Schoolgirl’s Secret
Chapter Two – A New Voice in the Room
Two weeks later, the bell rang through the quiet corridors of Victoria Hill High, marking the start of the weekly Debate Club meeting. Brenda strolled into the library with her notes neatly stacked and her confidence intact. Mercy was already there, curled up in a chair flipping through a law journal she barely understood.
“Still reading about human rights violations in mining sectors?” Brenda teased, sliding into the seat beside her.
Mercy smirked. “Trying to keep up with Uganda’s future Chief Justice.”
Their laugh was cut short by the arrival of a new presence—Brian.
Brenda stiffened slightly. Mercy looked up from her book with a furrowed brow.
Brian clapped once, casually but with authority. “Afternoon, future leaders.”
The room went quiet.
Mr. Wamala, their club patron, followed closely behind. “Ladies and gentlemen, as discussed last week, we’re beginning a mentorship program in partnership with the Regional Youth Speech Network. Brian Kintu is one of the top mentors. He’ll be guiding selected schools—including us—through advanced argument structuring and public speaking.”
He turned to Brian. “All yours.”
Brian walked to the front of the room, relaxed, confident.
“I don’t come to replace your teachers,” he said, “I come to stretch you beyond what you’ve already mastered. Real debate is not memorizing facts. It’s understanding people.”
His eyes briefly landed on Brenda. She felt it. Mercy noticed.
“Let’s start with something light,” he continued. “You have five minutes. Build an argument for why school uniforms should be banned.”
Groans rippled across the room.
Brenda leaned forward, intrigued. An argument I don’t believe in? Interesting.
Pairs were formed. Brian moved around, observing quietly. When he reached Brenda and Mercy’s table, he smiled.
“Brenda, right?”
“Yes.”
“I want to hear you argue the opposite of your truth. Think like the enemy. That’s what great lawyers do.”
Brenda smirked. “Then I’ll be great at this.”
Brian laughed. “I don’t doubt it.”
He moved on.
Mercy gave Brenda a side glance. “You’ve caught a fish.”
“It’s nothing,” Brenda muttered, suddenly focused on her notes.
“Please. He’s practically quoting you.”
After the session, Brian handed out feedback slips. On Brenda’s, a short note was scribbled:
“You argue well. But I sense your voice also hides something deeper. That’s where your power is.”
—Brian
Brenda folded the paper carefully and tucked it into her notebook.
On the ride home, Mercy couldn’t let it go. “You like him.”
“I don’t,” Brenda replied flatly.
“Fine. Then why are you blushing?”
“I’m not.”
Mercy smirked. “Whatever you say, Miss Future Lawyer. Just don’t let it mess up your goals.”
Brenda looked out the window, the city streets blurring by. Something about Brian stirred something in her—curiosity, admiration… maybe more.
But she couldn’t afford distractions. Not now. Not with everything she was working toward.
Still, deep down, a small voice whispered: Just this once… maybe.