Hi Cribbers, It's time to see the work of our contestants and find out what our Judges think about it. Hence, the contestants in this batch are:

001 THEPENREAPER
002 CEASER
003 LIONESS
004 JAY
005 TRAFALGAR

Without much further ado, we call on the first contest for this batch...

001 THEPENREAPER

Prompt: "I hate you but..."

Genre: Light romance.

Story:

I want to hate you but how do you hate your peace?

Argus Bassey Close was located at the corner of the main road. You could miss it if you had no intention to stop and smell the aroma of freshly fried akara and Eka Nkechi's (Nkechi's mother) freshly baked bread, imbued with the sound of early morning hustlers and impatient vehicles.

I was on my way to work, a job I hated and had made my life a living hell when I almost walked past Argus Bassey Close. 

The air was free of its usual tasty akara aroma and Eka Nkechi was not on her woman sit-down talk, chasing hungry flies from her freshly baked loaves.

Instead, Argus Bassey Close smelt of freshly grilled potatoes and spicy stew. I walked closer to the potato seller who had ruined my morning routine.

She was haggling for change with her drunk customer. Talk about karma. I accessed the drunk man; wasn't it too early in the morning to be this drunk? I thought. The thought that followed was; who is this fine potato seller?

"Oga, just give her the change, it won't kill you," I said to the drunk man before I could stop myself.

"Take your change, stupid girl!" The drunkard spat, throwing a crumpled one hundred naira note at the potato seller.

She picked the note from her table, stuffing it into her black fanny pack. "Thank you, but I can handle myself. I don't need to owe another man anything." The ebony goddess snarled behind clenched teeth. 

'Rude much!' I thought to myself. "I wasn't helping, I just wanted to buy some potatoes and he was holding up the line." I lied.

She rolled her eyes, a scoff-like laugh escaping through her lips.

"Oya, how much do you want, Mr. Blue suit?" She asked, blowing air into a black nylon.

"How much is it?" I asked, wondering why I hadn't moved on from this rude girl.

"Five for three hundred naira. How many do you want?" She asked. Flipping  the slim, rectangular chunks of potato so the other side could cook.

"Give me nine hundred naira own," I said, pulling a clean one thousand naira note from the pocket of my dress pants.

The ebony goddess stuffed my nylon with hot, freshly grilled sweet potatoes and two spoons of her devilish red stew. She doubled the steaming nylon, knotted it and handed it over to me across the grill.

"Thank you. I'll be back tomorrow morning if these are as good as they smell." I raised my cap to my potato seller, earning me a brief sighting of her white teeth. Wasn't I supposed to be pissed at her for depriving me of my akara and bread?

"I've heard you. Have a good day at work, and thank you!" She smiled, turning her attention back to her potatoes and the pot of stew that had begun to boil.

I did come back the next day and the day after; not because the potatoes were that good. It was because I simply liked the aura of the goddess.

I got up early every morning so we could talk for long periods as she set up shop and I waited for the bus to arrive, talking about everything and anything while the world around us woke up.

After work, I would help her close shop and we would walk to the fountain and talk about all the things we disliked about President Tinubu.

After a month of fountain visits, my potato seller invited me to a street party. She said it would give me a better view into her world. It was an invitation into her holy of holies, a leap of faith to push past more than friendship.

We danced until well past midnight before we decided we had partied enough for the weekend. Shallipopi's voice still rang in our ears as we walked to the fountain, our breaths smelling of Star and Hennessy. Our sweat was spiced with the scent of peppered suya and yam chips.

We laughed the entire walk to the fountain, my goddess holding her shoes in one hand and the other on my shoulder to keep her from tripping while her sequenced dress sparkled as headlights raced past us.

She had drank a little too much and now, she struggled to keep her long, legs on the ground. She laughed when I told her she was a clumsy drunk. Her white teeth, a sharp contrast to her Fenty, red lipstick.

“Atleast I'm sober enough to walk,” she laughed. Pulling her weave from her eyes to get a better view of her path. “It's beautiful tonight,” she whispered to herself and I nodded in agreement.

“You could give the city a run for her money.”

