This chapter is dedicated to a beautiful soul @purpleandviolets because why not?😂

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Jayden yelled when the doctor touched his reddened swollen nose. Jenai smiled, and Wendell grimaced.
"Well who would've known you were capable of hitting those high notes? Jenai grinned.

Jayden glared at him. He was lying in his king sized bed surrounded by his private medical team. He had his head elevated, with tons of pillows. He had a hot water bottle on his chest, an ice bag on his nose to reduce the swelling, and was sporting a brand new black eye.

They'd been trying every possible way to get his nose back to shape, but he just wouldn't let them touch it even, and no one was willing to lose their job restraining him while the doctor fixed his nose back into position.

"Can you please try to wiggle your nose Sir? The doctor asked. Jayden did, or at least tried to do, but there was a crackling  crunching sound.

"Sounds like the cellophane when I open a bag of Lay! Wendell whispered to Jenai.

"Your nose has been dislocated Sir."We'll have to realign it to get you breathing properly again".

"How long is it gonna take to go back to normal? Jayden inquired. "About one to two weeks, to be normal again.The doctor responded.
Jayden was currently breathing through his mouth, and he was not really able to handle it. He spoke with a nasal tone the boys found funny.

"You should really consider playing bagpipes with that new found tone of yours. Jake poked fun at Jayden. "You're a natural! The boys collapsed into fits of laughter.
Jayden eyed the boys warily. They were laughing while he was in pain, physical and emotional pain. He would have shot them if he could.

The doctor explained,"It's shifted partially and needs to be set back into it's socket it's not too serious, so you won't need surgery. " he said as he pointed to the X-ray of Jayden's nose.

"Wow! Jake laughed. "Look what she did to your nose with just her head! "Imagine if she'd punched you! She snickered. "You'd probably need plastic surgery!

"I now know why her nickname's La Tète! Jayden thought silently.

Wendell nodded in agreement, setting the tumbler of orange juice he'd been holding down onto the glass table. She probably packs the worst punches!. " Just hurts to imagine!

"You know Jake, instead of throwing away all your hard unusable clay, you can call her to throw a few punches here and there, what do you think? He jokingly suggested.
Wendell guffawed, the juice nearly running out of his nose.  Jenai smiled airily. Wendell had always been the goofy one.
" You know I really didn't think black guys could get black eyed, but you're the star example. Premiere! He cackled, high fiving Jake.

He continued, "remember that guy from Frozen,  the duke of Wesselton or something? You should definitely audition the next time we have a school play! "You'd be perfect! "Maybe the height will be a problem, but the nose will get you in for sure!.

"Or, if the nose isn't hooked enough, you could try out for Scar, from the Lion King! "With the black eye and all, you'd be perfect, hands down.

"Or should I say, nose down?

Jayden's room reverberated with sounds of booming laughter.

The doctor had given him some acetaminophen to reduce the pain, and he now took off the ice bag to manually realign his nose.
"I'll open your nostrils now with this tool he said,explaining the process to the boys. "It's called a speculum. He opened up the nostril gingerly, to avoid any unnecessary pain and inflammation. Now, he continued, I'm going to realign your broken bones and cartilage with this special instrument he informed.

Broken Bones?! Jayden moaned. "I thought you said it was just my nose!. The doctor sighed, exasperated. Jayden wasn't an easy patient to deal with. "As I said earlier, the nose has two bones and you Sir, managed to break both of them"...
"Congratulations! Jake teased. "This just goes to show that you're the perfect perfectionist! "You could have broken one, but no! You just had to go and break all the two!

" You're talking like you don't know what happened! Jayden whined. "I didn't go and break my nose she did!

"Yeah right! Wendell nodded as if agreeing with Jayden. "If you broke the nose by yourself, you would've  broken your jaw as well!..  Again, the boys burst out laughing, but Jayden was not amused.
The doctor cleared his throat, interrupting the discussion.
"So, as I was saying, I have to set those two back in" he said, bending over Jayden's bed.
"Wait! Jayden said gripping the doctor's arm.

"Does it hurt?... he asked the doctor, his eyes searching the doctor's face.
"Well that's why I gave you the painkillers prior to this Sir" The doctor explained warily. To reduce the pain of the realignment.
"I don't want the pain reduced, I don't want any pain at all! Jayden complained.
You'd have to be dead then, to not feel any pain!  Jake sniggered.
Jayden ignored him." What if you don't set it?
"It can heal by itself, the doctor responded, but it won't look good, and it'll probably leave your nose disfigured.
Jayden sighed, thinking of all the photo shoots and television interviews he had to do later. "Well okay, but how fast can you have it done?

