bun without a strand out of place. Her eyes were down, focused on the floor like it might move if she looked away. She clutched her bag with both hands, knuckles slightly white.

Mrs. Okoro gestured to the front. "Class, this is Praise Adeleke and his twin sister, Esther. Please introduce yourselves."

Praise stepped forward first, hands in his pockets.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm Praise. I play football badly. Nice to meet you."

A ripple of laughter went through the room. Already, half of 2B was on his side. Esther stepped forward, voice quieter.

"Good morning. I'm Esther. I like reading and... quiet places."

She stopped there, cheeks pink. She wanted the floor to swallow her.

Mrs. Okoro smiled kindly. "Thank you both. Praise, you can take the seat beside Tobi in the middle row. Esther, there's an empty seat at the back by the window."

Esther nodded and moved toward the back without looking up. Her steps were careful, like she didn't want to disturb the air.

Praise glanced at the middle row, saw Tobi waving him over, then looked forward.

At the front, second seat from the left, sat Chloe Ada. She wasn't looking around. She had her notebook open, pen in hand, already reading ahead in the English textbook. Her hair was in two low plaits, blazer sleeves rolled once, neatly at the cuffs. She had that stillness about her-like she'd rather be anywhere else than in the middle of attention.

Praise didn't know her name yet. But he knew the seat beside her was empty.

He walked to Mrs. Okoro's desk.

"Excuse me, Ma."

Mrs. Okoro raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Praise?"

"I focus better in front," he said quietly. "Can I sit beside her? I promise I won't distract her."

Mrs. Okoro followed his gaze to Chloe's seatmate, Damilare, who was already grinning like he'd won the lottery.

Damilare shot to his feet. "Ma, I can move! I actually sit better at the back. More space for my legs."

Mrs. Okoro sighed. She'd seen this before. New boy, front-row girl, it was a pattern. But Praise didn't seem cocky about it. He seemed... intentional.

"Fine," she said. "But if your grades slip, you're back to the middle row. Switch seats."

Damilare grabbed his bag and practically jogged to the back, sliding into the seat beside Esther. Esther looked up, startled, and gave him a small, polite nod.

Praise took the seat beside Chloe without a word. He set his bag down, pulled out his notebook, and opened it to a clean page.

Chloe glanced at him once. "Hi," she said quietly.

Praise smiled. "Hi."

That was it. The lesson started. For 40 minutes, Praise acted like Chloe wasn't there. He answered questions when called, took notes in neat, spaced handwriting, borrowed a pen from Esther when his ran out. He didn't glance at her. Didn't lean over to ask her name again. Didn't try to be funny.

But Chloe felt him there. The way his pen tapped twice when he was thinking. The way he shifted when the AC hit too cold. The way he didn't try to talk to her, which was weird. Most new boys tried too hard on day one.

When the bell rang, Mrs. Okoro dismissed them.

"Praise, Esther, stay behind for a minute. I'll show you the staff room and go over your timetable."

Esther waited by the door, still quiet. Praise followed Mrs. Okoro out, but not before glancing back once at Chloe. Chloe didn't notice. She was already packing up, efficient, practiced.

10:20am - Break Time, Field Walkway

St. Theresa's had a rule: no phones during break unless you were in the library. But students actually break that rule. So, people actually talked.

The field walkway was a long stretch of pale stone lined with mango trees and wrought-iron benches. On one side was the football field, perfectly trimmed. On the other, the senior science labs with glass walls you could see through.

Praise and Esther walked slowly, not talking much. Esther was taking it all in. The size, the quiet confidence of the students, the way no one stared at her like she was an exhibit.

"It's big," she said finally.

Praise nodded. "Yeah. But you'll get used to it. Just don't talk to any girl who smiles too much in the first week. They're either in student council or trouble."

Esther frowned. "That's mean."

Praise grinned. "I'm joking. Mostly."

They passed the football field. Praise waved at two guys from 2A who nodded back. He'd learned their names in 10 minutes.

Esther didn't say anything. She wasn't bad with people. She just needed time to warm up. Halfway down the walkway, Praise stopped.

Chloe was sitting alone on a bench under a mango tree, earphones in, reading something on her tablet. Her blazer was off, draped over the bench beside her. She looked smaller like this, less like the girl who sat ramrod straight in class.

Esther noticed him stop. "You know her?"

Praise shook his head. "No. But I sit beside her."

He started walking toward her before Esther could answer. Esther stayed behind, watching.

Chloe looked up when Praise stopped in front of her. She pulled one earphone out.

"Oh. Hi."

Praise smiled. "Hi. I'm Praise. We sit together."

Chloe blinked. "Right. Chloe."

"Can I?" Praise said pointing the bench Chloe was sitting on.

"Yeah" she said, taking away her blazer on the bench

Praise sat on the edge of the bench, leaving space between them.

"So, what's the deal with this place? Do teachers actually check if your tie is straight, or is that just for the website photos?"

