One at a time.

Life wasn't like that but that was exactly how we were asked to take it.

How could you take life one at a time when everything was so overwhelming.

The most painful thing about being a young adult was having your feelings discarded and disregarded. Having someone think that what they're feeling is silly, worthless and ridiculous is one of the worse things you could do to them.

These were all things I'd come to learn.

They told you experience is the best teacher but they forget to mention that it was also the most painful.

An experience could make you lose your sanity. And that's why many of us couldn't find ourselves anymore after this experience.

◈ ━━━━━━━ ⸙ - ⸙ ━━━━━━━ ◈

Dear Unknown,

I know what it feels like to have no one understand you. I know exactly how it feels to not only feel but to be actually be alone. But you're not actually alone, I'm here for you even if you don't want to reveal your identity. I've been where you are and I was able to make it out of there. You feel like the weight of the word is on your shoulders. You feel like your good isn't good enough and it's ike the more effort you put, the worse things get and the only reasonable solution is to stop trying, to stop breathing, to stop living. You want everything to stop. It's okay, I understand you, you're only human.
       I just want you to know that you can still pull through. I want you to know that even though everything feels like it's tumbling down, you can talk to me. I'm open to more letters and whenever you feel you're ready, you can meet me. It doesn't have to end here and now. There's still light at the end of the tunnel.

Your penfriend,
KEC.

CJ stood there with a scowl on his face as he read the letter which was pinned on the notice board early that Tuesday morning. The SS 2 students had arrived that morning to realize that copies of the same letter had been scattered everywhere in the corridor and even in their classrooms. Some copies had been pasted on the walls and on various, random desks but one was put up on the notice board at the far end of the SS 2 floor.

No one knew who had done this, why they had done it and how they'd managed to do it so early even before Junior, the time keeper and earliest student was in school, ergo, whoever was responsible had pulled it before 6 AM.

Students moved around that morning with their own copy of the mysterious letter as they asked questions and made speculations. Definitely, it would the topic of discussion for weeks.

"You decided to show up today." CJ was startled by the voice that came up behind him. He turned around to see Kasy, looking more energetic and happy than usual. He immediately knew she must've had a hand in whatever was going on.

"What's the meaning of this?" CJ motioned to the notice board where a copy of the letter was pinned. He was trying not to shout, he couldn't even if he wanted to since his head felt like it would split in two if he as much opened his mouth too wide.

"It was Ms. Isong's idea," Kasy replied, smiling and looking at the notice board.

CJ gave the shorter girl a dirty look as if to say she was going nuts. "That doesn't answer my question."

"Oh," Kasy recollected herself, "there was another...letter but this time it was an actual letter, it was addressed to—"

"Get to the point!" CJ snapped.

"Oh, so basically..." Kasy paused and sighed, "it's best you read for yourself," she mumbled before retrieving the neatly folded piece of paper from her blazer side pocket and handing it to CJ.

CJ snatched it from her and scanned through it with something Kasy thought resembled the speed of light. He was a fast reader, maybe a little too fast.

"You have to like...read it slowly so the words can sink in—"

"Y'all have lost your minds," CJ interrupted as she shoved the letter into Kady's hands, "I'm starting to think that this person isn't the only one that needs help."

"You're very funny," said Kasy, "but this is serious. At first, I was reluctant when she said there was another letter, it was starting to become very suspicious but at reading the letter...I could almost...it almost felt like I was the one who had written it,"

CJ raised his eyebrows. "What? You're having suicidal thoughts too?"

Kasy sighed. "No, silly."

"I mean, you see what's happening here, right?" CJ stepped closer, "this not only proves that whoever this person is purposely submitted the first note, because I was thinking that maybe they mistakenly submitted it or something, but it now proves that they didn't even have any plans of killing themselves from the start. It's been over three weeks since the first letter and they still haven't done it? Even worse, they felt so creative as to write another letter? I don't know about you but I don't think depression is this person's problem, they have a nut missing in their head, that's their problem."

Kasy opened her mouth to speak but someone else beat her to it.

