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The Inter-House Sports competition between the three houses of Kandore High is next week. The students have been getting about an hour of lecture-free practice time everyday, for a while now. Uju does not like sports much. But she plays a little volleyball and some indoor games like swimming. She loves swimming. However, the swimming competition was cancelled this year, so all she does mostly is stroll around the school premises, relishing the soothing sensation of the cool breeze; thinking and imagining to her heart's content. The truth is, she loves being physically idle. Her mind is always very busy, and she does more than enough work at home. If anything, she wants more time to rest; more time away from the Balogun family drama. Thank goodness Tobi attends a different school. The last thing she would've wanted is to have had to look after him here as well. At school, she is able to cultivate her own life; do what she wants when she wants it.
Family is good. But sometimes, one just needs a place to build a personal identity, learn to adapt, make friends and achieve personal goals, while untethered by the caprices of family life. And unlike in the outside world, here at Kandore, everyone is equal. Well at least, they are supposed to be.

Uju is always careful not to stray too far from the crowd during sports time. Many things can befall students who in search of solitude or otherwise, venture away from public safety into deserted parts of the school premises. In such places, no one can come to your rescue, should anything happen. 'Be where others are!' is always the watchword.

Uju also loves to take part in the march-past parade. She was the leader of her troop, back at St. Agnes Grammar School in Imo State. But there won't be any marching practice today, so she is free as a bird. She is equally alert however, to make sure that she escapes the watchful gaze of Mr. Akintola, the principal. He does not like to see students idle or loitering during sports periods. He always wants everyone to be fully involved in the recreation process, particularly Uju, whom he has noticed always avoids participating in social activities. The last time he caught her idle, he almost punished her severely. Therefore, Uju has devised a means to remain within the busy crowd, yet not participate in any activity. The field is large and crowded with people. So instead of remaining in one spot for too long, she keeps on migrating from the midst of one cluster of people to another. Mr. Akintola wouldn't be able to spot her then.

Sometimes, when Bayo is not playing football, he joins her on her migratory stroll. Then they would talk and laugh about so many things, ranging from God, human nature and politics; to life, love, music, fashion, feminism and whatnot. Today might be one of those days, because Uju can already see him storming off the football pitch; no doubt, because he got into an argument with some of the players. In anger, he trudges to the edge of the field and forcefully sits on the grass. Some of the players run after him and beg him to return, but he refuses.
Upon noticing this, James quickly rushes to pull them away from him, yelling, "Why una dey beg am? Abeg leave am, make ee dey go jor!!!... Substitute the idiot!"
Eventually, they all agree and start to walk away, although reluctantly. Afterwards, James rudely raises his middle finger at Bayo, who does nothing else but give him an extremely cold stare. The barrage of hostile fumes seeping from Bayo's mind right now are quite vicious. And Uju keeps observing them from afar, but does not go near. She has actually never seen Bayo get this angry before. Frankly, she had always wondered if he ever did.

Shortly after James leaves, Bayo slowly turns toward her direction and their eyes meet. The mysterious way in which this happens makes some chills run down Uju's spine. And the look on his face is so deadly, that it is almost as though she is seeing him for the first time; a different person; a dangerous person. That warm and kind guy she had come to know seems to have disappeared rather too abruptly. 'Why am I not surprised?' she echoes within herself. But then almost immediately, Bayo's acrid face gradually begins to morph into a smile, which makes it all seem even creepier. His eyebrows slowly part again and his cheeks progressively widen, reforming that comely demeanor she is used to. Although right now, he may be trying to make her feel more comfortable with his smile, in truth, she has never felt more unsafe around him. While Uju tries to process this uneasy feeling, Bayo immediately rises majestically and starts to walk towards her.

"Hmm... I see you are avoiding sports again, as usual!" he echoes.

In response, Uju chuckles and replies wittily, "I see you are getting into fights with James again... as usual!"
Then they both burst into laughter, as they come to stand beside each other. Afterwards, the stroll begins,
"He is a big fool." Bayo asserts.
But Uju replies with practical honesty, "Come on... don't be so hard on him."

Bayo becomes slightly shocked at her words. Therefore, he asks in amazement, "And since when do you care about the likes of James Okonkwo? Or... Is it because he is one of your Igbo brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Uju tilts her head at him, affixing on him a stern 'like seriously?' gaze. Noticing her expression, Bayo begins to laugh uncontrollably, afterwhich Uju shakes her head in disappointment and then looks forward again, "I care about everyone, for your information. I'd rather remain at a safe distance most times... but I do care.."
He interrupts her, looking a bit serious now, "..I know. But James? Really??? "

"Yes! He is still a human being, isn't he?"

Bayo scoffs in response.