Chloe smiled, small.

"They check. Mrs. Okoro has eyes in the back of her head. Also, don't wear your blazer wrong on Wednesdays. The head boy patrols."

Praise laughed. "See? This is why I came to talk to you. I need a guide."

Chloe closed her tablet. "I'm not a guide."

Praise shrugged. "You're sitting here alone reading during break. That makes you a guide."

Chloe rolled her eyes, but she didn't look annoyed.

"What do you want to know?"

Praise leaned back, hands behind his head.

"Everything. Who's fast on the field? Who gives the most homework? Where's the best place to hide if you skip assembly? The important stuff."

Chloe laughed.

"You're not skipping assembly on your first week."

Praise grinned. "Not saying I will. Just asking."

For the next ten minutes, Chloe talked.

She told him Tobi was fast but lazy. She told him Mr. Adebanjo gave surprise tests every Friday. She told him the library was the safest place during assembly if you had a note.

She told him about Fiyin, her best friend, who talked too much in class. She told him about Sharon, who sat with Fiyin and had a temper but was fiercely loyal.

Praise listened. Really listened. He didn't interrupt. He didn't try to one-up her. He just nodded, asked a follow-up question here and there.

Esther watched from a distance. She saw her brother lean forward when Chloe talked about the library. She saw Chloe stop fidgeting with her pen when Praise asked a question.

"Alright," Praise said, standing up suddenly.

Chloe looked up. "What?"

Praise stretched out his hand to her.

"If you're my guide, you should show me around. Properly. Come on."

Chloe stared at his hand.

"I'm not done with my break."

Praise wiggled his fingers.

"Break's over in five minutes. You can read on the move."

Chloe hesitated. It was stupid. She didn't do this. She didn't just get up and follow new boys around. But Praise wasn't asking like the other boys. He wasn't trying to impress her. He was asking like he actually needed her help.

She sighed and put her tablet in her bag.

"Fine. But if Mrs. Okoro catches us, I'm saying you dragged me."

Praise grinned and took her hand to help her up. "Deal."

His hand was warm. Calloused a little from football.

Chloe pulled her hand back quickly and adjusted her blazer.

"Let's go."

Esther watched them walk away, Chloe pointing toward the science block, Praise nodding and asking questions. She didn't feel jealous.

She felt relieved. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad if Praise had someone to talk to.

10:35am - Science Block Corridor

The science block was quieter. The air smelled faintly of chemicals and old textbooks. Chloe pointed as they walked.

"That's the chem lab. Don't sit at table 3. The stool wobbles and Mr. Bello will blame you even if it breaks on its own."

"That's Mr. Bello's office. If you hear him laughing, hide. It means someone's in trouble."

"That's the staff toilets. Don't use them. The head teacher checks the logs."

Praise nodded, absorbing it all.

"You know a lot for someone who looks like you just read books all day."

Chloe glanced at him. "I watch. It's easier than talking."

Praise stopped walking.

"Why?"

Chloe shrugged.

"People say dumb things. Easier to listen first."

Praise studied her for a second.

"You're not wrong."

They reached the back of the science block, where there was a small courtyard with a stone fountain. It was quiet there. Most students didn't know about it.

Chloe sat on the edge of the fountain.

Praise sat beside her, not too close.

For a minute, neither of them spoke.

The sound of the water was soft, drowning out the distant noise of the field.

Praise broke it.

"So... why'd you sit alone?"

Chloe picked at a loose thread on her blazer. "Don't like crowds. Too much noise."

Praise nodded. "Me too. But I fake it well."

Chloe looked at him. "You don't seem like you're faking."

Praise smiled. "Good actor."

Chloe almost smiled back. "Maybe."

The bell rang in the distance. Break was over. Praise stood up and stretched.

"Alright, tour guide. Thanks."

Chloe stood up too, brushing her skirt. "Don't call me that."

Praise grinned. "Why not? You did a good job."

Chloe didn't answer. She just started walking back toward the main building.

Praise followed, hands in his pockets.

"Hey, Chloe?"

She glanced back. "Yeah?"

"If I have a question in class, can I ask you?"

Chloe thought about it, then nodded.

"Yeah. But don't ask me too much question and about football. I don't care."

Praise laughed. "Deal."

They walked back together, not talking much. But it didn't feel awkward. It felt... easy. Esther was waiting by the 2B door when they got back. She saw them and said nothing, but she noticed how Chloe's shoulders were less tense than before.

Praise went to his seat. Chloe went to hers. The lesson started. And for the first time since they met, Praise didn't act like Chloe wasn't there. He glanced at her once when Mr. Bello asked a question he didn't know.

Chloe saw it and mouthed the answer. Praise answered correctly. Mrs. Okoro nodded.

"Good, Praise."

Chloe looked back at her notebook and smiled, just a little. Outside, the gardens were still perfect. Inside, something small and new had started.

