I needed a shit load of weed to scare off my impending insanity.

Everything was driving me crazy, I needed my space to brood over the conflicting emotions threatening to overpower my reasoning.
But I was stuck in an underpopulated hall instead, listening to boring introductions, sob stories and whatnot  of people I barely knew nor cared about.

Just one wrap will do. One wrap. That's all I need.

"....so I say to you all with a warm heart; this is a session to be studious alright, but don't forget to enjoy the extracurricular activities lined up too. Welcome." Was the few words that ended the 'hearty' welcome speech by the female senior prefect I was able to catch when I zoned back in.

She stood perfect on the stylishly elevated stage in her crisp brown blazer, plaid mini and starched cream shirt that made up the school's uniform. Her hat slightly perched in a way that revealed the latest Peruvian hair she got from her summer vacation trip to Paris.
She had a perfect, indulgent smile on her face as the entire populace of the hall applauded her, a smile that reminded me of how unworthy I was to be called her twin.

A smile that reminded me too well of the 'perfect stereotype of a father', the man who'd raised us both.

Just do as I tell you to, there'll be no harm as long as you follow my lead….

Sigh.

I really needed to clear my head.

"Earth to Elly!" Came the tiny, squealing voice of the only person that mattered to me on earth –Tinuke

"Hey Tiny," I beamed back at the tiny little, but  nervous kid that needed my attention brightly, shoving all the disturbing thoughts and urges to sneak back into my dorm room and have a wrap or two to the back of my mind.

"What's up baby?" I asked and patted the scarlet seat just beside mine. But she seemed to excited to sit, her little hands just my face closer to hers and she went on to whisper not–so–softly into my ears.

"I met a boy," she paused to gauge my expression but didn't wait for my reply before she spoke up again, "but before you go into killer mode, he's just a friend."

And yet another thing to worry about.

Jeez.

"You're eleven Tiny and a fresher here, it's not healthy to begin by chasing boys." I tried to explain in the calmest and sweetest way possible but she'll have none of it, she assured me it was just a friend, smacked her lips on my cheek in a sloppy, wet kiss and reminded me not to tell her mother that she loved me more before running off with the 'boy' she'd met.

Well the boy was cute, I had to give her that.

The innocent boy, in his Harry-Porter-like glasses and slightly oversized uniform let her drag him away from my intimidating stare after she did a-two-second introduction.

Smart kid knew I would scare him off if they waited any longer.

How children grows fast.

Funny that I was saying that when I'd barely just clocked seventeen. That's because I'd practically raised Tinuke, and I couldn't help but feel like a parent as I witnessed her flee with a male friend on her first day of highschool.

Just like yesterday when being only six, I'd held her tiny body in my arms with the same feeling of love I still have in my heart for her.

We shared that unique connection of being alone even when surrounded by 'loved ones', 'family'. That was exactly why we bonded even without sharing blood connections, why we considered our bond the closest on earth and why we stood strong and would continue to stand the test of time till we grew grey –or so I'd thought.

Sigh.

"You're a senior Ella, even if you're repeating class two you're still a senior, you should be in the area mapped out for your class." Was the rancorous voice of witch that'd taken the place of the female senior prefect that'd so dutifully delivered her welcome speech with the voice and demeanor of an angel just moments ago.

"I don't have time for your nonsense this morning Dera, buzz off."

 Really, I was too exhausted to argue with her yet again, why go through the trouble when she was going to end up victorious? She was the perfect twin after all.

But she wouldn't stop easily, she just went on like a broken record while I fished out my iPhone and headset to block her out.

".....I see your little pet just left with a boy, is that the kind of morals you instill into her? I told aunty Temi to not make the mistake of letting you handle her poor naive daughter, but she refused. She should have given me the reins of–"

"Not everyone is like your mother Dera, stop being bitter about the fact that I was chosen for that chore in your stead, it's not like you really care about the poor kid. You just want everything to go your way." I gritted out in anger and by the time I was done, her eyes were as round as saucers.

"And someone that's repeating SS2 has suddenly grown balls to lecture me?" 

So that's what the whole surprised look was for?
Mtcheeeeeeew.

 I couldn't believe she lured me into her web of argument yet again. Sigh.

Today can't be any worse.

"Adeoti." Someone called from behind me and from the polar change in the head girl's expression, I could already tell who it was.

Of course I should have known that things always got worse whenever you admit that it couldn't go worse.

"Mrs. Lawrence calls for you Adeoti." He said when he got to us, looking directly at me even if twinnie was batting her fake lashes furiously to attract his attention. But Dave being the cocky bastard that he was, wouldn't as much as look at her shadow if it wasn't necessary.

Even if we both bore Adeoti, I knew immediately that the old hag wanted to see me.

But I didn't want to see her.

"Tell her I have cramps and I'm in the toilet. I don't want a bitch ruining my morning even more." I drawled and plugged in my headset, leaving an astounded womb mate gaping like a fish at my reply.

No one dared not do as I said in the entire school, unless that person wanted to be thoroughly pranked and featured on my vlog of nasties, not even the teachers.

That and being basketball assistant captain were my only achievements in my seventeen years of existence not that I was complaining though, more accomplishments required more responsibilities. I hated responsibility.