"He might be quite annoying sometimes, but it is obvious that he just likes to get the attention. And he despises people like you, who make him feel... inadequate. In truth, James seems to be battling with a lot of self esteem issues." she adds, with so much experience in her voice that Bayo gives her an amused gaze and starts to clap, "Wow!... Uju, the psychologist!"
#POW!
Uju punches his shoulder lightly and then chuckles blushingly. Thereafter, Bayo lets out a phony growl and starts to act as though Uju's punch just shattered his humerus.
"Ouch!" he exclaims. Uju starts to laugh some more. And in this subtle moment, he beholds the surreal grandeur of her beauty. That thin vein running down her caramel forehead as she smiles; that ebony-black thread hairstyle which always traps the sun's rays between its glossy strings; those deep crimson eyes that look like they have a thousand stories to tell; he loves it all.

He has fallen for her, no doubt. And her beauty does not seem to be the only thing that mesmerizes him. Her astuteness and veracity simply bedazzle him. Also, her kindness is so patented; so warm in a latent kind of way, that it gives him such comfort to be around her. He can't seem to fully wrap his head around it. But in fact, from the very first moment he laid eyes on her, he knew in some weird way that he had found his soul mate. However, he is starting to get worried that Uju might not feel the same way. She might only see him as a friend. And although he has been subtly trying to work his magic on her, he is not completely sure whether his efforts are paying off. The last thing he wants to do is dismember their entire friendship, by blatantly professing his undying love for her; that is, if what he feels is even love. He can't say that he is completely sure. He is just seventeen, after all. What does he really know about love?
In the heat of the moment, Uju still seems quite oblivious to the myriad of feelings pervading Bayo's mind. She just keeps on walking while he stares at her longingly. No doubt, she is lost in her own mind again. She is always so detached, and not nearly as hungry for attention as Bayo would like. He finds it a bit annoying. He keeps wondering when she will ever look at him for more than just a few seconds; when she will ever be interested in more than just his objective opinions about life.

After a few paces, Bayo's deep voice jolts Uju into reality once more, "Uju.. Why did you have to be a Catholic?... I hate Catholics."
In utter perplexity, Uju immediately turns to him, almost speechless.
'Yes!' This is the exact reaction he wanted. And now, she is going to enter 'counselling mode'. He actually does dislike Catholics. But he'd love to see how she intends to convince him otherwise.
"Why do you hate Catholics?" Uju inquires earnestly.
Bayo sighs casually in response, "I don't know... I just hate them."

"Come on, B! You're too smart to give such an answer." she replies, rolling her eyes a bit. 'Yes!' She called him 'B'. He loves it whenever she calls him that. Then he turns to give her a shrewd but blushful gaze, "Okay then..." He sighs again, "Well... Catholics have a 'holier than thou' attitude."

Uju interrupts him, "...Is there any religious body where you won't find zealots with 'holier than thou' attitudes??? The church is not to blame for the actions of some of its members. Or is what you really dislike the Catholic faith itself?"

"Will you let me finish???"

"... Okay... Okay, I'm sorry. Please... continue." she replies humbly.
Then Bayo places a hand on her shoulder and begins,
"I have no issues with the Catholic faith. It is their faith! They have every right to believe what they want. But it's just... Catholics always act like their faith supersedes all others... as though the rest of us are damned or something. And your clergymen criticize other preachers sometimes... calling them fake prophets, who just want to swindle lost sheep of their money. They talk about our scandals, when in fact, the Catholic church is the seat of scandals."

Upon hearing this, Uju smiles and then asks, "Are you done?"
"No!" he replies with a smirk, but then adds, "..But I'd like to hear what you have to say."
Uju smiles again, "Okay. Well, we are no longer in the sixteenth century, so... as far as religious freedom is concerned, the Catholic church begrudges no one. And you're right. Everyone is entitled to their faith; which is exactly why the Catholic church supports and teaches religious tolerance... and never criticizes anyone. If any individual decides to go against the church's teachings... then he or she does so not as a Catholic. You of all people should understand how human nature can corrupt and manipulate faith. I don't want to start throwing stones at some Pentecostals or members of other denominations... but... I think you know that scandal is everywhere. Both good and evil must dwell wherever humanity exists; even in the church. But that does not mean that the church is entirely just bad. It simply means that we Christians need to strive to propagate more good and let love prevail.
...The Catholic church was the first church, so there is a tendency for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike, to buy into the concept of its superiority. Nonetheless, it is the individual who determines how he acts and thinks. The Catholic church does not encourage evil or force anyone to do anything, and is not to blame."

