Hello everyone!!

I hope we are all doing great.

 I am sorry for the late updates; I have been busy with a lot of things. 

I will be doing a double update today to make up for it!

This chapter is dedicated to  onioflagos_1

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ANIKE'S POV

Mariam has been acting strange ever since she got a call from her mum and had to leave the class. Mariam always has this stoic look on most of the time but she is still the best person I could approach, but this afternoon, something was just wrong.

I was about to call her when Kabiru, the class prank star and joker, jumped to the front of the class.

"What are you doing now?"

"Get out!"

Different words followed until he banged his hand hard on the podium.

"Guys! Guys! Calm down and listen to me."

They decided to give him a chance because the class got quiet. I glanced at Mariam, but her head was on the desk now. I slowly placed my hand on her back, patting it slowly. I hope this act comforts her a little.

"I would like to announce that I would be hosting a party during the midterm!!!!"

He screamed so loud that I wondered how that type of sound can come out of his body.

Nevertheless, the others did not see it like that as they started jubilating.

"His parties are the best! I have to give the respect to him."

Mercy said from behind me.

Party?

Party?

These guys hold party!

The only parties I go to are the ones my parents get invited too. Most times, I am just their handbag. But now, they hold parties here.

I have watched teen movies and novels to understand this kind of party.

I am not going.

No argument about that.

I was about to turn to Mariam when she stood up so abruptly with a deep frown.

"You guys are crazy!!! A party? A party? So, you can smoke and introduce new people to drugs, right? Rubbish!"

She walked out angrily after the outburst and I turned to Mercy to ask for any information on what was going on with Mariam but she looked just as confused as I was.

"Wetin we no go see for Royals. Why is she yarning rubbish? Anyways guys, it would be the best party as usual! Ticket, date and time would be communicated later on."

He finished up even though Mariam had just spoilt the mood.

I stood up after that and ran after Mariam.

Does she need time alone?

Should I leave her alone?

"Mariam!"

Thankfully, she stopped walking as she waited for me to catch up with her.

"Mariam, what's wrong?"

I asked once I got to her front. She was looking down, her glasses frame hiding her eyes. Her figure looked smaller and it felt like she just needed a hug and that was what I did. I pulled her into a tight hug patting her slowly on the back as she cried her eyes out.

I noticed someone looking at us.

A senior, considering the three marks on his tie. His gaze was fixed on Mariam but he was definitely not her brother. I have seen her brother once and he does not look like this. This person is a little taller and more handsome than Muiz. Once he caught me staring back, he walked up the stairs leaving just the both of us alone.

"What's wrong Mariam?"

I asked once she pulled back herself.

She removed her glasses and only then did I realize how bad her eyes were swollen.

"I am tired. Can we not talk about this?"

"Sure. Yes. Do you want to go back to class or the dorm?"

Whatever her choice was, I will stay with her. It is not like we were having much work in class anyways. The teachers were just giving revision in preparation for the midterms. We can definitely just go to the hostel.

"I don't know. I want to leave this campus. I am tired of everything."

I had no idea what to say in return to all what she was saying. I am not the best talker or comforter and it would have been better if I had an idea of what was really happening.

"Can we leave?"

She glanced up at me incredulously,

"We can't."

She chuckled as she replied,

"Anike, if it was possible, I won't be here."

We opted for the dorm and even had to act in front of the dorm master before we could enter.

"This is my first time missing a class and it feels good."

Mariam said laughing as she jumped into her bed.

"I know right!"

I sat on my chair and watched her snuggle into her blanket and pillow and it did not take long for her to fall asleep.

I took one of her novels that I have been eyeing for a while now and read till she woke up. I just hope she is fine and that whatever might be the cause of this would pass.

*****

"I cannot believe the both of you did not come back to class today!"

Mercy scolded as we walked into the class.

It was not my fault. I could not bring myself to wake Mariam up; I wanted her to enjoy her sleep and I also loved that novel. I am almost done with it sef.

