No long talk, start reading😗.
(P.S: everyone's favourite dark-skinned baby boy in the media🤭)

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"Things ain't always set in stone"
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- Daniel Caesar
(Streetcar)

KESIENA

"What happened at lunchtime with you and Deja, bro?" Phineas asked on the way home.

We were carpooling again today and I was the last one to be dropped off.

"I don't know, but I feel like I just fucked up any chance I thought I had at being her friend again, talk less of anything more than that," I said with a sigh.

Why did I touch her hand? Why did I have to freak her out like that?

It's not like I didn't want to. Gawd, she looked so beautiful I wanted to do much more than just touch her hand.

I wanted to hug her, hold her, make her smile, make her laugh, but at that moment, all I felt I could do was touch her hand, so I did.

Stupid.

"Do you think I made her uncomfortable?" I asked Phineas. " 'Cause I swear on the entire Star Wars franchise, that wasn't my intention."

"Well...maybe. Not everyone likes being touched, you know?"

"I know."

Maybe she just doesn't like being touched by me.

I sighed and looked down at my hands.

My silver ring lay snug on my finger and I ran a thumb over it, grateful that it was back in its proper place.

I don't know how it appeared in my bag after I'd turned it every which way I'm search, but why question a good thing?

"Do you think I should apologise?"

Phineas sucked at his teeth. "Honestly bro, I don't know. Maybe?"

"That's if she even wants to speak to me again after this," I mumbled.

Stupid.

Phineas made a turn and within seconds we were at my gate.

He stopped the car and turned to look at me.

"Don't beat yourself up about it, okay? You didn't commit a crime or anything."

"True," I conceded.

"Cheer up. I'm sure things between you two will be fine."

I grabbed my bag and opened the door, swinging my legs out. "I hope so, guy."

"If you want, I can ask Chetachi to check in on her."

I gave him a weak smile. "Sure. Thanks, bro."

"No wahala. See ya," Phineas said, turning the ignition back on and driving away.

I opened up the small keypad mounted near the pedestrian gate and typed in the pass code.

The gate opened and I walked straight to the door and did same.

My mum has never been good with keys, so when the house was being built, she had them install an pass code lock system.

It also means we don't have a guard or a gate man or anything, but she prefers it that way.

The only people who know the code are me, Mum and Ms. Anita, who comes to cook and clean every now and then.

I switched on the lights in the reception and kicked off my shoes, before picking them up and climbing the stairs in my socks.

I peeled off my clothes and took a hot shower, allowing the water ease out the tension in my joints and muscles.

My body felt refreshed, but my heart was still heavy.

I fastened a towel round my lower body and went back downstairs to the kitchen with my phone in my hand.

There was a note from Ms. Anita on the fridge:

I've stocked the fridge with stew and soup, and there's meat in the freezer. There's also freshly boiled rice in the pot. Make sure you eat, Kesiena, or I'll report you to your mother.

With a chuckle and crumpled the piece of paper and threw in the bin.

Ms. Anita is also so dramatic.

And ever since she noticed I don't finish the mountains of food she prepares, she's been worried I'm not eating properly.

She's a bit overbearing, but it's good knowing someone cares about my wellbeing.

My phone beeped with a call and I picked up without checking the caller ID.

"Kes love, I'm Skyping you on your laptop," came my mum's voice.

The call ended at once and I dashed upstairs to get my laptop.

I opened it and answered the Skype call immediately.

"Mummy migwo," I greeted as her face appeared on the screen.

"Vrendo, my pikin," she said, smiling widely.

If there's one thing I like about myself, it's the fact that I looked exactly like my mum.

Same dark skin, same tall, lean build, same facial features.

The fact that she had me really young also meant that we only looked a couple years apart.

In fact, when I was younger she used to joke and tell people I was her baby brother.

"What are you doing right now? Are you still in the studio?"

I glanced at the clock; it read 6:05 p.m, meaning it was 7:05 over in Paris.

Mum adjusted the camera and I saw that she was working on a dress, her pin cushion bracelet strapped on her wrist.

"Yeah, I gave everyone the night off because we're basically done with the collection, but then I stayed back myself to add more beading to this dress," she explained, gesturing with her hands.