“You and your oyinbo flattery.”  Ifunaya smacked my shoulder, playfully. “They will whine you but no panic!” We both laughed.

That night, under the dim glow of the fountain lights and the sound of honking cars carried by the evening breeze, I was happy.

Ifunaya had brought so much peace to me;  she had given me a taste of a very different life. She had shown me the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom, she had brought peace into my chaotic life and she had filled my belly with so much sweet potatoes.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked Ifunaya, drawing her attention from the water.

"Only if we do it under the water," She laughed.

In a split second, we were under the fountain, soaking wet, lips against each other, breaths rasping as I took in the smell of every drop of water and sweat before they escaped into her mouth.

We broke for air under all that water a few minutes later. I placed my forehead against hers and smiled.

"I have some leftover potatoes, Mr. Blue suit." Ifunaya smiled, pulling my jacket close. How could I hate the woman who had gifted me a life of peace?

Commentary: A kiss under the fountain, cute!

JUDGES REVIEW

JUDGE NADIA SULAIMAN

I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

And believe me, with all the bs I see in Coven, it'd be easier to move a mountain than to put a smile on my face because what are we smiling about? When criminals are not being thrown into prison on a day to day basis?

But, oh my goodness, I didn't want this to end. The entire story played in my head like a movie from start to finish and my goodness,  Ifunanya is absolutely stunning! I love how every detail of this story was show and not tell. How the emotions were real. The conversations were funny and entertaining, and the entire story, absolutely intriguing! I can't love this enough. This is definitely something I would love to see on the big screen. More ink to your pen. Continue reaping!

JUDGE OLAITAN DAVIS

This is good, reaper. No long talk, no beating around the bush.  Not really what I was expecting, but nonetheless good.

Congratulations, reaper.

JUDGE NINA OGBEIDE

I love your storytelling and writing abilities. It's obvious you know your onions with your style of writing. Also love how diverse and unique your story is.

JUDGE UMAR HASAN

First off, you didn't start with the given prompt. Follow instructions next time. Other than that, not bad. Not bad at all.

JUDGE GIWA FALADE

Good story, but the procession wasn’t it for me. But before I get into all that, let me start with this.

I’m going to try and ignore the fact that you didn’t follow instructions and start with the right prompt. I like spontaneity, but not as much as I like instructions being followed. For you to go far in this competition, you need to adhere to instructions given no matter what.

Now back to the procession of your book. I didn’t get the link between “I want to hate you, but how do you hate your peace?” and the story you told about the main lead and the potato seller? Why would he want to hate her in the first place? Because she’s rude? Or is it because he hated his job?

I’m not seeing it.

All in all, it’s a good story, but it can be better because you are a good writer.

And no, that wasn’t meant to be compliment.

Commentary: Hmm... That didn't seem bad. Anyways, unto the next contestant in the batch!

002 CEASAR

Prompt: "I hate you but..."

Genre: Light Romance

Story:

I hate you but...

I could feel the sting of her words through the text. Tomiwa hated me. Well, it wasn't the first time she was saying it; it had never been this hurtful.  He closed the chat window and froze his WhatsApp.  He had nothing else to say. He had seen she was still typing but he didn't want to know what else she had to say. Eighteen I-hate-yous in a week was more than he could take from her.

School this week had been hell, because she made it so. She just came one Monday morning and it seemed that the god of bad moods and ill tempers visited during the weekend. Of course he 'naturally' assumed that it was her time of the month and tried to lighten her mood with things she liked, but it seemed to get worse everyday. He made very rude remarks, said something about his dead sibling which he didn't like, still never apologised. It was like she suddenly hated his entire existence.  And they were, what's the word again? Best friends.

He tried to be patient with her, tried to understand where all the anger was coming from. He believed that she didn't mean any of the hurtful things she said.  But the moment he suggested they talk, all he had been getting was hate speeches. Tomiwa despised his existence.

