𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬!
                     𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠?
       𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫.

    If you are a fan of Fantasy, then check out my babe's book, _emem06_ She just started it and I can assure you that it's a bomb.

                    ~Mary Chiyenum Eze~

                ——————☆•☆——————
                “The beginning of the end.”
                ——————☆•☆——————

“Shall we proceed to the next example?” 

Mr. Barlow's voice snapped me out of my reading phase and I glanced up to find the tall, skinny man right in front of the whiteboard, his marker in his hand. We had a projector screen but the man had never been one to use it. He preferred the art of writing every time.

I picked up my sharpened pencil, my stomach rolling the same way it had been doing in the last few hours since I'd eaten one of Dara's infamous baked cookies. I wasn't going to lie, the cookies tasted so well that I couldn't resist not eating them. But now, the after-effect was what I couldn't deal with.

Dara.

I still couldn't believe that she was back. She was the last person I expected would come back to EHS. She was gone, she was long gone. I still hadn't wrapped my head around why she chose to come back here when she could have gone anywhere else. 

Or maybe I did, I just wasn't ready to accept it yet.

“SPF, do you have a problem?” 

I veered back into my seat at the title, glancing up to meet my Physics teacher's curious gaze. It didn't occur to me that after I selected my pencil, I had unconsciously raised my hand all because I was trying to push down the heavy bile rising up my throat.

I swallowed, my left hand going to smoothen the space between my neck. I had the class's attention because I still had my hand in the air and I had yet to answer Mr. Barlow. Putting my hand down, I stared at the screen of my tablet for a second before I glanced back at the man.

“None that I can think of.” I finally replied, sitting up in my seat as I stared at the man. He managed a smile at me before he opened his marker again. 

But someone stupid said no to him moving on.

“So, why did you allow him to stop then?” 

I sucked in a huge breath, my stomach now churning deeply at the high-pitched voice I hated. She wasn't always a pest like this. At least, everything died down when her master wasn't around. Two days, only two days after Kambili showed up at school and Chinaza Martins already thought it was cool to be a pest in my life.

“You raised your hand in the air like you had made a very big discovery of some sort only to ask him to proceed. And with no apology whatsoever.” She continued, her voice rising high with mockery. A few Snickers went off in the air, only because I chose not to look at her.

“What is she trying to do?” Treasure remarked lowly under her breath as my right hand began to massage my stomach under the table.

My best friend seated beside me had her eyes glaring at the one who was talking on my behalf. In as much as she was doing that now, I knew that the moment it all ended, she would be the one greeting Chinaza in the hallway like they were best pals.

She didn't hold grudges.

“Being the idiot she is,” I bit hard on my lower lip to avoid giving my attention to someone who wasn't worth it.

“That's how she would sit there and act like someone is not speaking to her. Later, she will call someone a big snob. It's to be making noise that she knows.” She snorted, and I smiled within me. 

“No offense, Erick.” She mumbled to someone.

“And what are you doing now? Are you not interrupting the class?” 

Someone I recognized to be Annette asked sharply, her voice bored and disinterested. 

I looked away from my tablet, and back at the teacher. He was standing there, confused about what to do. Chinaza was probably holding him hostage, or not. 

“I wasn't talking to you, Macaulay.” Chinaza continued.

Finally having enough of the annoying girl, I heaved a small sigh, shifted my seat back a little, and got on my feet. Treasure's hand immediately wrapped around my wrist but I wiggled my hands free from her grip and she reluctantly let me go. Still holding on to my pencil, I stepped out of my corner and turned sharply toward my offender.

“Jesus!”

“See what this mumu has caused now.”

“Na book dey say make we come read for school o, na rubbish this one go dey yarn.”

I ignored the muffled whispers going on around me as I started my journey around the class to Chinaza Martins's seat. My steps were slow, my eyes were focused, holding her gaze.

Her eyes widened a bit in horror, her pale fair cheeks reddening out of fear. Her mouth was shut limply and even as she tried to act unaffected as she sat there, I could see that her legs were starting to bounce.

“SPF, I don't think—” 

Mr. Barlow tried to stop me but I brushed past him and headed for the girl. He knew better than to stop me. All the teachers in this school knew better than to stop me and frankly, I wasn't expecting him to make any move. As I got closer, a few of my classmates scampered out of their seats to avoid getting into my bad books.

Then finally, I was standing in front of her.

One second passed, and she didn't say anything.

Five seconds…

Till we were down to a minute.

“Were you not the one running your mouth just now?” I raised a brow at her, questioning her now mute look. 

She opened her mouth to speak but her seatmate gripped her by her shoulder to hold her back. That one was already shaking in her seat but she wasn't my concern at all.

I sighed and pulled back away from her. China couldn't even hold my gaze again. But if Kambili walked in now, she would be making noise.