"You're such a perfectionist, Ma," I said and she kissed her teeth.

"Well, I have to be!" she replied, adjusting the camera again to show her face. "Mrs. Clarke just told me the craziest thing this afternoon."

Mrs. Matilda Clarke was one of the creative consultants at Louis Vuitton. She was the one who spotted my Mum's work at Lagos Fashion Week and invited her to come work with the brand. Since then she's been like a mentor and big sister to her.

"What's that?" I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued.

Mum blinked. "Why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

"Forget about that! Tell me the news!"

She took a breath and then smiled widely. "She told me that the brand is willing to showcase some of my work at Paris Fashion Week next year."

My mouth hung open in excited shock and Mum laughed at my expression. "Oh my gawd! Mum, that is amazing!"

"I know, I know," she said, slightly covering her face with her hands like she always did when she was happy. "I mean, I thought I was only working on a collection that would possibly be launched in a couple stores here and there, then she calls me today to say she's convinced the higher-ups to let me have my Fashion Week debut. It's crazy!"

"But honestly, you deserve it Mum. Your work is so unique and you put your all into it. It's about time the whole world gets to appreciate you," I told her matter-of-factly.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I haven't even told my staff yet. I'm thinking of taking them out for dinner tomorrow, then I'll break the good news."

"This is actually huge, Mum. Louis Vuitton always invites the biggest stars to Fashion Week."

"I know, babe, I know. I'm trying not to freak out as I'm here. I was under pressure before, but this is something else completely. It could make or break my entire career. Everything is on the line," she nervously fiddled with her own silver ring as she spoke.

I wish I could give her a hug or make her the special mint tea she likes, but she's a whole continent away.

"Mum, there's a reason Mrs. Clarke picked you and offered you the opposite to work with her," I began saying.

"Because I'd won a competition beforehand and she wanted to mentor a fellow Nigerian?"

"Well....yeah, but, she picked you because you're amazing, Mum. Your talent is unarguable. You have to have more faith in yourself. God will see you through."

Mum smiled at me through the screen.

"I remembered telling you something quite similar when you started secondary school," she said. "You were so scared you were literally shaking and you didn't want me to leave you."

I mirrored her smile. "But you told me to trust God and have faith in myself. I remember."

"And now look at you. You're the Head Boy of the school you were once too frightened to step into. I'm so proud of you, Kes love."

"I'm proud of you too!" I told her and she giggled.

"Enhen, I almost forgot to tell you," she said, with a coy smile on her face.

"What's that?"

"Well, you know how you're always telling me to go out more and meet people and stuff?"

"Yeah?"

"I took your advice, and I actually met someone amazing."

I blinked. "Mum...do you have a boyfriend?"

She giggled like a teenage girl. "Yeah, I do."

"Oh...wow. Wow."

"What are you wow-ing for? I'm a hot girl, please. Do you how many French men are dying for me?" She said with a huff that made me burst into laughter.

"Oshey hottest girl in the whole world," I hailed her.

"I know that's right!" She laughed with me.

"What's his name and how'd you two meet?" I asked.

Hey, if anyone's going to date my Mum, they have to get my stamp of approval.

"His name is Jean. We met at a fashion event sometime in August and we immediately hit it off, so we kept in touch. I didn't want to tell you immediately because I doubted it would lead anywhere, but he asked me out, I agreed, and long story short, we're now together," she answered, smiling sweetly.

"He sounds nice."

"Oh, he is. I can't wait for you two to meet and become best friends. You'll really like him."

"I'm sure I will. But until I do meet him, he's on probation," I said, as sternly as I could.

"Toh, it's you that knows that one o," Mum sassed back at me.

I shook my head, trying not to laugh at the way she was acting.

She hadn't bothered with dating when I growing up because she wanted to give me her full attention, but now that I'm basically taking care of myself, it's good to her prioritise other aspects of her own life.

A comfortable silence descended over our conversation, and I seized the opportunity to walk back downstairs to the kitchen.

I had just put my plate of rice and stew in the microwave when she spoke up again.

"Gist me about school today. Has your friend come back?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Ola didn't show up today. We're still headed to his place on Saturday."

Mum scoffed and squeezed her face, making such a meme-able expression that I burst into a fit of laughter.