We walked into the class right after the last period and I was glad to see Mercy had already packed up our bags.

"Mariam was too tired."

Mercy walked up to her and hugged her.

"What's happening with you babe?"

Mariam shook her head.

She was not going to tell us. Maybe she would, but not now.

Mercy, however, does not have as much patience as I have when it comes to stuffs like these.

"Look, we can only help if we have an idea of what is happening."

This only made things worse as Mariam backed her bag,

"That is the thing. You guys can't help."

She walked out after this.

I held Mercy stopping her from going after Mariam. She just needs time.

"When she is ready, she will tell us."

Mercy nodded but I could see the concern clouded in her eyes.

"Let's go the canteen and get dinner. We can help her get something too. I am so sure she is not going there like this."

"Okay."

"You guys have a lot to cover on. This Biology man even taught another topic. Imagine him doing that during revision week. Nonsense."

Mr Gbemi is that teacher whose course outline never finishes no matter the time. We still have a lot to cover and he never, never, misses a class.

"It is well oo."

"He said it would come out during the test and that is why he must teach us. See excuse! Rubbish."

I feel Mercy was adding the anger from Mariam's matter into this issue because she was more paranoid about it than any other annoying matter concerning teachers.

"Babe calm down."

Tobi said as he walked up to us. He slowly rubbed his hands on her back and they just had this silent conversation with their eyes for a moment that I just had to look away.

I know they are one of the best and cringy couple but it is time like this that I realize how they mean so much more to each other. They are always, mostly playful but there are times where they become the shoulder that they each need. And I don't want to intrude their moment.

I jejely sat down, placed my head on my table, opened the novel which I had sneaked out and kept reading from where I stopped, giving them space and time.

For me when I read, I am in a world of my own. A world where I imagine the characters are with me and right now, I was so engrossed in the characters' world that I did not realize that someone had sat beside me.

"Hey, you were not in class. Are you okay?"

"Oh my gosh! You scared me."

I whisper screamed placing my hand on my chest in utter shock.

"I thought you heard me when I sat down."

Jayden said as he laughed.

"Sorry. Sorry."

He said raising his hands in mock surrender when I kept frowning.

Not only did he distract me in the most interesting scene but he also scared me shitless. I rolled my eyes subtly and book marked the page I was reading.

"Are you seriously angry?"

He asked after a while of silence has passed between us.

"I came because of the bible reading program you invited me too. Or, the offer does not count anymore?"

Oh my Lord!

I forgot about it.

Ahh!

"It counts. It counts."

I immediately checked my wristwatch and we still had about 5 minutes to get there.

"We have to run."

I said dramatically, quoting the phrase from the novel I was reading.

I grabbed Jayden's hand too, like the main male lead always does to the female lead in a typical kdrama show, and we ran.

Mercy screamed her lungs out but we shall catch up later. I can't get there late when I was the one in charge for the day. Thank God for Jayden.

We ran pass Jada and even down the stairs, thank God we did not even fall down.

I had no idea when we started laughing,

It was really, really, fun, and now I figured out why Korean dramas always featured this scene.

I wanted to ignore the pain jolting from my leg but Jayden was too observant to not notice it.

"Get on my back."

Ehh!

2 Korean drama scenes in one day!

"What?"

"Do you want to be late?"

"We are almost there jo."

I argued back as I laughed.

"Just get on Anike."

Should I?

The grin on my face was too wide for someone who was going to be late and was feeling pain in her leg.

I did. I got on his back and I felt free.

The sharp smell of his cologne filled me and I linked my hands round his neck.

If anything, I hope what we have never ever ends.

I hope what we share stays true.

Wait!

Today is not Saturday.

"Jayden today is not Saturday! Stop."

"what do you mean?"

"The program is by Saturday."

I said laughing out loud still on his back.

We just went through all this whole drama for nothing. 

Another Jayden and Anike scene!!!

I hope Mariam is also okay.

Remember to vote, comment and like! 

It keeps me motivated to write.

Love y'all,

Eniola_writes 💕