~

The pain of his absence did more than shatter her heart. When she saw she had been left on read, she realised Julius was not coming back to that chat.  He was probably angry at the way she had been acting of recent.  Well, who could blame her when he made her that way? Who could blame her for her suddenly finding his presence annoying as eff. Ironically,it was more annoying when he wasn't near. She hated his voice, yet it calmed her, made her feel this unexplainable tingle on her skin.

She was confused.  Julius made her confused, jumbled all her emotions, erased her reasoning. Something was wrong somewhere so till she found where, she had to stay away from him. But Julius being Julius still stayed, was still so damn annoyingly patient and caring, even when she was in full-fledged bitch mode.

While playing Lilith, however, she had come to terms with whatever she was feeling for Julius. She knew it wasn't mood swings or time of the month things. And it wasn't even what she could call a 'crush.' It felt more than that. She actually liked Julius,  she knew. Tomiwa smiled wistfully as she looked at the single tick on her goodnight message.  He was offline. And not going to be back anytime soon.

~

"Guy, what the fuck is—" Lawal didn't have to complete the question. Julius had gotten a lot of that question from everyone around him these past few days, yet he didn't know its answer. What the fuck was wrong with him? Since when did he, Julius Okocha, start fighting on the football field. On top set match. Just because of an offside the other team refused to agree was one.

What the fuck was wrong with him? "Fuck it!" he cussed and got off the boy he was pinning to the ground. He made his way out of the pitch and saw Lawal follow him.

"Julius, wetin dey sup?" He stayed silent, walking to his classroom. "You've not been you for a few days. What is it?"

"It's nothing." He reached the door and momentarily paused when he saw Tomiwa discussing with another classmate. It was nothing. He by-passed,  acting like she was air. Formerly,  they would exchange smiles but not anymore. Their friendship was over.

As he reached his bag,he recalled that his water bottle was empty. "Lawal you get water?" he asked. Lwal shook his head in negative response. 

There were two more people in the classroom. The rest were out for break. He contemplated between asking Tomiwa and asking Neche, the other girl with her. He decided on the former. Him avoiding her would give her the idea that he was affected by their sudden separation.  He wasn't going to show how much he was. "Tomiwa,  I want water." Her response was quick as she quickly got her bottle and tossed it to him. The contents were shared with his buddy, of course. He returned the bottle and without a word, he left.

"It's Tomiwa, innit? What is even stopping you from telling that girl you're in love with her?"

"She hates me. That's what."

"Since when? Tell me more." She shook his head, indicating that he had no intention of discussing Tomiwa. "Oya, talk about something else." He was grateful Lawal got the sign.

~

He noticed that someone was at the cemetery and was standing by his sister's grave. He saw the freshly picked flowers lying on the stone, the petals bringing a bit of color to the grey around it. He recognised the figure.  "Why are you here?"

"I'm wishing her a happy birthday." She turned to face him. "Plus I knew I'd meet you here." She smiled at him, a smile which he would have fallen for. Not today. Her smile soon fell. "Julius,  can we talk?"

"I'm going to get busy so if you may excuse me..."

"Julius, I'm sorry." He scoffed. "I didn't mean any of those hurtful words, Julius. I was...confused. I was figuring things ou—" He cut her off.

"Tomiwa, you have to go. It's getting late."

"Julius I don't hate you."

"I don't have time for this."

"Julius, I was confused. I was trying to understand my feelings, myself. I needed space. Julius, I like you,  very much in fact." He scoffed for the second time. This clown. This joker. He couldn't help but laugh.

"You're not serious if that's how your own like does you, Tommie."

"What did you expect me to do? You make me crazy Julius. You make my thinking so...  You annoy me. Your voice, your laugh, your smile, your everything.  The kindness, your patience.  It's annoying okay. Plus I have to maintain composure or wetin go do my steeze?"

What steeze? He chuckled looking at the chipmunk.  It was like all the anger he had towards her vanished into thing air. He sighed. They actually had to talk,  really talk. But for now, it could all wait. He couldn't listen to her explanations any longer. He got the message.

His feelings were reciprocated.

He hugged her tightly and heard her giggle. "I don't hate you, Julius."

Commentary:  From Best friends to lovers... Sighs dramatically.