"Who has a nut missing in their head?" To CJ and Kasy, it almost looked like Zehan had appeared out of nowhere but they had forgotten that they were standing in a crowdy and noisy hallway.

"Nobody," Kasy was quick to reply as she subtly cringed at the mischievous smirk on Zehan's face.

"Hmm," Zehan hummed loudly, he looked at CJ who averted his gaze immediately before turning back to Kasy, "Queen Annika asked me to get the key to the basketball court, she said you have it."

"What's your business with it? Only the sports prefect should have access." Kasy shrugged with furrowed eyebrows.

CJ simply hing on to the fact that Zehan had just referred to Annika as Queen Annika.

"Yeah, I know and that's why I'm asking for the key," Zehan said with a matter of fact tone while outstretching his hand.

Kasy looked very confused. "Last time I checked, you weren't the sports prefect, Zehan."

Zehan chuckled. "Then I guess you haven't checked recently, baby girl."

"W-what..."

"I'm the new sports prefect, madam," said Zehan, "now, the keys,"

Kasy and CJ turned to exchange perplexed looks.

"Since when?"

"As of yesterday, didn't Annika tell you?" Zehan raised his nearly invincible eyebrows. "She literally forced the position on me though,"

Kasy was remained mute for awhile before she finally recollected herself and cleared her throat. "I'll get the key for you later, it's not with me now,"

"I'll give you five minutes." Zehan smiled before walking away.

"Wonders shall never end." Kasy breathed out, turning to CJ.

"Be careful," CJ said.

"Careful of what?"

"Of him."

"You mean, Zehan?"

"No, I mean Albert Einstein," CJ said sarcastically, "Of course I mean Zehan,"

"Why?"

"Why? You're seriously asking why?" CJ raised his eyebrows as looked at Kasy incredulously. "Don't pretend like you don't know like that guy is out to put a knife on your back. You and Dele."

"And how do you know that?"

"I just know," CJ lied. "Forget that he's smiling and acting like he's cool. That guy is a viper and you and your crush should better be on guard because when he's going to strike...you might not see him coming. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Kasy stood there as CJ walked away. What he'd said had gotten chills running down her spine and her palms sweaty. Deep down, she knew he was right.

• • •

When Enock and Sola got called to the Vice Principal's office at the same time that morning, they knew why and they knew it meant trouble.

"I've received a report," Mr. Johnson started, peering through his glasses at Sola and Enock who stood before him. He had the biggest scowl on his face as he addressed them. "This is not the first time I'm hearing about this but this time, it's not a rumor."

They already knew what he was going to say and they'd already prepared themselves on what they were going to tell him.

"You know, in this school, we have zero tolerance for romantic or sexual relationships. If you're caught, it's immediate expulsion, no questions asked," said the Vice Principal to the pair who stood at attention not moving a muscle. "Now, this is not the first time I'm hearing rumours that you both are romantically and sexually involved but this time around, the allegations are serious."

Mr. Johnson was expecting the duo to start denying and swearing that they were innocent but they just moped at him.

"What do you have to say for yourselves?" He finally asked them.

Sola shrugged. "I don't know anything about this. Me and Enock are just friends."

"I would've believed you if this was the first time I was hearing about this," he said, "and I've been watching you two, you're always with each other."

"That's because we're friends," Enock laid emphasis on the last word. "Whoever reported us should've come with proof."

"In this case, all I need are just multiple withnesses, not proof."

"And what if they're lying? A lot of people don't like us," Sola said.

"And why is that?" Mr. Johnson removed his glasses and intertwined his fingers on the desk.

"I don't know," Sola replied.

"Well, besides, when I say withnesses, I just don't mean students," he looked from Sola to Enock, "I hope you do know that some of your teachers have observed this too,"

The duo exchanged incredulous looks before turning back to the Vice Principal.

"At this point, the only thing left is for me to catch you in the act," he said, "and mind you, if I do, you'll both be expelled immediately because at this moment, you chose to lie to me, remember that."

Enock's heartbeat accelerated at the thought of getting expelled. For a second he considered telling the truth but he couldn't after Sola said, "We're telling you nothing but the truth, sir."