My expensive headset being yanked off unexpectedly by someone I wished I could peel his face off but adored that same face made yell profanities.

"What the actual fuck, prick?" He didn't look fazed by my colourful language unlike my own flesh and blood looking at me with dramatic disdain.

"You're not getting your gadget back till you get up and go see the principal," he calmly said and began to fold up the cord neatly.

He looked like an Adonis, calm, cool, collected and in fucking control. And like the entire senior female students, I found myself falling for him. But  I knew I wasn't worthy of him so I'd decided on focusing on my books this session.

I stood up with feigned rage  and started to walk away but he held my hand and placed my headset in my palm, not breaking eye contact throughout, causing something unfamiliar to flip over in my tummy .

"And you mind your language next time you talk to me." He all but growled before strutting away in long fluid strides, leaving me transfixed to a spot.

♣

"When on earth are you going to learn simple manners like KNOCKING BEFORE ENTERING SOMEONE'S PRIVATE SPACE?" The shrill voice that made the poor flower porcelain vase seated on the window crack even more at it's alien frequency was the hag's –Mrs. Lawrence's.

"Well you can ask my mother why she didn't teach me manners, she's like the most important person on your board of trustees, right?" I said nonchalantly and took a seat –without being told to– to enrage her even more.

"Your mother raised your sister too, and we're both witnesses to her–"

"Perfect behavior and conduct and bla bla bla. Is that why you called me here? To compare me to her and remind me of how undeserving of this model institution I am? I know that already ma'am so I'll save us both the trouble of tolerating each other for the next few minutes. Good day."

I stood up and turned around to leave but was unable to move any further. That was because of the sight I was blessed with.

Damn, he was so hot! My legs were feeling like jelly already.

Thankfully, the shrill voice of the old hag was on standby to snap me off my drooling.

"Welcome Mr. Otabor, you arrived just in time." The smirking Adonis nodded amusedly and walked over to take the seat beside the one I was so eager to vacate just seconds ago. I was quickly seated once again.

"So miss Adeoti, if you'll allow me, let me do a little bit of introduction." Her smug voice as she said it told me she knew exactly how smitten I was.

"Mr. Otabor, meet miss Isabella Adeoti; she's the girl I talked to you about...."

About what exactly?

"Miss Adeoti, meet Detective Otabor. He's come for the investigation of Ms. Nonso's death. He wants to ask a few questions and you're in a better position to answer since you were the closest student to her." My blood ran cold immediately.

"We weren't close."

"She helped you when you almost died of an asthma attack."

"It was a one time thing."

"You know her better than anyone Ella, why are you being difficult?" I stood up and looked wildly around me.

They knew I knew something, they knew I still had the note she'd sent on the night that she died. They knew I knew she was murdered and they'll blame me for it.

Shit.

"I don't know what you're talking about."  I rushed out and hightailed out of there, stopping only when I got to the basketball court to catch my breath. Only to be thrown out of my skin seconds later.

"You know something." It was Dave and he wasn't asking a question, he knew that I knew.

"It'll help if you start talking, she won't get justice if you don't talk."

Please don't say anything to the police, B's smarter than they are…..B'll come after you if you do.

"I don't know anything."I reiterated and made to leave but I was suddenly pinned against the wall by none other than the head boy.

" You have to say what you know, it's important."

"Let me go, I don't kn–" Dave's lips on mine muffled the rest of my denial.

"Stay away from Dave Ella or there'll be hell to pay for it."

That gave me strength to push him violently away and he was looked at me in shock like a deer caught in headlights.

"Stay. The. Fuck. Away. From. Me." I yelled and rushed out of the court in heavy breaths wondering what in hell was happening to and around me.

I found myself in front of a mirror in the restroom. Still wondering what nut got loose in Dave's head that made him kiss me and why he was so desperate to make me say what I knew.

I brought out my inhaler and administered it, vividly remembering how Ms. Nonso had saved my life three years ago when I had an attack and my inhaler wasn't with me. And I hadn't ever been able to repay that kindness before she was brutally murdered in her room at the staff quarters.

I wondered if I was doing the right thing by saying nothing. She'd clearly warned me to not say anything. That B –whatever that meant– would come after me.

"....she won't get justice if you don't talk."

Sigh.

I looked guiltily at my reflection on the mirror, the young girl with long, brown locks staring back at me, daring me to do something. But there was nothing I could do, B –whoever he was–  might come after little Tinuke, to get to me. And she was the only remaining reason that gave me the drive to keep pushing through the hellish life I was leading after Keira –Ms. Nonso's death.

I needed to clear my head bad, just a wrap would do.

But I instead was strangely suddenly drawn towards a stall and my heart kept racing crazily as I approached it.

As I pushed open the door slowly, I knew all was far from well with whoever it was in the stall.

And when the door finally opened and my brain registered the sight that met my eyes, I found myself doing the most girlish thing I'd ever done in my life.

I screamed. A blood curdling, feet curling scream.

♣

Hi everyone, this is my first post this year so I'm wishing you a happy, prosperous new year.
This is my second Nigerian story here and I promise it'll be nice😊 so seat back, relax and enjoy.
And comment and vote😜. I know it's to early for that but....oh well...
Updates would happen once or twice a week, not sure yet.
Gtg for now. See you in next chapter.
Love,
✌illusionistic