“You people see now. I will be on my own jeje, doing my thing. Someone will see trouble and decide to seek it. If I do anything to her now, you will say Mimi is wicked.” I hissed. “It's only when she is with Kambili that she has a mouth.” 

I shook my head, turned around, and walked away to my seat. I got to my seat and settled down. Treasure was trying to hide her laugh by covering her mouth with her hands. Looking around, a good number of my classmates were trying to do the same thing.

“Please proceed, Mr. Barlow.” I gestured to the man, holding my pencil tightly at the rumble in my tummy.

The skinny man nodded twice before he opened his marker again and faced the board. I watched him as he wrote example two in bright letters. Before he could ask us to read the next example for him, I took up the task.

However, before I could even start reading, the automatic bell went off and the teacher turned around. A triumphant shout of glee went off in the class and I rolled my eyes at the unserious people.

“Well, I guess I will see you all next time.” The man didn't wait a second before he started to pack up, desperate to get out of our cage of a class.

“Yeah, during after-school class.” Someone called back but the man was already walking out of the class.

I exhaled and started to pack my notes and pencils away. For some reason, I enjoyed using pencils on my notes. It wasn't that I didn't use pens or I used them all the time but this was EHS. We rarely ever used notes anyway. I dropped them under my desk space and turned my gaze to Treasure. She was watching me with a smile.

“What?” I asked, ignoring the noise our classmates were making.

“Nothing,” she smiled and pushed out of her seat. Since she didn't say anything, I left her because this was Treasure. She was going to come back to speak to me about whatever was running through her mind. I got out of my seat too and we started our journey out of the class.

The hallway as expected was already noisy and filled with students. EHS students were loudmakers. They always had something to talk about, always had something to fawn about. Today, the excitement was not far-fetched. I knew why they were all so excited.

“I already know what I will be wearing, girl. And no, it's not my usual style.”

I heard one of my setmates say as we passed by a group of giddy girls. I don't understand if these people were never hungry. They ring the bell for break and the next thing they do is to gather in the hallway to talk about the party held on Friday.

“Soooo, about the party, will you be attending?” Treasure asked as she waved at one of the girls in the set whose name I had no idea of. 

I grimaced and held on to her hand, pulling her to match my quick pace toward the cafeteria. I couldn't deal with all the noise and I wasn't in the mood to stop it.

“The party is holding in my house, guy.” I frowned as I turned to spare my best friend a glance. 

“So, that means we are attending?” She poked my insides with a finger and I rolled my eyes.

“If you want,” I mumbled as we walked into the cafeteria. 

EHS cafeteria had to be one of the standard school eateries I had seen. It was very large, unarguably able to contain as many students as the auditorium. The cafeteria is a modern and stylish space, with sleek lines and clean surfaces. The chairs are simple and functional, with comfortable cushions and armrests. The tables are made of dark wood, with matching benches that curve around them. The walls are a light gray, accented with splashes of color in the form of artwork and posters. 

It was that simple yet very gorgeous. As soon as we walked in, I was hit with a variety of tantalizing aromas. I could pick some of the food, right from pizza to the divine school donuts that I started to crave but what set me off the most was the smell of bread. I kid you not when I pledge that EHS made one of the best breads. 

Some students were already occupying the large space and I sighted Dara among them. She was sitting in our usual spot, typing away on her phone. I stared at her for a few seconds while Treasure took the luxury of chatting with someone I wasn't bothered about.

With an inward sigh, I pulled Treasure's, hand and she let out a loud protest. We walked briskly toward our table and took our seats. Dara stopped typing and put her phone away to stare at us. I admired how good she looked in EHS crewneck maroon-colored sweatshirt and dark grey sweatpants. Since our sweatshirt had a zipper which if you asked me was great, she had her zipper down a bit to reveal the white criss-cross inner she had on.

Hers was even better, I had mine unzipped to reveal the white official school vest underneath while Treasure wasn't even wearing her sweatshirt at all. Just the vest and grey joggers. She preferred it that way.

“Howdy,” 

I managed a small smile at her as I leaned back in my seat, the fresh smell of baked bread wafting into my nostrils. I exhaled, rubbing my tummy. 

“What's going on?” Dara asked glancing between us. I looked away from her face at Treasure and I saw that she was pouting her lips. Rolling my eyes, I turned back to Dara.

“Ignore her,” I scowled.

“Noted,” she agreed. Leaning back in her seat to sip the bottle of Sprite before her, she asked. “What's with the rumors? I heard your cousin is throwing a party on Friday.” She took a long drag of the drink.

“Unfortunately,” I scowled.

“Fortunately,” Treasure countered with a glare at me.

“Whatever,” Dara dismissed to sip her drink. 

“Wait, wait. I know that tone. Don't tell me you are not going.” Tres started and I rolled my eyes. “Nah, nah. You two better not get into my bad books.” She frowned.