The class ended. Mr. Bello told Praise to borrow a note from anyone so he could keep up with the class. Praise borrowed Chloe's note, but Charlotte walked over, took it from his desk, and dropped it on the floor.

"Oops. Sorry", she said, intentionally doing what she just did. Chloe was vexed at that but she didn't want to talk to avoid trouble, and Praise was also surprised.

"I think mine is better", she said, just dropping her note on the desk. "She doesn't have good handwriting, mine is better". Praise picked Chloe's note from the floor where Charlotte had dropped it.

"I think it's better, at least, I can still see what she's writing" Praise said, smiling. Though he didn't mean the smile.

Charlotte was angry, not at Praise, but that the fact that he had to choose Chloe's note, not hers.

"Ok, it's fine" Charlotte replied. Chloe on her own part knowing fully well what Charlotte was going to say next, already stylishly covered her ears.

"I'm Charlotte, the Managing Director's daughter, and I'm most brilliant student in the class", Charlotte said stretching out her hand for a handshake. Immediately, Chloe coughed, knowing that Charlotte just dropped a bomb, 'lies.

"Excuse me!", Charlotte said facing Chloe.

"Sorry", Chloe quickly said adjusting herself. She didn't want to have anything to do with Charlotte.

"As I was saying", she continued "I'm the MD's daughter and you are?"

"I'm Praise", he said.

"Hmmm, nice name, Praise. So welcome to class 2B, feel free to ask me questions whenever you don't understand anything". Charlotte said now standing straight. "So, when can we meet, today?"

"Huh, maybe closing." Praise said randomly.

He actually didn't like Charlotte first appearance but just pretended he loved her company, since he was just new and wouldn't want to act wrongly.

"Ok, that's fine by me", Charlotte said. Hands back, turning from left to right like a cartoon princess always do.

Closing period

Closing period at St. Theresa's didn't feel like the end of the day. It felt like the school exhaling.

The marble floors were still spotless despite hundreds of shoes walking on them for eight hours. The air conditioning had dialed down to a softer hum. Outside the glass walls, gardeners in white uniforms were already adjusting sprinklers for the evening. The senior building across the quad glowed gold in the late sun.

Inside 2B, chairs were being pushed in, Notes closed, blazers straightened. The day was done.

Chloe was packing slowly. She always packed slowly. Notebook in first, then tablet, then water bottle. Fiyin was beside her, chatting about the weekend drama club rehearsal.

Sharon was leaning against the desk behind them, arms folded, watching the door. She'd been quiet all day, which meant she was either planning something or trying not to.

That's when the corridor went quiet. Not silent. Just... quieter. Charlotte walked in.

She didn't storm. Charlotte never stormed. She walked like she owned the air she moved through. Blazer buttoned, tie perfect, hair in a neat bun, heels clicking softly on marble. But her eyes were sharp. Fixed on Chloe.

The class noticed. Conversations dropped to whispers. Chloe looked up. Her hand froze halfway to her bag zipper. Charlotte stopped in front of Chloe's desk. She didn't sit. She didn't smile.

"Chloe Ada," she said. Her voice was calm. Too calm. "We need to talk."

Fiyin straightened. "Talk about what?"

Sharon didn't move. But her eyes narrowed.

Charlotte ignored Fiyin. Her eyes stayed on Chloe.

"Why did he choose you?"

Chloe frowned. "What?"

"Praise," Charlotte said. "Why did Praise choose to sit next to you on his first day? Out of five seats. Why you?"

The corridor went still. Even the AC seemed louder.

Chloe blinked. "He asked Mrs. Okoro. I didn't tell him to sit there."

Her voice was steady, but her fingers gripped her notebook.

Charlotte stepped closer. One step. Then another.

"You didn't tell him?" She laughed, soft and bitter. "Please. Girls like you don't get chosen by accident."

Fiyin stood up. "Charlotte, what's your problem?"

"Stay out of this, Fiyin," Charlotte snapped without looking at her.

Sharon shifted her weight.

Charlotte's voice dropped lower. "You think I don't see it? Since he came, you've been acting like you're special. Talking to him during break. Walking with him. Smiling at him in class." She paused. Then her eyes flashed. "You used something on him, didn't you? Witchcraft."

The word landed like a slap. Chloe jerked back like she'd been hit.

"What?! He was the one who came to meet me during break"

Charlotte's chin lifted. "Don't act innocent. I know your type. Quiet. Sweet. Reads books. But underneath, you're manipulative. You put something in his food? In his pen? You made him forget me?"

Chloe stood up, hands shaking. "That's not true! I don't even, I've never, Charlotte, I don't do that!"

But Charlotte was already taking over her. "You don't think I see it? My mother warned me about girls like you. You come from nothing and you latch onto boys who have"

"Enough." Sharon stepped forward. One word. Low. Final.

Charlotte turned to her. "This doesn't concern you, Sharon."