JUDGES REVIEW

JUDGE NADIA SULAIMAN

Tsk, tsk, Chi Tomiwa Chukwu, see how you are begging a man? When you are not Ayra Starr? In this economy where steeze is costly?

Okay, but jokes aside, I loved this. I really did. The serial number says 002, but ironically, it was the last submission I read, so I really too my time with it. Really sunk it in. They're cute. Cute kids in love. Although, I noticed one small rubbish in the beginning, where you started with first person POV and switched to third person and ran with it. You thought you were sleek, Caesar?😂 No. But seriously, don't try that thing again sha. But, even though there were a some errors, bigger ones like the one I pointed out and smaller ones like typos and mini spelling mistakes, which I suppose was an accident, this was a very wholesome and enjoyable read. Keep it up, Caesar.

JUDGE OLAITAN DAVIS

Julius Okocha, Julius Caeser. You see what I did there?🌚 The MC's name is Julius and your penname is Cae– never mind.

So, Mr. Caesar, I enjoyed your piece. Poor Julius. Collecting from Tomiwa up and down. I'm glad they sorted it out in the end.

Mr. Caesar, I got confused a few times and had to reread some of the parts again to be clear. Your spacing was inconsistent and I don't know if that was intentional or a mistake. If it was a mistake, a space or two in between each paragraph would do. This is a step to making your work look very organized and appealing to read. And also cross-check your work after writing to get rid of any errors that could “reduce your steeze.”

Congratulations, Mr. Caesar.

And I'm not apologizing for my joke at the beginning. Hazel gets it and that's more than enough for me.

JUDGE NINA OGBEIDE

Started with first person POV and in that same paragraph, you switched to third person. That's a very nice way to start a story. And every other thing in the story just didn't add up for me.

JUDGE UMAR HASAN

Well, Ceaser Augustus, I think your story was nice. But da fatan, work on making sure there's more coordination in your use of tenses.

JUDGE GIWA FALADE

Cute story. Lighter than light romance, but still cute. That’s all I could muster myself to feel.

Though, I’m not sure why you changed POVs from first person POV to third person POV. That’s not ideal and should never happen again. Pick a POV that you are comfortable writing in and make it work.

Commentary: Hm.. I guess the judges were kind of impressed by this work. Oh well! Calling up the next contestant.

003 LIONESS

Prompt: "I hate you but..."

Genre: Light Romance

Story:

“I hate you but…” I watch as a piece of my ponmo disappears into Eze’s mouth. He licks his fingers clean, smacking his lips in the process before he continues, “Omohhh, this ponmo sweet o. Chai. How much you buy am?”

I almost roll my eyes at him. He's definitely forgotten his reason for hating me, all because of ponmo. My best friend, y’all. Instead of replying to him, I continue munching on the peppery delicacy.

“I dey serious o, Kenneth. How much you buy this thing? I go like buy another plate.” Even as he speaks, he continues shoving piece after piece into his mouth using two fingers. Hasn't he heard of toothpicks before?

I triumphantly eat the last piece on the plate. “I got it for 2k. Now go and buy another plate.”

We are currently at Mama Chichi's beer parlor and I relax in my chair, staring intensely at Eze who still hasn't gotten up to get another plate of ponmo.

“I been think say na 5h before. I no too guide. The money wey dey my hand na for my beer,” he pouts and I sigh.

“It's fine, just buy whatever you want. I'll pay,” He beams at me and whispers “Odogwu” as he gets up.

I use the time he's gone to glance through my WhatsApp messages. There are texts from my course mates as well as tags in my departmental group, but I ignore them. I haven't been to school since Amarachi reduced my steeze drastically three weeks ago. Not worth recalling, anyway.

I open the text from my project supervisor and groan at the message. I'm to submit the first three chapters of my final year project in a week's time, and the only thing I've been able to write so far is my name, and the title of the project—which I don't even remember anymore.

“Hi, mind if I sit here?” I hear a soft voice and my head snaps to the lady making herself comfortable in Eze's chair. I want to tell her the seat is already occupied, but the words die on my tongue when I see her face.

