The next morning, Yinka arrived at school feeling like a stone was sitting on her chest. She couldn’t focus. Her eyes felt heavy.

Sade didn’t walk with her that day. She didn’t even look at her.

In class, Sade sat at the far end of the row, whispering and giggling with some girls. Yinka sat alone and other girls looked at her strangely.

Someone whispered, “That’s the girl who went to see Mr. Ajayi secretly and almost reported her friend.”

Yinka stared at her desk. Her hands shook. She wasn’t sure how the rumour started, but it spread fast. It didn’t matter that it was lies, Sade believed it and it hurt her.

During lunch, no one sat with Yinka. She brought out her rice and stew but couldn’t eat it. Her stomach turned.

Suddenly, a soft voice came from beside her. “Hi. Can I sit?”

Yinka looked up. It was Nnenna, a quiet girl from class. Yinka nodded. 

For the first time in that day, someone sat close. Nnenna didn’t talk much. She just sat, eating her food calmly.

Yinka whispered, “Thank you.”

Nnenna smiled. “You’re welcome.”

Later that week, Mr. Ajayi returned to class.

“I’ve decided not to cancel the test,” he said. “But I hope whoever cheated has learned a lesson. And I hope the rest of you remember that silence can be just as loud.”

Yinka’s face burned. She knew he was talking to her, even if he didn’t say her name.

Normally, she would have reported the cheat but this time she had kept quiet and it didn’t feel right.

That evening, Yinka stood outside with her Ayo, watching the sky turn pink. She felt tired but clear. Like the storm in her mind had slowed down.

“I think I lost a friend,” she said softly.

Her brother was too small to understand, but he looked up at her and held her hand. She smiled, blinking back tears.