"It does now, do you think I'll just stand there and allow you bully my sister" Sharon said. She moved until she was standing beside Chloe, shoulder to shoulder. "You're standing in our class, accusing my sister of witchcraft. In St. Theresa's. Do you hear how stupid that sounds?"

"Did you just called me stupid" Charlotte barked at her.

"I didn't. But if you think I said that, then that's probably who you are."

Charlotte's eyes flicked to her. "You don't know her like I do"

"I know you," Sharon cut in. "Why won't I know my sister very well. I know you've been watching Praise since morning like he's your property. He's not. He sat where he wanted. That's it." Her voice already getting hard.

Chloe tried to speak, voice trembling. "Charlotte, please. I didn't do anything. I just answered his questions. He was new"

"Stop lying!" Charlotte's voice cracked. "You're lying and you know it!"

She reached out like she wanted to grab Chloe's blazer. Sharon caught her wrist.

"Don't touch her. If you know what is good for you."

For a second, no one breathed. Then Charlotte yanked her hand back. "Get your hands off me!"

"You get your mouth off her!" Sharon shot back.

Fiyin was already moving, standing between them. "Guys, stop! People are watching!"

They were. 2B was a circle of phones half-raised, eyes wide, mouths open. Some looked scared. Some looked thrilled. This was better than gossip. This was live.

Charlotte's face went red. "You think you can protect her? She's using him! She's"

"Charlotte Okunade."

The voice cut through everything. Everyone turned.

Mrs. Okoro stood at the classroom door. She hadn't raised her voice. She didn't need to. The room froze.

Mrs. Okoro walked in slowly, heels clicking on marble. Her face was unreadable. But her eyes swept over all three girls, taking in Chloe's shaking hands, Charlotte's flushed face, Sharon's protective stance.

"What," she said quietly, "is happening here?"

No one answered for three seconds. Then Charlotte spoke, fast.

"Ma, she used witchcraft on Praise. I saw her. She's been manipulating him since he came. I was just confronting her."

Mrs. Okoro didn't blink.

"Witchcraft," she repeated. Flat.

Chloe's eyes filled with tears. "Ma, I didn't. I swear. She's lying. I've never I don't know anything about that. He just asked me questions because I'm his seatmate."

Sharon stepped forward, voice firm.

"Ma, Charlotte came in here and started accusing her for no reason. Chloe didn't do anything. She was just packing her bag. Charlotte said she used witchcraft. That's not fair."

Mrs. Okoro looked at Sharon, then at Chloe, then at Charlotte.

The silence stretched. Outside, the sprinkler system hissed to life.

Finally, Mrs. Okoro spoke.

"Charlotte. Come to my office. Now."

Charlotte opened her mouth.

"Now," Mrs. Okoro repeated.

Charlotte's lips pressed into a thin line. She threw one last look at Chloe half hate, half something else, something hurt and walked out without a word.

Mrs. Okoro turned to the class. "Everyone else, go home. Now. This is not entertainment."

Chairs scraped. Bags were grabbed. No one met anyone's eyes. The class emptied in under a minute.

Mrs. Okoro turned to Chloe and Sharon.

"You two. With me."

Discipline Office

The office smelled like lemon cleaner and old paper. The walls were lined with books and framed awards. A large window looked out onto the quad.

Charlotte sat in one chair, arms crossed, staring at the floor. Chloe sat in another, twisting her hands in her lap. Sharon stood, refusing to sit.

Mrs. Okoro closed the door and sat behind her desk.

"Charlotte," she said. "Explain yourself. Without the word 'witchcraft.'"

Charlotte didn't look up.

"She took him from me."

"No," Mrs. Okoro said. "Praise is not an object you can lose. He chose his seat. That's his right."

Charlotte's voice cracked. "But he never looked at me even for once. Now he talks to her. He laughs with her. He"

"That's called friendship," Mrs. Okoro said. "And if you have a problem with it, you speak to Praise. Not by humiliating Chloe in front of her classmates."

Chloe wiped her eyes quickly. She has a soft heart and mood swing.

"Ma, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Mrs. Okoro softened when she looked at her. "Chloe, you did nothing wrong. You don't owe anyone an apology for existing."

Then she looked at Sharon.

"And you. Thank you for stepping in. But next time, call a teacher first. I know you were protecting your cousin, but physical confrontation is not the answer."

Sharon nodded. "Yes, Ma."

Mrs. Okoro sighed and turned to Charlotte.

"Charlotte, I'm giving you a formal warning. If I hear one more word about 'witchcraft' or any other baseless accusation from you, your parents will be called and you'll face the consequences. Do you understand me?"

Charlotte nodded once; jaw tight. But she had in mind that nothing could happen to her as long as her father is the Managing director.

"Good," Mrs. Okoro said. "Chloe, Sharon, you're dismissed. Charlotte, stay."

Chloe stood up slowly. Sharon touched her shoulder once before they left.

As the door closed behind them, Chloe exhaled like she'd been holding her breath for an hour.