"I'll be done before you know it" The doctor smiled. 
Swiftly, he raised Jayden's nose with the ease of a professional and quickly set the bones in place. Jayden grimaced, biting down on his lip to prevent himself from from crying out. 
The boys started to take the pictures, only stopping when the doctor finished the alignment process. Then, the doctor  put packing in the nose,and put dressing outside of it.
He then picked a case from the drawer, opening it to reveal a set of nose casts and splints."You can pick one, from these, he offered.

Jayden reached out and picked one from the casts. They were smaller, and less funny than the splints. "No Sir, the doctor refused. "You would have to pick a splint since I realigned your nasal bones.
"If I had just moved the tip of your nose then a cast would be fine, but you need the splint to cover all of your nose, to set it back properly.
Jayden frowned, he didn't like the idea at all, and he let the doctor know.
"They come in different colors and textures Sir, he said trying to appease him.
"Look, there's even a thermoplastic one, Wendell said showing the boys one he'd picked from the lot. Jake walked up and took it from him, feeling it between his fingers. "It's velvet too! and black!He added. "Pick this one! He encouraged.
Jenai looked through the box. "You could always pick this one, he said raising a bright pink one with a flower pattern. He grinned, his eyes gleaming. "Or this, he said showing them another one with a yellow velvet.
" I honestly think the pink one's better Jake said feigning seriousness.
Jayden chuckled in spite of the  pain he was feeling. His friends were crazy, but he wouldn't have them any other way. He laughed softly as he watched Jenai and the boys put casts on their noses and take pictures.
He loved the light, humorous moments like these because they brought them closer together, also because they were so rare.
The boys whipped out their phones ready to take pictures. Jayden's face flashed continuously as the guys took a flood of pictures.

"Don't take any pictures! Jayden ordered quite uselessly, Jake and Jenai stood poised. Not even an army was going to prevent them from taking the pictures, much less a patient with a broken nose.

Wendell grabbed a stool from the corner and stood on it. "I need this for 3D coverage he explained. "So I can capture this great moment in history!.

"I'll never forgive you guys for this! Jayden hissed as he struggled to release himself from their grip.
"Don't struggle, Wendell cackled, the pictures won't come out good!
"Damn even your funeral portrait won't come out good! Jake cackled.
   Wendell put down his phone after taking the pictures and opened his Instagram live. Instantly his followers started to appear on the screen. "Say hi to the gram! Jake chortled. "Put it off man! Jayden hissed. My mom's gonna see!

"Who cares? You're the one who's gonna be on the receiving end! . Jake joked. Because of their financial status and family names, the boys were almost always in the public eye. They'd been on countless magazine covers, both individually and as a group.

Because of this the boys were always monitored and their movements reported. Jayden to his mother, Jenai to his grandfather, Wendell and Jake to their parents.

"You know what? Jayden asked the boys, ignoring the doctor. I think that girl Jessica likes me! He smiled into space. Jenai smiled back. "Really!
Jake laughed."Fat chance!

"Yeah! Jayden said missing the dash of sarcasm in Jenai's voice. "Why else would she tell me that she didn't have a boyfriend, or that she'd never even been kissed?!.

"I never thought I'd say this, but you really do lack some perceptive powers."Maybe the hit affected your brain cells or something, we really can't be too judgy here but look, Jenai says I'm a bad judge of character but even I can see that that girl does not like you in the slightest. Jake remarked.

Did you see her eyes?! She was breathing fire! You know, I don't think we should let the doctor go just yet. Maybe we should do a CT scan too. Just to be doubly sure your head's fine". Wendell said solemnly. 

Jayden glared at the boys, his forehead creasing. She likes me!
"Mmm we hear you! Jenai replied.
"Seriously! Jayden insisted. "I'll prove it to you!
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I plopped down onto the park bench and groaned.
"Elaine, remind me why I'm a student here again?

She sighed, raising her head to look at me. "Well because you ma...... Hahhh!!! She gasped, finally noticing my "battle scar". Well more like scar because it hadn't exactly been a battle. Just a me killing Jayden session.
"What happened in there? She asked worriedly tilting my head to the left and right.

I shrugged "This is nothing, you should see Jayden!
Her hand flew to her mouth, as she shot out of the bench." You fought with him?!

"I hit him. I shamelessly acknowledged.

"What are you going to tell your parents? She argued.You can't just waltz in with your lip looking WWE!

I laughed painfully slow at her remark.

" Well shall we go home? I asked her comically, bowing and everything hoping she would laugh. So much for the theater act she barely even smiled.

"We can't take the trotro today, not with you looking like that. "I'm calling my driver! She ordered. I smiled and shrugged, I couldn't even be mad at her, I would kill for a ride. It would save me from eagle eyed neighbors and the prying questions.

"You've mastered saying trotro really well! I said giving her a playful shove. She waved me off speaking on the phone. I played with her hair, running my hands through her braids.
"Die! She hissed at me, covering the phone. I laughed at her and she smiled back.