“Wow,” I mutter under my breath as she smiles, showcasing her dimples. Her blond braids are in a high bun with the curly ends framing her face. Her edges are laid neatly and she has a coat of lip gloss on—two important things I love in a lady. And to top it off, she smells yummy.

“Oh, quit staring like you haven't seen me before,” she grumbles lightheartedly. I want to tell her that I haven't, but she continues, “We're in the same faculty. I usually see you with that your babe—errmm, Amarachi—in CSC 404 class.”

I like how clean her English sounds. Everyone around here either speaks pidgin or bad English. I want to tell her Amarachi and I broke up already, but Eze is back.

She hastily gets up. “It was nice talking to you, Ken.”

I stare in disappointment as she walks out of the joint, her soft ass bouncing in her leggings. Damn.

“Wetin just sup now now? Who be that babe?” Eze interrupts my staring and I realize I don't know her name.

I get up in haste, hoping I'll be able to catch up to her. Thankfully, she's standing by the roadside, her eyes glued to her phone when I reach her. “Hey, you didn't tell me your name.”

She smiles like she had expected me to follow her. “On one condition. Let's meet here next week; same day, same time. And I'll tell you my name. For now, just call me Barbie…Ken.” And then, she winks at me as an Uber stops right in front of us.

The joke isn't lost on me and I pull out my phone to check the time, chuckling to myself as the car pulls away with her in it.

***

This is my fifth date with Afolakemi and I'm fidgeting as we leave the bar. She's godsent and I just sent the revised edition of my project to my supervisor a few minutes ago—thanks to her help.

We've been meeting every Thursday at exactly 7pm for five weeks and I'm contemplating asking her out tonight.

I haven't even gotten a kiss from her yet, and isn't that supposed to happen after the second date?

“Ummm, Fola…” The words get stuck in my throat.

“Yes…” she probes.

“I…” I shake my head, “Will you…”

“Wow. What happened to Kenneth the playboy? Aren't you supposed to be… I don't know, smooth?” She's teasing me but she's right. I have never been nervous around a girl before, I always know the right words to say. And the fact that I come from money and drive a Benz helps too.

I take a deep breath and exhale dramatically, “Okay, let's do this. Afolakemi Makinde, will you be my girlfriend?”

My heart thuds in my chest as her brows furrow. She scoffs and looks away from me, “We need to work on your Yoruba. Because how the hell did you just murder my entire name?”

I laugh wholeheartedly and a huge smile is plastered on her face as she steps closer to me. “Ask me that question again but please, for the love of God, just use Fola.”

I do as she asks and of course, she says ‘yes’. I move in to kiss her, because heaven knows I've been dreaming of her lips all evening, but she stops me with a hand on my chest.

“One more thing, you're no longer a playboy. Repeat it after me.” The serious expression on her face makes me crack with laughter as I repeat it, “If I catch you looking at another girl ehn…”

She leaves the sentence hanging and I draw her closer to me, my hands on her waist and my lips hovering over hers. “Ken is officially Barbie's property. All rights reserved.”

And then, my lips descend on hers.

Commentary: Barbie and Ken... All rights reserved 🫠.

JUDGES REVIEWS

JUDGE NADIA SULAIMAN

Okay, Barbie and Ken.😂
Not bad, not bad. This was a decent read for me. Good job, The Lioness, good job.

JUDGE OLAITAN DAVIS

This reminds me of my very own Barbie.

Moving on.

Lioness, I must say that I like your work. I like how you stuck to one tense all through, and your good use of punctuation. Still not what I was expecting, but I would really like to know how Amarachi reduced Kenneth's steeze though.

Congratulations, Lioness.

JUDGE NINA OGBEIDE

Honestly, don't know how to feel about your entry. It's kind of blank to me. I love the writing, I love the humor but it's just... There's something missing, something that I can't really pinpoint. I hope you do better in later stages if you make it past this stage.

JUDGE UMAR HASAN

"And then my lips descend on hers"?  Wow. You sure you couldn't have used another verb? You also didn't execute the theme of the prompt so well. But of course, it's cool. Do better next time.

JUDGE GIWA FALADE

BEAUTIFUL!

