I knew boys could be wicked but I never expected Israel's level of wickedness. He cheated on her and she found out in the worst possible way yet he didn't even let her have the pride of being the one who break off the thing going on between them.

"What?!" Jessica asked. From her tone you could tell she was flabbergasted and absolutely pissed

Nmesoma was blinking so hard, trying to prevent the tears that filled her eyes from spilling as she spoke. "He said he's sorry I had to find out  about he and Olamide like this and that he was going to tell me someday but he didn't have the guts to break my heart like that. . ."

"Oh wow!" Jessica said, her tone dripping sarcasm.

"He said a break was the best thing for us right now. Like I don't get it!" Nmesoma burst into tears.  "I did my best with Israel. I literally worshipped him and. . ."

You did what?  I wanted to ask but decided not to. This was not the time for my infamous pep talks.

". . . He made a fool out of me."

Nmesoma bit down on her trembling lips. From the corner of my eye I saw Israel approach Olamide's table. I think Nmesoma saw them too.

"I need to get out of here." She said before dashing out of the cafeteria.

I looked at Jessica who in turn was looking at the two as they left the cafeteria together. When she turned back to me there was rage and silent murder in her eyes.

"Boys. . ." She grated out before shaking her head. "Israel Agbe is officially in my bad book."

*

Seeing Vincent and Olamide argue in the empty classroom after school was another thing I didn't expect today. I had been waiting for him in the library and when I didn't see him I decided to check for him in the class. Lo and behold there he was arguing with Olamide.

"I like him!" Olamide was saying when I saw them. I stood by one of the windows eavesdropping on their conversation.

"You liked him doesn't justifying you messing around with him. He is someone's boyfriend." Vincent sounded calm, too calm for someone who was restraining himself from lashing out. It was obvious he wanted to yell sense into Olamide with the way his voice sounded strained.

"Was. They broke up," Olamide said nonchalantly. It annoyed me so much that this girl could still push my buttons without actually talking to me.

"What?"

"Israel broke up with her. I told you he had just been stringing her along all these while."

"Nmesoma is your friend for God sake," Vincent sounded exasperated now. His tone had risen by some decibels.

"And I'll say it again, the fact that we play basketball together doesn't make us friends."

I imagined Vincent staring at his friend in utter disbelief and disappointment. The things girls do to their friends because of a boy was unbelievable. I wanted to walk into the class and bash her head into something. I didn't fight often but I knew could manage against Olamide. She didn't look like a fighter either.

"I know you are mean and all but this. . ." He paused a bit. "This is not the Olamide I know."

I peeped into the class just in time to see Olamide roll her eyes. She was standing close to Vincent who was seated on his desk.

"You know it has been me and Israel form the beginning before Nmesoma brought her busy body self into the story. How do you think I felt when I resumed school SS1 first term to hear that they were a couple?" She said 'couple' like it was some nasty word that was so hard to utter.

"I didn't know anything–"

"Exactly! You never know anything!" Olamide sounded angry. "How would you know? Everything was about you that time!"

I had a feeling she was talking about Vincent's time of loss and grief. But I didn't understand why her tone held malice.

"What do you mean by that?" Vincent said. I think he understood why she meant because there was a silent anger in his tone.

Olamide bit her lip and shook her head. "Just forget it. Judge me all you want. I honestly don't care!" She said before stomping towards the door.

"Israel would hurt you more, Mide," Vincent said to her back in a hard voice. Concern and warning was hidden under that hardiness.

"Is Olamide in there?" Someone asked me. I turned away from the window to meet Israel's gaze. I literally felt my face morph into a scowl. I couldn't help the look of disgust that crossed my face.

"Yes," I threw an answer at him after looking away from him. I heard him hiss before going into the class. I muttered 'bastard' under my breathe.

"Israel?" Olamide sounded surprised when she saw him. I turned back to the window to continue my spy session. "Thank God, you're here. We weren't able to talk during the break again. Let's do that while we go home, yeah?" She said then tried to take his arm but he swiftly took his arm behind him.

A perfectly raised brow communicated her confusion. I stole a glance at Vincent. And boy did he look absolutely pissed. His eyes shot bullets at the two.

I looked back at the duo. Olamide still had the confused look and I bet she was waiting for an explanation, one Israel was finding hard to give her. He just kept clenching his fist.