“Treasure, you don't have a bad book.” I reminded her.

Ignoring me, she continued. “I don't care whatever feud you guys have with her or against her but you are going to that party. You are coming to that party with me and I don't care how. It's the first party of the school year.” She pouted.

“Who's gonna watch Posi?” Dara asked, bending over to take a sip of her drink again. I had almost forgotten about her younger sister who she said she had the responsibility of watching for now. I still didn't understand how.

“Easy, bring her to my house. Rejoice will be overjoyed.” Treasure beamed.

“Whatever,” Dara gave a non-committal response and I giggled. She would agree soon though, Treasure would make sure of it. 

“Now that that is taken care of, what would you guys like to eat?” She asked, looking between us. There was no way I was going to eat anything, especially with the way I was feeling. I couldn't put myself at risk.

“I guess water,” I mumbled. She didn't even bother to ask why I wanted just water. We always ate together so I knew she thought I was going to eat whatever she ate.

“Hamburgers, please.” And with that, Treasure was out of her seat to go get our orders. I heaved a sigh and reached into the pocket of my skirt for my phone. Once I brought it out, I went straight to my WhatsApp. There was no reply to the message I sent to him even though I knew he had seen it. 

I scowled and made to send him another message but as I sensed Dara's eyes on me, I stopped to glance at her. She was watching me quietly, accessing me. Her brown orbs stared intensely at me. For a second, I would consider it a regular stare except that what Dara was doing was more than…a stare. She was looking at me. Searching me with details, intricately.

And for some reason, my heart skipped at what she would see if she would stare for too long. It was weird. Before I could even ask her why she was staring, she started talking.

“You have changed, Mimi.” She regarded me closely with a small smile, looking away briefly to access the cafeteria.

My fingers hovering over the screen of my phone froze and I blinked twice before I met her questioning gaze. I knew exactly what she was talking about. I knew the thoughts running through her mind. Who knew I could speak up for myself, right?

“You are not doing bad yourself, are you?” I smiled, putting my phone away to stare at her closely. 

Dara had changed. She had changed a lot from the girl I used to know. She was a lot now. Only two days into meeting her again I could tell. Now, she was a lot closed off. I could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch, hear it in her tone. 

She was not the same.

I'd known Dara for as long as I could remember which was a very long time if you asked me. She had always been this striking girl that you couldn't help taking a glance at for a second, or third time after seeing her. She was a beauty and we knew that. We all knew that.

She was beautiful but her beauty didn't lie in her strength, it lay in her confidence. Her impeccable loud mouth and zeal for doing things no one else had the courage for.

The first time I'd spoken to her, I must have been in the school for two months in different classes but we had never spoken. I had seen her though. She walked into the assembly oozing confidence and maturity. She had such a sharp mouth that when she was asked to introduce herself, the only thing I heard her say was, “Just call me Dara,”. 

I could recall staring at her with a wide smile because she was everything I wanted to be. Everything I knew I must be. But I'd walk up to her to talk to her, my steps unbalanced and my smile crooked. I remembered reaching for her to tell her my name was Mary. But all Dara had done was look me in the eye for a second, and stare at me real hard before she walked away as quickly as she could. Like she wanted to get away from me.

Kambili had watched everything and I wasn't surprised when she laughed at me loudly, almost stomping me with her shoe. I was so embarrassed and for a long while, I never forgot the way she stared at me. Treasure who had watched the whole thing walked up to me and she had smiled so brightly at me like everything was okay. I chose to believe that everything was okay.

Surprisingly, we were having an excursion trip and that was the first time Dara had spoken to me. I was going to get something from Kambili but my cousin being the mean girl she is was proving difficult. She kept pushing my head and I was crying loudly at the other kid's expense, wailing. Dara had watched the interaction and she had given up hers for me. I think that was the moment that led to them hating each other till now.

It started with me.

I could remember feeling on cloud nine for having her as a friend. She was like a defender and she was always shrouding us, I, and Treasure from weak attacks. But Dara was also mean. She spoke to whomever she wanted whenever she wanted it. She was loud and strong. She had a good heart and her will for always wanting to protect her friends outdid all her flaws.

We were an unstoppable force till Ss one when she was put in her place for the wrong reason by the wrong person. Then she left and now she was back.

“Sometimes, you need to grow, to experience change to be able to deal with some things.” She shrugged before she went ahead to take a sip of her drink again, her eyes not leaving mine.

Leaning forward a bit, I rested my chest on the table to mouth the words. “Why did you come back, Dara?” I asked.

There went all emotions in her eyes as her expression turned unreadable. Scratch that, it was always unreadable these days. Her eyes were blank, so very blank and cold. I could see it as they stared back at me, almost looking lifeless. But in them were dark circles lurking in the shadows.