It is certainly not in my character to give compliments. I mean, I am Giwa Falade, I don't do compliments. But I have to tell the truth. This is the perfect definition of a light romance. Don't let me even get started on your smooth story procession, your near-perfect use of punctuations and how you worked the prompt at the beginning.

Very creative!

Commentary: Seems like Lioness proved herself to the Judges. Moving to the next Contestant...

004 JAY

Prompt: "I hate you but..."

Genre: Light romance

Story:

“I hate you, but…”

The words refused to come out of her mouth. She didn't want to do it, but she had to. She loved him, but she had to.

“Say it.” She held her breath, feeling his hand take hers in a slow, sure grip.

“I'll do it.” She was struggling to keep her breaths steady now, meeting his eyes. Her heart beat in skips, as she watched him slowly smile at her and lean in, taking both her hands in his. They edged closer, breathing in each other's air, eyes locked in some otherworldly reverie.

“That's enough. You're not supposed to kiss, these children.” A beautiful tall lady got up from her seat and walked towards them, stopping them just in time.

They burst into laughter, avoiding each other's eyes quite intentionally as they did, their classmates laughing right along with them. The classmates arranged themselves in small rows, like a small audience, on blue plastic chairs they borrowed from a startup rental company along the street from their school.

The stage was a small portion under the large orange tree at one end of the school compound, the cool evening breeze, a perfect addition to the mundane chatter coming from the students as they watched the actors.

She was smitten by him.

Enchanted, enthralled, mesmerized. There was nothing she didn't feel, no high she didn't cross when she met his presence. His scent, a mix of fresh air and the comfort of home. It was nothing strong, just clean. She adored it. His eyes were spellbinding, a brown pool of what she thought were sparkles. From his hair to the soles of his feet, she was charmed.

They only got to meet at drama rehearsals. He was a senior, so they had no classes together, but there was always drama club. They would stand there and watch the world fall away, finding only them on that stage, them against everyone. Against the world.

“Tobi, I've warned you. You're not supposed to go that far, taking both her hands is enough to pass the message. Do you want the club removed?”

She had heard that a thousand times by now, and she loved the outcome every single time. He would laugh, a slow, knowing chuckle, and then just as he was about to stop, he would turn to her and catch her stare, ending in a soft smile as they held each other's gaze.

Mrs. Njoku hated them for it, but they were the singular best acts in the whole club. The club was only full because of them, their acting, their ‘love’. The students were young, many with love interests of their own, and drama club was the one avenue many of them got to meet, pairs sitting side by side and holding hands inconspicuously in the small spaces between their chairs.

They considered them dates, asking the other out with little, handwritten notes and buying things to go with. It was the same show every time, as they were practicing for a school event, the few single ones amongst them, playing extras in the drama. Nobody cared though, and for the first time since the teacher started working here, they needed more chairs. Since they started practicing this particular play, students were pouring in their numbers.

It was supposed to be an experiment. A small trial, to see if they could manage it. It wasn't something the school would approve, but Mrs Njoku had to try. It was a romance, a fierce one, and she'd enjoyed the book thoroughly. So much, that she sought a club meeting that day and told her students about it. They began to prep for it, though she had to cut out many parts, because of their age and the presentation they had to do.

The leads already knew their roles, even without being asked. They turned to each other, smiling shyly, as they knew what awaited them. They'd been great actors from the very start, their chemistry too fluid to pass up. She gave directions and showed them where to start, and that was how everything began.

And now they stood behind the toilet doors, finally away from prying eyes. And there, they kissed.

It started with giggling, especially from her. They were both inexperienced, Tobi only holding hands with his first girlfriend before they broke up. They could barely see each other too, the only light coming from a hole rust had eaten through the door, at the top left corner.

But they were in love. So they did.

It started off small, lips just meeting in calm acknowledgment, then he began to guide her, taking a leaf out of the movies he'd binged and placing his hand ever so softly on her waist. Then suddenly, they were hungry, drinking more and more now that she had gotten the hang of it. He pulled her closer and closer until no space remained, overwhelmed by this funny feeling he couldn't explain.