"Tell her that you're here to end that rubbish between you two already," Vincent said nonchalantly and he sounded sure.

Olamide glared at Vincent who glared back with the same intensity. None of them were backing down and Israel would not stop clenching his fist. His action was making me believe Vincent was right. If he was right, then Israel was one hell of a scum, no flipping cap.

"Olamide." Israel finally found the voice to say. Then he took a deep breath. "I want to–"

"No! No. Don't say that. Don't tell me that–" she tried to take his hand again but he didn't let her. "Israel!"

"Olamide I need a break from this."

It felt like time stopped. Vincent glare had softened a bit. Maybe it was because of Olamide. I could swear she had forgotten to breath. She looked heartbroken and I almost felt bad for her. Almost. But the sensible part of me rejoiced that she had a taste of what Nmesoma felt.

"Israel?"

"You ruined what Nmesoma and I had. You made me hurt her and I hate myself for it. You don't know how much I cherish that girl Olamide! Nmesoma hates me more than the devil now. I tried so hard to resist you but you wouldn't let me be!" Israel yelled at her. He had the guts to sound like it was entirely Olamide's fault. He knew he cherished Nmesoma but he definitely never missed a chance to make out with Olamide? Where on earth did male like these come from? It was definitely not the God that created men like Richard and Chijioke that created those one, that I was sure of.

Olamide flinched at Israel's tone. The heartbreak was so evident on her face. Her mouth hung open as she stared at Israel.

"Why did you come when I had gotten over you? You knew about me and Nmesoma, so why? " He sounded calmer now. "This should have stopped a long time ago but you kept coming back. You knew I wasn't totally over you, didn't you? But you knew we would never work so why did you keep coming back, Olamide?"

Why on earth was he trying to sound innocent?

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry but I can't do this with you anymore. I need a break."

Then he turned and started walking out of the class.

Bastard. Was the only thing ringing in my head.

"Israel!" Olamide called in a shrill voice but he paid no heed. I watched Israel walk out of the class and past me. I watched his back till he disappeared.

Bastard.

I looked into the class again and Olamide was still standing where she was looking dumbfounded. I expected Vincent to stand up and embrace her or something but he sat at his desk with arms folded watching the girl who looked frozen in time.

Olamide's head snapped in the direction of Vincent who said nothing before she stomped out of the class. She stopped abruptly when she saw me and stared at me with wide eyes. Her eyes were already glazed with unshed tears. She quickly turned around and jogged away from my sight.

"Ro, you can come in now."

I blinked, surprised at the nickname. A silly smile settled on my lips. I had no idea why I was smiling.

"How did you know I was outside?" I asked Vincent as I walked into the classroom.

"I know that you lack the patience to wait for me in the library for about-" he glanced at his wrist watch. "an hour. And I saw you snooping."

"Oshey, omniscient," I said with an eye roll before taking my seat on the desk opposite Vincent. "That was a lot."

"I know right. I don't know why all my friends have complicated love life," he said with a sigh rubbing his forehead. "CJ likes a girl that sees him as just a friend, Alec's in love with his benefit friend, Olamide and Israel are in some kind of entanglement and Stephen. . . he's the only normal one I guess."

"He's your cousin actually."

"Abi. That explains it."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Is your love life complicated?"

He looked taken aback.

"It's not like I'm interested or anything but. . .how does that saying go? Your friends define you or something along that line. So since your friends have complicated love lives, it's possible you do too," I shrugged after my statement. I honestly wasn't interested in his love life but now I had mentioned it maybe I was but it was a teeny tiny interest. Very tiny.

Vincent stroked his chin and looked at the ceiling for a while before looking back at me. "I don't have a complicated love life but I feel like I will. May not be complicated just something people would not expect."

The way he looked at me made me uncomfortable. I jumped down from the desk to get myself out of the uncomfortable situation but I unfortunately tripped on my own leg and I fell on Vincent.

"Sorry," I apologized as I quickly drew myself away from the accidental embrace.

"Are we still having the lesson?" I asked to rid myself of the nerve wrecking awkwardness I was feeling.

Vincent scratched his head. "Let's just cancel. Time is gone."

"Right. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Of course." Was Vincent's response.

"Cool." I said and turned away from Vincent. Then I walked out of the class without sparing him a goodbye. I was a little bit disappointed he didn't say goodbye.