"You can go." Mr. Johnson waved them off and they immediately stood to their feet and walked out of the office with Sola leading the way.

• • •

Enock and Sola sat together in the second row as usual. There was an awkward silence between them ever since they'd left the Vice Principal's office. They both glared daggers into Tamara's back which was turned to them since she was seated in the first row. To hell with whatever the Government teacher had been blabbing in front of the class.

"That bitch," Sola mumbled, her arms folded across her chest and her legs crossed. Her Afro cut was looking fuller and  the blackness of her hair matched that of her skin. Undoubtedly, she was black beauty. "That bitch had the nerve, the audacity to report us," Sola mumbled only to the hearing of her boyfriend who was leaning into her seat with one arm placed on the back of her chair.

"Leave that fool," Enock mumbled back.

Sola was silent for awhile and Enock immediately knew that she was thinking, she was conniving. She suddenly turned to face him. "We need to teach her a lesson." The look in her eyes as she said that made even Enock himself shiver slightly.

"How?"

"We need to show everyone that Tamara Disemi isn't as holy as she wants everyone to think," Sola whispered, still maintaining eye contact.

"And how are we going to do that?" Enock asked, not sure he really wanted to know that answer.

Sola looked away. "You'll sleep with her."

• • •

Halfway through the day, it was lunch break and people could still be seen reading the mysterious later that had been littered everywhere that morning. Ms. Isong looked around, hoping that one of these students was the one leaving her letters. She hoped that she had accomplished her mission.

"You called me?" CJ appeared in front her, temporarily obstructing her view of the entire class as she sat ideally at her desk.

"Yes," Ms. Isong replied, "Kasy said you've seen the letter..."

"Yeah,"

"What do you think...about what I did?"

CJ shrugged. "I just hope it works."

Ms. Isong nodded. CJ stood there and there was silence.

"But...in your response, you said and I quote, 'I know exactly how it feels to not only feel but to be actually be alone', what does that mean?" CJ asked. He didn't even know why he was asking in the first place but curiosity got the best of him.

Ms. Isong looked down at her hands on the desk. "It means that...I understand this person, whoever they are, I've once been where they are now. Many people don't know this but I once had suicidal thoughts too after..." she trailed off.

CJ only stood there like a statue. It was then he understood why she'd wanted to help this person so much. Of course, she had once been in their shoes. But it seemed there was a something else she was leaving out, a painful part. He wasn't going to ask her about it.

"Oh..." CJ said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "At the end of the letter, you signed as KEC, what's—"

"It means Kasy, Esther and...CJ."

For a second, CJ looked at the English teacher like she'd lost her mind but he immediately understood and nodded.

"It means that the three of us will help this person...together," she went further to explain, "I hope I can count on you,"

CJ smiled. "Of course."

• • •

"Did you bring the stuff?" Enock asked as he approached CJ behind the incomplete building. He turned around to see if anyone had followed him. The coast was clear.

CJ dug his hand into his sling bag and pulled out the weed wrapped in paper.

Enock eyed the light-skinned boy as he collected his goods. He went further to unwrap it to check properly.

"The rest of the money," said CJ.

Enock retrieved some naira notes from his back pocket and handed them to CJ. "Do you have coke?"

"I can get it."

"Seriously?"

"For the right price, yes."

"Tomorrow, then," Enock said and CJ nodded, walking away, leaving Enock to stuff the weed properly into his pocket before following suite.

• • •

Kasy and Dele walked as fast as they could, trying to keep up with Annika's pace as they tried to get answers from her on why Zehan Essien was suddenly a prefect. They were walking to the Vice Principal's office after he had summoned the head prefects.

"Does Mr. Johnson even know?" Dele asked Annika who was much more focused on getting to the office than answering their questions.

"He was the one who asked me to appoint who I thought would be best for the job," Annika replied.

"And you chose Zehan?" Kasy asked.

"I don't even know why this is such a big deal for you too," Annika said, "You both know the Nero Sports Olympics are coming up soon and we're hoping that our school will get picked this year and if we do get picked, we can't win without a sports prefect. Charles Elias was a good sports prefect but he got expelled and we needed someone better. Tell me why I need to explain these things to you?"

