[ Scene opens in the school compound at break time.
The bell rings sharply, followed by the thunder of pupils rushing out of classrooms. The air fills with laughter, the clatter of lunch boxes, and playful screams. Inside the staffroom, the atmosphere is calmer teachers sipping tea, flipping through papers, and exchanging casual gossip.
At one table, Maya sits under the humming ceiling fan, marking exercise books. Her brow furrows as she scribbles corrections in red ink. A soft sigh escapes her lips.
Clinton enters with his usual confident stride, holding two chilled bottles of soda. A couple of teachers glance at him, then at Maya, exchanging knowing smiles. He notices but doesn't care.
Clinton : [ smirking as he drops into the chair beside her] You look like you've been in a wrestling match with these books.
Maya: [ without looking up, sarcastic] If you mean marking fifty essays, then yes I'm losing badly.
[ Clinton chuckles, places one soft drinks in front of her, and opens his own with a hiss.]
Maya :[raising an eyebrow, finally looking at him] And what's this for?
Clinton : [grinning] Call it teacher's survival kit. soft drinks is for refreshments , and my company for entertainment.
[ Maya tries to hide a smile but fails. She takes a sip, and Clinton leans back comfortably, watching her.]
Clinton : [teasing] You know, you're not as serious as you pretend to be.
Maya : [snorting] And you're not as funny as you think you are.
[ They laugh together. Other teachers glance again, whispering, but the two are lost in their own bubble.
Clinton : [after a pause, voice softer] You know something? I don't really open up to people. Not here, not anywhere.
Maya :[turning slightly to him, curious] Oh? And yet you're about to open up to me.
[ Clinton studies her for a moment, his playful smirk fading into something more genuine.]
Clinton :[ quietly] Maybe because you're different, Maya. With you... I don't have to pretend.
[ Maya blinks, taken aback. She looks away, fidgeting with her pen, but her lips curl into a small smile she can't hide.
[ From that day, the staffroom whispers grew louder. Teachers noticed their closeness, pupils giggled whenever they saw the two walking side by side. But Maya didn't mind. She wasn't just with the proprietor's son she was with Clinton, her bestie.]
Curtain falls.