The Betrayal

i took a deep breath as i walked through the gates of God's Merit Secondary School. It was just another typical Monday morning, or so i thought. Little did i know that the events of the previous week were about to come back and bite me harder than i could have ever imagined.

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i waved at my friend Kemi as she took her usual seat at the back of Mrs. Okoro's literature class. "Hey girl, how was your weekend?" Kemi whispered.

"Not too bad," i replied with a shrug. "You'll never believe what happened though..."

i proceeded to recount how Dayo, one of the boys in our class, had suddenly mustered up the courage to ask me out on Saturday. i had politely turned him down, insisting we were just friends, but i couldn't help feeling a little flattered by the attention.

Kemi's eyes went wide. "No way! Dayo has had a crush on you forever. I can't believe he finally made a move."

Our hushed gossip was interrupted by Mrs. Okoro clearing her throat to signal the start of the lesson. i made a mental note to continue filling Kemi in at break time.

A couple of hours later, the bell rang for lunch. i and Kemi made Our way to the food stall area

"So tell me everything!" Kemi insisted once we had found a spot to sit down. "What did Dayo actually say?"

I then launched into the juicy details, reenacting Dayo's stammered invitation to go watch a movie that weekend. I was so engrossed in the dramatic retelling that i didn't notice the huddle of girls from the class next door sitting just a few feet away.

Sami, Demi and Mola had been my friends, or so i thought, until that fateful lunchtime. Their ears pricked up at the sound of Dayo's name and scandalous talk of asking someone out.

"Oh my days, did you hear that?" Demi stage-whispered to the others.

Mola nodded vigorously. "We have to tell Mrs. Okafor about this shameful behaviour!"

There was an unwritten rule at God's Merit that students were strictly forbidden from engaging in any romantic relationships. Even just talking about crushes or dates was considered a serious offence that could lead to harsh punishments.

After lunch, I was completely oblivious to the drama that was about to unfold. I took my usual seat towards the back of Mrs. Okafor's maths class, Kemi by her side. About ten minutes into the lesson, there was a firm knock at the classroom door.

Mrs. Okafor frowned as the principal, Mrs. Ukachi, stepped into the room looking stern. "Excuse me for interrupting, Mrs. Okafor. I'm afraid I need to see tressy in my office immediately."

I felt my stomach drop as all eyes turned towards me. What on earth was this about? I hadn't done anything wrong, have i? With shaking legs, i followed Mrs. Ukachi out into the corridor.

No sooner had we reached the principal's office than the door flew open and Sami, Demi and Mola came marching out looking pleased with themselves.

"Good luck," Sami said with a smirk as she brushed past me.

Mrs. Ukachi gestured for me to take a seat across from her large oak desk. "Now then, tressy, it has been brought to my attention that you were discussing highly inappropriate topics during your lunch break today."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "I...I don't understand. What did I do wrong?"

"According to Sami, Demi and Mola, you were telling your friend Kemi all about a male student asking you out on a date. You know that any talk of relationships or sexual nature is completely forbidden at this school. I'm very disappointed in you."

My eyes went wide with horror as i realized what had happened. Those three gossipy girls from the next class must have overheard my conversation and twisted it completely out of context, they have added fuel to fire.

"No, no, you've got it all wrong!" I pleaded. "I wasn't...Dayo and I aren't..it was just—"

But Mrs. Ukachi had already made up her mind. "I'm afraid I have no choice but to issue you with a one week suspension for breaking the school's code of conduct. Let this be a lesson to you."

Tears stung at my eyes as the full weight of the unjust punishment dawned on me. All because of that silly betrayal by Sami, Demi and Molly. As i gathered up my belongings from my locker, i caught sight of the three girls whispering and giggling together.

In that moment, i realized that sometimes the people you counted as friends could be anything but. i vowed never again to let my guard down around certain types of people. The pain of this harsh lesson would make me wiser and stronger in the years to come.