A Secret Between Two Friends

Trust, friendship, teenage emotions and the consequences of keeping secrets.

The morning bell rang at Techage Model College, announcing the beginning of another school day.

Students hurried into their classrooms. Some were still discussing the weekend football match, while others were copying assignments from their classmates.

Inside SS2, Favour was busy arranging her books when Precious walked in.

Favour: Good morning, Madam Early Bird.

Precious: Good morning, Favour. You and this your name.

Favour: Should I stop calling you that? Because honestly, I don't recognise this new version of you.

Precious dropped her bag beside her desk.

Precious: Must you always make everything about me?

Favour: I'm only appreciating your transformation.

Esther entered and joined the conversation.

Esther: What transformation?

Favour: Precious has changed from the girl who used to arrive five minutes before assembly to somebody who now comes before the security man finishes opening the gate.

The girls laughed.

Precious shook her head.

Precious: At least I'm improving. You people should try it.

Esther: We are not against your improvement. We only hope you are doing it for the right reasons.

Precious looked at Esther.

Precious: Must there always be a reason? Maybe I just want to become a better student.

Esther: Then that's good.

The conversation ended when Mrs Williams entered the classroom.

Mrs Williams: Good morning, students.

Students: Good morning, ma!

Mrs Williams: Please settle down. I want to remind everybody that our inter-house academic competition is approaching. Each class will be expected to present students for the quiz and other academic activities.

The classroom became lively.

Samuel: Ma, can we compete in eating too?

The students laughed.

Mrs Williams: Samuel, if eating were an academic subject, you would probably be the class representative.

More laughter followed.

Mrs Williams: Now, I want everybody to take the competition seriously. It is an opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned.

Precious listened attentively.

She had always enjoyed academic competitions, but this time she seemed particularly determined to prove something.

Daniel entered the classroom carrying his textbook and a folder.

Daniel: Good morning, class.

Students: Good morning, sir!

Daniel: Today, we are going to continue our discussion on demand and supply. I hope everybody completed the assignment.

The students brought out their notebooks.

Daniel moved around the classroom, checking their work.

When he reached Precious's desk, he examined her answers.

Daniel: Good work, Precious. Your explanation is clearer than your previous one.

Precious: Thank you, sir.

Daniel: Keep practising. Understanding the principles is more important than memorising definitions.

Precious: Yes, sir.

He moved to Favour's desk.

Daniel: Favour, you need to explain this answer more clearly. You have the correct idea, but your explanation is incomplete.

Favour: Okay, sir.

Daniel continued checking the other notebooks.

Precious watched him briefly before returning to her work.

After the lesson, Daniel announced that students interested in representing SS2 in the upcoming academic competition should prepare for a short selection exercise.

Daniel: I want students who are willing to learn and work as a team. It is not just about who is the fastest to answer questions. Discipline and cooperation are important too.

Samuel raised his hand.

Samuel: Sir, can somebody who is not good at Mathematics still participate?

Daniel: Of course. The competition will cover different subjects. You should not disqualify yourself before trying.

The bell rang.

As Daniel left, Precious turned towards Favour.

Precious: I think I'm going to participate.

Favour: That's a good idea. You are good in Economics and English.

Precious: I want to do something that will make everybody notice my ability.

Favour: Everybody already knows you're intelligent.

Precious smiled but said nothing.

At break time, the three girls sat beneath a tree close to the school canteen.

Esther was eating a sausage roll while Favour searched her bag for her exercise book.

Precious was unusually quiet.

Favour: Precious, what's wrong with you?

Precious: Nothing.

Favour: You've been quiet since we left the classroom.

Precious: I'm just thinking.

Esther: Thinking about the academic competition?

Precious: Something like that.

Favour looked at her closely.

Favour: Something like that? You know you can tell us anything, right?

Precious looked at Favour and then at Esther.

Precious: Not everything.

Esther stopped eating.

Esther: What does that mean?

Precious: Nothing. Forget it.

Favour moved closer.

Favour: Precious, if something is bothering you, tell me. We have been friends for a long time.

Precious hesitated.

Precious: Can I talk to you privately after school?

Favour looked surprised.

Favour: Privately? Why can't you talk here?

Precious: Because I don't want everybody hearing it.

Esther looked between them.

Esther: Is everything alright?

Precious: Yes. It's just something I want to discuss with Favour.

Esther nodded, although she was clearly curious.

Favour: Okay. We can talk after school.

Precious gave a small smile.

For the first time, she seemed relieved.

The closing bell rang.