And then finally they stopped. He let her go just as softly as he'd started and offered her a small smile, words failing him. He began to wonder if she hadn't wanted to until she smiled right back.

She was surer than surety itself now, she loved him more than she'd thought. Much, much more. They both knew a string of these meetings awaited them, and it only sent more thrills through her bloodstream. They stood there and held each other, the smell coming from the toilet, the very least of their worries.

“Nini! You should be getting ready. You have an interview!”

A loud, singing voice cut through the imagery, her eyes finally opening to reveal - it was just a dream.

COMMENTARY: Ah... Just a dream 🥲

JUDGES REVIEWS

JUDGE NADIA SULAIMAN

I'm not very sure I enjoyed this, frankly. The writer is good at the skill of writing itself, the mechanics of it. But this story unfortunately did not particularly stick out to me.

JUDGE OLAITAN DAVIS

Well, this was good and it brings pleasant memories. Too bad it was only a dream. You did good.

Congratulations, Jay.

JUDGE NINA OGBEIDE

I love you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! Now, this is how to tell a story! You had me spellbound from the beginning to the end. You're so an amazing and fantastic storyteller. I'm so proud of you, my sweetheart. Can't wait to see you shine brighter during the course of the competition.

JUDGE UMAR HASAN

Good writing. Started well but the theme wasn't properly executed.

JUDGE GIWA FALADE

Cute story, but I think it fell off in the end for me with the whole interview and dream thing.

You never mentioned the girl's name through the course of the story, so are we supposed to assume that she's Nini? Make it clear!

Also, why did it have to be a dream? I get that you were probably trying to be spontaneous, but... no. You had a perfect flow from the beginning, and for me, making it all a dream ruined it.

Plus, you wrote more in Tobi's perspective than in Nini's perspective, especially the kiss scene so how come it's Nini's dream?

This story would have been better written in first person POV.

Like I said, cute story... but it fell off at the end for me.

COMMENTARY: Uh, I guess that wasn't bad.... Moving on...

005 TRAFALGAR

Prompt: "I hate you but.."

"I hate you, but I don't want to. I know it's hard for you, pretending Chidi isn't just a big arrogant bicep with a pretty face drawn on him. Why are we doing this anyway? Acting like we don't like each other because we aren't the typical power couple. I like you and you like me. Why can't it just be as simple as that?” I sound like a Disney movie monologue. What did I expect was going to happen? That she was going to throw herself into my arms all teary-eyed?

I sling my tie across my shoulder so it won't get wet, and splash water on my face. I stare at myself in the mirror, my eyes following a bead of water skirting along the vermilion of my lips before falling into the sink. The whites of my eyes are tinged red like they are when I'm upset. I make a mental note to blame it on the water getting into my eyes if anyone asks. I check my phone and there's a text about thirty minutes ago from Funmi asking where I am. Grabbing a towel from my pocket, I dry off my face and rearrange myself, and then letting out a sigh, I walk back into the auditorium.

On the walls, usually outfitted with large portraits of our school's founders, have been replaced with framed pictures of every graduating student along with ribbons and drapes (all colored red and blue the official colors of this year's senior prom) hung from crevices in the wall. In the empty half of the auditorium, several tables have been set up with candles and food on them, all forming a small arch with a table designated on a placard to the prom king and queen. Might have as well carved Chidi and Kaira’s names on the table. Kaira would hate that though.

I look for her now, my eyes darting around the room. Instead I find a small, rowdy crowd in the middle of the auditorium, their cheers rising above the slightly loud music blaring from the overhead speakers. I still can't find Kaira so I head into the crowd to see what's happening.

Making my way through the crowd  to the table, I'm unprepared for the sight that greets me.  Sitting on a large table, laden with all sorts of food, are my supposed date for the night, Funmi, and captain of the football team and general muscle head, Chidi. They are engaged in some eating competition of sorts, only a half of the food doesn't make it into their mouths but just ends up either smeared across their faces or falling down onto their clothes which are a mess by now.

Ringed around them, me included are the soccer team and their respective girlfriends, all either with their phones out recording, or cheering. Only a couple of people remain on their seats but they've mostly all ignored the food and their conversations to watch the spectacle.