At the end of her speech, Bayo rolls his eyes and says, "Yea yea... You have spoken like a true Catholic."
Uju raises a brow at him, then they both burst into prolonged laughter, afterwhich she continues, "...Honestly, I believe the world would be much better off, if we focused less on our distinctions and more on the things that bind us together. I personally believe that we are all equal in the sight of God; atheists, christians, muslims, everyone!"

Staring into space, Bayo nods in agreement, "That may be true... but..." He is interrupted by the arrival of James, Bolanle and the rest of their crew, who start to laugh and sneer at the both of them. Afterwards, Bolanle begins, in scornful jest, "Hmm! Barely a month, and St. Maria Goretti has already found herself a boyfriend???... Just be careful oo! This boy is a player... If you like, go carry belle! "
Her loyal minions giggle in concurrence.

Uju on the other hand, simply keeps her cool, although she is tightly clenching her teeth because she is getting quite tempted to give Bolanle an equally caustic response. Heaven knows, she can take on these vultures any day! Nevertheless, she subtly takes in a deep breath and lets out a polite smile.
"Bolanle! What is your problem???" Bayo yells in frustration. In response, Bolanle turns and eyes him from head to toe, while James just keeps laughing profusely. "Was I talking to you???" she asks rudely. Then James intensifies his laughter and adds, in an almost funny manner, "...Mr. Lover boy! You dey smart abi! You wan chop fresh fish. "
After hearing this, a volcano of rabid fury erupts within Bayo's brain. He turns to James in utter rage, as condensed anger swiftly courses through his agitated arteries. He almost looks like he is about to crack this boy's skull open right here. And he gradually starts to clench his fists, in preparation for a deadly assault.

When Uju notices this, she quickly clings to Bayo's arm. Then with an enchanting tenderness, she delicately pulls him away from them while whispering sensitively, "Don't mind them, Bayo... It's okay. Let's just walk away. They're not worth it."
He resists a bit at first, but then begins to see himself drifting away with her, as she pulls. He almost can't control himself. For some reason, her voice and warmth slowly melt his anger. And together, they walk away towards the opposite end of the field and then sit on the warm grass.

After a few moments of silence, Bayo sighs and then says, "Uju, you can't keep walking away every time. I know those two very well... And if you don't put them in their place, they will never stop."
Uju smiles and replies, "That is exactly what they want; your reaction!... James knows that you have a temper, which is why he keeps on pushing. If you don't let him get to you, he will eventually grow tired."

"So you expect me to just... fold my arms and watch him insult me; insult you?" he queries passionately.
Uju is a bit shocked by his urge to defend her. She doesn't feel in the slightest way vulnerable. 'Maybe he is like that with all his friends.' she concludes. Then she replies with a query of her own, "Okay, since you have been putting them in their place; how come they still haven't stopped?"
Bayo is speechless. He had never actually thought of it like that before. Nevertheless, he just ignores her question and turns his head forward, to stare into space once again.
Afterwards, Uju places a palm on his shoulder and continues, "I understand what you mean... but it is not always the best solution. I faced far worse than those two at my previous school in Imo state. And as you just said, I always made sure to put them in their place. But in the process, I ended up becoming worse than the villains I was trying to vanquish... just because I wanted to retaliate. And whenever I look back, I realize that I ended up hurting them with my actions, much more than theirs ever hurt me."

Uju draws nearer to Bayo's angry face and keeps looking forward as well, placing her cheeks directly beside his and whispering, as they both peer at James with the motley crew, "Okay... Let's say I did not stop you earlier, and you succeeded in breaking James' nose. What good would that have done? You would have been suspended or expelled for fighting, and you would probably have sustained some injuries of your own."
Bayo scoffs smugly in response.
But Uju goes on, whispering slightly and then shifting closer until their ears make contact, "...Your glowing reputation would be smeared with mud. James on the other hand, is well known for misbehaviour, so he needn't worry about his reputation. He has nothing to lose! But you have everything to lose. And would you truly have been happy with yourself, knowing that you put someone in the hospital? Come on, B!... Just let it go."

Upon hearing this, Bayo finally sighs deeply and turns sideways. Then he whispers slickly, with a raised eyebrow and a suppressed smile on, "You're a crafty little girl, you know that?"

"Call me little again, and I'll break that nose of yours myself."

"Then we'd both be suspended." he responds, chuckling playfully. Afterwards, Uju pushes him away and then bursts into laughter.

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GLOSSARY
"Why una dey beg am?......Abeg leave am, make ee dey go jor!!!.....Substitute the idiot!"- "Why are you all begging him?...... Let him go, will you!!!........Substitute the idiot!"
".......If you like, go carry belle!"- ".........If you'd like to get pregnant, then be my guest!"
"....You dey smart abi? You wan chop fresh fish! "- "....Smart man, aren't you?....Trying to taste a fresh girl, huh!"