Chapter 6 A New Circle

Faith thought Primary 6 was tough until she entered JSS1.

Her father had enrolled her in a private secondary school in a neighboring town, far from Harmony Primary School and everything familiar. The school was prestigious, well-disciplined, and filled with high achievers from all over.

But it wasn't home.

Every morning, Faith boarded the public bus uniform neat, books in hand, eyes still sleepy. And every afternoon, she returned tired and quiet, staring out the window as buildings blurred past.

She felt alone.

No Pearl. No friendly faces. No familiar laughter from assembly lines or lunchtime corners. The first day was especially hard. She stood out not just because she was new, but because her silence made people unsure whether to approach her.

She almost said something to her father.

Almost asked for a transfer.

But something stopped her.

Maybe it was pride.

Maybe it was hope.

Maybe it was that little voice that said: You've started this. Don't run.

So she stayed.

And like always, she observed.

Her new classmates were different louder, sharper, more competitive. Some came from top primary schools with reputations. They wrote fast. They spoke faster. Teachers didn't slow down for anyone.

But slowly, Faith began to rise quietly, steadily, confidently.

She answered questions others stumbled on. She got full marks in assignments others left half-done. Even her seatmate once whispered, "You dey try o."

Still, one student made things more... interesting.

His name was Frank.

He wasn't noisy, but he was everywhere always one step ahead or one step behind her. If she got 94, he had 93. If he had 96, she had 97. It was never a huge gap but always close enough to make her alert.

Frank didn't see her as competition.

He saw her as motivation.

And whether she admitted it or not, Faith felt the same.

The rivalry wasn't loud, but it was real.

Even other students noticed. One afternoon, a girl named Gift known for always topping her former primary class walked up to Faith with a puzzled expression.

"I don't understand," she said. "I used to come first every time. But now... it's like you and Frank have built one wall I can't climb."

Faith smiled softly and looked away.

She didn't need to explain.

Her work already spoke loud enough.

The Result

When first term results were posted on the notice board, students crowded around it like bees.

Gasps echoed. Fingers pointed. Some smiled. Some sighed.

1st Position: Lazarus Faith

2nd Position: Okoro Frank

3rd position: Gregory Gift

The room was silent for a moment, and then applause broke out.

Frank looked at the board, then at Faith. He didn't frown. He nodded.

Respect.

And Faith?

She said nothing.

But inside her chest, something strong and steady glowed.

Not pride.

Not even relief.

Just the quiet satisfaction of knowing:

Even here, in a new circle, she belonged.

A Small Celebration

That evening, Faith returned home with her result sheet folded neatly in her bag.

She didn't say much when she handed it to her parents. She just stood by the door, waiting.

Her father unfolded it.

Silence.

Her mother read over his shoulder.

More silence.

Then both of them looked up, wide-eyed.

"First position?" her father said slowly.

"In a school like that?" her mother added.

Faith nodded, trying not to smile too hard.

The next hour felt like a festival.

Her mother rushed to the kitchen. Her father called two of his friends on the phone. Laughter filled the house.

That night, they cooked fried rice and chicken, seasoned to perfection. There was no music or visitors just the three of them, eating with joy, soaking in the pride of raising a brilliant girl.

Her parents had always believed in her.

But this moment?

This was bigger.

This was proof.

This was the beginning of something even greater.