Sharon didn't say anything for a minute. Then: "You okay?"

Chloe shook her head. "No. Why would she say that? Witchcraft? People don't even believe that anymore."

Sharon's voice was quiet. "They do when they're scared. And she's scared, Chloe. She's scared of losing."

Chloe looked at her. "I'm not trying to take anyone."

"I know," Sharon said. "That's why I stepped in."

They walked down the corridor in silence. The marble reflected the gold light from outside. The school was still beautiful. Still luxurious.

But for the first time, Chloe saw the cracks in it. And Sharon walked beside her, like she always would.

The second day at St. Theresa's Academy. The high view of students walking to their classrooms before assembly starts.

The school gate had barely opened when the morning breeze was already pressing down, thick and peaceful, like it knew it was going to be a good day.

Chloe adjusted her blazer and walked through with Sharon trailing three steps behind, bag slung over one shoulder, jaw already set in that way it got when she was in a mood.

"Don't start today". Chloe said quietly, not even looking back. "Second day. We don't need drama".

Sharon didn't answer. She just kicked a loose stone along the path until it bounced off the flowerbed.

"I'm not starting anything" she muttered. "I'm finishing it."

That was the problem.

Latin class, Room 2B

Mr. Adebanjo was already at the board, board marker in his hands, writing out Amo, amas, amat like it was the most important thing in the world.

Fiyin was in the seat beside Chloe, hunched over her notebook, scribbling furiously and getting half of it wrong. She'd been struggling with declensions since last term, and today was worse because her pen had run dry and was borrowing Chloe's.

"Chloe," she whispered. "What's the ablative plural of puella again?"

Chloe sighed but she leaned over. "Puellis. Two L's. Two E's. You keep forgetting the double."

She said it quietly, just enough for her to hear. Mr. Adebanjo was facing the board, droning about Cicero's use of the ablative in De Oratore.

Across the aisle, Charlotte was watching. She'd been watching Chloe since assembly and jealous of always seeing Praise around her. Because her father was the Managing Director of the school's board, and she acted like it gave her jurisdiction over everyone's behavior.

Charlotte leaned over to her friend and whispered loud enough for half the class to hear: "She's giving her answers. She's copying her homework."

Chloe didn't react. She didn't have to. Fiyin had actually done the home work last night. She just couldn't remember the endings.

But Sharon heard it.

Sharon had been transferred to St. Theresa's two terms ago after an issue at her old school. She sat two rows behind Chloe, quiet, observant, and with a fuse that was shorter than a matchstick when it came to her family.

She stood up.

"Charlotte," she said, voice clear and even, "you don't know what you're talking about. Fiyin didn't copy. Chloe was helping her before class. I was there."

The room went still. Mr. Adebanjo stopped writing mid-amat and turned slowly, marker still in hand.

Did I give you permission to speak, Miss?" he asked.

"No, sir," Sharon said. "But I gave myself permission to tell the truth."

Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "Telling the truth? Or defending your cousin because you can't handle it when someone else is right?"

That was the spark

"You know what?" Nifemi, one of their class members shouted from behind where he was seating "You just like to cause unnecessary problem whenever there's peace."

Charlotte looked at him from where he was sitting. Hands crossed, ready to attack without hesitation.

Nifemi continued "I've been watching you since even from the assembly period. You just give this attitude of hatred to her, and now you're trying to put them in trouble by lying saying something you didn't understand just to please yourself for something stupid" he said expressing himself.

"Mr. are you done?", Charlotte said as a tackle. "And how did you know it was Chloe I was giving that attitude to?", she said moving aside from her desk. "Or are you having a crush on her that you're also trying to defend them. Dog." The whole class went quiet as she dropped the bomb.

Mr. Adebanjo's face went red. "That's enough. The 4 of you. Outside. Now."

Chloe opened her mouth to explain, but Mr. Adebanjo cut her off with a sharp look. "You too, Chloe. Helping without permission is still cheating in this classroom."

Fiyin looked mortified. "Sir, I"

"Outside," Mr. Adebanjo said again.

So, the five of them ended up in the hallway: Chloe, her cousin, Nifemi, Fiyin and Charlotte. The door closed behind them with a heavy thud that echoed down the corridor.

The Hallway

The hallway was empty except for the janitor mopping at the far end and the sound of Mr. Adebanjo's voice still muffled through the door.

Charlotte crossed her arms. "You think you're tough because your cousin is here to back you up?"

Chloe stepped forward, keeping her voice level. "Charlotte, I was literally helping Fiyin with Latin. You turned it into something else because you don't like me."

"Because you act like you're better than everyone," Charlotte shot back. "Because you think rules don't apply to you."

"Why would you even think of that, I don't act like that. I follow rules and I don't put myself into trouble and I know the right to thing to do whenever everything seems wrong," Chloe cut in right immediately she landed.

"Please, can you keep quiet. You're spitting, don't think you're talking.

Sharon had enough. "And you think because your father owns half this school, you can call people cheaters without proof and call people bad names?"