Students began leaving the school compound.

Esther informed the girls that her father had arranged for her to be picked up that afternoon.

Esther: I won't be able to walk with you people today. My dad is already waiting outside.

Favour: Alright. See you tomorrow.

Esther turned towards the school gate.

Before leaving, she looked at Precious.

Esther: Don't forget to read for the competition.

Precious: I won't.

Esther walked away.

Favour adjusted her bag.

Favour: So, where are we going to talk?

Precious: Let's go towards that small provision shop near the junction. We can buy something and sit for a few minutes.

Favour: Okay.

The two friends walked out of the school compound.

They passed a group of students discussing an upcoming football match and continued towards the junction.

At the provision shop, Precious bought a bottle of soft drink while Favour bought a packet of biscuits.

They found a quiet place to sit.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Favour: Madam, I hope this your secret is not something that will make me regret coming here.

Precious laughed nervously.

Precious: It's not that serious.

Favour: Then talk.

Precious took a deep breath.

Precious: Favour, I want to tell you something, but you must promise not to tell Esther.

Favour frowned.

Favour: Why shouldn't I tell Esther? She's our friend too.

Precious: Because I don't want her to start judging me.

Favour: Precious, what exactly have you done?

Precious: I haven't done anything. I just have something I want to tell you.

Favour waited.

Precious looked around to make sure nobody was close enough to hear them.

Precious: I think I like Daniel sir.

Favour blinked.

For a few seconds, she said nothing.

Favour: Which Daniel sir?

Precious gave her a serious look.

Precious: How many Daniel teachers do we have?

Favour: Are you serious?

Precious: Yes.

Favour placed her biscuit on the bench.

Favour: Precious, you mean you admire him as a teacher?

Precious looked down.

Precious: It's more than that.

Favour sat back.

Favour: Wait. Are you telling me you have feelings for our Economics teacher?

Precious nodded slowly.

Favour looked away, trying to understand what she had just heard.

Favour: Since when?

Precious: Since he was introduced to our class.

Favour: That was only a few days ago!

Precious: I know.

Favour: Precious, he's our teacher.

Precious: I know that too.

Favour: Then why are you thinking this way?

Precious became defensive.

Precious: I didn't plan it. I just noticed that I like the way he talks, the way he teaches and how intelligent he is.

Favour: There's nothing wrong with admiring somebody's intelligence. But you have to understand that he's a teacher and you're a student.

Precious: Favour, please. I didn't tell you so you could start lecturing me.

Favour: I'm not lecturing you. I'm trying to understand.

Precious picked up her drink.

Precious: Sometimes I feel like he doesn't even notice me. That's why I've been trying to improve myself.

Favour: Improve yourself because of your future, Precious. Not because you want a teacher to pay special attention to you.

Precious: But he praised me in class.

Favour: Because you answered a question correctly. He praised other students too.

Precious became quiet.

Favour continued.

Favour: Listen, I won't insult you because you told me how you feel. But you must be careful. He's an adult, he's our teacher, and there are boundaries that must never be crossed.

Precious: I know. I'm not planning to do anything.

Favour: Good. Then let's leave it at that.

Precious nodded.

But there was something she had not told Favour.

She had already begun thinking about ways to make Daniel notice her beyond the classroom.

As the girls prepared to leave, Precious stopped Favour.

Precious: One more thing.

Favour: What again?

Precious: Please don't tell Esther.

Favour: Why are you so afraid of Esther knowing?

Precious: Because she doesn't understand me. She'll probably make it look like I'm doing something terrible.

Favour: Esther is not your enemy. She's just careful about things.

Precious: Please, Favour. Just keep this between us.

Favour sighed.

Favour: Alright. I won't go around telling people your personal feelings. But if you start doing something dangerous or inappropriate, I won't pretend everything is fine.

Precious smiled.

Precious: Thank you. I knew I could trust you.

The two friends stood up and continued their journey home.

Favour was still thinking about the conversation.

She had expected Precious to tell her about a family problem, an academic issue or perhaps an argument with Esther.

She had not expected this.

That evening, Precious was in her bedroom when her phone rang.

It was Rita.

Precious: Hello, Rita.

Rita: How far? How is school?

Precious: Fine.

Rita: How is your new teacher?

Precious laughed.

Precious: That's exactly what I wanted to talk about.

Rita: Ah-ah! So this teacher has become a permanent topic in your life?

Precious: I told my friend today.

Rita: Which friend?

Precious: Favour. She's my close friend in school.

Rita: What did she say?

