The class was filled with just four of us. Talking about the SS2 Seals Stars Educational Competition candidates coming together for private lessons. Though the air conditioner was on, some of us still felt hot. Except, Esther who kept on chuckling and chewing some strawberry flavoured gum like a moron and then casually answering the asked questions like a boss.

"Back to the science students. Name one product of destructive distillation of coal that is solid, liquid and gas." Mr Dennis, the HOD of the mathematical department, turned and stared expectantly at Esther and I.

Mr Dennis was quite an honourable man in school. Everyone knew him to be no nonsense. And he was so full of himself. He would boast of the amount of certificates he has. And how industrious and unbeatable he was.

Well, that could be true. Mr Dennis was really brainy. He was also the Mathematics teacher of SS3 and he was well known for being versatile. He was good in calculations, grammar and sciences. At times, everyone wonder how a man of his age could be so brainy and smart.

I tapped my foot, trying to recall the answer. I knew that coke and... "It's Coke, Coal gas and Methane, respectively." Esther answered once more and smiled contentedly to herself.

"That's correct." Mr Dennis nodded. "Still on you Esther. What is the reagent that is used in distinguishing Ethene from Ethyne?"

Esther twitched her lips, silently racking her brain. She could have just stood up and told the main that she had no idea. But never! She was too proud.

"Esther?"

She frowned. "Sir wait..."

"Not even time waits for anyone, talk less of anyone here. The question goes to you, Faith."

I cracked my knuckles and let out a deep breathe. "Ammoniacal Silver Trioxonitrate (V) solution?"

"Are you sure of your answer?" His baritone voice asked.

Was I sure?? "Very Sure, Sir."

He smiled as his dark plum lips parted and the words I yearned to hear, gushed out. "Correct!"

"We will be moving to a general paper, English Language to be specific. And remember that all this practice is to get you all more equipped and prepared for the Intra School Seals Star Educational Competition that is fast approaching." Mr Dennis continued.

"Hopefully, there wouldn't be letter writing this year. That shit pisses me off like hell." A spine chilling hiss followed that statement of Esther.

"Language, Esther!" A hard glare from Mr Dennis got Esther to comport herself. "Like you said, Hopefully. But with the rumours flying around, I think there will be something poetic. And just like it's being said, there is always an atom of truth in every rumour. So, take care and keep watch!"

●●●●●●

"I demand you tell me why you have been avoiding me for some days now!" Paris made sure to detain me, even when our lessons ended.

I nearly chuckled. Who was avoiding him?

He must have really over hyped himself to have thought that far. That I, with all my schedule full of important activities would have any time to spare, by plotting out ways of avoiding him.

I tried but in vain to remove his tight grip on my fragile wrist. "Can you leave me alone for God's sake? What on earth is wrong with you?!"

He sighed. "I should be the one asking you that question. What the fuck is wrong with your brain? Ever since you came back from your house, you have been acting so weird and stupid."

I was almost speechless. My mouth parted but no words flew out. I blinked twice and then had my parted mouth sealed. "I mean it, Faith. I don't know what ever you are doing Or what is brewing in that mind of yours but you have to stop avoiding me. I'm not a scarecrow neither do I rape beautiful girls. So please, feel free to meet me and..."

"Will you shut up your filthy mouth?" I thundered, interrupting the balderdash he was spitting out. "This is my problem with you. You talk without filters, hurting the emotions of other people. Paris, you were the one that told me that I lacked esteem and that was why people especially the guys, hate me. And you are the same person that's now calling me an idiot just because I'm heeding to your advice."

"I never told you..."

"Oh please, Hold it there! You even have the guts to tell me that I should feel free to meet you. Dude, why will I want to meet you? You are basically of no importance to me." I deadpanned.

He held in chest and gasped. "That hurts!"

I eyed him and hissed. "And unfortunately, I've got no ice for your burn."

"Is it a crime to like you?"

"Yes! No...Wait...What did you just say?" My breathing pattern hitched and my eyes were widened like saucers as I stared surprisingly at him.

"You heard me, before." Paris muttered and walked out on an overly perplexed me.

I scratched my hair. It was suddenly feeling itchy and I felt like pulling it away. What was this all about? We were talking about someone snubbing the other...and then puff! this happens.

I left the class and walked to SS2 Block. All I wanted to do right now was to find Helen and seek her advice. Hopefully, she will help me out. We have been having frictions since what happened on the day of my return.

But there was a little problem. How could I enter SS2A without encountering Paris again? It was at that moment that I finally saw the importance of supernatural powers. Maybe, Just maybe, I could enter his class while being invisible.

Unfortunately, such things were non existent in the real world which was cold and filled with all sort of brutality.

"Hey!" I called onto a female junior student who was dressed in a black pleated skirt, peach shirt and a bow tie that had both colours of the skirt and shirt. Then a short black socks in a black shoe.

