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Chapter 2: First Period Surprises
The classrooms of Bosol High School buzzed with the energy of a fresh term. Fans creaked above their heads, windows slid open to welcome the morning air, and chalk tapped gently on blackboards as teachers scribbled down topics for the week. The walls, still freshly painted, bore motivational posters like "Discipline is the Bridge Between Goals and Success" and, again, the school's motto in bold green letters:
> "God is our Refuge."
In SS2A, the students were just settling into their new seating arrangements. The class was neatly arranged in rows, each desk paired with a bench. Victory and Fadeyi sat together by the window.
"Thank God we're still seat partners," Fadeyi said, nudging her.
Victory laughed. "You'd miss my noise too much if I moved."
At the front of the class, Ayomide was already flipping through her new Civic Education notebook, jotting down the term's goals in bullet points. Her handwriting was as neat as her braid lines.
Ajiboye, who sat right in front, turned around and gave Ayomide a big smile. "Ready to take the first position again this term?"
Ayomide returned the smile. "Of course. But don't forget—Head Girl goals."
Ajiboye leaned in. "You have my vote already. You're smart, serious, and let's be honest… Mr. Daniel likes your class contributions too much."
Just then, a loud but familiar voice echoed down the corridor: "SS2A! Stand up!"
The students scrambled to their feet. Standing in the doorway was Mrs. Adeniji, holding a thick Civic Education textbook and wearing her signature expression—strict and unreadable.
She stepped in briskly. "Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma!" they chorused.
"Sit."
Chairs scraped. Bags shuffled. All eyes turned forward.
Mrs. Adeniji dropped her materials on the desk. "This is not JSS3. You are SS2 students—approaching external exams. If you treat my subject like it's for decoration, you will fail it. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, ma," they answered.
"I don't raise lazy students. And don't expect me to slow down because you think Civic is easy. Let's begin."
She turned to the board and wrote in capital letters:
TOPIC: VALUES AND THE SOCIETY
Ayomide leaned forward, already scribbling the title. Ajiboye followed quickly. Fadeyi whispered, "Victory, what are values again?"
Victory whispered back, "Things we believe in... I think."
Mrs. Adeniji turned around. "Who said that?"
The class fell silent.
"I like the confidence. Stand up, both of you."
Victory and Fadeyi stood, heartbeats rising.
Mrs. Adeniji nodded. "Civic Education is for people who pay attention, not whisper. Victory, what are societal values?"
Victory swallowed. "They're... principles that guide the behavior of people in a community?"
The teacher nodded. "Good. Sit."
Fadeyi sat down and sighed in relief. "You're too smart, abeg," she whispered.
By the end of the period, even the noisemakers were scribbling notes. Mrs. Adeniji didn't shout often, but her tone demanded respect. As the bell rang for the next period, she left them with one final line:
> "In Bosol, knowledge and character walk hand in hand. Remember that."
As she left, a few students groaned.
"Civic used to be my sleep class," someone muttered.
"Not anymore," Victory replied, chuckling.
The next period was Economics with Mr. Daniel, and the class noticeably relaxed when he walked in. Mr. Daniel wore his usual grey shirt with rolled-up sleeves and carried nothing but a notebook.
"Good morning, SS2A," he greeted warmly.
"Good morning, sir!"
"Sit."
They obeyed.
Mr. Daniel looked around. "New term. Fresh books. Clean slates." He smiled. "For the first few weeks, I'll pretend none of you annoyed me last term. Let's keep it that way, shall we?"
Laughter bubbled through the class. Everyone liked Mr. Daniel. He was calm, but firm; friendly, but you knew better than to mess around in his class.
He turned to the board and wrote:
TOPIC: BASIC ECONOMIC CONCEPTS
"Who can define scarcity?" he asked.
Ajiboye raised her hand instantly. "Scarcity is the limited nature of resources in comparison to the unlimited wants of people."
"Perfect," he said. "You're starting strong, Ajiboye. Others, take notes."
For the next thirty minutes, he explained terms like opportunity cost, wants and needs, and the concept of choice. He used simple examples—like choosing between buying a snack or saving for airtime—and even called out students randomly.
"Victory," he said suddenly, "you have ₦500. You want to buy gala and a drink, but you also want to keep some for data. What's your opportunity cost?"
Victory thought. "The item I give up to buy the other."
"Exactly! Clear and sharp."
She grinned at Fadeyi, who gave her a quiet high-five under the desk.
Mr. Daniel wrapped up with one of his famous phrases: "Economics teaches us to think before we spend—and before we speak."
As the bell rang for break, he added, "Don't forget your assignment. One page on 'Scarcity in my daily life.' Due next class."
As soon as he left, the class burst into casual chatter. Some students rushed out for snacks. Others flipped to the back of their books to start the assignment immediately.
Ayomide sighed in satisfaction. "I love first days."
Ajiboye smiled. "That's because you love every subject."
Fadeyi leaned across the desk. "Guys, I heard from SS3 that there might be an interclass debate this term."
Victory's eyes lit up. "Let them try us. We'll finish them!"
"You?" Ayomide teased. "The same girl who couldn't spell 'government' during that spelling bee?"
Victory held her chest dramatically. "That was one time!"
They all laughed.
Outside, the school bell rang again—five sharp clangs this time. Break was over.
And just like that, the first full morning of the term came to an end.