Chapter 3

Julia placed her head on the desk as soon as Mrs. Komolafe left the class. Her words had become a regular thing for Julia, but every time she said those words, it birthed the pain all over again.

Julia had always been an average student from when she was in primary school. But it became worse when she got to secondary, her grades were nothing to write home about. She struggled with her academics because sincerely it wasn't easy for her.

All this didn't stop Julia from being herself—bubbly, carefree, and sometimes childlike. Julia was not overshadowed by the gloominess of her end of term result. She had a lucky charm because, despite her poor grades, she always seemed to have just enough to get her to the next class. And if she didn't, there would always be a chance for her to retake the exam.

Her parents were supportive and didn't push her too much, though, there were times where they had been disappointed in her. They would always talk to her trying to make her see that education was important, but they believed she wasn't making much effort to get better. All they did was encourage her; they never said bad things or compared their only daughter with others.

She wished and hoped she could improve. She tried her best to stick with her textbooks and class notes, but no, it didn't work. She ended up sleeping in the library and while reading at home. Her final exams were a big deal now, and if her teacher couldn't even imagine her success, she didn't know what could happen.

Julia felt a slight tap on her shoulders, so she raised her head. Her arms were wet because she had cried while her head was on the desk. She looked up to see who tapped her; it was Zoe.

"Julia, Mrs. Komolafe asked to see you,” Zoe said.

“Huh?” Julia said wiping her face with the handkerchief in her hands. "Okay,” she added as she stood up.

Zoe walked ahead of her to the staff room. She watched her closely and couldn't help but smile. Zoe was her friend when they were younger, and they were both cheerful kids back then. She remembered everything had changed when Zoe’s father died. Zoe became as cold as snow.

The day her father died was the eve of Zoe's birthday. Her parents had agreed on a big birthday gift for her 10th birthday, only to be informed of her father's passing in the early hours of the day. Julia had cried. Zoe's father, Gbemiga was a good man. He would always take the girls out anytime he was free. Julia had come to see him as an uncle, making his untimely death a bitter pill to swallow.

His death had shaken Zoe, and she had been in denial for a long time, daily hoping her father would walk in through the door, which he never did. Zoe’s mother left her with another family while the father's body had barely settled in the ground. Julia's mother had complained and complained about Zoe's mother's insensitive move.

That time, Julia’s mom had called and called and even suggested that Zoe come live with them. But Zoe's mother refused, she took her to live with one of the money-obsessed people in the city.

Zoe had then created a shell for herself and lived in it ever since. Julia made many moves to get them to be friends again, but she was snubbed a billion times. This didn't stop her; Zoe's attitudes didn't stop her from trying her best to do good for her. Her parents had specifically made sure she looked out for her.

They stepped into the almost-empty staff room. Mrs. Komolafe was already packing her books for the next class. She raised her head as she sensed them enter the room. Smiling awkwardly, she sat down and greeted them.

“Welcome girls,” she said.

"Thank you, ma,” Julia said while Zoe nodded.

Mrs. Komolafe opened her desk drawer and brought out a brown file that had Julia's name written on it. Julia's heart skipped a beat as she saw her name. She sighed as she hoped Mrs. Komolafe's next words wouldn't bring any more tears to her eyes.

“Julia, this is the compilation of your results since you started senior class. And I must say, it is not commendable one bit. Staring at them gives me a headache,” the teacher said as Julia swallowed.

“I know I'm hard on you, but it's for your own good, dear. You have an amazing personality, but your academics are poor, and I truly want the best for you, do you understand me?” she asked as Julia nodded in agreement.

“Okay, so I had been thinking of various ways that could help you. And I have one,” she said as Julia listened attentively, she wanted a solution to this issue.

“And that involves you, Zoe,” she said pointing at Zoe.

"Me?” Zoe asked shocked, as she pointed to herself. Julia watched the two with wondering.

"Yes!” Mrs. Komolafe said. "I want you to tutor Julia.”

Julia's eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled. This would be an opportunity to be tutored by the best student in senior school, by Zoe.

“That's if you are interested in helping your friend,” she added. "What do you think?"

“I'm sorry, ma, but with all due respect I don't think I would want to tutor someone like Julia,” Zoe said, her words piercing through Julia's skin and hitting her heart. Tears formed in her eyes as her brain continued highlighting, "someone like Julia.” What was wrong with someone like her, why would she say such a thing?

“Why, Zoe?” the teacher asked.

"I can't, ma. I wouldn't want to waste my precious time with her. Her poor grades are entirely her fault. She skips classes for frivolous and unnecessary reasons. She sleeps and eats in class and does not copy notes. She fails to do her assignments too. I don't think she would ever be serious with her academics, and I wouldn't waste my time till she does,” Zoe explained. By now, tears were flowing down Julia's cheeks, as she gritted her teeth and tightened her fist. She was so sad and angry.