I shuddered a bit.

And when she opened her mouth, her words didn't disappoint.

“You know why, Mimi.” 

She smiled now as she went back to sipping her drink while still holding my gaze. I opened my mouth to say something but Treasure returned and set the tray on the table. She handed Dara her order with a smile before she took her seat. I grabbed the bottle of water and twisted it open.

“You guys won't believe this,” Trea shoved her phone between us as I attempted to take a sip from my water. I stared at the screen of her phone to watch what she was showing us. “Fifty thousand views, can you believe that?” 

She sounded shocked, her eyes widening in disbelief and I chuckled. I didn't understand why she should be shocked.

“Wait, is that you?” Dara's eyes widened in shock and confusion as she looked away from the screen to Treasure.

“Yup,” she replied, picking up her fork to eat the plate of pasta she had bought. And of course, she came with two forks.

“Jesus! When did you start doing Ice dancing?” Dara looked like she was going to fall out of her seat with how wide her lips were. I started to laugh.

“Over the summer. I just got interested in it and signed up for the class. That was on the last day.” She explained as she handed Dara the phone. Dara watched for a few seconds more before she looked away in disbelief.

“That's exceptional, Trea.” She said it and she meant it.

“I know. My partner is exceptional too. He made me learn quickly. And you guys won't believe who he is.” She chuckled, shoving a forkful of pasta into her mouth.

“Who?” I asked as Dara handed her her phone.

“Zakir Ahmed, that guy is just too good.” She chewed quietly and I took a sip of my water. I knew who she was talking about and I hated that dude.

Dara didn't say anything, she just smiled and started to unwrap her hamburger. I wasn't sure if she remembered the dude but I didn't have time to dwell on that thought be—

“YO, EVERYONE!” 

Treasure started coughing and I spared an amused glance at her, smiling. Dara rolled her eyes but I could still sense the smile on her face.

There was only one person to whom that voice could belong. Only one person would walk into a place and announce their presence with that call. Only one person had that much authority and respect in their voice. One person who could wield the set attention as much as I did. Just one person.

“WHAT'S UP, PEEPS? HOW'RE YOU ALL DOING?”

Loud screams and responses reverberated across the large room as students started to reply, smiling and talking all at once back to that person. I could hear other noises too, the loud hand slappings and signature greetings that could only be done the way Onye and his guys would.

“DID YOU GUYS HEAR ABOUT THE PARTY ON FRIDAY?”

“Yesssss!!!!!!!!!”

They were screaming back and I was grinning.

“SO TELL ME, ARE WE GOING TO STORM THAT PLACE OR WHAT?!” 

“Yesssssssss!!!!!”

It was the returned energy for me. I laughed as I finally turned around in my seat to take a look at the guy who had stolen the attention of the set. Among huge-looking guys popularly known as the ballers, Onye stood out with his fair rich skin and boyish grin. He was laughing loudly now, his lips set apart and that sparkling glint in his amber orbs that always shone when he was talking about something he was excited about. Well, that always happened so you could understand.

“OKAY PEOPLE, LETS MAKE SURE WE BOMB THAT PLACE UP!” 

And with his final words to the people, the cheers went loud, loud hoots and guffaws, sparkling teeth everywhere as people reached out to talk to him. He started to move, actually slapping hands with everybody around, calling them by their names and greeting them. He wasn't only doing this with his setmates, his greetings were extended to juniors and workers and just about everybody around.

“Onye always know how to make a good entrance. He hasn't lost that,” Dara laughed and I let out a small sigh, my eyes not leaving God's masterpiece.

It was one thing to be this energetic and acceptable, it was another thing to be intelligent and beautiful. I kid you not when I tell you that Onye is one of the hottest guys in the set. The guy had muscles, like actual muscles that qualified him to be a top baller and a top basketball personnel, and on top of that, he has the brains. Onye was one of the smartest people in the set and it was probably the reason why the school chose to make him the senior prefect male.

It was a perfect fit for our golden boy.

Suddenly, Onye stopped talking to Chidozie Carlton, and stopped, his amber orbs flickering from the male social prefect over to me for a second. I held his gaze, watching that smile light up his face before he mumbled something to him quickly and started to walk up to us quickly.

“Oluwadara!” 

He called when he got to our table and it happened so quickly but I still saw it coming. Dara saw it coming too because she was already laughing, pushing her to drink away before Onye stepped closer in all his manly pursuit and swept her into his arms easing her away from her seat. Dara couldn't hold her laugh and they came bubbling out of her like a child feeding off a squeal.

“My goodness, Dara!”

Onye had this stunned look in his eyes as he swirled her around in his arms, earning a loud squeal from her and laughs from various onlookers watching. 

“Onye, put me down!” 