"Like she called me a dog" Nifemi interrupted, he was still angry at that statement.

"That's called bullying, Charlotte. Not discipline." Fiyin said from the corner she stood.

Charlotte's face went pale. Then she sneered. "At least I have home training. Unlike some people who were kicked out of their last school for fighting."

Sharon moved before she thought. One step forward. One sharp breath. "Say that again."

"Set of Twerps." Charlotte said, under her breath, but Sharon had heard it and thrown it right back, louder, loud enough for every class in that hallway to hear it. "You're the one who's a twerp, it's your father that is a twerp. Charlotte. And you're a liar."

That did it.

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears, not because she was hurt, but because she knew exactly what to do with it. She turned on her heel and marched toward the administrative block without another word.

Mr. Adebanjo opened the door just in time to use it. "What did you just call her?"

Her cousin didn't back down. "A twerp, sir. Because that's what she called us first and that is what people like her is when she lies to get people in trouble."

Mr. Adebanjo's jaw tightened. "To the principal's office. All of you. Now."

Chloe felt her stomach drop. This wasn't just detention anymore. This was a suspension waiting to happen.

The Principal's Office

The principal's office smelled like newly furnished polish. The A/c blew cool breeze; the whole room was cool.

The principal, Mr. Williams, sat behind his desk, laptop on beside his on the desk.

Charlotte was sitting in the corner, dabbing her eyes with tissue she didn't really need.

Mr. Williams looked at Sharon first. "Do you know why you're here, young lady?"

"Because I spoke up," Sharon said. "Because I defended my cousin and Fiyin when Charlotte accused them of cheating."

"And because you insulted the Managing Director indirectly," Mr. Williams said smoothly. His voice was calm, but it had an edge that made the room colder.

"It was the truth," Sharon said.

"The truth," Mr. Williams repeated, like he was tasting the word and didn't like it. "The truth is, Miss, that you have a history of insubordination. The truth is that your life from your previous school mentioned 'aggressive behavior.' And the truth is that we do not tolerate disrespect at St. Theresa's. Not toward staff. Not toward other students. Not toward the MD's daughter or any of the Board of management member's children."

Chloe couldn't stay silent anymore. "Sir, with respect, Charlotte started it. She accused Fiyin

Mr. Adebanjo held up a hand. "Chloe, this isn't about you. This is about your cousin."

"But she's here because of me!" Chloe said, her voice rising. "If I hadn't been helping Fiyin"

"Exactly," Mr. Williams cut in. "If you hadn't been helping her, there would be no issue. Helping without supervision is collusion. Collusion is cheating."

Her cousin laughed. It wasn't a pleasant laugh. "So, you're punishing us for learning? For helping each other?"

Mr. Williams stood up. "I'm punishing you for attitude, Miss. You lack home training; your father didn't train you well."

The room went dead quiet.

Chloe saw it happen, the way her cousin's face drained of color, the way her hands trembled at her sides. Her father had been mentioned in a parent-teacher meeting last year. It hadn't been pleasant. And Mr. Williams had heard about it.

Her cousin took a step forward.

Her cousin took a step forward. "Don't you bring my father into this."

"I bring him into it because he raised you," Mr. Williams said. "And if he raised you to speak to authority like this, then he failed."

That was the line.

Sharon's fist clenched. For a second Chloe thought she was actually going to swing at him. Instead, she sighed.

"Fine. Suspend me. But don't you dare talk about my father like you know him."

Mr. Williams sighed and picked up her pen. "Three days suspension, effective immediately. And a formal letter of apology to be submitted before you're allowed back on campus. Both you and Fiyin."

Fiyin looked like she'd been punched. "Me too, Sir?"

"Yes," Mr. Adebanjo said. "Collusion, Fiyin."

Chloe felt sick. Fiyin hadn't done anything wrong. And now she was being punished for it.

Mr. Williams glanced at Chloe last. "And you. Consider this a warning. Your cousin's behavior reflects on you. Family reflects on family. Patrimonial responsibility, we call it. Remember that."

Chloe didn't answer. She just stared at the floor, cheeks burning.

"Nifemi," The principal called out

"Sir"

"Stop interfering to things that doesn't concern you and mind your business not watching people's life. Is that clear?

"Yes sir".

"All of you, turn to the door and dismiss" Mr. Adebanjo said.

9:15am – The Walk to the Gate

The gate was open, and the guard had been instructed. He stepped in front of the gate when she walked through with Chloe by her side giving an escort.

"Sorry, miss. You can't come back in until Friday."

Sharon nodded once and walked out without looking back. Chloe walked with her to the bus stop, even though she was supposed to be in class.

Neither of them spoke for the first five minutes. The street was noisy, Okada's honking, hawkers shouting, the usual Lagos morning chaos. But between them it was silent.

Finally, Chloe said, "I'm sorry."