"Because it's a crazy decision you took...don't forget that Zehan doesn't exactly have a good record in this school," Dele said. He was trying his best to make Annika reason with him but something was telling him that it was pointless.

"Neither does Ahmed, but he's the disciplinarian. If we're to start looking at good records, most of us wouldn't be prefects including Tari Disemi who I haven't seen since last week by the way and you yourself, Dele." Annika had finnaly turned to look at Dele. "You and I know that if Zehan hadn't left last year, Charles wouldn't even have bothered going for sports prefect. Almost all the trophies this school has won is thanks to Essien. The guy literally won enough medals to make a gold sculpture so why are you complaining?"

Kasy and Dele kept mute. They just moped at the Head Girl knowing that everything she'd said was true. That was the problem with arguing with Annnika Malan, she would always counter you.

"Good," Annika said, looking satisfied with their silence, "now, next time, when Annika Malan makes a decision, don't question it."

With that she continued taking long strides towards the VP's office and Kasy and Dele lazily trailed behind.

Timi had already been in the office when they'd gotten there. They'd walked in right in time to hear Mr. Johnson saying, "...you still haven't told me the extracurricular activity you decided on for this term and we're running out of time, you're—"

"Oh, sir, we already decided," Annika interrupted, smiling.

"Okay?" Mr. Johnson raised his eyebrows in expectation of what the Head Girl would say. The rest just stared at Annika, wondering when she'd made a decision without informing them.

"This year, Newland Secondary School will be having their first ever...Cultural Day!" Annika exclaimed and began clapping.

"You say what?" Dele interrupted her self-applause.

"Cultural day...other schools do it," Annika mumbled, looking confused as to why no one else was looking excited.

"I like the idea, we haven't done it before...but I like the idea. I'll let the Principal and Proprietor know and I'll get back to you." Mr. Johnson nodded in approval.

"Thank you, sir." Annika smiled sheepishly till they all left the office.

"You didn't tell me about your idea," Timi said to Annika.

"Oh, I thought we discussed about it online," Annika furrowed her eyebrows.

"Uh...no, we did not," Timi emphasized.

"Oh," Annika simply said before walking away hurriedly.

Timi voiced in a whisper afterwards, "She didn't even apologize,"

"Hey, were you aware that Annika made Zehan the new sports prefect?" Kasy walked up to the Head Boy.

That came as another shocker to Timi. "She did what?"

"Yeah, I thought she would've even told you," said Kasy.

"Why does she keep making decisions like this without informing me?" Timi asked no one in particular. "Zehan? Of all people?"

"I thought you would be happy for him? He's your cousin afterall," Dele said, walking behind them.

"I've been trying to avoid him," Timi confessed, "now Annika just made that impossible,"

"Poor Zehan," Dele faked a pity face as he shook his head, "even his own family avoids him like a plague."

• • •

Kasy and Dele walked side by side after Timi had left them to go to the library. They made small talk about nothing and everything and it seemed like it was almost taking eternity for them to get to their destination.

"...if I'm to start counting how many times I've walked in on him, it would be uncountable," Kasy said and chuckled awkwardly.

"Wait, so your dad is still a playboy?" Dele asked, "you know, that was actually the main reason why we didn't spend much time in your house back then." He chuckled.

"Yeah, today it's Glory, tomorrow it's Joy. It gets frustrating at times but I can't complain." Kasy shrugged.

"Why?"

"Because I think it's his coping mechanism." She looked up at Dele who nodded his head in understanding.

"You're right," Dele said.

"What about you? How's your dad?" Kasy asked to keep the conversation going. They were already outside and students were everywhere; playing all sorts of games, talking, laughing, etc.

"Busy," Dele simply said with a shrug.

"As usual." Kasy chuckled softly. "I wonder how you manage to stay in that house alone."

"It's not that bad," Dele replied, "I mean, asides the fact that Enock and Ahmed practically live with me now, there are a lot of other things I do to keep myself busy,"

"Must be nice," Kasy mumbled. She couldn't help but remember that she, Zehan and Adam were once the ones who practically lived with Dele in the Akindele mansion.