"That boy is too restless," she said as I laughed.

The first time Ola came over to my house, he thought Mum was my older sister and attempted to flirt with her, much to her surprise.

"I admit, he is a bit of a truant, but he's not a bad kid," I told her and she scoffed again.

"One would think all these years with you, Phineas, Archie and Majid would have calmed him down," she said.

"Some people are just built different, Ma," I replied with a shrug.

"Abeg, gist me another thing," Mum said, clicking her tongue as she scrutinised the dress she was working on.

"I did really well on my Chemistry assignment. I got an 'Excellent' on my work."

"That's my boy!"

"I couldn't have done it without Deja's help, honestly. I tried to thank her at Lunchtime, but.....", my words trailed and Mum noticed.

"But?"

"It didn't exactly go as I planned, that's all."

"I'm beginning to dislike this Adejare girl," Mum said.

"What? Why?"

"Every time you talk about her, you sound so sad. And the only times you seem happy talking about her is when she engages in conversation with you? That's so...I don't even know the word to use to describe it."

I sighed. "Yeah, well, you can't exactly blame me for being happy when she talks to me. We basically didn't speak to each other throughout SS1 and SS2."

"I know all that, but wasn't it her that avoided you? Wasn't she the one who created distance between you two?"

I didn't answer and she looked straight at me through the screen.

"See ehn, I know you like this girl a lot. But the way I see it, she doesn't rate you at all. You shouldn't have to be worried if someone you care about is going to talk to you or not. It doesn't make sense at all."

I stayed quiet and she continued.

"You're in your final year, babe. Granted, you should be working hard, but you should also be spending time with those who actually want to spend time with you and value you as a person. Not someone who consistently makes you doubt yourself and only talks to you when it suits her."

"I just want to be her friend, Mum. Even if she doesn't like me back, I still want to be there for her," I said.

"I understand. And that's why I pray everyday that people won't take advantage of this your heart of gold."

"Who dash me heart of gold?" I asked rhetorically and she laughed.

"I'm serious, o. You're too much of a sweetheart for your own good."

"Then it's your fault for raising me right," I replied with a smile.

I heard a phone ring and instinctively checked my own.

"Jean is calling me," came Mum, glancing sideways at her own phone.

"Wahala for who no love."

Mum eyed me playfully through the screen and I laughed at her expense.

"Lemme leave you and your boo, na. I want to eat and do some studying."

"Okay, my love. Text me before you sleep."

"Bye, Mummy."

"Bye."

.......

Saturday rolled round quickly, and Phineas and the guys came to pick me up to go to Ola's house.

Adejare apologised the day after the whole Lunchtime incident, but she asked that we cancel tutoring sessions for the rest of the week, and I agreed; anything to make her feel comfortable.

But, because of Phineas and Chetachi's budding romance, we ended up being around each other quite a bit.

In fact, just yesterday, Chetachi exchanged seats with me so she could sit with Phineas during class, and I ended up sitting next to Deja for almost the whole day.

She had slept through most of the classes and spent the rest of the day copying the notes she missed out on, barely saying a word to me.

But, I was content enough to just sit next to her and be in her presence.

Did this girl use juju on me?

"We're here," Archie said, jolting me out of my brief reverie as Phineas slowed the car down, parking almost just in front of the gate to Ola's house.

I started opening the door on my side when someone knock on the window of the front passenger seat, where Majid was seated.

The windows of Phineas' car were tinted, so we could the outsider, but they couldn't clearly see us, and the outsider in this case just so happened to be Ola's sister, Olamide or Lami as she was called by everyone.

"Are you my Uber?" she said, squinting  as she inched her face closer to the window.

Majid wound down the window and she arched a well-plucked brow.

"Aren't you one of my brother's friends?" She asked. "Mahmood or something."

"It's Majid," he corrected.

Archie opened his door to come down and I did same.

"Well, I'm dead certain you guys aren't my Uber," Lami said, giving us both a once over before glancing at the iPhone in her hands.

"Wait, 15 minutes? I thought this said 5. Ugh!" She whined in complaint, rolling her eyes.

It's been a while since I last saw Lami, but she hasn't changed one bit.

