Reunion

Lucky stood at the far end of the school field that was huge enough to house a small community. Waving at his friends, his small stature could be seen from a distance which one could mistake for a ten year old. He looked too little for his age. His large brown eyes sparkling brightly under the noon day's sunlight as he stood there grinning widely. He appeared to be in a good mood.

"Hey!"

he called for the fifth time, trying to gain the attention of his friends.

"Lucky! You're here too?" Josh was the one to speak as he made his way towards Lucky accompanied by Michael. He seemed a bit startled as he had not expected to see his mischievous friend here.

"Surprised to see me? You didn't think I would let you guys have all the fun, did you?" Lucky spoke proudly with all smiles as he felt like he had accomplished something so huge. One would mistake him for an enthusiastic child that was so happy to be in school, but Josh didn't miss the subtle mischievousness in his tone. His big brown eyes looked so full of life as he inhaled and exhaled the air noisily as if it was the best he had ever inhaled.

Josh looked slightly troubled now, he would have never imagined that Lucky would be admitted into the same school as him. One would need brains for books and a clean record from their previous schools to be admitted into Independence High School, which Lucky clearly lacked! As it held its reputation in high regard. Being the largest school within town, it was no surprise that it's standards and requirements from students dreaming to study in the reputable school was inevitably high!

Independence High School boasted of a 'standard' learning environment as they called it. It's classrooms as well as its teaching staff exceeded the regular schools in town by miles, with no one to match its modern and systematic style of educating, leaving even the dumbest of child inflicted with knowledge. Independence High School was no doubt the most sought out school by parents as it not just offered day school learning, but also boarding as its biggest asset, earning its student direct tickets and scholarships into prodigious colleges one could only dream of. A student in Independence High School was no less to a celebrity in town.

It made Josh wonder how Lucky did it? He couldn't help but imagine what scheming and cunning plan Lucky had devised to end up here. But still, it was not enough to get one into the school as it practiced strict and fair admission. Meaning that students couldn't buy their way in.

Josh stood there gawking at Lucky in wonderment, his friend didn't cease to amaze him!

It was the beginning of a new academic session, as well as the second week of resumption in the almighty Independence High School. And as usual it gates was flooded with students along with their parents. All having one aim and goal, it was Independence High School or nothing! Parents could be seen pulling at their children by the arm forward, as they walked aimlessly all trying to get through the already crowded entrance leading to the admitting hall. They had to get their children registered by all cost!

Lucky watched amusingly at the scene displayed in front of him. The seriousness and determination on the faces of each parent and student was something to clap for. 'Only if they were as determined as they were to fight corruption. Then the world might be a better place' Lucky tetched staring at the matured men and women as they made a fool out of themselves.

By now, the entrance to the admission hall was significantly congested with each parent trying to get their child into the hall by all means! it didn't take long before a parent tripped down on the floor, causing a chain reaction. Parents and students could be seen stumbling on one another as they wriggled and struggled from the ground, getting up almost immediately like it was nothing, only to stumble and fall again.

"Please, could all parent or guardian stand in a single line along with their child or children and wait for their turn? The admission process can't be rushed as we need to ensure that all requirements are being met appropriately. Thanks for your cooperation."

A voice of a female could be heard loudly from within the hall, which was undoubtedly one of the registrars. They were already accustomed with situations like this that they saw the commotion as little to nothing. One couldn't blame the lady for phrasing something meant for a statement as a question, which as expected fell on deaf ears as the parents had long began being physical with one another pushing anyone and everyone trying to stand in their way. Arguments could be heard from different angles. No one needed a soothsayer to tell that a fight would break out soon if things didn't get under control.

Lucky who had been so bored watching the parents and students fumble, had decided it was time to take a stroll and sightsee the school that he had heard so much about.

Undeniably, Independence High School did live up to its reputation. As the school stood tall and majestically as if to intimidate and tell the other schools who was boss! 'How intimidating 'Lucky was awe struck by the school. It had outdone his expectations! as it was way too large! It was built so meticulously that it stood in an exclusive and almost secluded stance, away from the bustling and preying eyes of the town's men. Almost like it was in its own little world. Only that Independence High School was in its own 'big world'.

He had walked leisurely for quite some time now, taking in anything and everything that caught his eyes. It was a delightful experience for him as he hadn't seen anything like this before. As he sauntered further, it felt like he hadn't even covered half of the school grounds. Lucky being a lazy person realized how stressed he was and gave up on his short-lived adventure as he made his way back to the obverse part of the school. Reaching the school field that looked bizarrely too large, Lucky couldn't help but groan as everything in Independence High School were either too exaggerated or intimidating. Its surroundings came in jumbo sizes!

