As the quintessential teacher's pet, I had grown accustomed to being the go-to girl for every class competition. My grades were always top-notch, and my obedient nature made me a favorite among the faculty. But little did I know, my life was about to take an unexpected turn.
It was a typical Friday morning in Primary Five when Sir Festus, my teacher, summoned me to his office. My mind raced with possibilities - had I botched my homework or was there a pressing issue that needed attention? But instead, he dropped a bombshell: I was chosen to represent our school in an inter-school quiz competition, alongside a male senior from JSS3.
My heart skipped a beat. This wasn't just any competition - it was the big leagues, meant for secondary school students. Stage fright threatened to overwhelm me, but Sir Festus's encouraging words bolstered my confidence. "You're a shining star, and I know you'll make us proud," he said with a warm smile.
But there was a catch - I had to wear a secondary school uniform and pretend to be in JSS1. I was perplexed - why couldn't they find a suitable pair among the seniors? Nonetheless, I was thrilled to be part of this adventure.
As I walked out of the office, I felt a mix of emotions. excitement, nervousness, and a hint of fear. What if I failed? What if I embarrassed myself in front of the whole school?
The day of the quiz arrived, and my nerves were on edge. I put on the borrowed uniform, feeling like an imposter. As we took our places on stage, I scanned the audience - a sea of unfamiliar faces, all waiting for us to falter.
But something unexpected happened. A JSS3 girl,kemi, my senior, shot me dagger-like glances and whispered snide comments. I was baffled - what had I done to deserve her wrath? Was it because I was younger, or was there something more sinister at play?
Despite the tension, we began the quiz, and I surprised myself by answering question after question correctly. The audience applauded, and my confidence grew.
After the competition, we were announced as the first runner-up, and the crowd erupted in cheers. I beamed with pride, but I noticed that kemi's scowl deepened.
It wasn't until later, when Sir Festus revealed the truth, that I understood her behavior. She was the original choice to represent our school but had backed out at the last minute, fearing failure. Now, she seethed with jealousy, feeling like I had stolen her thunder.i knew in my heart that I did not steal someone's thunder but rather made my own. If she had competed it wasn't a gaurantee that she would have won.
As I basked in the glory of our prize, I realized that this experience had taught me a valuable lesson. success can be bitter sweet, and sometimes, it's hard to share the spotlight. But I also learned that with hard work and determination, even the most unlikely person can shine. I felt very proud of myself that day.