She was tall, built like an Instagram model, with a structured face and a dimpled chin, an attribute she shared with her brother.

She stood in a brown halter top that complimented her light complexion and  a denim micro mini skirt. Her hair was in strawberry blonde 'pick-and-drop' braids, and her entire look, from her over-lined lips down to her chunky accessories, screamed Y2k Nollywood.

"Are you going somewhere?" Phineas asked, already standing outside of the car with the rest of us, pointing at the huge Prada suitcase by her side.

"Yeah, I'm heading to a friend's place for a couple nights," Lami replied absent-mindedly, tapping at her phone.

She then paused and looked back up at us.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We're looking for your brother. He hasn't been at school for a really long time now and it's going to affect his academic record," Archie answered.

Lami frowned. "Wole hasn't been going to school?"

It was then I remembered that only us- his peers from school- called him Ola. At home and pretty much everywhere else, he went by the other shortened version of his full name Olawole, which was, of course, Wole.

We didn't become friends till much later, but when he first joined Hillsong, I remember him asking out set mates to call him Wole, but there was a popular Senior in SS2 also named Wole and people would confuse them for each other, so everyone just ended up calling him Ola.

He told us once in JSS2 that once Senior Wole graduated, he would claim the name once again, but 'Ola' had stuck permanently.

"You didn't know? Hasn't he been at home?" Majid countered her question with two of his own.

"No, he hasn't been at home," Lami answered. "Why do you think I'm leaving? This house is practically empty. My mum is jetting across the globe to spite my Dad, my dad is God knows where, and Wole hasn't been home for some time now.

"At first it was fun having the whole house and the staff to myself, but after hosting a couple parties, it just got unbearably boring. So, I'm heading out for a bit."

"So, where is he?" I asked.

Lami shrugged. "I dunno."

"You don't know," Archie deadpanned.

"Wole is always disappearing like this. One second he's in the house, the next he's vanished. I've stopped stressing myself with the information of his whereabouts."

I sighed. She was right. It was normal for Ola to spend days or even weeks away from his house. One time, he nearly spent the full Christmas break rotating from my house to Archie's. He only went back on Christmas day itself, and days later he had returned to my house.

Not to mention all the girls' houses he frequented.

"But what if he's hurt or in trouble?" Phineas asked, voicing our concerns.

Lami scoffed, scrunching up her nose for a second. "Oh, he's fine. I shot him a text last week and he replied with a voice note."

"You didn't ask him where he was?" Archie questioned, his tone almost exasperated.

"Why would I want to stress myself with that?" Lami replied, flipping her braids.

"Okay, so, do you know any possible locations where he could be?" Majid asked, logical as usual. "Any friends perhaps?"

"If by 'friends' you mean those loud, sweaty kids he invites to the parties he hosts here, or one of those numerous girls he's hooking up with, then no, I don't know. You four are lucky I'm even aware of your existence."

"Any family members? Relatives?"

Lami rolled her eyes and was about to give what I assume was a savage retort, but then she paused, a look of deep thought casting over her face.

"Actually, there might be someone," she said.

"Who?" Archie and I chorused.

"Uncle G," she answered.

"Who?" This time, Phineas and Majid chorused.

"Our uncle Gbenga; our mum's brother. Wole loves that man to pieces. He's basically his role model."

I snapped my fingers as a brief recollection of Ola talking about his favourite uncle came to mind.

"Oh yeah, Ola is always talking about an uncle of his he really admires. He says the man is extremely smart and generous," Phineas said.

"Uncle G is that guy for real," Lami said. "Last time he visited, I told him I was taking a gap year from Uni, and he wired me a thousand dollars. My mum was pissed, but he casted her and sent an extra hundred dollars."

My brows went up in surprise.

None of my relatives on either of my parents' sides are rich in any way.

In fact, my parents had to marry as teenagers because my mum's family desperately needed the bride price money.

And my dad's family basically abandoned both of them as soon as they tied the knot, leaving them to fend for themselves.

"Do you know his address?" Phineas asked.

"Heck no. He might be generous, but that man gives me the creeps. I've never  been to his house and I never want to go. But I'm hundred percent sure that's where my brother is, y'know, considering the fact that his passport is with our mum."