"Come here!" I gestured to her with my hands.

The girl literally counted her steps while coming to answer me. Her chin was high and her expression was stoic. Undoubtedly, she must be one of those junior secondary three students that think that life ends with being the most senior students in the junior block.

"What do you want?" The girl dared to arch me a brow as she positioned her lips in spitting out what she did.

"Go to that class...SS3A and ask for Helen Okafor. Tell her that I'm waiting for her outside." I said.

The girl looked like she was resisting the urge to roll her eyes as she turned and did as I bided. Then, she walked back to me.

"Excuse me, but you are Senior Faith Daniels, right?" She inquired.

"Is there any problem?" I asked.

She shook her shoulders. "No o. I just wanted to confirm if actually you are the almighty chronic bed wetter who even goes around snatching peoples boyfriends."

My eyes widened. And before I could even process what she said, fully, I gave her a hot slap, by impulse. Was she stupid?

"Get on your knees right away!" I yelled.

"And why will you tell my school daughter to get on her knees simply because she told you nothing but the exact truth." Esther appeared out of the blues.

"Nne, get back to your class!" She ordered the junior girl who smiled as she stood up and then walked away.

"Why did you release that girl? Were you the one that gave her the damn punishment?" Slowly but steadily, I was loosing my sanity.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that she is guiltless and therefore will not kneel down. If you have a problem with that, then come and beat me up." Esther rolled her eyes.

The clearing of someone's throat was heard. "Eh...What's going on, Faith?"

I turned to the direction of the voice which was coming from behind. It was Helen. She was watching us with furrowed brows.

"You sent for me, didn't you?" She asked.

I opened my mouth to reply her but Esther was faster than I. "No one sent for..."

"Hey, I wasn't talking to you!" Helen eyed Esther and the turned back her full attention on me. I told her that I wanted to speak privately with me and she held my wrist, literally dragging me away from Esther who wanted to murder us with her tiny eyes.

Once we were out of earshot, Helen dropped my hand like a hot lead. "What is it?"

"Are you still mad at me? I've told you that I'm sorry, already." I muttered to her hearing.

She heaved a sigh. "Is this why you called me out of my class where I was studying?"

"Paris likes me!" I deadpanned.

She looked dazed for a moment, then her expression was back to being blank. "And? How is that my stress?"

"Stop this Helen. I want your advice." I pouted.

"I don't think you know what you want." Helen said and walked out on me. It was difficult to remain standing with all the emotions that I was filled with, right then. My ears moistened, glistening as it was filled with unshed tears.

●●●●●●

Victory laughed hysterically as she stared disgustedly at the lilac short thick note that was in hands. There were cute stickers of animated princesses all over the thick note and the name of the owner was boldly written on top.

Now that got her fingers badly itching to flip through the pages of the promisingly informative thick note. She dared to open it and the phrase Don't Touch caught her sight. That triggered her curiosity and without hesitation she flipped to the next page.

SCARS: MY BIRTHMARK.

S- Sacred dark long artistic cuts and stretches of it all has adorned me into what I am. What am I without my scars?

C- Cherished weaves of my past buried and forgotten in the glistening of my skin. What would I have been without my scars?

A- Appreciatively, A work of art that never will be forgotten. Upon the sight of me, the portrait of my imperfections arises. What could have made me more humane, If not my scars?

R- Rays of the darkest colours blemishing the outs of me. Showing forth the gravity of pains that have pinned me to the cross of depression. I am my scars. And they define me.

S- Suicidal thoughts created a certain pathway for me. A path where my heart was snatched and my soul was left wallowing in the greatest anguish. My scars would have been the death of me!

A shiver literally ran down her spine. She turned back to the front of the thick note be sure it was that stupid girl that was actually the owner. And the boldly written name - FAITH DANIELS, stared back at her.

Impressive.

"Victory!" Scared to the marrows that she had been caught, her heart almost jumped out. She quickly hid the lilac short thick note at her back and forced a smile.

"Can I help you?" She asked Rachael who looked at her with a bit of suspicion.

"I should be the one asking that question. What are you doing in my class?" Rachael asked.

"Oh," An already cooked lie was soon to be dished out by her. "I asked Ruth earlier on for her English note and she told me to come later on for it. I came some seconds ago, hoping to see her and then realized that you guys might be in the lab."

"So...have you gotten it?" Rachael went on to ask.

"No...I'm about to." Victory smiled and then walked to the back of the class where the lockers were situated. She never for once turned her back for that was where her left hand that held the book remained glued on. She just walked back and then tilting her head multiple times to be sure that there were no chairs behind.

Rachael shrugged and left the class after getting her physics textbook which was needed for the ongoing practical in the lab.

A sigh of relief escaped the parted lips of Victory who waited for some minutes and then left the class too. The thick note in her hand was an auxiliary aid to her journey of fame.