Twenty minutes later and I was home. When I got out of the car, I turned around to thank her and leave when I saw her drag a traveling bag in my trail. I cocked my head, surprised.

"Ummm.... where are you going? I asked her, genuinely surprised.
"Ummm.....where are you going? She asked repeating my question.
"I'm going home! I answered, with absolutely no idea where the whole thing was headed. "Well I'm going home too! She laughed.
"You're sleeping over? "Here? "Really? I did a little happy dance around her. Elaine was spending a lot more time with us lately. Not that I was complaining.
"Have you asked permission though, from your parents?
"Parent"she corrected.

Yeah, I said quietly. Elaine mother was divorced. She owned a large cosmetic chain, and she was super successful. Elaine had even modeled a few of her mother's makeup items. She'd given me a couple of them before, and now my makeup bag that was as empty as could be was now overflowing.
I'm not really big on makeup, Gabby's the glam queen and she loved the freebies.

I don't know why, but for some reason all these rich kids didn't exactly seem to have a stellar relationship with their parents, no matter how picture perfect they looked on TV and in newspaper covers.

"Can I stay? She asked, almost apologetic.
"Yeah sure! I responded too enthusiastically, and regretted it almost immediately after. It wasn't my house after all, and I should have asked for the permission.

I helped her wheel her bag inside, I wasn't really worried about her judging my house. It wasn't exactly five star quality, but it was my home and I loved it. Besides, she'd been here before, and I didn't sense any belittling on her part.

I mentally prepared myself for the barrage of questions my mother was going to ask me.

"How long is she going to stay?
"Why does she have so much stuff?

The perfect aroma of fried plantains greeted Elaine and I as we finally made it inside. And Yaw, of course, sprawled on the floor watching the Lion King. For the thousandth time.

Hakuna Matata !!! It means no worries for the rest of your daysss!!!

Yaw my brother and Papa Yaw my cousin were energetically dancing and singing along , wiggling their arms and legs to boot, and I smiled at the sight. Elaine stared at me questioningly and I shrugged as I mouthed back to her" It's our thing, you wouldn't get it! She nodded,slowly processing the scene playing out in front of her.

This was our thing, watching Disney and Pixar and singing along. I slowly swayed my head back and forth in pace with the music, humming Hakuna !Matata! "Hey Gang! I voiced, expecting them to look at me and respond.

"Hey!! They both responded simultaneously, their faces never leaving the screen.
I rolled my eyes, and Elaine giggled, covering her mouth.
"Look who's here! I quipped. They turned around slowly, noticing not just Elaine, but my bust lip as well.
Mom emerged from the kitchen the very same time as my announcement, holding plates of fried plantains in her hands. Mom's ability to balance several trays in her hands never ceased to amaze.

But then again, it's a common African trait. Girls learn to balance tons of stuff on their heads without dropping any.

Elaine! My mother exclaimed. "How are you? I frowned, surprised. "How did mom know who she was?  She'd never been home all the times Elaine came to visit. "And why was she being so nice?

"I'm fine Mrs. Arthur Mensah, thank you. Elaine added politely.
"Would you like some fried plantains? Mom continued. I gulped rushing to the kitchen to grab a plate before the monsters in the kitchen finished everything.
Mom entered the kitchen soon after I did, leaving Elaine in the company of the boys.

"Why didn't you tell me that your friend was coming here? She prodded in Twi. Well I shrugged, I was also only just told myself! I responded trying to justify myself.

"Speak Twi! Mom hissed at me. I sighed, putting the plate aside, abandoning the thought of any plantains . "She won't be here long Maa I replied. Just for a couple of days" I beseeched.

Mom blinked suddenly as she noticed my lip. Herh! She exclaimed. "What happened to you? She queried.
" My mind raced, debating whether to tell her the truth or not. "I hit my head on something and got hurt" I replied with a little smile.

"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Mom clucked like one Auntie Fowaa's chickens. " Awurade! You've always been a clumsy one, she admitted. I just smiled and walked out of the kitchen, my plate full of fried plantains and a spoonful of beans.

Gabby threw open the door to my room and plopped onto my bed. This wasn't unusual, because she was a regular here anyway and she was like family. She sighed when she saw my lip.
"Is it noticeable? I inquired. Elaine and Gabby exchanged a look.

She leaned towards me and took some plantains from my plate. "You've got a bruise the size of Accra on your lip and you're asking if it's noticeable?! She said in her usual blunt manner. "Sister you don't even have a bruised lip anymore you have a lip under the bruise!!