Dara screamed but it looked like her words only pushed him to do more, twirling her around in his arms like she weighed nothing. It was how easy he did things without weighing the consequences. It was like Onyedika Anthony Chibuzor didn't have to think about anything before doing it. He just did it and came back to deal with the consequences later, if there were any consequences to deal with.

“Hi, Onye!” 

Onye halted his actions to glance at the tall girl who had stopped to greet him. I watched with seething anger as he nodded back at her, his forehead creasing slightly. That was it. He didn't wave, didn't say anything back, he just nodded. I turned back at Grace just in time to see the lingering look she passed him before she skirted off with her boyfriend, Kingsley.

“What was that?” I asked as he gently lowered Dara back into her seat. The latter was breathing heavily, still trying to regain her composure from all the turning and swirling they had done. She glared at Onye for a few seconds but that wasn't necessary. Everyone knew she had enjoyed it as much as I'd enjoyed watching.

“What?” Onye shrugged lightly as he pushed into the seat at the table, grabbing Dara's half-eaten hamburger to eat from.

“Is Grace the kind of girl you date now?” Dara beat me to ask, munching on her hamburger as she stared at him. Her stare was piercing and accusing, her emotions undecipherable. No matter how much she covered it though, I knew what she was thinking.

“Of course, not. Don't you see her wrapped around Kingsley?” He hissed, looking insulted. He looked beaten as well but then, that was Onye. He had the ability to look at all things at once when he was offended.

“I was just saying,” I rolled my eyes at him and he let out a small chuckle, shaking his head a little. He still wasn't cool but I wasn't pointing that out. 

“Our golden boy,” Dara hailed him, wiggling her brows at him and that got him laughing a little. He had earned the title since we were in Ss one, I wasn't surprised that Dara still remembered. She probably remembered a lot of things. 

“Where have you been though? I texted you,” I pointed it out, pointing an accusing finger at him. We were in the same class but I hadn't seen him all week and today was Wednesday.

“Busy,” he shrugged his response.

“What does your busy entail?” Trea asked,  a brow shooting up at him. Of course, Onye was always busy with nothing. We knew that much.

“Skipping that, did you hear that the old building is being renovated?” Onye asked, turning to seek my response. I knew why he would look at me. He expected me to know about that and he wasn't wrong.

“Yeah, I heard they are going to build a second cafeteria.” I shrugged and took another sip of the water. That bile had started to crawl up my chest.

“Who?” Dara asked, curious.

“The Nwankwo's.” He explained. When he saw that she wasn't following, he went on to explain. “They are a part of the board, remember. Apparently, the biggest shareholder.” He pointed out and Dara picked it up.

“I almost forgot about that,” she mumbled.

 I scoffed, taking a sip of my water again. I was getting better, I hoped. We continued eating while Onye had his eyes on his phone. My attention though had been taken by Kambili at the other end of the cafeteria. She was seated around her friends, about five of them. They weren't talking but they weren't eating either.

They just sat there together, staring.

“Erick!” 

I whirled my neck around to the loud noise interrupting my peace or interrupting the usual flow of the atmosphere. I turned toward the scene just in time to see a tall, brown-skinned broody male charge out of the door with a defeated annoyed Shalom following behind him. She wasn't calling him anymore but she was annoyed enough that she had her fist clenched. I wouldn't be surprised if she went after him and punched him.

Knowing them both and owing to my personal view of the two, I'd say the idiot was the male and Shalom wasn't overreacting. It was always difficult dealing with a brick wall. But also, Shalom could be a brick wall when she wanted to be.

I watched her glare at a few students staring at her before she charged back to her seat noisily and settled down. Her best friend who I thought was a vibe offered her a kiss.

I glanced at Treasure and noticed that she was now focused on her phone, her mouth gently feasting on her food. She was probably watching her ice-dancing video. Obsessed with the video was an understatement of the century, she would never stop watching it as far as I knew Treasure.

“I think I can order something now,” I said as I started to grab my phone so I could get out of my seat and head for the counter. I wasn't even sure if I came with my meal card but I'd ask Treasure for hers. Before I could ask though, she had already reached out and stretched out to me for me to take.

“Thanks love,” I grinned, tempted to kiss her cheeks but that would just be calling for unstoppable adorableness from her and I wasn't sure I wanted to deal with that yet.

“Onye, do you want something?” I asked, looking at him. His brows furrowed as he turned his body halfway, his brows furrowing to think of something but then, he stopped. His eyes breezed past me and I saw his eyes widen slightly for a second more.

“What?” I asked, turning my neck around to see what had him so focused. I didn't need to turn though, the object of attention was already walking toward us in intentional sashay and smile.

She stopped when she got to our table, catching the easy attention of the cafe. I could sense the air changing as hums and whispers went off in the air, people were staring curiously to watch what always happened when something like Kambili walking up to our table happened. The air was a bit tensed and even as I turned back toward Onye to watch him, Kambili stood beside me with a small smirk.

