CHAPTER ONE: THE BELL RINGS AGAIN
Ethan Carter and Oliver Blake arrived at school just moments before the morning assembly. Ethan, ever the prefect responsible, hurried off to join the others in the grand hall at the center of the school grounds. Students lined up by class, while the school band, sharp in their uniforms, warmed up in the corner with soft drumbeats echoing through the space.
Teachers stood outside the hall, eyes scanning for latecomers, ready to assign kneeling punishments. At exactly eight o'clock, Liam Turner, the head boy, stepped onto the stage, hand over heart and a smug smile on his face. He relished the spotlight.
"Attention, everyone! Time for the National Anthem," he announced, and the drums rolled into rhythm. Students joined in, some raggedly, others with pride.
The senior high students buzzed with excitement after the long summer break. The school compound housed both junior and senior schools, separated by rows of bright blue flowers and sunflowers forming hedges between the two- and three-story blocks. Though some called the senior school "artificial," it consistently outperformed the junior school in quizzes and sports.
After the anthem and prayers, Principal Mr. Ellison—a wiry man with a nasal accent students loved to imitate—welcomed them back.
"It's a pleasure to have you all," he said. "Final year students, especially, must take this term seriously. WAEC is no joke."
As the assembly ended, students flooded the hallways. Boys in white shirts, black ties, and trousers mingled with girls in pinafores over white blouses. Some greeted Oliver, but most swarmed Ethan.
"Ethan! Where've you been?"
"We missed you!"
"The coaches were furious!"
"Are we partying tonight?"
Ethan laughed heartily, basking in the attention, while Oliver stood quietly, watching the chaos. The first day was always the hardest—back to chemistry and physics while others gossiped about their holidays. He had little to share.
He noticed students flaunting new phones—Samsung and iPhones—despite the ban. Mr. Granger nicknamed "Cane," was always lurking, waiting to catch rule-breakers. A group of boys nearby rapped about becoming the next UK music sensation.
Ethan was the school's pride: top in chemistry, health perfect, athletic club captain, and star footballer. Girls admired him, and teachers praised him. Sophie Bennett, a cheerful girl from their street, approached Oliver with a warm smile.
"Hi Oliver," she said sweetly. "Glad to see you. Ethan's back from his competitions, right?"
"He came back yesterday," Oliver replied.
"I could hear his voice from across the compound—rowdy as ever," Sophie laughed. "Do you remember Isla Morgan? She's related to Mrs. Alex from Balogun Street."
Oliver shook his head. "No, I don't."
"Neither do I," Sophie said. "How was your holiday?"
"So boring. I barely went out," Oliver admitted.
Sophie turned to greet Ethan, and the day rolled on.