Sharon shook her head. "Why are you sorry. I'm the one who's meant to be sorry for putting all of you into a big mess. But I'm not sorry I said it. I'm just only sorry I said it rudely in front of Mr. Williams."

"He shouldn't have brought Dad into it," Chloe said. Her voice was tight. "That was low."

Sharon stopped walking.

Chloe looked at Sharon properly for the first time that morning. "They do that, you know. They use your family against you when they don't have anything else. Patrimonial, my mum calls it, Inheritance. They think if they tarnish your name, you'll shut up."

Sharon swallowed. "Mum's going to be furious."

"She should be, Sharon. But not at you. At them."

The tricycle came, rattling. Her cousin stepped onto it without another word. Before the tricycle moved, she leaned out and said, "Don't let them make you think you did something wrong for helping Fiyin, Chloe. That's the only thing I'm sure of today."

The cycle pulled away, leaving Chloe standing on the curb with an even heavier feeling in her chest.

10:00am – Back in Class

Chloe sat through the rest of the morning in a daze. Fiyin was beside her, quiet for once, staring at the desk. Charlotte sat across the aisle, pretending to read, but every few minutes she'd glance over with a small, satisfied smile. Then the class continued which was followed by Economics.

When lunch came, Chloe didn't eat. She sat on the empty bench under the mango tree, outside, picking at the grass. That's when Praise saw her and sat down next to her.

He didn't say anything at first. Just sat there, opened his own lunchbox, and started eating. Then he pointed his spoon to Chloe's mouth signifying to her to have a bite. She didn't accept at first, but after much pressures which praise didn't give up, she took it.

"Thanks" she said.

After a minute of silence, he finally spoke out, "Fiyin told me what happened."

Chloe didn't look up. "Great. Now everyone knows."

"Not everyone," Praise said. "Just me. And I think you were right. Fiyin wasn't copying. She was confused."

Chloe finally looked at him. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because someone should," Praise said simply. "And because I hate it when people get punished for being kind."

Chloe didn't know what to say to that. So, she just nodded.

Praise finished his food and stood up. "I'm not good with speeches or anything. But if you need someone to go over quadratics with later, I'm free at 7pm. No Latin. No MD's daughters. Just math."

He walked away before Chloe could reply.

She sat there a long time after he left, the mango leaves rustling overhead. For the first time that day, she didn't feel completely alone.

Then Zainab, Sharon's closest friend came to her side and they chatted all through till when break was over and the whole school went quiet when class started.

Sharon

The door swung open and Sharon walked in, school bag slung over one shoulder, tie loosened, looking sheepish and soaked from the rain that had started some hours ago.

"Mom, I'm sorry," she said immediately, standing in a puddle on the kitchen tiles. "I told the principal Fiyin didn't copy from Chloe. I thought if I said it, they wouldn't suspend the both of them. But it resulted into a fight between I and the MD's daughter. I was suspended due to the fact that I was only trying to defend my friends from them being accused falsely and the principal told me 'I lacked home training'.

Mummy sighed, but there was no real anger in it. She moved over and took Sharon's wet bag from her, hanging it on the door handle. "You two are a problem. A patrimonial problem." She said the word with a half-smile, like she'd been saving it. "Your grandfather used to say that family loyalty is the only thing that outlasts blood and money. I think he meant you two." She said while she drained the yam fries.

Sharon frowned. "Patrimonial? That's a law word."

"It's a Roman word," Mummy said

"You are just like aunty (Chloe's mum)", she cut in "always quoting Romans"

Patrimonial "Means inheritance. Not just land or names. Habits. Burdens. The way we protect each other, even when it's stupid." She scooped the yam fries into three bowls and poured sauce over it, the red swirling against the white. "Your grandfather got into three fights in secondary school defending his cousin. Got expelled once. Your grandfather got into one fight defending his sister." She slid a bowl toward Sharon. "Now you two are starting early."

Sharon picked up a fork but didn't eat. "So, what happens now? I have to write a letter of apology before I'm allowed back." She folded her hands "I'm not apologizing for telling the truth."

"Good," Mummy said. "Don't. But you will apologize for how you said it. There's a difference, and Romans knew that too. Cicero knew that. He could destroy a man with a speech and still have the man invite him to dinner after." She took the second bowl to her husband in the dining room and came back. "You two will draft the letter together tonight. And you'll do it without making it sound like you were forced." I'm going to call my sister to tell Chloe to prepare to help you with it.

The rain hit harder against the roof now. Outside, the streetlights flickered on one by one.

Sharon picked up her fork. The first bite of pasta tasted like tomatoes and shame and something else she couldn't name yet, maybe the beginning of a truce.

Mummy watched her, and for the first time since she heard the news, her shoulders dropped.

"One more thing," she said as she started arguing about the wording. "If you're going to inherit the family stubbornness, you might as well inherit the family cooking too. Because if you get expelled, you'll have plenty of time to learn how to make this from scratch. No shortcuts. No pre-made sauce."