“Hi, cousin.” She acknowledged, quietly without looking at me. Before I could blink or react or even register her words properly, she had taken my spot on the seat I had recently gotten up from, leaning closer to Onye to talk to him.

I heard no word.

She was sitting there, talking to an attentive Onye who was listening but I heard nothing she said to him. Dara was minding her business, pretending not to see while Trea stared with widened eyes. I didn't even understand what was happening yet.

Just when I thought I could ask her what she was doing, she was climbing out of my seat again, a tiny smile on her face as she pulled with her a smiling Onye. I'd have thought she threatened him except that Onye wouldn't smile if he was feeling threatened. No one would. He mouthed an apology at me, fell into steps with her, and I watched them together with the rest of the students who weren't minding their business walk out of the cafe. I dropped my hands on my waist as I suddenly didn't feel hungry.

When I looked back at Dara and Trea, they were now staring at me. I shrugged cause I didn't get what happened either. Dara picked up an uneaten hamburger and offered it to me. Without saying a word, I settled back into my seat and took it from her quietly. We went on eating.

It was safe to say that my body didn't feel like they hated the hamburger and I enjoyed eating it before the bell went off. We had just two classes more before it was officially time for sport. It wasn't like I played any sports.

“Let's get out of here,” Dara said with a tired smile as she grabbed her stuff off the table and got on her feet. I took my time to admire our very fitting sportswear before I got out of my seat too. Treasure shrugged, and put her phone away before she fell into steps with us as we walked quietly among other noisy students to our classrooms.

                                    ★★★

There was always that feeling, that ecstatic feeling one gets when they are doing something they love. It wasn't something easily decipherable, it wasn't lacking, and the feeling was enough to envelope a person and change all negative energy. Sometimes, it has the power to take one away from the face of the world and it's like you are breathing fine, living fine, happy and just doing what you love.

I was happy, smiling…but most especially, I was relieved.

I'd tried my hands on a lot of things at different times of my life but nothing had beat the feeling associated with swimming for me. It was always there, lingering around me…in me with each lap I took and each dip of my head into the water.

The water had never scared me, it had always welcomed me instead.

Called out to me.

Scream my name.

That feeling…

I brought my head up to the surface level, my heart floating with that ecstatic feeling as I slowly exhaled with relief. Standing inches away was our swimming coach, Miss Beatrice Balogun, collectively called Miss Double B or B Square by all the students. 

The short, dark woman had a finger raised in the air, her clipboard under her arm as she accessed us all with a smile. I couldn't tell what she was thinking but I could see that she was quite impressed with our warm-ups. And because she was impressed, I was impressed too, my lips widening.

“Okay, fishes, out of the pool.” She clapped and the rest of the swimmers who weren't in the pool clapped along with her. 

I was tempted for just a second more to remain in the pool and allow all my worries to be washed away as it was once more but with the elegant smile on the short woman's face, I guessed she had something to say. 

I rolled my eyes and headed for the edge of the massive green pool to climb out. As soon as I stepped out, the cool air met with my naked skin and I shivered a little from the cold, wrapping my hand around myself to cover up the little I could cover.

“Here,” Rhoda Agbeje wrapped a soft blue towel around me and I passed her a smile of gratitude. She had gotten into the pool earlier and so she wasn't dripping. I dabbed the towel on my skin to wipe off water if only a little. 

“You were excellent out there,” Rhoda smiled, reaching out to help me dab at my ears. Rhoda was the closest girl to me on the team. She understood my moods properly and right now, I bet she could see how much I was glowing.

“Huddle up, fishes!” 

Miss Double B called again and I glanced around at the other girls in little clicks. We walked over to the woman in track tracksuit with a small whistle dangling down her neck. She smiled and took her clipboard under her arm.

“So as far as warm-ups for new seasons go, this has been the best so far. It shows how much you all have been practicing and sweethearts, trust me, I'm proud of you all.” She smiled, her eyes expressing what her lips said.

I glanced at the other girls on the team, smiling alongside them. 

“Okay, I don't exactly have anything to say anymore. You all can head off to the changing room and clean up. See you guys next week.” The coach did a warm salute for us before shooing us away gently.

“Bye coach,” some of the girls sang as they headed out, chatting in animated clipped voices. I began to turn around to head out of the place with Rhoda when Coach summoned me.

I nodded at Rhoda and she took a step back. Turning gently, I headed back to the coach.

“Mimi, how lovely!” Coach clapped her hands together, smiling softly at me. “Your strokes have improved so much and your breathing has balanced to a great level. I must say that I'm impressed.” She grinned.

“Thanks, coach.” I bowed.

“No, thank you. I want to ask for your help though. I think I need your service with the grading of the new members of the team.” She smiled.