Kasy must've been in deep thought since she didn't see Enock and Ahmed approaching them.

"Ah, see flat chest oo!" Ahmed yelled on getting to them.

Kasy wanted the floor to just open up and swallow her at that moment. She immediately left Dele's side and began walking in the opposite direction; the direction they'd been coming from.

"Ah ah, who dey purshue you?" Ahmed laughed hysterically at Kasy who didn't even turn around.

"That girl is very funny," Enock said after they were now standing with Dele.

"She been dey crush on Dele," Ahmed pointed out. "But Dele sef dey fuck up. Person wey he go just fuck and dump, free pussy, he dey there dey wait for Annika,"

Enock laughed loudly while Dele glared at Ahmed.

"Guy, you're mad. You're very crazy," Dele spat as he continued walking and his friends followed him.

"Dey there na," Ahmed continued, "even Enock go soon collect free pussy from Tamara,"

Dele's expression immediately morphed in a confused one before he turned to look at Ahmed and Enock; they had stopped walking. "What do you mean?" He asked Ahmed.

"We just want to teach fat pig a lesson," Enock replied. "Fuck her and expose her for the slut she is; that's the mission."

"Wait, what?" Dele looked more confused, "you mean, Tamara Disemi? Is Sola even aware of your plans?"

"It was her idea." Enock shrugged.

"Wow, everyone in this school has lost their fucking minds." Dele scoffed before he turned around and continued walking.

"Dude, what Ahmed said is actually true," Enock said as they continued following him,  "Kasy is head over heels for you and you're wasting a good opportunity. No one is saying you should date her. Just charm her, do your thing and go back to being Annika's toy."

"Okay, hold it there!" Dele snapped. "First, I'm nobody's toy. And secondly, are you even listening to yourself?" he asked, "Enock, I thought you had a little more sense than Ahmed, what's wrong with you?"

The boys were silent for some seconds before Ahmed burst into laughter.

"What? What's funny?" Dele asked.

Ahmed simply turned to Enock and said in between laughter, "He no fit do am! He dey fear pussy,"

Dele rolled his eyes.

"No, the guy is just a pussy himself," Enock joined in.

That got Dele's attention.

"You say what?"

"Pu-s-s-y," Enock said slowly, laying emphasis on each syllabus and Ahmed doubled up in laughter.

Dele didn't know what pained him more; the fact that his friends were calling him a pussy or the fact that Ahmed was laughing at him like a crazy person. Ahmed's hysterical laughter was usually very mocking and shaming when it was directed at you. It could make one want to jump off a cliff.

Dele found himself bubbling with adrenaline as everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. "Are you guys daring me?"

On hearing that, Ahmed stopped laughing and Enock stepped forward and put his palm out. He said in a whisper, "Guy, if you're able to fuck Kasy before I fuck Tamara, we'll do anything you want...we'll be your slaves till graduation."

Dele looked down at Enock's open palm and looked back up at his eyes which were filled with so much eagerness and determination for him to place the bet. Dele didn't know what had gotten over Enock Sakala but he needed to hit his hand, he needed to show them that he wasn't a pussy.

But Kasy.

Dele gulped. "Graduation is a year from now," he mumbled as though that statement would make them rethink the decision.

"Exactly," Enock whsipered with a smirk gracing his chocolate face.

Dele was still looking at Enock's open palm.

What was the worse that could happen?

One, Kasy was definitely still a virgin and he would be her first. Two, she was head over heels for him, he'd known that for years after he'd read her diary and she would be heartbroken when he leaves her for Annika. Three, what if Kasy found out? What if Annika found out?

There's no way they will find out. No one would tell them.

And without a second thought, the sound of Dele's palm hitting Enock's resounded and Ahmed nodded his head in approval.

If you're reading and you're not following this guy Donaldprince you're looking for trouble.

Just rant in the comments. how's this book making you feel so far?

Anyway, here we are! Shits about to go dowwwnnnn!