Chapter Seven
Jayden’s POV
                                           
“You are the real deal Anike!”

“Oh, come on, that reply was too good.”

The table was filled with praises for Anike while she just smiled shyly. Jada grinned at her but it looked like she was hating the attention.

I glanced at Jeff and he was smiling at Anike too.

A smirk covered my face,
I was right.

Jeff finally likes someone.

“Babe.”
Sophia called and I turned to her, she leaned closer to me and whispered,

“I don’t know why we have to sit here.”
I raised an eyebrow,

“What do you mean?”
I whispered back,

“I can’t relate with them. Period. Let us sit alone or with my friends. you guys meet in class too, so what about you do that for me, huh?”

She held my hand and gave me that cute puppy face that always won me over. I almost agreed to it until I remembered I spent the whole of last term sitting with her and friends. She can make that little sacrifice this term too.

“I did that last term. Why don’t you do this for me too?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her hand from mine.

“Fine.”
She muttered and went back to her food.

I watched as she ate slowly like she was being forced.

She is angry again, isn’t she?

I can’t leave Jada alone.

She is just getting better and I won’t and can’t let anyone get to her again.

Why can’t she understand that?

I find it hard to admit but Sophia has changed toward Jada ever since the revelation. They were quite close before but after she heard, she started ignoring my sister.

I like Sophia, I really do like her.

Her bubbly and loving personality always made me feel better about my life. She always finds a way to make me happy and she is just so cute and nice.
But I also can’t stand the way she subtly hates Jada.

I looked away from her with a sigh and the first person I made eye contact with was Anike. It was like she has been staring for a long time and just got caught.

 She kept on staring though, her stare shifting between Sophia and I. When I raised an eyebrow, she immediately looked away, turning to Mariam who was arguing with Tobi about a game or something like that.

Why was she staring at us?

That was the same way she stared the first time we met.

I don’t know why but I do not like the way she stares.

“Why are you staring at the new girl like that?”

Problem no dey finish.

I sighed and turned back to Sophia who was now glaring.

“What?”

“You heard me Jayden, why were you staring at her like that?”

This time she was not whispering and so we managed to gather a few attentions.

“I don’t understand you Sophia. Can’t I just… you know what? Let us talk outside.”
I stood up and waited for her to do the same but she didn’t.

Instead, she was glaring at the poor girl.

Sophia is cute but you do not want her to glare at you.

Anike looked so confused but did not say anything. 

In fact, everyone had the same expression.

“Babe. let us talk outside.”
I repeated and tried to pull her up but she shrugged my hands away.

“Why were you staring at my boyfriend like that?”
Anike visibly gulped.

“Stop talking to her like that. can’t she stare. How did you see her? Was it not by also staring at her?”
Jada said looking more annoyed than ever.

“What the fuck? There are different types of stares Jada. It is not the same. I should do some introductions since you are new. I am Jalade Sophia and this is my boyfriend, Jayden. I do not fucking joke with him. So, stop staring at him, I know he is handsome. I fell for it too but he is not single right now so back off. Let any thoughts you have about him die.”

I rolled my eyes and went to Sophia, holding her hand and pulling her up. 

She tried to remove her hand from mine but when she saw the look on my face, she decided to follow me out.

“What was that, Sophia?”

“Nothing, I was just being a little jealous. Why was she staring at you like that? you saw her too.”
I ran my hand across my afro.

“I saw her, so what? She is my sister’s friend and I respect her. You should too. She is just shy and to be honest, she has the freedom to stare.”

“I did that because I do not want a story that touches the heart. I do not want anyone stealing my baby. So, let’s sit at my table from now on.”

“why?”   
I asked again,

“Because I am so uncomfortable at yours.”
She muttered, brushing her braid to the back.

I walked closer to her and reached for her soft little hand.
I rubbed my thumb slowly on her hand,

“Sophia, are you that uncomfortable with my sister?”
I asked so quietly,

I have been trying so hard to ignore the truth. To ignore the signs. 

Damn, I even ignored Jada’s complaints because I just wanted us to last.

If she can’t eat on the same table with Jada because of her ailment, then why am I doing this?

She looked away and ignored my gaze,

“It is not like that Jay.”

