The school was alive with excitement and nerves. Students buzzed around the notice board like bees, eager to see who had climbed the academic ladder-and who had slipped off.
Rita and Anne arrived together, hearts racing.
"Let's just look and get it over with," Anne said, chewing her bottom lip.
"I agree," Rita replied, her hands trembling slightly.
They pressed into the crowd, peering at the printed sheet on the board.
And there it was.
1st Position - Rita Adeleke- 92.4%
6th Position - Anne Richard - 83.5%
For a split second, neither of them spoke.
Then someone shouted from behind, "Rita's first! Rita came first!"
The crowd responded with applause, some in genuine praise, others in surprised murmurs. Rita felt lightheaded. Her ears were ringing, not from the noise-but from disbelief.
"I-I didn't expect this," she whispered.
Anne stared at the sheet, her throat tightening. "Wow. First."
Before Rita could say more, Evelyn's voice sliced through the noise.
"Isn't this sweet? Miss Rita Genius takes the crown."
Rita turned. Evelyn stood with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed but smiling.
"I guess all those group studies paid off," Evelyn added, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Or maybe... the note-passing helped?"
Rita's jaw tightened. "You know that wasn't cheating. It wasn't even like that."
Evelyn smirked. "I didn't say it was. I'm just curious how people get lucky sometimes."
Anne shifted her weight beside them but said nothing. Rita turned toward her, hoping for support-but Anne was already walking away slowly, without a word.
The gap between them... had begun.
---
Later, after assembly, students began to trickle out of school.
To Rita's surprise, Evelyn walked beside her at the gate.
"Going my way?" Evelyn asked casually.
Rita hesitated. "Sure."
They walked side by side down the dusty road, past the food sellers and the fruit stalls. Evelyn seemed calmer now, but Rita could still feel the sharpness under her words.
"You know," Evelyn said, kicking a stone in the road, "it must be nice. Being first."
"I guess so," Rita replied carefully.
"Everyone claps. Teachers smile. Some students act like you've won a national award."
Rita glanced at her. "Evelyn, is there something you're trying to say?"
Evelyn shrugged. "I'm just saying-don't let it get to your head. This school loves to lift people up only to forget them the next term."
"I didn't ask to be lifted," Rita said calmly. "I just worked hard."
Evelyn stopped walking for a second. "Yeah, well. Let's see if you can do it again next term."
Rita met her gaze. "I'll try. And I won't need to pull anyone down to get there."
Evelyn blinked, then gave a tight-lipped smile. "Touché."
They parted ways at the junction, and Rita continued home alone, her steps slower now.
Behind her, the echo of clapping hands still rang in her memory-but so did Anne's silence.
And somehow, the silence was louder.