He was still observing around the area, that he was beginning to get annoyed when he sighted his friends from across the school field.

"How did you get admitted?"

Josh couldn't help but ask. Even though he knew how things like this were easy for Lucky as it was something that came with his name. the boy didn't seem to run out of luck! He wanted to acquire wisdom, yes! He wanted to know. Thought Josh to himself.

Lucky and himself, as well as Michael dated way back from elementary school as they all lived in the same neighborhood. Going to the same school, it was inevitable that they ended up as buddies.

Michael being a year younger than he was, was a very social character. He blended well with just anywhere. His good looks and gift for football and sports came as an additional bonus. He was famous with the ladies.

Josh being the eldest of the three, took the responsibility of keeping them in check, as their parents relied on him for the safeguarding of their children. Josh being the most responsible one out of the three, shouldered the responsible of looking after the lot. A decision he regrated a week later.

In contrast to Michael, Josh was a boy of average looks and few words, he didn't speak unnecessarily as his brain did the talking. He became the teacher's favorite as he excelled too well in almost all the subjects. He was always used as reference by teachers, telling others of how a student should be. Being always appointed as class captain his whole life. He was nick named 'the brain box'. One would always find him with books as he tried acquiring knowledge in every which way he could. As a result, he looked both mature in appearance and reasoning. Always reminding the boys to think about the repercussions before acting. He was a class ahead of the two, so he wouldn't always be there to watch over them all the time.

Then came the troublesome one, Lucky. Oddly always quiet unless being poked. Lucky was everything rebellious and bad in the eyes of teachers and parents. The so-called bad boys of the school looked up to him for mentorship as he had broken almost all the rules in school and was still breaking more. Aside from his short comings. Lucky was also 'the voice of the people' as he made sure to put out his point and make his thoughts known regardless of the consequences.

Being a troublesome kid in school had its quirks and advantages. Lucky was no exception as he had a sweet side to him. He didn't go out looking for trouble and only did daring things that even the worst of student would think twice about. He challenged teachers so often that they became accustomed to him, as they were all wary of his presence.

"Nothing to worry about. It wasn't that hard" Lucky wasn't in the mood to reveal his trick. Josh although being curious, decided to let the matter go. He could only hope that Lucky wouldn't do things that could land him into trouble. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself, he knew things were only going to get worse from here as Lucky always attracted trouble everywhere he went.

"Where are the girls? Don't tell me Independence is an all-boys school!?" Michael finally spoke, as his eyes wondered around the school as though he was searching for something or perhaps, someone. His ability to say things that were totally unrelated from a topic being discussed was recommendable. He was sure that the school admitted both genders. Or was he wrong? Could it be that he had been deceived!?

Josh could only roll his eyes at the hint of panic in Michael's features, they had just met moments ago and yet he felt so stressed out! Why!? Josh could only weep internally. He had anticipated a peaceful and delightful life in Independence High School, in fact he had be schooling peacefully all this while. As he had been here before them. Seeing these two, Josh finally realized that his dreams of a peaceful and worriless life had come to a halt. He would have to babysit again, just like in their primary school days.

"Indeed, it is a school for both genders. Boys and girls are admitted on different dates so that the registration hall wouldn't turn chaotic" Josh replied Michael. "I think they would start admitting the girls next week" he assured him.

"Sounds more like it!" Michael beamed. He couldn't imagine his life without girls. It would be so boring and lonely. He shivered at the thought.

"We should explore the dormitories" Lucky offered. Unlike Michael, he had much more important things to do than have ladies flock around him. He felt it was unnecessary and a waste of time.

"excellent" Josh obliged. More than anything he would love to tour them around the dormitories rather than have them nag him to death!

Together, they made their way further into the school in leisure steps as they spoke about how magnificent the school was. "Do boys and girls get to share the same dormitory? I mean, do they share the same rooms?" Michael tried to confirmed out of the blue from Josh who was caught off guard by the question. He couldn't help but wonder if the boy came to study or was here to get girls pregnant! "Unfortunately, no." Josh tried not to lose his composure "the boys' and girls' hostel are separated by the school field" Josh replied with a frustrated tone to Michael who already had a look of disappointment written all over his refined face. "So sad" Lucky was the one to comment with a hint of sarcasm in the way he spoke. "I mean, they would have considered our dear Michael as he can't survive a world full of males alone" he mocked without being too obvious.