Precious: She said I should be careful and remember he's my teacher.

Rita: At least somebody is giving you sensible advice.

Precious frowned.

Precious: Everybody keeps saying the same thing.

Rita: Because it's the truth. Precious, you are sixteen. You're still in secondary school. You have time to grow, discover yourself and meet people your age. Don't turn a teacher's kindness into something else.

Precious: But what if I just want him to notice me?

Rita: Then let him notice your academic performance. Let him know you as a hardworking student. That's enough.

Precious became silent.

Rita continued.

Rita: And one more thing. Don't start involving people outside school in something that can damage your reputation or somebody else's career. People may encourage you for fun, but you will be the one facing the consequences.

Precious: Okay, Rita.

Rita: I'm serious. Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave something alone.

They ended the call.

Precious placed her phone on the bed.

She understood the warnings, but she was not ready to let go of the feelings she had developed.

The following morning, Precious and Favour arrived at school together.

Esther was already seated in the classroom.

Esther: Good morning. You people came together today?

Favour: Yes. We met on the way.

Esther looked at Precious.

Esther: How was your evening?

Precious: Fine.

Esther: Favour, you didn't reply to my message yesterday.

Favour opened her bag.

Favour: Oh, sorry. I was busy when you sent it.

Esther: I only asked if you had completed the assignment.

Favour: Yes, I have.

Esther noticed that Favour seemed slightly uncomfortable.

Esther: Is everything alright?

Favour: Of course. Why?

Esther: Nothing. You just seem different.

Precious interrupted.

Precious: Esther, must you analyse everybody's behaviour?

Esther looked at her.

Esther: I asked a simple question.

Precious: And she has answered you.

Favour quickly changed the subject.

Favour: Have you people heard about the academic competition? I think the selection exercise will start this week.

Esther looked at both girls.

She knew something had happened between them.

She simply did not know what.

Mrs Williams entered the classroom with a sheet of paper.

Mrs Williams: Students, I have an announcement.

The class became quiet.

Mrs Williams: The selection exercise for the inter-house academic competition will take place on Thursday. Interested students should prepare. The selected representatives will participate in the school competition.

Samuel raised his hand.

Samuel: Ma, will there be prizes?

Mrs Williams: Yes, Samuel. There will be recognition for outstanding participants.

Samuel: Then I am interested.

The class laughed.

Mrs Williams smiled.

Mrs Williams: Good. I want everybody to give it their best.

She placed the notice on the board and left.

Precious turned to Favour.

Precious: I'm definitely participating.

Favour: Me too. Let's prepare together.

Esther joined them.

Esther: That's a good idea. We can revise after school.

Precious nodded.

For a moment, everything seemed normal again.

But the secret shared between Precious and Favour had created a small distance between the three friends.

And Esther was beginning to notice it.

That afternoon, Precious was at home when a WhatsApp message arrived from Favour.

Favour: Hi. Hope you're okay.

Precious: I'm fine. Why?

Favour: I've been thinking about what you told me yesterday.

Precious sat up.

Precious: What about it?

Favour: I just want you to promise me you won't do anything that could get you into trouble.

Precious stared at the screen.

She typed a reply.

Precious: I already told you I'm not doing anything.

Favour responded.

Favour: Okay. I believe you. Just focus on your studies.

Precious put down her phone.

A few minutes later, another message arrived.

It was from an unfamiliar number.

Unknown Number: Hi Precious. I heard you have a new teacher at school.

Precious looked at the message.

She did not recognise the number.

Precious: Who is this?

The person replied almost immediately.

Unknown Number: Someone who knows Rita.

Precious became curious.

Precious: What do you want?

Unknown Number: Rita mentioned that you're interested in one of your teachers. Is that true?

Precious froze.

She looked at the message again.

How could this person know?

She immediately opened her conversation with Rita and began typing.

Precious: Rita, did you tell somebody about what I said?

Before she could send the message, another message came from the unknown number.

Unknown Number: Don't worry. I can help you if you want him to notice you.

Precious stared at the phone.

For the first time, she felt both excitement and fear.

She had thought her secret was safe with only two people.

Now somebody outside her immediate circle seemed to know about it.

She slowly typed:

Precious: Who are you, and how can you help me?

The message was delivered.

A few seconds passed.

Then the reply came.

Unknown Number: Let's talk first.

Precious looked towards her bedroom door.

Her mother was in the sitting room.

She quickly locked her phone and placed it beneath her pillow.

But the question remained in her mind.

Who was this person?

And why were they interested in her secret?

To be continued...