“Who needs your help. You fool! You'll never get off your high horse, Zoe. Shy do you even think you are better than me. Just because you have good grades and love from teachers. You can eat it all cos no one cares!” Julia yelled.

"Stop it, Julia!” Mrs. Komolafe said.

"I forgot to add that I dislike people who rant like children,” Zoe added.

“Enough Zoe!” the teacher commanded, banging the table with her hands.

"You can go, Zoe,” Mrs. Komolafe said.

Julia watched as Zoe walked out the door. She knew she was cold and unfriendly, but she didn't expect her to act that way. She had always seen Zoe as a helpless girl who was just lonely and needed friends. But with what had just happened, she believed she was just a wicked person.

“Sit down, Julia,” Mrs. Komolafe said as she pointed at the chair. Julia perched on the chair as she looked outside, avoiding her teacher's gaze.

“Julia. I don't know what to do, I don't. You see what your classmate just said about you? Can't you see it's all true,” Mrs. Komolafe said.

There were all true indeed. Julia had managed to convince herself that she was not the problem, but maybe she was. She gave up easily; she closed textbooks the minute she did not understand something and preferred to copy assignments from her classmates than write them on her own. She believed she didn't know it, so she didn't like to bother herself.

Zoe's words had just triggered her to want to be better. If she was as intelligent as Zoe was, she wouldn't be insulted by her in that way. But how would she go about it with no one to tutor her? She was way behind.

"I know, ma, I'll try my best this time,” Julia muttered.

“Julia, I don't want to try your best this time. I want you to be your best!” Mrs. Komolafe said.

Julia nodded. "This time, ma, I won't disappoint you!” she said as she bowed her head.

"Okay. So, what will we do about your tutor? I wish Zoe had accepted. I believed she would be a good influence.”

“Anything you can do to help me, ma,” Julia said with teary eyes.

"Okay, let’s call Matthew.”

Julia got to class only to find Matthew absent in class. She walked straight to his desk and asked his desk mate.

“Timilehin, where is Matthew?” she asked.

"He went to the library,” he answered.

"Oh. Thank you,” Julia said as she turned walking past Zoe who was concentrating on the novel in her hands.

Julia walked out of the class and passed the beautiful buildings in the school until she got to the library. She walked into the building and searched for Matthew in the senior section. Her eyes searched the section until she recognized his saggy glasses. She smiled as she walked up to him.

“Hi Matthew,” she greeted.

"Hi Julia,” Matthew responded, he looked up, adjusting his glasses with one hand and resting his face on the other hand.

“Mrs. Komolafe asked me to call you,” Julia said.

"Okay,” Matthew said. He packed his books and put them in his bag. "Let's go.”

They walked out of the library and faced the direction leading to the staff room. After a few minutes of walking in silence they got to the office. Mrs. Komolafe was still there but with two other teachers. They were talking about something and didn't notice the students enter until Matthew and Julia said hello.

“Okay, Matthew,” Mrs. Komolafe said facing them.

"Yes, ma'am,” Matthew said as he adjusted his glasses, which had become a habit.

"I want to ask for a favor here. It concerns your classmate Julia,” she said. Matthew looked at Julia, completely clueless.

“I want you to tutor Julia for the time being, so she can at improve, you understand me? But that's if it's okay with you,” she said.

Julia didn't know what to expect. She just stared at him, hoping he wouldn't embarrass her like Zoe did, even if he wouldn't accept.

Matthew was the second-best student in the class and had a huge crush on Zoe that was so obvious and glaring. The students made fun of him every time his idol, Zoe, ignored him. He was a nerd with poor eyesight, lean with a very small stature, and always seemed to buy oversized glasses whenever he had to get a change. His glasses sagged, giving him a signature look.

Julia never actually paid attention to him. He was one of the quiet smart boys. She silently prayed that he accepted the offer. She needed someone as smart as Zoe on her side now. She was going to surprise Zoe.

"Please, I'll be a serious student,” Julia said making a puppy face that made Matthew smile.

After a few more seconds, Matthew spoke up.

"Okay, ma, it will be beautiful tutoring Julia,” he said.

Julia jumped in excitement and hugged him spontaneously, catching him off guard. “Thank you,” she said with a wide grin. She laughed heartily as Mrs. Komolafe congratulated her and encouraged them both.

With this, she had a strong and positive mind towards the turn of things. It was beautiful that all this was happening on the first day of the final year, she was going to give it her possible best this time. She was so enthusiastic about the next turn her life was about to take, a turn she wished would be filled with success and good luck, all she ever wished for.