*
Saturday afternoon was a dry one. It felt like harmattan again with the dry dusty air that I found hard to breathe. I licked my lips about ten times is a minute because it would not stop feeling dry and chapped.

I was seated outside the Adebayo mansion eating small chops Vincent had ordered. Apart from Timini no other person was with us  in the house. Constance was spending the weekend at her aunt's place as usual. I still wondered what made her go there but I wouldn't ask.

We were done with a mathematics session which we rounded up with a quiz Vincent did so well in. He wouldn't stop beaming a smile. Even as he ate the small chops meant for celebrating his little win, he still had a trace of the triumphant smile on his lips. It made me understand that he was really determined to do well.

For his mother.

"How is Nmesoma doing?"

I was taken aback by Vincent's question. Was this actually his best conversation starter?

"Israel's ex," he clarified when I gave him no answer.

"Oh. She has not been in school since Monday," I told him. At least that was Jessica told me. "I doubt she's good. We're not close."

"Poor girl." Was all he said then we settled into a silence that was just there.

"How's Olamide?" I asked. For the past few days, the girl has been meaner than I thought she could ever be. One would think that she would have been low-key. Surprisingly she hadn't crossed me all this while. It was almost like she was avoiding me. I didn't want to give myself too much credit though.

"Not good," he answered curtly. I knew he didn't want to talk about her but I pushed on.

"How are you two?"

"What do you think?" He asked me throwing in his last chops.

It was obvious to me that they were not good. I never see them together in class. One time they met at the classroom door, there was an intense stare down. Also the two times I had gone to the cafeteria for lunch, Vincent sat tables away from Olamide.

"Don't you think you need to console her at this time?"

Do not think that I had developed a soft spot or actually gave a damn about Olamide's emotional needs or any need at all. It felt like the only thing I could say at the moment. For all I cared, Olamide deserved it.

Vincent scoffed. "She doesn't need my consolation. She always assured me nothing was going on between her and Israel. I knew it was a big fat lie and I always tried to warn her. Besides she really annoyed me that day, my God in heaven knows but as usual she's waiting for me to come and apologize. Make she dey play Sha. Until she admits that she was wrong and apologize to everyone affected by her promiscuous action, she should not expect me to smile at her." Vincent sounded absolute. I liked it.

"Olamide is a character." I didn't want to say she was a bad person because who on earth was I to judge? "How did you meet her? She's the closest lady to you, it's kind of surprising."

"We met on a family vacation in South Africa. We shared the same hotel. You know that moment when you meet another Nigerian family abroad, you guys just click." I couldn't relate but I nodded before biting out of my chicken.

"The icing on the cake was that they were Yoruba too. Constance was too young to have my version on fun with so Olamide and I hung out most times. I came back to Nigeria for JSS 2 to find out that she was my new classmate. I quickly added her to my gang back then. She was mean then but I didn't really think much about it. I was mean too. But funny enough she never joined me in taunting Stephen. She always scolded me when I made fun of Stephen's unbelievably huge glasses or his braces. It made me believe that she actually liked him not Israel. She hardly talked to Israel. She was always complaining that he liked girls too much."

"Does she know about your mother?" I didn't know why I asked but I guess I had been curious. I made sure to ask the question slowly though. You never knew what would happen to Vincent when you mentioned his mother.

"Obviously she does. I'm pretty sure you heard what she said that day. Everything was about me then," he mimicked her. "What is that supposed to mean and why would she sound like that?"

"Maybe she was going through a phase and she needed you but you were. . . grieving."

"Then it's not my fault!" Vincent chuckled humorlessly. "Or maybe it is. . ."

"No it's not. Blaming yourself would not help you in any way."

Vincent did not respond to that.

"Do our classmates know?"

"About?"

"Your mom?"

"I'm sure my friends know. I don't know about the class."

"They don't know."

"Better for me and them." A frown had replaced the smile that was on his face mere minutes ago. I didn't like it at all. Now I felt guilty.

"Why is it difficult for you to talk about loss?" Curiosity was eating me up. I had to understand.

"Me?"

"Yes you Vince. I'm curious. You wallow in self loathing, blaming yourself and anger. Loss is not easy to get over, true but then it's been more than a year and you can't help your emotions when asked about your mother. You act like she died yesterday." I've read enough manuals and booklets to understand grief a little. Vincent's was on a whole different level. With the way it was going, it was only going to lead to self-destruction.

