"I got 252."

All this was me repeating those words to myself over and over and again. Just this night, I decided that I have gathered enough morale to check my JAMB score so I went to the exam board's official website and checked my result with my registration number.

"Golden?" I jumped up upon hearing my mom's voice. It was so close and crystal clear, as though she was in the kitchen with me.

I turned to behold her right behind me with hands akimbo. My heart nearly skipped a beat. Did she look into my phone?

The pot of yam that was on fire began steaming furiously, to the extent that the furiously bubbling water began dripping, staining the sides of the stainless pot and threatening to quench the fire.

I ran towards the LG gas cooker to lower the fire. Then I returned back to where I was and forced a smile. "The yam is not yet done."

"I know." She nodded. "But who got 252?"

Shoot! "Me."

"That's beautiful, you tried." She said.

My eyes widened. That was unexpected. I was expecting her to scold me, asking me which school would admit me to study medicine which such a score when I didn't reach the cut off mark. "Really?"

"Yes dear," She went to the plate rack and picked up a fork which she used to check if the yam was now done. "Many of my friends had their children getting low grades. I'm happy you finally had the courage to check yours." Then she put off the gas cooker and then sieved the yam.

Wow! "Even if no federal university admits you. There are so many private universities that wouldn't hesitate to take you in. That shouldn't be a bother to you."

Just then, Zimuzor entered inside the kitchen with a smile. That was surprising due to the fact that he was moody through out yesterday and the day before.

His parents were buried yesterday and he had been angry through out. And even angrier when people wouldn't stop coming to him for condolence visits.

"Did you hear?" He began, as he drew out a chair from the dining table in the center of the kitchen. "WAEC begins next week."

"I heard o." I replied as I helped mom with cutting the green vegetables for the yam. "Well, I'm prepared. Anyhow, we move."

"You have refused to check your JAMB score. How will you know if you are doing well or not?" He said and I exchanged glances with mom. The type that said he doesn't know what's going on.

"I checked not long ago. But I won't tell you my score since you refused to tell anybody yours." I told him.

"You really have to start speaking for yourself. Your mom is aware. Obviously, it's only you that's left out."

I now turned to mom who shrugged. I thought of what to say but no word could explain how I felt then.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wherever you going, I wanna go
Whenever you are headed, can you let me know
Don't mind catching up, I'm on my way
Just can't take the thoughts of you miles away

And I know you are going somewhere to make a better life,
And I hope that you find will it on the first
And even though it kills me that you have to go
I know that it will be sadder if you never hit the road

So Farewell, somebody is gonna miss you
Farewell, somebody is gonna wish that you are here
And that somebody is me.

Our voices could be heard as we sang melodiously. All this false performance was to persuade Mrs Albert and the music teacher to let us get back to class.

"Idara you have such a beautiful voice. You should be really proud of this." Mrs Albert complimented.

"Thank you, Ma." Idara smiled.

"Now I will let you guys to go back to your classes even when I know that your free periods will end up being whiled away with silly discussions and lewd acts." Mrs Albert turned and addressed us in general.

My feet was killing me. The practical was way too long. It began after break ended and now the time was just an hour before school over.

Now I know why it was only four students in the whole of SS3 that offered Commerce. According to their narrations, she would give notes that were and weren't in the scheme of work. Her explanation was that the students should learn beyond just the senior scheme.

And that was how they would spend hours and lots of periods, copying notes. It even reached to the extent that they paid those of us who weren't offering the subject money to help them with the note copying.

"You can now go." Her tone of finality brought me back to reality, instantly.

We left the music room and continued to our individual classes.

"Hey! Kaima!" I turned, wondering who had that familiar voice but I couldn't wrap my finger around the actual source. "You alright?" It was Olamma who ran towards me and I had to pause and hear her out.

"Yeah," What was all this for? I started walking again and she too joined and fell into steps with me.

"Do you by any chance have any relationship with Zimuzor? You're literally one of the very few girls he mingles with." Olamma stated.

I just nodded, unsure of what to say or do. When she finally drives at her point, I would understand better and give her a deserved answer.

"For almost a week now, he hasn't been in school. Just wanted to ask if he is good." She added.

"You care a lot. Wait...do you by any chance have feelings for him?" I didn't expect a reply but she surprised me with one. "Mm, Promise you won't tell him?"

"Pinky finger," I stretched out my pinky finger, locking it with hers as a sign of promise. I still believed in it.

She smiled. "Pinky finger."

"I like him a bit." She added with an embarrassed laugh.

I was wondering what would be Zimuzor's action if I tell him of what Olamma just confessed. But that would be pure cruelty and killing of emotions.

It was a bit evident. That he had feelings for Ezinne my cousin. The way he talks to me about her and how he just wants to know many things and everything about her.

Not that I like it. He was a guy that plays girls. He was a guy that believes in all girls being hoes. And I couldn't wait for him to repeat that statement again and then I would tease him with Ezinne.

"I will be going to my class." I had no idea when we reached the SS3 block. She cornered off to her class while I stood at the door of mine.

"Can you please excuse me?" I shifted back and let my ex pass. But he just moved further to where I was rooted at and grabbed my wrist, pulling to where I couldn't get him to tell me.

"How much more stubborn can you be, this girl!" He stopped and glared at me sternly.

"Where are you taking me to? Dindu you are hurting my hands...stop walking too fast. This shoe should not spoil o." I kept spitting out, wanting to be out of his firm grip.

He sighed. " If you keep talking I might be forced to shut you up with a kiss. I'm just controlling myself right now."

"You wouldn't tell me sorry, why?" I forced myself to hurt and blurted out, looking at him like a curious child waiting for the mother's reply.

"Why? For what if I may ask?" He responded, still holding my wrist. But more loose, this time around.

"Nothing. Just ignore me."

"You know I won't."

"Kiss me." I suddenly requested before I could realise myself. His eyes widened but they soon dilated as they lingered on mine.

He came intrusively close to me and ran his thumb over my lips. "No. It's not proper."

Shame seized my whole being. But just as soon as it came, it left. It flew away cause I doubt if what I said next suited someone with an atom of shame. "Cause we aren't together right? Just kiss me, I still...have feelings for you."

"And who doesn't know that?" Now he was being narcissistic.

I hissed and pulled my wrist away from his hold. He was so full of himself right now that I wanted to smack him and then myself.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Just kidding." He held me back, tightly. "Never letting go this time around."

And then he crashed his lips against mine and I tasted him again.