Her dad who had been listening to them said smiling "That's a threat?"

"That's inheritance" her mom said. They all laughed.

The School Entrance, After Closing.

The compound had emptied out fast. But some students were still hanging around, laughing and gisting. Chloe sat down on the stairs of the hallway entrance.

She heard footsteps. Chloe looked up. It was Praise.

He had his blazer slung over one shoulder, tie loosened, and a small backpack that looked too new for the lockers at St. Theresa's. He wasn't with anyone. He was just... there. His sister had left him.

"You didn't go home," he said, like it was an observation, not an accusation.

Chloe closed her notebook. "You either."

Praise shrugged and walked over, stopping a few feet away instead of sitting down right away. Like he was giving her space to tell him to leave. "My mum said I should walk the first week. To learn the route. She doesn't trust the public vehicles drivers yet."

Chloe almost smiled. "Smart mum."

Praise glanced at Chloe's face, then at the notebook she was gripping a little too tightly. "You okay?"

"No," Chloe said honestly. "Not really."

He nodded, like that was a valid answer.

Chloe flinched. She looked away. The tall flowers cast shadows across the concrete, and the sky was that deep orange again, the same color it had been in the kitchen earlier. It felt like the day was looping, like it wouldn't let her out.

"She didn't mean to get suspended," Chloe said quietly. "She just... She couldn't let Charlotte lie about Fiyin. And I also couldn't let Charlotte lie about me. And now we're all in trouble."

Praise shifted, resting his backpack on the ground. "That's what families do, right? They step in. Even when they shouldn't."

Chloe glanced at him. "That's called patrimonial, apparently. My mum's word. Means whatever your family does, it sticks to you."

Praise thought about that for a moment. "Then I guess I'm stuck with my mum's jollof recipe too. Whether I like it or not."

That made Chloe laugh. It was short, a little watery, but it was a laugh. "That's not the same thing."

"No," Praise said. "But it's inheritance all the same. The good and the bad." He kicked at a pebble on the ground. "My dad always says you can't choose your family name. But you can choose what you add to it."

Chloe didn't answer right away. She liked that. It was different from the way Mr. Williams had said it, like a threat instead of a choice.

The guard who had been sleeping for long woke up, yawned loudly and stood up, stretching. "Una still dey here? Gate dey close proper now o."

Charlotte had been staring at them from the principal's office through the window with the curtain quarterly opened which she was peeping through. She was filled with hatred and jealousy. Immediately the guard woke up, she turned back and sat on one of the couches, filled with thoughts.

Praise picked up his bag. "We should go before he locks us in."

Chloe stood up too, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. She didn't move toward the gate though. She stood there, looking at Praise.

"Why are you being nice to me?" she asked. "You don't even know me. Yesterday was my first day talking to you."

Praise met her eyes. He didn't look away, and he didn't laugh it off. "Because I saw you in Latin today. You explained question 4 to Fiyin without making him feel small. And because you didn't cry in the principal's office when the MD talked about your family." He paused. "I don't think I could have done that."

Chloe felt something warm and uncomfortable spread across her chest. It wasn't pity. It wasn't admiration either. It was something quieter. Something that made her want to stand up a little straighter.

"I didn't cry because I wasn't going to give him that," she said.

Praise nodded. "Good. Don't." He smiled then, just a little. "But you can cry at home. That's allowed. Just not here."

Chloe rolled her eyes, but she was smiling now too, properly this time. "You're weird."

"So are you," Praise said, echoing what he'd say to her later that night on the phone. "See you tomorrow. I'll save you a seat. Unless you want to sit alone and be miserable."

Chloe grabbed her bag and started walking toward the gate. "I'm not miserable."

"No?" Praise fell into step beside her, not too close, not too far. "Could've fooled me with that face you've been wearing since 8am."

"I'll be miserable if you don't shut up," Chloe shot back, and it sounded almost normal. Almost like the way she talked with her cousin when they are always fighting.

Praise grinned. "There it is again. That smile."

Chloe stopped at the gate. The street outside was quieter now, the sun dipping low behind the buildings. She turned to face him.

"Don't say it like that," she said, but there was no real bite in it. "Like you're keeping score."

"I'm not," Praise said. "I'm just... I like it. When you smile. It's different from how you look in class."

Chloe felt her face go hot. She blamed the sun.

"Goodnight, Praise!" she said quickly, stepping out onto the street.

"Goodnight, Chloe," he replied. He didn't move away right away. He just stood there, hands in his pockets, watching her until she was a few steps down the road.

Then he added, loud enough for her to hear but not loud enough for the guard: "And Chloe... see you by 7"

Chloe didn't turn around. She just raised one hand in a small wave without looking back.

As she walked home, the weight in her chest felt lighter. The suspension still hung over her head. Charlotte would still be in class tomorrow, with that same smirk.

But for the first time since morning, Chloe wasn't carrying it all by herself. And that, more than anything, was why she smiled.