"You won't understand." He stood up and went to the throw the foiled plates away.

"Try me." I countered when he returned. Vincent stood looking me in the eye with hardness that was not there before but I looked back at him, unblinking. He didn't want to talk about it but I wanted to understand. "Make me understand."

"It was my birthday and my mother was taking me to Stephen's residence to celebrate with them. I didn't want to celebrate my birthday there and I wouldn't stop complaining. She got distracted. She didn't see the traffic light was red and she moved." Tears welled up in his eyes as he recalled every moment of that unfortunate day. "Our car was knocked of the road by a trailer. I was able to get out, scathed, but my mother was unfortunately stuck in the driver's seat. She wasn't lucky to escape like me. I watched her struggle to get out. There was blood everywhere and the small of gasoline hung thick in the air. The crowd knew the car was going to explode and they wouldn't let me go close."

The tears had started rolling down his cheeks now. He held the table as if to support himself. Like the memory of it all was draining his energy both emotionally and physically. I felt guilty for bringing it up. I didn't even expect him to tell me about it. We were not that close yet.

"Nairobi, the car caught fire. That's how my mother was burnt alive because of me! Because I couldn't just stop whining! And you guys ask me why I choose anger, why do I keep blaming myself? Isn't it obvious? It's my fault she's dead!"

In a flash, I was out of my seat  and engulfing Vincent in a hug I hoped was consoling. Vincent wept loudly on my shoulders and the sound of it pulled my heartstrings. There was so much pain, brokenness and emotions in this cry.

I pitied Vincent. In my little quest to become a better person, I felt being a therapist would be my best choice of career. I hardly got the chance to talk to someone but with this I get to be a listening ear to people who are in dire need of someone to believe, hear and console them. Even though Vincent didn't want to accept it, he was one of those people. In this moment, I decided Vincent was going to be my very first patient and I was going to help him as much as I could.

I didn't know what he was going through. I didn't think anyone understood too. It was sad

"I've always thought that you were being grumpy for nothing. That you were overdoing the whole grieving thing. I know better now. I never knew it was like this. I feel so bad for ever thinking bad about you." I willingly pressed him closer as he wept silently. I read that hugs were therapeutic too. "I have no idea how you feel. I don't think anyone does. And it must be hard, so freaking hard. But one thing I know is that blaming yourself isn't helping you in any way. You shouldn't hate yourself Vincent. It's definitely not what your mother would want."

I pulled back to stare at his tear stained face. I had the urge to wipe his tears with my fingers but I didn't succumb to the urge. We've crossed enough boundaries already.

"Your mother loved you, didn't she?" I asked still looking up at him.

Vincent nodded. He looked so vulnerable. He was so open more than that time at Constance's party even.

"Then why do you think that this is what she would want? She wouldn't want you to forget her but she wouldn't want you to hang on to grief. What happened to all the good memories before the accident? Why do you do yourself bad by thinking about that painful experience when you think of your mother? You shared beautiful memories didn't you?"

"Many." He didn't know how lucky he was.

"Tell me of one."

Vincent hesitated looking directly at me. His eyes, damn. The eyes were really windows to the soul.

"I remember teaching her how to ride a bicycle. It was hilarious to watch her struggle with the pedals or fumble with the handle." Vincent finally said with a smile. It looked bittersweet. "I felt so proud that there was something I could do that she couldn't. It was always like she knew everything. She got injuries during riding lessons and we would both make fun of that. It was a good time."

"See your smile," I commented with a smile of my own. "Why must you dwell on the bad memory then? Vincent I may not know much about motherly love but I know that a mother who loves a child no matter what the child does would want the best for them."

"Even if the child killed her?"

"You did not kill your mother Vincent. Let go of that mentality. Did your mother hate you when she got injured during your riding lessons?" I was patient.

"No."

"Ponder on that." I stepped away from him.

"You should take therapy seriously Vincent. It helps. Many wish they could afford it. Some people really need someone to just pour everything on and receive good advice from. Don't take it for granted."

"I do my best now," he told me before wiping his face with his top.

Then we stood there awkwardly face to face.

"Thank you." Vincent said. "Your hug was nice."

I smiled, cheeks unexpectedly flushing. I didn't know about Vincent but I knew that something had changed between us. Our relationship had gone deeper than it was meant to and I didn't know how to feel about it.