She and Elaine collapsed into fits of laughter.
"Some friends you guys are! I muttered, frustration building up.
"Why'd you hang up on me? Gabby ignored my earlier comment.
"Huh?
You hang up on me!
I forgot!!
"You forgot I was talking to you"? Seriously?. " That's the worst excuse of the year! She argued, crossing her arms. "How did you even get it in the first place?
"She hit Jayden on the head".... Elaine explained to Gabby, glaring at me.
Gabby nearly fell off the bed, her mouth wide open in surprise."You... you....eeii Jessica! shrieked.
I felt my stomach drop.
"What? I said in a small voice, my initial show of bravado gradually ebbing away.
Why did you do that?! She scolded, scooting over to me.
"He....he spread a rumor about me! I exclaimed, trying to justify myself.
I already told you, it wasn't him! Elaine accused.
"Have you forgotten why you're "La Tète?. She reminded. "You must learn to control your anger Jessica!
I opened my mouth to talk, but nothing came out because I knew she was right. He didn't do it, but I punished him for it anyways. I let out all the anger that had been building up in me on him, and even though I knew it wasn't him, it felt right to do.

I must have made a whimpering sound, because Gabby wrapped her arms around me and ran her hands on my back comfortingly.
"It's.. it's just that he, he... I cried.
It's okay, Gabby comforted. He has done worse anyway.
I sniffed, wiping my nose with the back of my shirt.
"So! Elaine said, breaking the silence, who wants to see the latest foundation shades my mom's released?

"Oh my God me!!! Gabby giggled excitedly. She patted my thigh in quick succession "scoot over! I shook my head moving over as her highness commanded.

Elaine took out her phone and opened her Instagram to show us when a notification popped up. I squinted to see better. "You follow Jake?! I asked her incredulous. She shrugged indifferent. "Yeah, why not?
"Uh... I said waving my arms around "duh!.

She rolled her eyes. "I follow Jake because I want to, and besides he posts such beautiful sketches. Have you seen the latest chinaware set he crafted? They're absolutely beautiful!
"Really? Gabby asked. "Let me see! I rolled my eyes. "Seriously you guys? I complained. "Gosh Jessica look! Gabby said tugging the sleeve of my shirt towards Elaine's phone screen.
I looked at the pictures and I just couldn't believe my eyes. "Jake's the goofy one isn't he? I asked Elaine. "How can he make such deep sketches? Elaine nodded, "the goofy ones aren't always without problems. "They just hide the pain really well, she said with a knowing smile.
"Uh...huh.. Gabby said, busily taking screenshots of Jake's sketches. There were tons, one of a heart dissolving into musical notes, one of a champagne glass being filled with music, like literally.

They were beautiful no doubt, and I had a good mind to nick Gabby's phone and transfer them later. But the moment I saw a drawing of an African girl, complete with African clothes, skin and hair just like me I knew I had to follow him.

"Girls, look at this! Gabby said. It was a photo Jake had just uploaded, and it was a picture of Jayden, with a broken nose. Elaine gasped, staring at me.
"What?! I quipped. "He's wearing a nose splint! Elaine intoned. "You didn't just hit him, you probably broke his nasal bones too!
"Oh wow! Gabby teased Elaine. "Madam Biology! "Who would've known?
"Oh shut up Gabriella! Elaine chided. "Can't you see how serious this is? He can definitely sue her for physical assault! "He doesn't even need evidence it's right there! "Plus tons of witnesses and the footage from the school CCTV cameras to boot.

"You're a lawyer too? Gabby joked. "Hats off to you!
Elaine made a move to grab Gabby, but she was out of arm's reach. She grinned. "You're very fortunate you're standing over there! I would have pounded you into pulp!
"There's CCTV at school? I inquired worriedly.
Gabby and Elaine stopped fooling around and sat by me. "Yeah,...Elaine responded. "They've been there since the beginning. "Initially they were put in the P4 private classroom to monitor their school attendance, but now it's everywhere. "To monitor everyone.

"But he didn't report me when I shoved the ice cream in his face right? I asked no one in particular, trying to reassure myself.
"Well he didn't have a broken nose then, just hurt pride. Now he's got a broken nose and a black eye Gabby said, zooming in in Jayden's eye. "There's a big chance.

"Do you think I should skip school on Monday?. I asked pulling my fingers worriedly. "The question is can you?. Gabby reminded. "Your mother would never let you! "Hell would have to freeze over before you can stay home!.

"Fine, so what if I ask Mr. Danso if I can work on Monday? Mr. Danso is the branch manager of the Koko King, the breakfast cafe I worked part time at. 

Elaine threw me a look." Your mom buys your porridges there sometimes, and even if she wasn't buying anything, it's on your street, and remember it's got transparent doors and windows. "The very moment she so much as glances in the cafe's direction and sees you, you'll be extinct.!

Gabby laughed," You really know Mrs. Mensah huh?, she said playfully shoving her.
Elaine shrugged " I've seen her in action before, and I never want to be on the receiving end.

It was clear as day. I'd have to go to school. Nothing would happen......right?