George arrived in school feeling a bit tired, he had just a few hours to rest overnight and still trekked a long distance to school due to the fuel scarcity issue. The examination period is always like that for him since many students need him to help them understand some challenging topics, and George can't say no to them because his service comes with a tip.
"Good morning guys," George muttered, greeting a few coursemates sitting outside the classroom, and instead of getting a response, they burst into laughter.
George paused to look at himself. Probably there was something funny about his dressing, but everything looks good.
He didn't have the strength to start a conversation and just went to settle down in the classroom.
"I still have an hour to relax," George stuttered upon checking his wristwatch and just laid his head on the desk.
"George! George!! The chameleon, always pretending to be innocent. Crazy guy," A male voice interrupted George's rest.
He raised his head to see who it was, and surprisingly, it was one of his classmates who he has barely spoken to since their first year. There were a few other students too, but none of them was close to George.
"What's up, Darlington? What's with the hype?" George replied, looking confused.
"You don't know? Really?" He asked jokefully, and the other students burst into laughter immediately.
"Why is everyone laughing at me since I came in? Just speak up if there's anything going on." George replied as the laughter started irritating him.
"What was it like? You had a great time, right?" Darlington asked.
"What exactly are you talking about? Please say what it is or just let me be," George stuttered.
"See how he is acting like he doesn't even know what is going on?" Oluchi added, and at that point, George knew there was something everyone in the class knew that he didn't.
"Okay, I need to go to my hall now since you guys won't tell me what the problem is. Let me know when you are ready to talk," George replied and packed his things.
"You have messed with the wrong person," Darlington whispered and stepped aside for George.
George paused to look at Darlington after that statement as Darlington's statement echoed in his head.
As George walked through the school field down to the examination hall, different thoughts crossed his mind, and fear slowly creeped in.
"But I didn't do anything to these guys, I have always stayed in my lane since day one. I don't want anyone's trouble." George muttered and tried burying everything that happened in class, but he couldn't.
Upon arriving at the hall, he met some of his coursemates who were his friends.
"Hi guys," George greeted.
"Hi George, what's up?" They replied.
"Am good. I didn't know you guys were writing here today," George replied.
"Yes, we are. What's up with you and Mariam? AY is mad at you," Gbenga replied.
"Mad at me? Why? Mariam is just my coursemate, and you all know that," George replied.
"Just coursemate? Did you see the pictures?" Destiny asked?
"You guys are confusing me, and I don't understand what's going on. Darlington started questioning me in class this morning, and it's your turn," George replied angrily.
"Chill, bro, look at the pictures. I don't know who posted them though," Destiny replied.
George took a glance at the picture and was completely shocked.
"Where did you get it from? This was yesterday night at Mariam's place," George stuttered, still staring at Destiny's phone screen.
"We know, but how did you guys end that way?" Gbenga asked.
"Which way, please?" George cuts in.
"That way," Gbenga replied, touching the phone screen.
"Oh, now I understand. I only went there because she wanted us to study together, and it wasn't free. You all know, teaching other students is how I fend for myself here," George replied.
"We know, but you haven't answered the question," Destiny replied.
"Nothing more happened than just the revision. She was wearing that when I got there in the evening, and I pulled my top because of heat. Don't you see I have a singlet on?" George asked.
"Tunde must have taken this picture because I called him to join me so that we can head home together. We had finished revising, and I was just lying on the floor when he arrived, and Mariam was laying on her bed too. He must have taken the picture immediately he came in," George added.
"I believe you, but AY doesn't know all of this. He believes there might be something between you and Mariam," Destiny replied.
"That's ridiculous, why would he think of sucn?" George stuttered, and his alarm rang immediately.
"It's time for the paper now, guys. Tunde has a lot of explanation to do about this picture because I don't know why he took the pictures or what he wants to gain from sending them to some of our classmates," George added before they entered the examination hall.
All through the paper, George's mind was traveling far and near. Tunde is a close friend, they met during their matriculation and since then have become very close, but George didn't know why he would post such a picture, knowing very well that Ay is a dangerous person. He picks up a fight unnecessarily, and there are rumors about being part of a gang.
Immediately after the paper, George started calling Tunde to know where he was, but he didn't pick up.
The thought of what to do next crossed George's mind, and he became restless. He went straight back to his classroom, hoping to find Tunde, but he met AY instead.
"George, what's up?" AY said immediately they met, and George shivered. He tried hiding his fear, but his voice sold him out.
"AY, it's not what you think," George replied with his voice trembling.
"Yes, I know everything already. Mariam explained everything, but be careful of the people you call friends," AY replied.
George was dumbfounded because that was the least reaction he was expecting from AY, but he felt relieved since getting into trouble with AY or anyone was the last thing he wanted.
Mariam met us there and expressed her displeasure with everything Tunde did. "You really need to be careful of that scoundrel you call a friend because if this would have caused you a bigger problem, we won't be having this conversation."
George couldn't thank Mariam enough and just went about doing his thing until Tunde showed up.
"George, I am sorry about the picture. I took it for fun and didn't know it would draw so much attention like this," Tunde said immediately he got to where George was sitting.
"For fun? You know who Ay is in the school, and you called this fun?" George asked.
"Honestly, I didn't know it would become an issue. I am deeply sorry," Tunde apologized.
"No problem, but I will appreciate it if we can just be classmates from now on," George replied, and before Tunde could say anything, he walked away.
"I am truly sorry," Tunde continued apologizing, but George didn't stop. He felt betrayed by someone he called a friend, and it hurts.