Chapter 59

The small class was silent as Semiloore and others wrote their exams.

Everyone had watched the live competition on the projector in the hall. The school had purposely canceled all exams on that day and made everyone come to the hall to watch it.

Words couldn't describe the happiness on the faces of the SSS2 students. While a smaller population of the SSS3 students has a surprised look on their faces, a larger population had a look shock on their faces. Moyo fell amongst the latter, she couldn't just believe it.

That bad mouthed idiot was a Cowbellpedia two-time champion? She didn't even look like someone who had something upstairs!

Although shocked, a lot of them had started posting and bragging on social media. Some made short videos of the school rejoicing and posted it on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and other social media platforms.

Maria was overjoyed. They had made it.

Their classmates waited patiently for the champions to submit their last papers. Jerry was the first to step outside before Joshua followed.

Semiloore and Nathaniel soon emerged from the class.

Semiloore broke her pen as she made a funny movement and threw her hands in a wavy style in the air attracting attention.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Semiloore gave a short laugh,  "Sorry, It's something we do at Hicol Lag after we finish our exams. We break our pens and throw our hands up in the air like this" she replied repeating the gesture

"Ohh" Joshua said as he broke his pen and made the gesture.

"That's so cool"

Nobody expected Jerry to also break his pen and make the gesture.

"Jerry looked hot doing that just now"

"Where's my pen?"

"I want to do it too"

Soon everyone was breaking their pens and throwing up their hands in the air.

Happiness and carefreeness was in the air as the students started breaking their pens laughing.

"Your pen did not break, kwa"

Everybody burst into laughter at the situation as the boy kept trying to break the pen but the pen didn't budge.

"There's an emergency assembly ohh" someone hollered into the class.

The hall was filled to the brim and was very noisy as the students chatted within themselves. The noise died down the minute the principal tapped on the mic.

"Good day everyone"

"Good day sir"

"The purpose of this assembly is just for one purpose, to officially thank our cowbellpedia competitors.  We all watched the live feed that day and we all saw and heard that we were victorious, something that hasn't happened in years. Let's give a warm welcome to Semiloore and Nathaniel!"

The hall roared with clapping as the students stood up as Semiloore and Nathaniel walked up the podium.

"When Semiloore's mom brought their results to me and said she wanted to enroll her kids in SS2 it was weird. She said they would cope and showed me their results and I was surprised so I allowed them to enroll in our school. Little did I know that you would be our 'good luck'"

Everybody in the hall laughed slightly as the principal gave the mic to Nathan.

"Hello everyone" his deep voice rumbled through the hall "I just want to say thank you to the school for allowing us to take this opportunity. And to all who had trust in us. Thank you" he added as he passed the mic to Semiloore. The students clapped earnestly as he stepped aside.

"So guys, lets play a small game. When I say great Oxfordians, you'll reply and say great"

Looks of excitement spread around the hall immediately.

"Are we ready?"

"Yes"

"Great Oxfordians!"

"Great!"

"Great Oxfordians!"

"Great!"

"Great great great Oxfordians!"

"Greattttttt!"

"Joining Oxford is a gift that God gave me. I learn a lot of things here, to be precise, I learnt how to live here. In this small school of ours, the bond we all share is amazing and you know what am proud to be part of this great family. To all SS2 students who had faith in me, in us, thank you. SSS2X! Sarane! I love you all!" Semiloore yelled as the hall reverberated with loud clapping.

"Permit to sing a song"

The hall went quiet immediately.

"As we go through life you see

There is so much that we, don't understand

But the only thing we know

Is things don't always go, the way we plan

But you see, everyday that we never turn away

When it seems all your dreams come undone

We still stand by your side

Filled with hope and filled with pride

We are more than we are

We are family, family, family

We are one.

If there's so much I must be

Can I still just be me?

The way I am,

Can i trust in my own heart?

Or I my just one part of some big plan

Even those who are gone are with us as we go on

Your journey has only begun

Tears of pain

Tears of joy

One thing nothing can destroy

Its our pride, deep inside

We are family, family, family

We are one.

We are one, you and I

We are like the earth and sky

One family under the sun

All the wisdom to lead

All the courage you need

Its our pride, deep inside

We are family, family, family

We are one.

Family, family, family "

Everyone had easily grasped the chorus and was singing along with her.

The song held a lot of unsaid messages. Everyone started holding hands as Semiloore and Nathaniel held their hands too.

Semiloore looked at the faces of everyone in the hall, these people;they had accepted her, just the way she was, they had bonded with her , shown her their small but mighty family.

A family she was ever going to be grateful for.

"So guys, any plans for the Christmas holiday?" Semiloore asked. She had asked all the science students to gather.

"Not really"

"You are throwing a party?"

"Nope"

"Why are you asking then?"

"Well, I promised Ayobami i was going to come back. I was wondering if anyone wanted to come with me"

"Who's Ayobami?"

"Jeez, that small cute boy at the orphanage"

"Ohh"

"I'll go"

"I'll go!"

"Okay then, please let's all write our names down"

Semiloore said before she walked towards Nathaniel and the rest

"You really didn't forget" Christian said with a smile.

"I don't make promises, so when I make one, I don't forget"

"That's cool"

"Are you guys coming too?"

"Like we have a choice" Joshua grumbled.

Semiloore scoffed "It's better than you lazing around at home! You lazy ass!"

"Take it easy milady" Jerry replied with a short laugh.

The boys burst into laughter as Rolake brought the list to her.

"About 70 people are going"

"70?"

"Whoa!"

"That's a lot of people mehn!"

"Okay, just tell others to prepare Christmas presents for the kids"

Rolake nodded as she walked away.

Semiloore hugged Nathaniel's lean waist.

"Am hungry" she said and pouted. Nath narrowed his eyes at her before opening his bag and stretching a small square flask towards her direction.

"What's this?"

"Shey it's not in your front ni?" (Is it not in your front?)

"Just open it"

Semiloore glared at Joshua

"Sorry" the latter muttered with a short laugh.

Semiloore opened the flask to see fruit salad.

"Fruit salad?"

"Its looks so yummy"

"Did you make this yourself?"

Nathaniel swallowed his saliva and nodded.

"Mn"

"Oh my!" Semiloore said excitedly as she picked a pineapple slice and shoved it in her mouth.

"Its tastes so good"

"Of course it does"

Semiloore picked a watermelon slice and pushed it into Nath's mouth.

"Open your mouth"

Nathaniel opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him.

Joshua's hands flew to his face "Oh my poor eyes! Semiloore how can you be torturing my poor eyes with PDA eh?"

The boys laughed as Semiloore glared at him again.

"Ya! Prick, if you are so pained why not get your own girlfriend too?"

Joshua burst into laughter, pure happiness and joy flowing through his veins. Just as he thought she had changed from calling him prick, she called him that outrightly.

Sometimes, old habits don't change.