“Wow, just wow.”
I said dropping her hand,

“Jayden, I can’t do it. I can’t put it behind me.”
She said,

“I am sorry.” 
She added when she saw I had nothing to say to that.

“I am sorry.”
I nodded when she repeated herself.

I thought she was going to last longer but it turned out she is not any different.

“Sophia let’s ….”

“Jayden you are here! Coach is calling us.”
What a perfect timing Jeff.

“We are still talking.”
Sophia said when I made to leave, 

“Should I keep the coach waiting because of you?”

“I do not care.”

I clenched my fist,

I am so not ready for another fight. I ignored her and walked up to Jeff. I could feel his glare boring holes into my back but I kept walking with Jeff and the other basketball players.

“Guy, what is wrong with you and Sophia?”
Jeff asked when the other basketball players walked off.

“Everything. I do not want to talk about it now.”

“yeah, Anike looked very uncomfortable though. Only her different confrontations on the first day. I kind of pity her.”

Yeah, she does not deserve it and I am sorry one happened because of Sophia.

I kept quiet as Jeff kept talking and talking. This has been our routine. Anytime I am not in the mood to reply he just keeps talking while I stay quiet not even hearing half of what he says.

“Good afternoon sir!”

“Afternoon guys. Happy to see you guys again. Jayden.”

“Yes sir.”

I jogged up to my coach.

He has been my coach right from the start. Ever since I started in grade seven, he has been there and  he helped me grow from being just a curious boy to an almost perfect player.

I am the first SS2 student to be a captain of a team. I became the captain last session so let’s say SS1. It was awkward at first because I had my seniors in the team and they were not that happy about Coach’s decision.

I wasn’t too. I wanted to go back to being a normal member but with time I kind of settled in and when they saw that I was good, I guess I earned their respect.

“Jayden gather the boys up after lesson today. We have to start training today and we have a try out for a new student by Friday.”

“A new student?”

I asked Coach,

“Yeah, I heard she is good.”
She?

There is only one new student I know that is a she but I am just going to be unreasonable If I assume it is Anike. We have various classes and a new student might be in one of them too.

“We are having the national competition this year. The COVID-19 made it impossible for us to have one last year but this year we are going to bring the gold medal home.”

The boys cheered and I could see Juwon grinning.
Juwon is one of the seniors I am close to on the team. 

He loves basketball just as much as I do and I guess that it is why we just clicked. He told me he is even going for sports prefect. It would be great if he does.

“I just want to beat Gilead high so bad.”
Jeff said, making the team holler in agreement. I could not help but smile,

“Well, I heard Gilead has really improved since the last time we met them and if you really want to beat them again and the other schools, we have to practice real hard. We all know the drill, by this afternoon we are starting with ten laps around the field. I am going to be late so Jayden so supervise for me while doing your own too.”

I chuckled,

“Yes, coach.”

“Okay then, go back to your classes or if anyone has anything to add.”

Juwon raised his hand,
“Coach, is it just me or you are looking nice this term.”

“That is true.” 

“Coach, coach.”

“Oppor.”

Coach laughed out,
“You guys should not kill me. I am a big boy na. Go back to your classes.”

“Yes sir!”

“Hey Jayden, Jeff.”
Juwon greeted both Jeff and I.

“Hey, Juwon. What’s up na?”
Jeff greeted back,

“How far?”
I greeted and we all did this little handshake.

“So, I heard you guys have a new girl in your class. rumour has it that she is hot.”

Oh, I forgot to add, aside from his love of sports he is quite a player.
And him suddenly talking about Anike just irked me somehow. I don’t think the girl needs a player right now. She is my sister’s friend so I should try to look after her by standing up to Aliya earlier.

“Leave Anike alone Juwon. Find another girl. She is not your type and she does not need all that drama. Move on. Gbo ju.”
Jeff said, looking a bit annoyed.

Oh,

I grinned inwardly,

Maybe my suspicions were right! Jeff has fallen in love.

Eyyy.  

Hmmm,
Another drama.
Do you all agree to Sophia's reaction? Was she right to talk like that to Anike?
And do you think their relationship can last ?

Vote, comment, share and follow!

Love y'all

Eniola_writes 💕💕