“Me?” I raised a brow in surprise. 

I understood that I was the female senior prefect and all that but being on the swim team was different. At least to me. This was the only place I got to be myself and nothing was going to change that.

“Of course,” she jumped with a grin. “After school though, you and my assistant.” She clapped.

“Alright, coach.” I nodded and she smiled at me, politely nodding me off. 

I smiled and turned back toward Rhoda who was still waiting for me and together we started to head for the change room in silence. I wouldn't say Rhoda and I were close. We only ever spoke in the swimming complex, not anywhere else. We didn't always have much to say to each other and I enjoyed that a lot.

We got into the room and we each headed for where we had kept our stuff. I changed out of the swimsuit quickly back into my sweatshirt and sweatpants. I managed to put on my socks before I pulled a pair of slides out of my bag in exchange for my shoes. It was closing hour anyway and even if it wasn't, no one was going to question me.

As soon as I had packed up to head home and came out of the class, I met Trea and Dara waiting for me. They were talking quietly and my brows furrowed in concern at what they might be talking about.

As I drew closer to them, Treasure turned and saw me, a small smile immediately occupying her pretty face. “We were just about to come and pull you out of the class,” she eyed me when I got to them.

“What were you two talking about?” I asked as I slipped my hand into the strap of my backpack, eyeing the two girls.

“Your cousin na. You need to see the way she was grading the girls who came for tryouts today,” Treasure replied with a frown. 

She didn't play any sports and she wasn't in the cheerleading team either. I had tried persuading her to join the cheerleading team since she was an excellent dancer but she had just rolled her eyes and dismissed my talk with a simple, “Sport is not for everyone, Mimi.”

“Did you apply?” I asked, glancing at her.

“Nah, the lord Forbids it. You want Kambili to embarrass me ba?” She hissed, walking beside me.

“But you are an excellent dancer! If she sees anything wrong with you then she is blind.” I rolled my eyes. How convenient of a girl who hadn't been in the school for two years to come back and take her spots in the team like she never left.

“I can't take that risk,” Treasure grumbled and I let her be.

Frowning, I stopped when I noticed that Dara was no longer walking with us. She had stopped and Treasure also confused had stopped too. I stared at her about to ask her what was wrong when I noticed that she was staring straight ahead, her gaze fixated on something I wasn't seeing.

I was about to ask what she was staring at her when Treasure's eyes suddenly met mine. I saw the look in her eyes before it registered. Once I turned, I wasn't all too surprised at the sight of the tall fair-skinned guy with his hands in his pocket as he leaned against the wall of the corridor.

There was a calm serene look on his face, one that could fool anyone who didn't know him. I didn't understand how he was alone in this place at this time of the day, deliberately waiting for us. He could have left, I knew that but Seyi would never show signs of cowardice even at death grounds.

I glanced away from him with a shudder toward Dara. There was a coy smile twisting on her lips and she opened her mouth to speak, her voice barely audible.

“Well, well, well,”

She didn't glance at us as she started to walk over to him, her tiny waist swaying with every step she took. I didn't bother turning to stare at Treasure cause I knew she would be too mortified to move. 

Seyi wasn't so far away and he was just as calm as Dara was. They were in the same class but according to Dara, she had not been able to get a hold of him ever since Monday. I willed my legs to walk over to where they were standing so I could understand what was about to happen.

“Boyfriend, sweetheart,” 

Dara's smile was like poison dancing on the blades of a lion's teeth, eyes straight and sharp like that of a predator aiming for her prey.

She stepped closer and stood right in front of him, barely leaving space between them. I knew exactly what Dara was doing. In fact, it was the many tricks I learned from her before she was crushed furiously by that brutal beast. 

“How are you?” Her fingers glided skillfully on the skin of his face, tracing his jawline carefully and intentionally. “I would have missed you but you didn't give me something to cherish.” I inhaled sharply at her beguiling voice.

Seyi gulped but didn't look away from her.

“Listen, Dara,” he tried to catch her wrist but she didn't let him, moving skillfully to the other side of his face with a smile. 

“I don't think I want to,” she was still smiling. How she was able to do all these with that smile intact was what I didn't understand. How could she be smiling so much? This was not happening.

“But you are going to listen to me, Baby.” As she spoke, her fingers gently glided down his skin, trailing down further and further till she crossed to his chest. “I—” she tilted her head to the side and inhaled sharply.

I shuddered.

“—Will. Be. Giving. You. A. Reason. To. Cry. Soon.” With each word she spoke, so did her fingers moved against him, her voice softened and the glint in her eyes intensified.

What the fuck?

“Soon,” she patted his cheeks twice and took a step back like a proud mother. 

Her eyes sharply turned away from Seyi's widened ones to that of the tall girl I hadn't noticed standing a few steps away from them. She smiled brightly at her and I had to inhale and exhale twice to breathe properly.