I watch, confused on whether to be surprised or disgusted. Deciding on the latter, I saunter off out of the auditorium.

It's dark out, the only lights illuminating the tarred walkway are the street lights. I walk lazily past a couple of sophomores, ignoring the whoops and stares from some of the girls. Finding one of the many statues of our school founders, its face a mask of shadows because of the angle of the light above it, I sit at its feet watching the bright lights of the auditorium, the occasional whoops tell me the eating competition is still going on.

“You know I'm honestly not going to be surprised if either of them wins.”

I spin around, before I recognize the voice. It came from behind the statue. I walk round it and sure enough, sitting at the heel of the statue, her black, satin dress shimmering in the light, is Kaira.

I raise my eyebrows and she shrugs. I sit beside her, fortunately, she doesn't flinch away. We just sit there silently.

“I thought you hated me?” she asks.

“I thought I did too, you're pretty easy to hate,” I say.

“Shut up,” she says, followed by a dry laugh.

We sit silently again staring into space.

“Why him?” I say suddenly.

“What?”

“Of every guy you could choose, why Chidi?”

I wait so long for her answer, I've given up when she replies.

“I can't quite remember one particular thing. He's not the brightest guy but he's the only one that ever spoke to me like an actual person. Most guys just try not to stare and barely make coherent sentences.”

“You are definitely full of yourself,” I say, with a hearty laugh. “Most guys try not to stare,” I mimic her.

She punches my arm and we both laugh.

“Chidi has been cheating on me with Funmi,” she says suddenly. “For months, even before we went on a break, you know, before I kissed you.”

“I'm really sorry,” I say.

“Don't be, to be honest I'm kind of relieved he cheated first. That doesn't excuse that I did too but it's easier”

“You know I'm here, right? I know I'm not a jock and I actually have a brain but I'm her—”

She kisses me and suddenly I can't remember what I wanted to say.

When she pulls out she teases, “You know for a guy with the entire quiet, mysterious thing going, you talk a lot.”

I feel like I should say something but I can't get the words out so I just stare into her golden brown eyes, grinning.

The light goes out momentarily, and is quickly accompanied with confused, probably drunken hoots from the auditorium. I'm pretty sure someone snuck alcohol into the fruit punch. In the darkness her hands find mine.

“I thought you hated me,” I ask when the light comes back on.

Her eyes holding mine, a slow, soft smile spreading across her face she answers, “I thought I did too.”

Commentary: Hehe... Let's see what the judges have to say.

JUDGES REVIEWS

JUDGE NADIA SULAIMAN

"Oh my God, I loved this one! The writer did a wonderful job. Super!"

Is that what you want to hear, Trafalgar?

Well, then, congrats. You have heard it from me because I absolutely love this story. Even much more than James Atta Agaba's Criminal Litigation text book.

You people are so talented! Definitely one of my favorites. This was such a promising read, Trafalgar. I see you going far in this competition. Fingers crossed for you!

JUDGE OLAITAN DAVIS

Makes mental note to call her after going through the entries

Mhen, y'all are not making it easy for me here. I was grinning all through like a love struck, which I actually am.

This was really beautiful, falgar, and I enjoyed reading it.

Congratulations, falgar.

JUDGE NINA OGBEIDE

I have no words in my mouth.

JUDGE UMAR HASAN

Now this is what I'm talking about. Someone who FINALLY understands the theme. Nicely done, human. Nicely done.

JUDGE GIWA FALADE

I'm so confused.

Please, don't ever write in present tense again because you didn't do justice to it at all. And I don't know what your idea of light romance is, because this is definitely not it.

I don't know what you think that beginning was supposed to be, but it wasn't it as well. Let me not even get started on the whole eating competition fiasco. At a prom? Between a guy and a lady? You must be playing with me.

Personally, I think you worded your story with a lot of unnecessary details. I think the only good thing about your story was the end.

Commentary: Uh... Okayyy

A/N: We've heard all that our Judges have to say about this batch, check out the next page for the Second batch of the day.