The boys and I shared a look amongst ourselves, filled with slight relief at the knowledge of Ola's possible whereabouts.

"You said he replied your text last week, right?" Majid asked.

"Yup. As dumb as my brother can be sometimes, he knows better than to leave me on delivered; no matter what."

"Well, he hasn't been replying our messages, so could you please tell him he has to come back to school? His overall GPA and his testimonial report from the school are at stake, and that could affect his chances of getting into a good college," Archie said.

"Sure, I'll tell him. Though I don't think he'll care much. For a couple years now he's been saying that once he graduates he'll work for Uncle G and make his money from that," Lami replied simply.

It was true. Ola has literally been saying that he won't attend University since we were in JSS3.

"Thank you, Lami," Phineas told her, thanking her on our behalf.

She swatted a manicured hand at us, as if to say: "No problem."

"Um, Lami, if you don't mind me asking," came Archie," why are you waiting on an Uber? Don't you guys have, like, a dozen cars parked inside?"

Lami sighed and folded her arms. "Is it not because of your stupid friend? Ever since he crashed Daddy's Jag, our parents won't either of use the cars without their permission. The drivers aren't even allowed to take us anywhere without their permission too. According to our mum; "Your movement, your business.". So, yeah, this is my life now, " she said, ending her spiel with a sarcastic smile.

"Well, thanks again for the information. And please, also tell your brother that we miss him," Archie said finally.

We turned back to the car and got in.

"That went well," Majid commented.

"Yeah, much better than I expected," I said. "We pretty much know where he is."

"And the fact that he's safe," Phineas added.

"So, the day's not gone yet, where are we headed now? The Mall?" Archie asked generally.

Majid nodded. "I could do with a coffee...or maybe two."

I shrugged. "I don't mind hanging out at the Arcade and maybe the comic book store."

"Great," Phineas said, turning on the ignition. "I'll drop you guys off."

"And where are you going?" I asked him.

"I told you guys, didn't I? I'm taking Chetachi out today."

"Oh right, you mentioned it yesterday."

He put the car in reverse and went back a few paces before turning forward and taking us away from Ola's house.

"Where are you taking her again?" Majid asked.

"South Side Hills," Phineas answered. "Who knows? With how happy I am right now, I might just ask her to be my girlfriend today."

"Wawuu," Archie hailed Phineas. "Best in love! Love in O2 Arena!"

"Love in Madagascar!" I added.

"Love in Sri Lanka!" Majid joined in.

"Love in Peru!"

"Love in Zanzibar!"

"Love in Gwagwalada!"

"Love in Jalingo!"

"Love in Abeokuta!"

"Love in Ojuelegba!"

"I've heard, I've heard," Phineas protested with laughter as we kept on with the joke. "You people should not give me headache, abeg."

"Ahh...guys, let's not say anything again o, before Chetachi will complain that we damaged her babe for her," Archie said solemnly, causing us all to erupt with laughter.

Phineas reached back with his free hand and attempted to grab Archie, but the cheeky boy dodged him.

It felt good to laugh freely again, without the weight of Ola's absence lingering over us.

Granted, he's still absent, but at least we know he's safe and not in any apparent trouble or danger.

If I could somehow reach Adejare and talk to her for even a few minutes, my day would be well and truly made.

But, for now I'm with my guys; the only brothers I've ever known.

And there's very little that's better than that.

Bromance, am I right?

So y'all have finally met Kes' mum😫✨.

Do you think her advice to Kes was valid or nah?😗

Kes sef...his own mumu for love no be here😔.

Anywayyy, we now know Ola is safe....or is he?

Toh, lemme not say anything.

Lami is a vibe sha, I'll definitely have to bring her back later on, or even in some of my future books(*wink*wink*).

Next chapter will feature our lovers, Phineas and Chetachi😭😭😭.

All this love love sef....nna eh.

It is well.

Btw, I'm resuming Uni soon😭🔥.

Be praying for me o...cos as e be so, this book might finish in 2028(gfb sha😖).

I'll try my very, very best to be updating, even if my schedule is tight.

Just be bearing with me, please.

Don't forget to leave a vote, comment and share.

Till we meet again, meu amores❤❤❤❤.