“Told you he wasn't hiding,” Grace smirked, her mouth covered in bubble gum before she popped it loudly and went on chewing.

“You did,” Dara agreed with a smile and I frowned, not understanding anymore.

Then, she turned back and her eyes landed on me. She held my gaze for three seconds—yes, I counted—before her gaze swiftly darted over to Trea's mortified ones. And like she didn't just do that, she smiled at us sweetly and said,

“Let's bounce, girls.”

Aunty Ifeoma was around when we came in from school. Immediately I heard the familiar loud melodic Igbo tune of our culture, I knew she was around. So, rather than rush up to my room and lock up the doors while pretending that there was no one like Kambili around, I headed for the living room instead with a reluctant Kambili trailing behind me.

Brown extended weave and whisked around at the sound of our footsteps approaching. Aunty Ifeoma's dark eyes fell on me first and almost naturally, her lips widened into a small smile. I tried to smile too, pushing off my smug feeling.

Every time I looked at her, all I ever saw was her.

“Kedu, aunty.” 

Good afternoon, Aunty.

I muttered as I drew closer, my gaze drawing from her face over to the timid girl filing her nails. She met my gaze for only a second before looking away.

“Nne, Kedu ka skoolu di?” 

How was school?

She smiled, her pearly white teeth glaring as something sunk deeper into me. Aunty Ifeoma was never not smiling. Never not happy.

“Skoolu di mma,” I mumbled and looked away from her sharply. She had since enforced an unspoken rule at home that always made us speak Igbo whenever she was around. Her husband didn't mind but Aunty Ifeoma would rain heaven and earth if we dared to reply or speak to her with English. Except, of course, she permitted it.

Kambili brushed past me to settle down on the couch, muttering a greeting to her mom. Aunty Ifeoma rolled her eyes but still went ahead to answer her. 

“I will be in my room,” I muttered quietly when I noticed that she now had her attention settled on the nails Nneka was doing for her. But before I could even turn, Aunty Ifeoma was turning her attention back to me.

“Bia, don't yet go. Come here and sit down with me. You children will arrive from school and the next thing you will do is disappear into your rooms. That's how I won't see you till I leave for Dubai tomorrow.” She complained with a scowl.

Holding back my exhausted sigh, I dragged my feet to the space beside her and settled down reluctantly. All I wanted at that moment was to return to my room and sleep. We had somehow managed not to do after-school lessons today because it was sports day and it took a hell amount of time but it didn't mean that I wasn't exhausted.

“Mama gi akwa ya,” 

Aunty Ifeoma looked me in the eyes when she uttered those words and I was forced to suck in a huge breath from the intensity of her eyes and her words. 

Were they reporting me now?

“You didn't pick. You have not been answering her calls or her messages. Both hers and your father's.” She continued, holding my gaze daringly.

I didn't look away when I told the lie.

“I was busy,”

“Since last month? You were busy last night too? What were you busy with that you couldn't return their calls?”

“Aunty Ifeoma,” I swallowed the lump hanging in my throat as I shifted in my seat, sweat trickling down my body.

“Don't Aunty Ifeoma me. When you get to your room, pick up your phone and call them. I don't understand what is wrong with you people.” She eyed me for a moment before she reached for the bowl of peeled apples before her.

I knew what she was going to do next and I hated it.

“Take,” she stretched the bowl out to me, offering me some.

“Aunty, I'm okay.” 

“That's how you people used to do. Once I scold you like this, you mysteriously become full. Nne, take this thing from my hand and eat.” She continued.

I sighed knowing she wouldn't let me be if I didn't eat it. I grabbed one of the slices and stared at it for a second. I could already feel my stomach rolling from the smell of it.

“Eat,” she insisted before offering Kambili the bowl to pick from.

I squeezed my eyes in disgust as I managed to take a bite out of the slice. My stomach was already rolling as I ate the apple slowly, forcing it down my throat. I didn't always hate Apple. It was one of my favorite fruits.

“Finish it o, eat everything.” 

I managed to eat it all before forcing myself up from the couch, bile heavily pushing up my throat. I didn't know how I managed to pull myself to the room but once I got in and shut the door, the next moment had me doubled over the sink, spilling everything out of me.

My eyes stung with tears as my throat burned.

This wasn't about to happen. No, this wasn't about to become my nightmare.

I wasn't pregnant.

                                      A/N

Longest chapter so far🤦‍♀️ I know and I'm sorry. I just couldn't bring myself to divide it.

So, I know this chapter is packed and all that. But definitely, there are a lot of things to talk about.

Can someone tell China to rest, please?

And someone get Mimi a test tube or whatever they call one of those. Your baby girl needs it😭😭😂

How do you guys like Onye though?

And the bits and pieces of Erick that we saw?

I will see you guys, soon❤